A meeting of the steering group was held on Thursday 26^th February 2009 in the Town Hall and lasted just over two hours.   Seventeen people came and it opened with a reminder of everybody’s name and an update on their activities, interests and inspirations for the project.

A flurry of people joined the website following the green drink and there are now 18 members.   The press officers will start advertising the meetings and green drinks in the events listings of the local press.

Following positive support for the proposed questionnaire, the street survey has been arranged for 14^th March.   It was agreed that an A5 leaflet would be useful to hand out on the day and the Town Council have offered to provide a photocopying service for this.

There was discussion following on from last month’s decision to produce a display for the BLAP AGM presentation with contact details being exchanged between those able to help.

The importance of making contact with primary schools was discussed and a volunteer came forward to investigate what is already being done in schools and what the best approach might be to introduce the transition town project to young children.

The logo competition organisers were unable to attend so a volunteer offered to make contact with them to find out what progress has been made.   If this proves unsuccessful, a competition open to public will be considered instead.   A possible prize was discussed but no decision taken.

About 25 people attended the first green drink and it was agreed to continue them monthly.

The original proposal for a musical event has had to be abandoned for logistical reasons and so ‘Dangerous Curves’ have been booked to play at the Arts Centre on 15^th May.   There were no objections to this.

It was agreed to make 27^th June-4^th July ‘awareness week’ rather than ‘the great unleashing’ as preparations for the latter cannot be made in time.

Many ideas were discussed for the week of events, including; a carnival float, a website forum, displays at the food fair, energy day and charter fair, a community art project, a film festival and green ‘Oscars’.

Possible funding was discussed which may be available from the Bridport Community Fund and from the Town Council.   Both types of funding application must be project-based.

Four members of the group are attending a conference (Jonathan Porritt, speaker) and will report back afterwards.

DA21 are organising a TT training day.   Two spaces for Bridport will be available and volunteers came forward to attend.

Events can now be entered onto the website calendar.

After discussion it was decided that a formal invitation to local organisations was unnecessary as most members of the steering group are involved with at least one other local group and can report directly to them on the work of the TTB steering group.

The steering group plan to meet again on 26^th March 2009.