A 'MOVING' exhibition to engage the views of Hatherleigh residents about the future needs of the town is being staged from December 1-8 so everyone has a chance to have their say.
As part of the Market and Coastal Town Initiative in Hatherleigh, which presents the town with an opportunity to bid for a 'virtual £1 million' of Government funding, an Action Plan is being formed for the community.
Community consultation is a vital part of the process hence the exhibition 'A Vision for Hatherleigh' is being staged on the following days: December 3 and 5 — Hatherleigh Area Project Office, Deacon's House, Market Square; December 4 (11am-2.30pm) — Hatherleigh Methodist Hall; December 6 (2pm-9pm) and 8 (10am-2pm) — The Old School Rooms, Market Square and December 7 (4pm-9pm) Hatherleigh School.
The Hatherleigh Area Project, which has been appointed to take forward the Market and Coastal Town Initiative which also covers the parishes surrounding Hatherleigh, has invited more than 40 groups and clubs to create displays explaining what they do and what wishes they have for the future.
All they want now is for as many people as possible from the town to come along and give their views, dissatisfactions and dreams for their community. The key question will be 'What do you want Hatherleigh to be in ten years time?'
The project office at Deacon's House has been open for several months now. This is thanks to funding from West Devon Borough Council and the South West Regional Development Agency, who have also funded the appointment of a development officer Charles Coffin and his assistant Sophie Price, to concentrate on regenerating the area, post foot and mouth disease.
Already a number of ideas to regenerate Hatherleigh have been put forward by the community and are being looked into.
These include a visitor's centre, open-air theatre, community renewable energy plant, a promotional leaflet for the town and marketing and branding of local food produce. Ideas also include a number of community-based projects like a credit union and composting scheme.
Sophie Price said people would be encouraged to write down their views at the exhibition and these would be taken away and collated.
People will have an opportunity to talk with representatives of the clubs and groups, some of whom will be looking for support for their own projects.
From the opinions gathered an action plan will be put together and presented to the community by the end of February.
Charles and Sophie will be taking an exhibition out to the surrounding parishes in the New Year.