July Newsletter

Welcome Marketeers, our July BCM just wouldn’t be the same without you. You’ll notice a couple of changes to the Park if you get the time to look about, most notably the addition to the existing central buildings. There are by now, or shortly will be, several other changes to the terrain and flora in other areas of the grounds. The improvements are financed from proceeds of the BCM and with the support of Bellingen Shire Council and also from BCM sourced funding from organizations, FRRR for instance. To keep you up with current activity and future plans I’d recommend you read, ‘BCM Plans Stage 1 & 2′.
There has been a policy reversal by the BCM Committee who heard and agreed with feedback from Marketeers and so as of this July 2008 BCM any fees paid by Permanent Stallholders due to a missed market will not include an insurance component. And while on fees, last month’s winner of a free site was a ‘juicy’ affair won by D Sections, Jean Paul & Danielle who found and fulfilled the task secreted into each month’s newsletter. Make mine a large pineapple and coconut, merci.
As a ‘Community’ Market we take our brief seriously and so I take this opportunity to let you in on a couple of items under consideration for inclusion in next month’s August BCM. The greater community will be electing a new Bellingen Shire Council in early September ‘08. It has long been a feature on occasions such as this to hold a ‘Meet the (Local) Candidates Forum’. This is again likely to be the case and although it will coincide with the Bellingen Jazz & Blues Festival crowds I believe it will only add authenticity and colour. I am also aware that this is an exercise in grass roots democracy that is supported by our smaller community of Marketeers many of who are themselves Shire residents. And whilst on our ‘smaller community’, we have been offered the RAAF Balloon for free tethered rides for the public. The offer is being considered seriously, pros, cons, OH&S, noise, and disruption to traders and amusement operators; but then what a crowd puller, its huge taking up 60 meters diameter. To Be Advised.
Each and every BCM we get more requests for Casual sites than we can accommodate. If you are at all curious as to how the process works and why you may not always get a space each and every BCM I’d recommend you read ‘Casually Speaking’.
Bellingen Jazz & Blues Festival are here today with early bird tickets, get yours now and avoid the price rise. Also here today the CWA ladies are raffling for a good cause the fight against Diabetes. And most notably joining our jamboree are 1st Bellingen Scouts celebrating their 100th year as a troop, yes they established in the same year scouting began and they are this month BCM Community Group, drop a bob in their bucket &/or buy a raffle ticket at the Church St gate in the timber raffle. Onstage from 10am The Romainiacs return and Juzzy Smith. Both acts back by popular demand. With all of that and you I’ve know doubt we’ll be sending more visitors home thinking BCM not just a marketplace but a great place to be.

A noticeable addition to the BCM layout this month is the new building to be found adjoining those existing buildings at the southern end in the grandstand. The building represents the major project of a three plan in partnership with the Bellingen Shire Council who as you are aware from earlier newsletters are co-contributing funding over three years, in line with a projected plan of improvements and park maintenance presented to BSC by BCM Market Committee.
Although not totally completed the building was built with funds from the BSC & BCM along with a generous contribution of $2,500 from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal. Once completed the building will provide multi purpose functions as the BCM information office, first aid post, lost children/parents/guardians reportage and recovery point & as a central meeting point for visitors. When not in use for that purpose it will house our recycling bins. That will have completed Stage One.
Our next series of projects have already begun with the removal of a tree in the Central Entertainment & Food area which was threatening safety and the Market Stage. Roots in areas of that Section C and B Section have been painted to prevent falls in the interim period prior to having stump grinders render them level. We love our trees but Council has identified several for removal and after consultation with BCM these removals will then proceed on Council’s availability.
Pathways are another item being discussed. What to do with what we’ve got? We are looking (eventually) to link existing pathways with new ones to create a complete pathways system but at the same time there is maintenance of those existing paths to be considered, somehow stump grinding of roots along the proposed new pathways needs also to be factored in to the rising costs. These and other matters are to be the topic of a meeting I am attending with BSC and so rather than anticipate the outcome I will provide the definitive details to you in the nest newsletter.

A noticeable addition to the BCM layout this month is the new building to be found adjoining those existing buildings at the southern end in the grandstand. The building represents the major project of a three plan in partnership with the Bellingen Shire Council who as you are aware from earlier newsletters are co-contributing funding over three years, in line with a projected plan of improvements and park maintenance presented to BSC by BCM Market Committee.
Although not totally completed the building was built with funds from the BSC & BCM along with a generous contribution of $2,500 from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal. Once completed the building will provide multi purpose functions as the BCM information office, first aid post, lost children/parents/guardians reportage and recovery point & as a central meeting point for visitors. When not in use for that purpose it will house our recycling bins. That will have completed Stage One.
Our next series of projects have already begun with the removal of a tree in the Central Entertainment & Food area which was threatening safety and the Market Stage. Roots in areas of that Section C and B Section have been painted to prevent falls in the interim period prior to having stump grinders render them level. We love our trees but Council has identified several for removal and after consultation with BCM these removals will then proceed on Council’s availability.
Pathways are another item being discussed. What to do with what we’ve got? We are looking (eventually) to link existing pathways with new ones to create a complete pathways system but at the same time there is maintenance of those existing paths to be considered, somehow stump grinding of roots along the proposed new pathways needs also to be factored in to the rising costs. These and other matters are to be the topic of a meeting I am attending with BSC and so rather than anticipate the outcome I will provide the definitive details to you in the nest newsletter.

If you are a Casual stallholder at today’s BCM congratulations, you got in. It is my happy task to return the calls of the many hopeful making their expressions of Interest for a site each Monday prior to our 3rd Saturday jamboree (BCM). It is my onerous task also to have to vet the calls also. I am obliged by the policy of the BCM to return calls to Bellingen Shire Residents in the first instance. After that any remaining sites are filled according to the character of the BCM which seeks to promote local art, craft and fresh produce - products of human endeavour and imagination. After those are selected I am then able to proceed to fill remaining Casual sites, if any. Once the required number of stalls is filled we are unable to return all of the calls to those who have been unsuccessful but an advisory message is recorded if you wish to know the outcome. So as you can see there is a method & the time of your call is merely incidental to the process, providing your call is in after 6am on the Monday prior to our BCM.

First Marketeer to correctly write the answer on this sheet to the following question then complete the task at the time specified can win their stall fee for this month.
1. When was BCM established? Task: At 10am first person to stand front of stage & with gusto spruik your stall to the crowd ending with “BCM not just a marketplace but a great place to be ” NB. If more than one, the free stall will be won by best spruiker. Good Luck!