Stone Town Council
Tourism & Town Promotion Sub-Committee
Draft Minutes of the meeting held in the Council Chamber
at 15 Station Road, Stone, on Tuesday 17 March 2026
PRESENT:
Councillor J. Hood in the Chair and
Councillors: A. Best, J. Davies, K. Dawson, J. Hood, B. Kenney, R. Kenney and J. Powell
Officers: L. Trigg, R. Edwards, L. Fleetwood and T. Williams
By Chairman’s invitation: P. Leason
ABSENT: Councillors: A. Burgess, L. Davies and A. Mottershead
Co-opted Member: J. Cook
TTP26/034
Apologies
Councillors: L. Davies and A. Mottershead
Co-opted Member: J. Cook
TTP26/035 Declarations of Interest
None made.
TTP26/036 Requests for Dispensations
None received.
TTP26/037 Representations from Members of the Public
None received.
TTP26/038 Minutes of Previous Meeting
The Minutes of the Tourism & Town Promotion Sub-Committee meeting held on 13 January 2026 (Minute Numbers TTP26/024 – TTP26/033), were approved as a correct record.
TTP26/039
Calendar of Events
The Sub-Committee considered the Town Council’s Calendar of Events and gave updates on events that had taken place:
2026 – Taken Place
• Texas Flag Raising, marking Texas State’s independence from Mexico (Saturday 7 March 2026)
Councillor Davies advised the Sub-Committee that the event had been well supported by the Florence Brass Band and expressed his grateful thanks to band members. He said the weather had been kind, the town busy on this Farmers’ Market day, and people had been interested in the Flag Raising proceedings.
Councillor Davies suggested moving the band on to the High Street itself next year in preference to this year’s positioning around the flag pole.
2026/27 – Upcoming/Agreed
The following events to be hosted by the Town Council, and their agreed dates, were noted by the Sub-Committee:
• St George’s Day (Saturday 25 April 2026)
The Chairman informed the Sub-Committee that the annual St George event was scheduled for the 25 April, and would be well publicised.
• Floating Market (9 & 10 May 2026)
The floating market will be visiting Stone again this year, on 9 and 10 May.
• Classic Car Event (11 July 2026)
The Chairman informed the Sub-Committee that Alex Heaton from Stone Carnival was heading this popular event. Alex has confirmed (in a meeting, yesterday) that around 60 exhibitors were expected to take part. A call was made for volunteer stewards to offer their support on the day.
• Motorbike Event (8 August 2026)
A Motorbike Event in Stone will be new for 2026. A large number of exhibitors had attended previous events arranged by the organiser (in other areas/towns) which fared well for the two wheel enthusiast in Stone.
• Children’s Event (July/August 2026)
The Chairman advised the Sub-Committee that she was hoping a free children’s Viking re-enactment could take place in July or August. No meetings have been held with the organiser yet and an update would be given as arrangements
progress.
• Summer Street Party (15 August 2026)
The Chairman advised the Sub-Committee that discussions were underway about the possibilities and choices of bands available to perform at the Summer Street Party.
The event will be similar in structure to previous events.
The Chairman called for new ideas in relation to the Street Party and confirmed that further details would be shared as arrangements progress.
• Florence Brass Band Concert & Burma Star Commemoration (16 August 2026)
The Chairman reported that this was a popular event that she was looking forward to. The supplier of cream teas may need to change this year after a last minute problem last year.
• Alternative Car Event (26 September 2026)
The Chairman advised the Sub-Committee that Alex Heaton from Stone Carnival was liaising with the owner of an alternative car (who had attended the last Classic Car Show in Stone) to see whether it might be possible to organise an alternative car show.
• Christmas Lights Switch-On (19 November 2026)
The Chairman informed the Sub-Committee that she and officers of the Town Council had meeting with the Council’s supplier of Christmas lights. A quotation will be supplied for a small number of tired looking displays and new lighting samples shared with Town Councillors, if provided.
The decorated Plane tree was raised as a point of concern as the lights were off a number of times over the festive period 2025 due to water ingress in the electric boxes and rodents chewing through the cables. A direct line to the contactor was made available.
• Texas Flag Raising, marking the anniversary of Texas joining the Union on 29 December 1845 (29 December 2026)
This regular Flag raising event, marking Texas Joining the Union at the end of the year, was noted.
• Suggestions for new events
The Chairman invited Sub-Committee members to put forward new ideas for events in 2026.
The suggestion was made that an Armed Forces Day be considered in Stone, either on 27 June 2026, or on Armed Forces Day next year. If arranged, contact should be made with MOD Stafford to ensure they have an opportunity to support the occasion.
The Suggestion was made that a Heritage event be held in consultation with the Heritage Centre Manager. There are one or two towns who put heritage pictures in shop windows showing how the shops looked in years gone by, along with a display of artifacts where available.
TTP26/040 Rebekah
The Sub-Committee considered the future of Rebekah, the narrow boat on the canal bridge, although not the direct responsibility of the Town Council.
The Chairman advised the Sub-Committee that a community group was planning to undertake a weld repair to restore the boat’s structure.
TTP26/041 Reports from Working Groups
The Chairman invited co-ordinators from each Working Group to address the Sub-Committee:
Remembrance Plaques Working Group
Councillor J. Davies confirmed (on behalf of Councillor L. Davies who was not present at the meeting) that there was no new information to report.
Market Strategy Working Group
The Chairman advised the Sub-Committee that no meeting of the Working Group had taken place.
Friendship Agreement Working Group
Councillor J. Davies advised the Sub-Committee that there was no change since the last meeting and that he was waiting for more information to be released on the local government reorganisation to allow consideration of how friendship arrangements would align with the new structure.
Chairman