VIBRANT SETTLE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP
The Vibrant Settle Community Partnership (Vibrant Settle) was formed in 2010 as an unincorporated organisation.
The people who formed the organisation shared a concern about how depressed Settle was at that time and how there was a lack of optimism that things could be improved. A widely held view was that Settle was on a downward slope and nothing could be done about it. Many of the town's businesses hadn't come to terms with the opening of the Settle bypass in 1988 which diverted a previously captive audience, around the town. Also, the lingering effects of the devastating 2001 Foot & Mouth crisis were still being felt.
The Vibrant Settle team believed that the future vibrancy and economic sustainability of the area depended very much on our ability to attract many more visitors, both as day visitors and short-stayers. Without a vibrant town centre, the beating heart of the town would be lost. Most of the local shops and hospitality businesses could no longer rely on local trade to survive - they needed the spending power of visitors. The team also firmly believed that the actions required to attract visitors would also be of benefit residents by creating a vibrant, confident town of which people could feel optimistic and proud.
Many of the essential elements for rebuilding the town's vibrancy were present, but they seemed to operate within their own 'bubble'. They didn't see themselves and weren't seen by others, as part of a vibrant whole.
The Vibrant Settle team's strategy is to work with local partners (business owners, organisations, individuals) to promote the Settle Area as a great place to visit and to organise events that are attractive to both the local community and visitors.
The Vibrant Settle team comprises just three people, all of whom give their time in a voluntary capacity. Funding for the various initiatives come from advertising revenues and donations from some of the larger local businesses. Financial support was received from Settle Town Council and County Councillors for the Christmas Lights Switch-on events.
Current team members are:
Steve Amphlett (2010 - ): Steve is a founder member. His background is as a senior director of a large multinational manufacturing company. He has lived in the Settle Area for over 20 years during which time he has run an Inn, restaurant & hotel and assisted his wife in the running of their retail business (Shop & On-line). He is a past chairman of Settle & District Chamber of Trade, a founder-director of Settle-Hydro, a past member of Settle Town Council and a past chair of NCBPT (owners of The Folly). Steve manages the marketing activities (Website, Guide, Social Media) and is actively involved in making and installing Flowerpot Displays for the Flowerpot Festival. Stewart, the Castleberg Climber, Meerkat family, penguins, horses, elephants and even a dodo - there is nothing that his fertile imagination can't make from flowerpots and cable ties!!
Richard Handscombe (2019 - ): Richard joined the team in 2019 having moved to the town from West Yorkshire. His background is as a senior manager/director of marketing in several large organisations. Richard has an exceptional ability for creating Flowerpot Characters and is exceptionally expert at painting them! Snow White and the Seven Dwarves are examples of his talent! When he isn't making Flowerpots, Richard does voluntary work with Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Settle-Carlisle Railway, Victoria Hall and The Folly. He is also a film extra and has appeared (albeit fleetingly) in several major productions. His marketing expertise will be invaluable as we seek to develop and improve the effectiveness of our marketing efforts.
Heather Murray (2018 - ): Heather joined the team in 2018. Heather is retired, lives in Bolton but spends most of her time at her caravan at Bowland Fell. Steve spotted her enthusiasm and expertise for posting on Facebook and persuaded her to apply her talents to the Visit Settle Facebook Page. She is now responsible for most of the original posts on the site. When Heather isn't posting on Facebook, she is an active volunteer in The Folly Museum being a member of their Volunteers Operations Team and Coffee House Team. She is in training to become an honourary Settle-ite!
EVENTS ORGANISED BY VIBRANT SETTLE
Settle's Royal Wedding Celebrations (2011)
Settle's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations (2012)
Monthly Fundraising Quiz Night at Lion at Settle (2011 - 2014)
Annual Settle Christmas Lights Switch-On (2013 - 2020)
Annual Settle Flowerpot Festival (2014 - )
MARKETING INITIATIVES ORGANISED BY VIBRANT SETTLE
Monthly E-Newsletter (2011 - 2018)
'Welcome to Settle' Leaflet 2012
Settle APP (2013 - 2017)
(in conjunction with Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust)
'Welcome to Settle' Guides 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021
'Visit Settle' Facebook Page (2013 - )
(in conjunction with Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust and Marshall Taylor Ltd)
'Visit Settle' Website (2014 - )
Settle Map & Places to Eat' Leaflet (2015 - 2019)
'Settle Events' Facebook Page (2020 - )
Revised Settle Town Map Leaflet (2020 - )
(in conjunction with Settle-Carlisle Railway Development Company)
Settle 'Rainbow Town' Initiative (2020)
Settle 'Post COVID' Recovery Plan (2020)
Pebbles of Settle and Giggleswick (2020)
supported Mike Harding in raising funds and organising sales of his book that captured the hundreds
of painted stones that appeared throughout Settle and Giggleswick during the 2020 Covid Lockdown.
All proceed donated to local community projects.