Open Forum Meetings

Forum Topics

We have covered a wide variety of topics since we started up in 2005. These range from transport issues to an appeal for a U3A in the town. Local organisations welcome the opportunity these meetings give them to give presentations about new initiatives. In a recent Open Forum, Brian Hughes from Erewash Borough Council brought us up to date on the hot topic of the Stanton Regeneration. Shelia Davis from Friends of West Park enthused us about her Outdoor Gym proposal for West Park. The meeting gave her a ringing endorsement and we were very pleased to hear a couple of weeks ago that Shelia's bid was successful. I believe the Outdoor Gym is due to be ready in the first week of June 2011.

Finally Ian Littlehales told us about a fantastic scheme for the over 50's called The Discovery Award. Over 20 people at the meeting expressed an interest and a further meeting with Ian took place in October. A few people from Long Eaton joined the scheme including our chair, Pete Wearn. He is thoroughly enjoying the experience and would thoroughly recommend it to other members if they have the time and the inclination. It only costs £ 8.00 a year!

The next Open Forum was to address issues around health for older people,but it was unfortunately badly hit by the dreadful weather around the first week of December when the meeting was held. Well done the speakers amd forum members who made it to the Town Hall.

Our March Open Forum should be very interesting. It is on the theme "Engage with Government Services"

We are expecting Russell Taylor from the Department of Work and Pensions, Chris Watson (Census), Adam Reddish (Erewash BC) and Gemma Nash (Stolen Goods Market Co-Ordinator). Click here to download Russell's presentation

A close-up of the moon's craters .. a Discovery Award project from Long Eaton

Support Groups

Some of our members wanted to investigate some local issues in more depth and they have formed small groups which meet regularly often with partners from local organsations. The environment group has recently run a survey on litter and graffiti.

A late local councillor, Bill Camm, liked our work and helped to get us started on this with some very useful extra funding to get this part of our work started. He and another councillor, Roland Hosker, have since given us more funding so we can continue with this valuable part of our work.

We had several meetings at Parklands Connexions off Leopold St in the Autumn 2010 but unfortunately Pete Wearn decided to withdraw as co-ordinator and lack of a replacement to drive the groups onward made the future of the scheme look very shaky.

However we are glad to report that under the enthusiastic leadership of our Vice-Chair, Roy Smith. a new group has been formed. It has a membership of 12 already and has had its first meeting at Long Eaton Library to discuss local Transport Issues. The group secretary is Chris Davis.

Forum History

Soon a steering group was formed and our first meeting to discuss Crime & the Fear of Crime was held in September 2005.

Since then our membership has grown to over 300 and we are often consulted by local organisations

Computer Courses

We discovered that many of our members would appreciate some help in starting out with computers. They wanted to keep up with modern progress surfing the web and having their own e-mail addresses. These 5 week courses held with the kind cooperation of our local library are very popular. They are ably run by Ann Bennett, our own computer expert, from 1.30 - 3.30 pm with a coffee break midway!

On Monday mornings, Roy Smith runs courses for Absolute Beginners in the library at Long Eaton. Come along & join this popular activity! It starts at 10.00 am.

Look at our computer page to find out more.

Forum Reports

Following the themes our committee have chosen for our Open Forums, our surveys have led to detailed reports of our findings. We circulate these to our members and to local organisations where relevant. We are supported in this costly exercise by Derbyshire County Council who also provide an invaluable support officer to help and guide our committee.

Follow the links at the top of this page to check out topics. Follow your interest to see more. Click to view the first of our Forum Powerpoints all about Transport & Roads and shown at the December 2006 Open Forum!

Coach Trips

Our members were enthusiastic about going on coach trips and so we have been organising trips from 2009. These have been very popular and not too expensive.

Our last trip in July was to St Alban's with its beautiful cathedral and plentiful variety of eating establishments.

The next trip is to Worcester on September 29th.

You can purchase tickets from our trips organiser Ian Neill at the next Open Forum.

There will be the usual 4 pick up points of

Petersham Hall

Asda Trent St

Long Eaton Railway Station

West Park Leisure Centre

Finally