The Beverley Chamber of Trade held its April meeting on Wednesday, the 29th, at the historic and atmospheric East Riding Theatre. With a packed agenda covering local sporting success, community fundraising, and the future of our town’s infrastructure, there was plenty for members to discuss.
Beverley Town FC: A Club on the Rise
Our Chair, Shaun Dart, opened the meeting by welcoming members and introducing our first speaker, Gary Proud of Beverley Town FC.
Gary shared the impressive journey the club has taken since moving to its Norwood home in 2000. What was once a smaller outfit has blossomed into a massive community asset, now boasting four men’s teams, a women’s team, and a staggering 28 junior teams. The 1st team’s performance has been particularly noteworthy, securing three promotions in just five years.
Gary highlighted that the club is always looking for local partners to join their journey, with various sponsorship packages currently available for businesses looking to support local sport.
Local News & Community Success
Shaun then provided an update on local infrastructure and community news:
- Weel Bridge & Recycling Centre: Shaun mentioned that Weel Bridge has been removed and is currently undergoing renovation in Sheffield. Consequently, the local Recycling Centre has also had to shut its doors for the duration of the works (late July).
- Linkage Fundraising: Shaun celebrated the fantastic “Flem to Wem” activity, which saw participants complete a 216-mile bikeathon (Shaun’s contribution 7.5 miles!). The event raised £1,200 to fund a sensory garden for Linkage College. You can read more about this brilliant achievement here.
Business Spotlight: Dyer Lane
Marnie Taylor of Islay Bloom took the floor to discuss the upcoming electrical works scheduled for Dyer Lane. While Marnie acknowledged the concerns about the potential disruption to trade during the works, she remained optimistic about the long-term benefits, noting that the completed project should significantly enhance the aesthetic appeal for shoppers and businesses alike.
Venue Spotlight: East Riding Theatre (ert)
Finally, we heard from Nicole Fewster, who gave us a behind-the-scenes look at our host venue, East Riding Theatre. As the only professional theatre in Beverley, ert holds a unique place in our cultural landscape.
Nicole explained that the theatre operates as a charity and, interestingly, receives no government grants. Instead, its survival and success depend entirely on ticket sales, sponsorship, and the dedicated hard work of volunteers. The theatre is clearly thriving, with the schedule booked up years in advance—some shows are already in the diary for 2028!
Nicole reminded members that the theatre’s Café is open daily from 10 am to 2 pm, providing a wonderful space for meetings or a quick coffee in town.
Thank you to everyone who attended and to the East Riding Theatre for hosting us. We look forward to seeing you all at our next meeting!
