Churchill Fund Plans At Bideford - 19th February 1965

Plea That Appeal Should Not Drag "On And On"

While attendance at Monday's meeting called to plan Bideford's response to the Winston Churchill Memorial Appeal was exceptionally representative of organisations and individuals. and many ideas were put forward, there was a cautionary plea that the campaign should not be allowed to 'drag on and on'.
Capt Pat Brennan, who made the plea, explained to the Gazette on Wednesday; 'The point I was trying to make was that the Winston Churchill Appeal should not be extended beyond the period suggested, to avoid it clashing with other things. People ae being asked all the time to give; if this appeal drags its feet over into a longer period it could very well prejudice local efforts. I asked that we should stick to the week (March 20-27) suggested. Surely that is right enough.'
The meeting held in the Town Hall, was the best attended of its type for a long time. Support came from political parties, sports clubs, youth movements, schools, Churches and local organisations.
Money raising ideas put forward including a house-to-house collection during the week in March; a midnight screening of the colour film of Sir Winston's state funeral at the local cinema; collections at football and rugby matches and at schools; a band concert; and the placing of collecting boxes in local shops.
Boy Scouts adn the Women's Voluntary Service are being specially permitted to collect money for the appeal, although this is normally against their regulations. Girl Guides will be allowed to distribute appeal leaflets.
The national organisers have suggested that £440 is the minimum achievement figure Bideford should set. Already £61 has been received, includng a £25 donation from a company building a new factory in the town.