THE group that has masterminded Minehead’s major holiday attractions for the past six years made an unexpected decision to disband and pass on the baton to the town’s newest business group this week.
After running Minehead Events Group as private individuals since 2012, district councillors Andrew Hadley, Karen Mills and Richard Lillis decided on Tuesday to close it down.
They have transferred its funds and assets to the newly-formed Minehead Business Improvement District (BID) which is now building up an events programme.
Over the years, MEG-sponsored attractions have included the Red Arrows, which brought 15,000 spectators to the town, summer festivals, cycle and powerboat racing and two visits by a giant observation wheel.
The group also organised voluntary seafront sand-clearing sessions when up to 70 helpers cleaned up the Esplanade after winter gales, ready for holiday visitors.
“People are wondering why we have suddenly called it a day,” Cllr Lillis told the Free Press. “It has been a lovely job but it can be very stressful and after six years it seemed sensible to bring in some new blood and the BID seemed the logical successor.”
He said the group had had to take some criticism over the years, particularly over the decision to site the observation wheel near blocks of flats.
“It was a learning process and we had to take risks over some of the projects, but we have been involved in some really super events and we are proud of what we have have managed to do for the town.
“We will have a lot of memories – including having to get up at four in the morning to put up the crash barriers for the cycle racing event in the town centre!”
For the full story, buy today’s Free Press (August 24).