'hashtag' shipstonlive a new kind of event

The south Warwickshire market town of Shipston is being thrust into the 21st century with the launch of #shipstonlive a new way for everyone to get involved with their local community.

Imagine being able to sit at home and watch live exactly what is happening that may impact on your local community, and then even play a part in talking about it.

This is the ambitious plan for #shipstonlive, an event involving Warwickshire County Council, Stratford College, Warwickshire Police, Shipston Town Council, Shipston Primary School and many others.

As a result of the array of partners working together the Shipston Stour Community Forum will be the first in Warwickshrie to test out a live broadcast at its next meeting starting at 6.30pm on Tuesday, June 12.

The community forum will be held at the Sheldon Bosley Hub in Shipston on Stour, but those who don't make it in person, will be able to log on and watch the event happening live in their own homes.

Register your interest with
elizabethprice@warwickshire.gov.uk and a link will be sent to allow a single click through to the event, and take part in a community forum from home.

Throughout the event Twitter will be updated on @warksdirect with all the tweets featuring the hashtag #shipstonlive to enable people to ask questions and take part in the event through the social media channel.

Cllr Colin Hayfield, Warwickshire County Council's Portfolio Holder for Customers, Access and Physical Assets,
said: “This is a very exciting idea, and we have a lot planned for the night.

“We understand that not everyone can make it to a community forum, but this will allow a far bigger audience to have a say in what is happening in their community."

The forum will start at 6.30pm with a celebration of local seasonal produce courtesy of Stour Grown.

Forum topics in the evening include:

• Questions and answers to Orbit Housing.
• Shipston Senior Citizens Action Network goes back to school with youngsters from Shipston Primary School teaching them how to navigate around an iPad – all happening live on air on the night.
• The State of the District debate – allowing everyone to have a say on what they think are the most important issues in the community.
• Meet the community police team, and help set the priorities for the next three months.
• And much more…

Cllr Peter Fowler, will be adding some creative flair to the event in providing an 'anchorman' role for the various video links. Cllr Fowler is also heavily involved in the work of Warwickshire Police Authority.

He said: “I'm very excited about this event. The potential to get people in and around Shipston talking and taking part is just huge."

Shipston Stour Community Forum has also now launched on Facebook, and it is possible to 'like' the page by visiting http://www.facebook.com/warwicktouch#!/ShipstonStourCommunit
yForum and this will be updated with regular news and information on Shipston and the surrounding area.

To take part on the evening and watch the live streaming event, visit www.shipstonlive.com

Information is also available by visiting www.warwickshire.gov.uk/stratfordarea or give the team a call on 01789 260136.