The evening was a celebration of all things
Caroline Finch the outgoing President presented trophies to two local businesses for stunning Summer window Displays by Pursenalities in Institute Road and another for the tallest sunflowers grown in Commercial Road to Buffmongers.
Holly Lagden from Purbeck District Council gave a presentation on the ‘Visit Dorset’ website, followed by Culvin Milner the Visitor Service Manager for Swanage Town Council who gave a positive overview on the summer festivals in Swanage this year, and the new look of the Swanage Information Centre, which is one of the finalists for the Dorset Tourism Awards.
A business spotlight was Buffmongers of Swanage. Kevin Haine explained how his wife Sharan started making her own beauty products and remedies from her kitchen table, and now have their own shop in town and online business, selling all sorts of vegan and vegetarian beauty products. One of their most popular is Happy Bottom – bum butter for cyclists and other sports people to make life more comfortable wearing chamois shorts, and an array of creams , toothpowder and skin remedies were available for members to try.
Two local business joined , the new restaurant Bliss Food co, opening this month in Kings Road East, and also the new Manager of the Knoll House Hotel in Studland.
“Swanage and District Chamber of Trade has been behind, a new leaflet for Swanage that promotes the arts, shops, attractions for all seasons in Swanage, also a hand drawn map by Angela Sturch, of Chambers members, another initiative was getting the Swanage Fish Festivals first ever event off the ground, in 2015” Caroline Finch went on to say, that she now hands over the reigns to Sylvia, who has great ideas taking chamber forward and Members are looking forward to helping her with this”.
Sylvia Libicka owner of Amber Bay Jewellery in Institute Road , took over as the new President and Caroline Finch has become Chairperson, the committee also welcomed members to new Tourism Team and Emma Fidler became the new Secretary.