THE launch of the Vale 100 Forum was given the thumbs up by the business community from both Evesham and the Vale at its launch at the Northwick Hotel, Evesham,

A total of 72 business were present at last Thursday's meeting and there was support from another 20 unable to attend, expressing their fullest support for the initiative.

The Vale 100 is the Vale of Evesham Commerce and Tourism Association's Action Group, to represent the association as the voice of the Vale with significant input from the business and retail sectors.

Vernon Powell, association chairman, said: "Having only just taken over as chairman, I'm delighted that the retail and business sectors are taking their places at the helm. Business drives the town and Vale and with the Vale 100 Action Group steering VECTA, to bring in fresh ideas, promotions and supporting running new events, everybody will benefit."

Following on from the association's retail seminar in January that attracted 60 new members, the Vale Forum is almost there.

Lew Hammond, manager of Evesham's Market Town Partnership which sponsored the membership drive, said: "VECTA is successfully nurturing the tourism interests of the Vale, as it has done for some 22 years, but the commerce side of things was in need of new blood. The whole area is full of new businesses and the retail face of High Street has changed dramatically over the past few years.

"VECTA realises this and also wishing to embrace the likes of Blackminster Business Park, Bengeworth, Broadway and Bredon Hill has formed the Vale 100 - 100-plus members to make a real difference."

Mike Flanders, chairman of the Vale 100 Action Group, said: "New promotion initiatives are afoot. For example, we will be bringing more entertainment into Market Place and lobbying for a better Charter Market on Saturdays. The 6in1 Balloon Festival on June 10 will include a fashion show as an alternative event for ladies not interested in World Cup football, a talent contest, live music and real ale bar.

"We are also supporting the Vale of Evesham Asparagus Festival at the Fleece Inn, Bretforton, from May 28 to June 4, and the Medieval festival will return next year and encompass the whole of the town."

Mr Flanders said recommendations would be made to Wychavon District Council about improving parking in Evesham. It would not be about demonising the traffic warden system but about making it better and about traffic management. And that was just for starters.

Evesham mayor Councillor Frances Smith welcomed Vale 100 as a positive way forward for businesses both in Evesham and the hinterland.

"To make it successful, people have to work together and I'm confident that this will be the case," she said. "We have so much going for us here, easy motorway access and a most beautiful place to live and work, that businesses do want to locate here."

VECTA was founded in 1984 as has since initiated a number of events that have become firm and popular fixtures on the Vale's calendar.

These include the River Festival in July, the Wychavon Festival of Brass, both of which have achieved national recognition, as well as a number of more local festivals and special events.

Since amalgamating with the former chamber of commerce and becoming the Vale of Evesham Commerce and Tourism Association in 2002, a successful retail committee has been launched and is chaired by Mike Flanders.

Over the past four years, VECTA and the River Festival alone have put £10,000 back into the town and Mr Hammond said he knew of no other organisation outside the local councils and Advantage West Midlands that could lay claim to such a record.

Anyone interested in joining VECTA can contact the secretary, Hazel Hanlon, on 01386 422422 or email hazel.hanlon@lineone.net.