Helston goes Top of the Pops for the Queen of Shops: VIDEO
9:20am Friday 30th March 2012 in Helston
Sisters Debbie James and Paula Nicholls of Fruit & Veg 4 U with a giant banana and tomato
Helston joined in song on Saturday in a bid to win money to the tune of £100,000.
Traders, community groups and even the town's press in the form of the Helston Packet joined together to be filmed singing Keep On Moving by nineties boy-band Five.
The video has been edited so that each group and business will sing a line of the song, have a look below. And keep a look out at 1 min 37 sec in for theHelston Packet's own chief reporter and Helston girl, Emma Goodfellow, singing in a silly hat.
The video will form part of the town's bid to become one of the 12 'Portas Pilots.'
These dozen pilot towns will receive advice and coaching by retail guru Mary Portas, self-styled 'Queen of Shops', as well as national publicity and a maximum of £100,000.
Competition will be massively high, with at least 300 towns expected to apply, but Mr Birkett hopes that Helston's strong community spirit will give it the edge.
He was left delighted by the response on Saturday, saying: “It was great. I was absolutely overwhelmed by the response - especially as we had a short period to turn it around. People were so willing to back it. That's the kind of thing that will make the difference for bids like this.
“The whole future is about working together. It's about everybody getting together and helping themselves. The video displays our community spirit and positive attitude.
“We didn't want to highlight elements that were lacking, because it's visible on You Tube. We wanted to highlight things that were unique.”
The lyrics of the song encourage people to “gotta keep on, keep on trying” and “never let go, gotta hold on in” - words that Mr Birkett said summed up perfectly the attitude of Helston.
Among the organisations taking part were Helston Community College, the Rainbows at Culdrose Community Centre, Flambards, Goonhilly, the Old Cattle Market, the Epworth Hall, Hal An Tow group, Porthleven Gig Club and the Phoenix Project, as well businesses such as Gillian's Tubs, the Sweet Pea, 3B International, Andy's and Clairz, the Coffee Bean and Mothers, the Blue Anchor, Costa Coffee, Fruit & Veg 4 U and Vacation World.
Helston's mayor John Boase and town centre manager Craig Bowcutt also got involved.
Mr Birkett said it was now important for everybody to watch the video when it is posted online and share it with their friends over the coming weeks.
The more views the video receives the greater the chance that Helston has in being selected.
“We want everybody behind it. It needs to go viral,” added Mr Birkett.
He also believes he has put together an “exciting” proposal, which has been backed by the town council and businesses in Helston.
Mr Birkett said: “I believe it's such an important opportunity - it is too good for us miss out. We're perfectly placed to make a clear statement of intent for improving our town.”
Applications must be with Cornwall Council by today, Wednesday to be signed off ready to put in a formal bid.
The pilot scheme aims to test the 28 recommendations from the 'Portas Review', a 50-page document researched and released by Ms Portas.
It will provide an opportunity for local partnerships to develop, with the aim of invigorating high streets.
