Pam Braakenburg
Pam Braakenburg
Pam Braakenburg - Chairman of Dart Music Festival
Where did you live before moving to Dartmouth?
I grew up in Cardiff and after leaving school I trained in Hotel Management and worked in several hotels around Cardiff. I subsequently moved on to manage a nightclub in the 70’s where all the major stars appeared. I worked there until after I had my second child and then decided to join the family Industrial Landscaping business which I co-ran with my father for 20 years.
He became involved in landscaping when he was asked to help with the landscaping of the area around Aberfan after the terrible disaster and we did a lot of work for what was then, the National Coal Board.
So what brought you to Dartmouth initially?
A great friend of my mothers lived here and as a family we decided to visit her - that was in the 1970’s. Of course like so many people we absolutely fell in love with the place and decided to buy a home of our own here. We always then intended to retire to Dartmouth but when my husband Phil saw a job opportunity in Torquay our plans were moved forward.
How did you become involved with the organisation of the Music Festival?
Having owned a home in Dartmouth for 30 years, Phil and I really enjoyed coming for the various festivals. When we moved to Dartmouth permanently, which was three years ago and with Phil working full time as a doctor in Torquay I decided to get involved with working in the community to fill my spare time. So, initially I became very good at shaking a tin! I was then asked to join the Committee by Nigel Way and was made Chairman in 2007.
What does your job as Chairman involve?
My committee are fantastic and I am able to delegate many of the specialist tasks such as music booking, publicity, website, construction etc to them. They all work incredibly hard to make sure the event runs smoothly. As the Festival now costs in the region of £40,000 to run, I am particularly involved in the fundraising side.
It is our aim to make as many of the musical events free to all so we have to raise funds in as many ways as possible and this fund raising takes place throughout the year. As soon as the Music Festival finishes this year we will be straight into planning for 2010.
How has the fund raising been achieved?
We ran a joint fund raising cider/folk night with the Food Festival, Alf Resco hosted a quiz for us, The Windjammer held a music night and The Apprentice hosted an opera night. These were all very successful and all were sell outs. Our biggest venture was ‘Dartmouth’s Got Talent’ held in February at the Flavel Centre which turned out to be a phenomenal success and people are already asking when the next one will be!
We were amazed at the truly high standard of entries and I believe the winner Holly Cosgrove, who is only 13 years old, is a star in the making. At 4.30pm on Friday 8th May she will be opening proceedings on the Bandstand with her vocal talent. We also rely on our very generous local businesses to help and we realise that they are asked time and time again to support events and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their encouragement.
Last but not least are the committed group of people who go out and shake collecting tins for us, so please give freely!
Do you have time for any other interests?
I was made a trustee of the Flavel Centre in 2007 and serve on the Management Committee. I recently co-ordinated the cleaning during the current alterations (I know my place!) My hobbies include tennis, bridge, watching Wales play rugby, cooking and eating out in Dartmouth’s great restaurants.
Do you miss Cardiff?
Occasionally, for the convenience of some things and, of course, my family, but Dartmouth has become my home, I’ve known it for a long time and I love it here.
First published May 2009 By the Dart