Jamie Daniels, Mayor of Manteo, cut the ribbon to open Bideford’s first First Friday. Also in the Manteo camp was Nadine Daniels, Jamie’s wife, and Kermit Skinner, the Town Manager. The live Skype opening of First Fridays was a great success with around 30 excited people gathered outside Froot Loop in Mill Street. There was an Anglo-American count down from 10 to cut the ribbon which ended in great howls and applause from both sides of the ocean. Seeing and hearing real Americans in our twin town, was very exciting. It didn’t take long before a little chatting and banter developed between Bideford people and their North Carolinan twins. Judith Christie sang one of her own folk songs which travelled across the pond and Razale Scott-Olivier appropriately sang ‘Summer Time’ to our new American friends.
There has been much interest from musicians, entertainers, artists and businesses in town to get more involved as the Summer progresses. Craftihands on Mill St are now running a monthly workshop; Velvet and Vanilla have a special menu deal and the Health shop and the Apothecary will be open with special deals. Look out for the majorettes, Samba Sol band, Pipes and drums and other live music over the Summer months.
June 3rd will see much and more of the same from 4pm; then at 6pm there will be the opening of the Bideford / Manteo Postcard Exchange at the Burton Art Gallery. Everyone will be welcome to this and it is hoped that another Skype link can be made, this connecting artists taking part in the exhibition from both sides of the atlantic.
July 1st will see the theme shift to Bideford’s Heritage with costumed characters and guided walks to celebrate the Elizabethan Heritage day the following day on July 2nd.
For details about First Fridays visit www.bbcdevon.org/firstfridays
First Fridays is an American phenomenon, every town and city has one; or a third Thursday, second Saturday etc. It is a community event, with a creative leaning, bringing people out in the streets to celebrate the richness of their hometown’s culture, socialise with their friends and enjoy local food and drink. Bideford's twin town of Manteo, in North Carolina, has First Fridays and Bideford has it's first on 6th May. It is hoped that there may be many partnership activities for the twinned towns. Planned so far is a virtual official opening on May 6th, via Skype, by the Mayor of Manteo, Jamie Daniels, outside Froot Loop in Mill Street (Jamie will be on the DCAC front steps at about 11am on 3rd June to 'cut the ribbon'. There will also be a joint opening of Bideford Bay Creatives and Dare County Arts Council's Postcard Exchange on June 3rd.
First Fridays is a community event by the people of Bideford, for Bideford and it’s visitors. It is supported by the Bideford Chamber of Commerce and Bideford Bay Creatives, however no group or individual is deemed organiser of the event and no group or individual is responsible for, or can be made liable for it.
Please download, print out, and promote First Fridays BBC is happy to act as a conduit to enable groups and individuals to get involved in First Fridays.
Jamie Daniels, Mayor of Manteo, cut the ribbon to open Bideford’s first First Friday. Also in the Manteo camp was Nadine Daniels, Jamie’s wife, and Kermit Skinner, the Town Manager. The live Skype opening of First Fridays was a great success with around 30 excited people gathered outside Froot Loop in 
