Can anyone give me some pointers for some cheapish notice boards for external use that we can put in our square?
we have a limited fund as always

Do you mean a permanent information board - or a notice board where you can put notices in and change the content?
Sorry, but nothing comes cheap these days. If you want something that's going to last, and is vandal "resistant" you have to pay a bit more. We've had some information boards done but they cost about £500 - including design though they are very classy. We also had some done at around £300 each. The design was the big cost for us - but as I say - they are really classy.
Through experimenting, we've found that location is the key issue for siting signs with regards to vandalism.
We've tried a so-called 'robust' notice board but that was trashed - perspex front panel smashed, locks drilled out and they even took a hammer to the back. We've since repaired it, better than the original design actually and it hasn't been touched since - that's because we've taken ASBO's out and generally aggressively targeted the offenders. We put thicker perspex in and steel bars inserted into the aluminium framework and replaced the locks with self tapping screws. I think we've foiled them!

something like this we were thinking of.


but not really as fancy as this

and please excuse the image izes, the forum wouldnt allow me to edit them.
we have around £300 in the kitty.

Hi

Local councils sometimes have these in the depots which have been removed and may need some paint etc. If you speak with the people who look after signage etc they may be able to help or
can I suggest you approach your local bus company.They may have something from a bus shelter timetable holder they could let you have,maybe even for free?

the bus shelters here are owned by a major advertising company who 'dont have anything suitable'.
the council response is ' subject to need and consultation'

I have just recieved funding for a noticeboard through NRF (don't know if it would be relevant where you are, but if so you may find small pots of NRF underspend still available before the end of the programme in March), and the key thing for them was that we would be providing community safety information alongside other park info - contact for local officers, what to do if you see anything dodgy.... that sort of thing. The police also often give grants for projects to improve community safety and may be worth a try.

Your local CDRP ( Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnership) or a chat with your local bobbies should help in finding if anything is available.

Simon

The money did come from NRF (as i am the chair for the local NRF area - but it was all done properly and i wasnt at the funding meeting!)
for the group i am secretary of.

I have found some brochures on line..
now talking to the council again, as technically its their money i am spending!

Hi, I don't know if you are still looking but for that money we (Stock Displays) could supply you with a 1524x1016mm Lockable Notice Board frame, in a wood grain effect finish - so you would get a secure solution that looked just as good as the wooden frames you have posted pictures of.

You can have a look at our frames here - http://www.stockdisplays.co.uk