Collabor8 Meeting held on 15th September 2009.

Present:  C. Williams, P. Maughan, William Powell, Steve Groves, Lyn Groves, M. Meredith, Elaine Starling, Goeff Smart.

Apologies: J. Wake, T. Cunningham, Bob Hughes, Rita Rogers, Lisa Marie Bacham,  Pip Ellis.

This meeting was a short meeting before attending a “trial” of one of the walks.

1.     Thanks were extended for last meetings minutes.

2.    SOS   - Application.  There was a two hour grilling at the Mill.  The group will hear in late October beginning of November if they are in the next round.  The next round was described as a “speed dating event.”

3.    Festival.  Talgarth hosted a very successful Festival over the Bank Holiday weekend.  Specifically mentioned were the Cadw talks, the Wine Tasting, the Stalls on the Market site, The Town Hall, etc.

4.    Revamp of the engine at Erwood is progressing. Squads of volunteers are helping with the refurbishment.

5.    Website- P. Maugham offered the opportunity for a free training session repeated on 4 different dates to enable a link page to be established with the Brecon Beacons Park Website (Tourism).  Important for the TIC.  It was stressed that it was important for the Town that they adopted a consistent message whatever route they followed regarding web sites.

6.    Walking Routes.  Carol Williams reported that she had to deal with three organisations 1) CCW, 2) Rights of Way Dept and 3) Mountain Route.

Some of the routes in the booklet are outside the Park.  BBNPA has no control over these.  She has been in touch with the responsible Officer in the Powys area.   There has been a lack of investment by Powys in the past.

It was reported that some farmers in the area were not encouraging to walkers, this is despite the fact that they receive payment for right of access.

After discussion with Geoff Smart about redirecting  one of the walks, it was agreed at present to leave as produced.

Hay Walkers are trialling some of the walks.

The next stage in the booklet is production.

a)    Translation into Welsh

b)    Edit the walk note (Carol had asked T Hutton to do that)

c)    Photographs

Contract to be in place by October, Carol also thought it would be interesting to put into the booklet, legends/history etc. about the area.  An appeal was put out for information.

7.    Will Hughes will be spending 6-9 months in Talgarth looking at the Historic aspects of the Town.  It was suggested that some of the buildings excluded from the Conservation Area should also be studied.  It was suggested that Cannon Edwards and Will Hughes be invited to a meeting in the future.

8.    The Red telephone Boxes which are a feature in the Town are due to be removed.  For £250 per year, they can be kept. Two in Talgarth 1) Square and 2) Westfield.  It was wondered whether there was a “will” in the town to save them?

9.    Collabor8 Exchange to Belgium will take place in October.  Elaine Starling has been asked to represent Talgarth.  Businesses etc are invited to provide Elaine with cards and leaflets etc.

There will be other opportunities to visit at a later date for participants.

The next meeting is Monday ,19th October 2009, 10.30 a.m.    Venue to be arranged.