DESTINATION TALGARTH

Collabor8 Meeting 12 January 2010.

Meeting held at the Tower Hotel, Talgarth

Present:  C. Williams, P. Maughan, William Powell, Steve Groves, Lyn Groves, Elaine Starling, Geoff Smart. Jack Christopher, Barbara Christopher, Alison Caffyn, Helen Jones,  Rob Hughes, Olive Micklewright,, Francis Morris,  John Whitehead, Tony James, Pip Ellis, William Powell.

Apologies:  K. Jones, Mike Cunningham, Oliver Sims, J Shaw, Marian Meredith, Rita Rogers, Lisa Marie Badham, John Wake.

Introduction

Carol Williams opened the meeting by inviting attendees to state their names and who they represented.  Carol explained briefly the purpose of the group and reminded the attendees that they had to produce a Mission Statement.   She also introduced Alison who would lead the main session of the meeting.  Alison’s function is to enable the group to construct an Action Plan.

Carol reviewed what the group /area had already established: Mountain Bike Routes and a Walking Booklet.

Walking Booklet.    All those on the mailing list had received a copy of the brief which included the front cover and the description of the first walk.  It was hoped to be able to produce a complete rough draft for the 16th February meeting.

Comments were received about (1) the colour which was positive.

(2)  Target Market, (3) the appearance which the group felt looked clean and was clear.

Carol is awaiting a map from Talgarth.  Tony James agreed to supply a copy of the Festival Programme Map by the 18th Jan 2010.

There will be five walks with points of interest.

Ambassador Course.    Members were invited to take part in this course.   There were vacancies for two persons on the next course.  It covers (1) sense of place, (2) the past, (3) sustainable future.   There are other courses this year in April, June and September. (Apply to Carol Williams)  Also a page on the Website.

2) Alison’s Caffyn introduced herself.

She visited Talgarth last weekend and gave her impressions of the Town.  She was impressed to see the TIC open and on the  back of the sheet she passed round to the group (copy attached to these minutes) she included both her positive and negative comments.

Alison also addressed the Visitor Survey, completed in 2005 + 2008.

Average length of stay was 3 hours. It was pointed out that this survey related in part to the Festival.   Comment was made that B&B in the area reported having inputs from German, Belgium and Dutch visitors.   People come for the Sports i.e.  Walking, gliding, cycling etc. and for the heritage.

Alison also Googled the web and found the info available variable.   She knew there was a process afoot to revive the TIC web site and didn’t want to discuss that any further.

She identified current trends i.e. what are people looking for in a destination:

(1)    They are looking for peace and quiet.

(2)    They are looking for Food

(3)    They are looking for activities.

Where do they look?

Many more people are using the Internet.   As mobile phones become more like hand held computers, this will be an added incentive for people to come to the area.

People are looking for “Geo Cache Sites”.   There are 40 “Geo Cache Sites in the UK.  She cited the site in the Long Mynnd.  It was mentioned that they exist in Bwlch and on the Alt.

Current Target Markets.

Alison referred to the distinctive differences between “ Monmouthshire” and “Visit Wales + SE Wales”.

Monmouthshire is targeting adults (45 – 64)

Visit Wales Independent Explorers.

Who should Talgarth target?

1)    Short break holiday?

2)    Activity Enthusiasts?

3)    Extra Holidays?

It was agreed that in some respects, Talgarth already targeted these groups.

The assembled meeting was the asked in groups to identify “Talgarth’s Market for the next 5 to 10 years.

A summary of the conclusions is as follows:

(1)    It was hoped that The Mill Project will help to focus on “Heritage” + Geology sustainability (all ages), and could become a centre for upland areas in the UK.

(2)    Black Mountain Biking Routes and Walking routes , Flying etc encouraged mixed aged groups, (Activity enthusiasts)

(3)    Develop Geo Cache’s which would appeal to families including teenagers.

(4)    Caravan Sites encourages families especially those with young children who are happy to stay.

Impressions.

The positive outweighed the negative.

So what can be done about the negative?

The group has to focus on what is achievable.

The Mill project could become very important in the future development of small retail businesses in the town.

The Micro brewery being established at the Tower will encourage visitors.

Signage

Talgarth- there are “no gateway signs”.  The group were reminded that progress was being made in developing signs which describe Talgarth as the Capital of Brycheiniog. Bronllys Castle is not adequately signed.

Information sheets need revising.  It was pointed out that funding was a problem.

The Walking Booklet and the Mountain Bike Packs (new edition) will be an improvement.   The group then discussed what could be done.

The following is a summary of these conclusions.

a)    Talgarth website updated (ongoing).

b)    Rationalisation of leaflets which need funding.

c)    Lobby Cadw to get update on their website about Bronllys Castle and produce an up to date booklet.

d)    Look again at signage.

e)    Deadline for Walking Booklet should be at the end of February.

f)    There is an ongoing Conservation Appraisal of the Town taking place in due course- potential funding will be made available in 2010 of between £40-50,000 depending on Appraisal.

g)    There needs to be clearer signage to the Waterfalls- Visitors don’t equate Pwll  yr Wrach with the Waterfall.

h)    Developing website

i)    Gliding Club developing lists of all local B&B.  At present, any visitor is steered to TIRC.

j)    Road signage, including Brown Signs.  Signage further afield to indicate where Talgarth is, e.g.  Brecon Roundabout on the A40/A470 does not indicate which direction to go for Talgarth.

k)    Hanging Baskets in Talgarth with either edible plants or flowers.

l)    Establish a volunteer group who will go round with a paint brush.

m)    Shop frontage in keeping with the rest of town.

n)    Bell Ringing Festival (new idea)

o)    Micro Brewery

p)    Pavement banners which tell you what there is to see in the area?

In conclusion, a vision of the Town by its residents will be very important.

Talgarth people need to embrace what ever the Vision is.

Tony James stated that the people of Talgarth needed to work together.

The town already is a vibrant community with many activities taking place all of which have been not raised and discussed at this meeting.

Alison summed up the discussion’

“Any vision for the future must include:

1.    The use of the derelict buildings.

2.    Involvement of young people.

3.    A Regenerated Town Centre.

4.    The Town develop as a “HUB” for a diverse range of activities.

Date for your diary.

1.    Speed Dating event for BB+ Activity Providers – Abergavenny, St Michael’s Castle Centre.  More details from Carol Williams.   The idea is to put B&B providers in touch with Activity Groups.

2.    BB Tourism Meeting at Glasbury House Outdoor Centre  Tuesday 26th January (Workshop Session)

The meeting closed at 12.15 p.m.   The group then went to look at the Mill Project.  Plans of the proposed development were scrutinised and discussed informally.

Next Meeting, Monday 8th February, 2010 at the Castle Hotel Talgarth commencing at 10.30 a.m.