Destination Talgarth

Monday 8th February 2010

At the Castle Hotel, Talgarth

Present:   J. Wake, William Powell, Punch Maughan, Carol Williams, Rita Rogers, Jane Shaw,  L. Groves Elaine Starling, John Whitehead, F. Morris, A. Caffyn

Apologies: Geoff Smart, K. Parkinson,  O.Sims.

A.     Recap:

1.    Action Tourism Conference, 3rd March.   A request was made for a member of the group to do a two minute presentation (EVS offered to fill this spot)

2.    The next “Collobor8” Joint Meeting is in Newquay in Cornwall, 20th to 23rd April. A representative of this group needs to attend.  It’s a very useful opportunity to network with partners in the project.   Hotel, travel, food are paid for.

The programme consists of (1) Speed Meet – getting to know other members.

(2)  3 Different Tours which one is signed up for.

2nd Day, The group will go to the Eden Project.

Details available from Carol Williams.   Travel Monday, return Thursday.

A.     The meeting was then taken over by A Caffryn.

Revue of where Talgarth is at present including a reference to the Mill Project.

It was agreed at the last meeting the main selling points

1)    Landscape

2)    Activities

3)    Heritage

4)    Eco/green qualities

Observation made that the “Heritage” was not joined up in anyway.

Discussion ensued about Sustainability (It was felt that this was a sub theme).

B.    Destination Talgarth.

The objectives identified in no particular order:

1.    Strengthen identity of Talgarth for visitors.

2.    Give people a reason to return.

3.    Encourage people to stay longer

4.    Increase visitor spend opportunities.

5.    Boost confidence in Talgarth and encourage investment in local business and fabric/environment of the town.

6.    Promote local distinctiveness and special qualities of the Town and landscape.

7.    Join things up for visitors, making it easier to appreciate things to see and do.

Discussion then ensued about the above:

1)    Evidence was presented to the meeting that visitors do return and do spend more than 3 hours in the town and its vicinity.     Brings into question the veracity of the visitor survey.

2)    Local Business’s are developing, for example, Oliver Sims with Geraint is putting together (1) Cycle Hire, (2) Massage, (3) Accommodation with Geraint.

3)    John Wake informed the meeting that he had recently attended a “Craft Council Meeting” in ‘Dod’    Last year was the worst year ever for crafts.

4)    There was a discussion about the importance of Signage to the Town.

5)    The Festival and the Monthly Market were perceived to have importance in raising the profile of the town.  

6)    The proposed Mill Project also had the potential to increase awareness and potential.

The Target Markets were identified as the following

a)    Activity Enthusiasts on a short break either as couples or in small parties.

Needs are (a) activities, (b) simple facilities, (c) good rates, (d) Good comforting food and drink.

b)     Traditional holiday family/ parents/grandparents.   Caravan and Camping sites existing in the locale.   Needs are, “ interesting and fun experience!”

c)    Short break. Holiday couples aged approximately 45-65+.  Light activities and browsers.   Attracted by Beacons, interested in heritage, quality food and drink.

d)    Niche Groups; e.g. extended family group, reunions, ancestry, Methodism, peaceful retreats, crafts and eco course’s.

e)    Other potential groups:

1)    Genealogists.  John Wake cited the email he had had from America (USA) re the Whipping Tree/Llanelieu Church from pictures put on the website. Contact made with the Aubery family in the States.

2)    Suggest that Coleg Howell Harris could be used for conferencing facilities.

(contact could be made).

3)    The Mill Project.  J. Whitehead gave a comprehensive detailed account of what was they hoped to achieve.

Alongside the development of the Mill, it was hoped to develop the following sustainable enterprises:  

a)    Community video project

b)    Community television

c)    Hay Festival Involvement with the Green Valleys Project.  (For more details, contact John Whitehead).

Deadline for the submission to the Big Lottery Fund is the 3rd March 2010.

If the project is successful, People will be visiting Talgarth either as visitors or students.

Activities.     What did we envisage Talgarth to be like in five years time?   Summary and Conclusions.

There would be:

1.      Outlets relative to activities i.e. walking/bike shop (Specialist shop/signs_

2.    Bridge End   Inn Development    Indian Restaurant, Local Food?

3.    Pubs   a variety

Development of a micro-brewery helps this

Already a Thai pub and restaurant.

Castle Hotel – Fish and Chips bar

Bell     Traditional Pub

Tower- micro brewery development

Other eating places including “The Strand” and Savvy Cafe.

Chinese take-away and in the near vicinity of the “Honey Cafe”.

4.    Why do people come?

Landscape, for walking, riding and cycling.

5.    What do people want to do when they come to Talgarth?

Discussion ensued over facilities to purchase goods.

The Group were reminded that Talgarth still has

a)    A Post Office

b)    A Library

c)    TIRC

d)    Fire Station

e)    Doctors Surgery

f)    Primary School at Talgarth and Bronllys

g)    General Convenience Store (Coop)

h)    A Bank

i)    A Newsagent which also sells local produce and local bread

j)    A Butchers

k)    A Chemist

l)    A Bakers

m)    2 Hairdressers

n)    A Carpet /Design shop

o)    A small general haberdashery and toy shop

p)    A hardware store and ironmongers builders yard

q)    A bookshop/cafe

r)    The Honey Cafe (Bronllys)

s)    Riverside International (Caravan site and restaurant) border of Talgarth/Bronllys with swimming pool.

t)    A Rugby Club with Keep-fit facilities and a bar.

u)    A Bowls Club

v)    A Football Club

w)    Tennis Courts

x)    Cadw – Bronllys Castle

y)    Garage/workshop (not a petrol station)

z)    Bronllys also has a convenience and general hardware store with a petrol station.

There are a number of other thriving businesses within the vicinity of Talgarth.

This is more than other communities of similar size.   These businesses remain successful because they manage to operate throughout the year.

The Group were then divided into three to examine what various groups of visitors to the area would require in terms of Accommodation, Food, and Activities

And what was the message visitors took away with them when they left.

Marketing Strategy was outlined which included the following main selling points:

(1)      Landscape – related activities, walking, easy and challenging, cycling, fishing, gliding, riding and canoeing.

(2)    Heritage, river, town, castle. Mill, Church, Religion, townscape.

(3)    Eco/green environmental issue

(4)    Where is Talgarth?   Location in the Brecon Beacons links to other towns etc.   A good base to visit Hay on Wye, Crickhowell, Brecon etc.  (Don’t forget the Wye Valley and the Black Mountains)

(5)    Make something of the meaning of Talgarth -“Foot of the Hill” etc.

A Vision of the Future.

Suggested that by 2015, the best case scenario for Talgarth would be a combination of the following:

1.     Talgarth will have established itself as a base for Walkers, cyclists and out door enthusiasts.

They will enjoy visiting Talgarth to relax and refresh themselves and explore the Town’s fascinating Heritage.

2.    They will be pleased to find quality local produce and crafts  available in the Town

3.    Visitors will chat in cosy pubs and cafes and relax by the river, planning the next adventure.

Various Headlines  suggested to attract visitors.

1.     Talgarth Ancient Capital of Brycheiniog

2.    Talgarth foot of the hills

3.    Tranquil hub in the Brecon Beacons

4.    Talgarth a quiet quintessential small Welsh Town with a long heritage. Talgarth at the end of the hill is the start of the adventure etc. Take it easy in Talgarth etc

No con-census was agreed by the group present. Fran Morris reported to the meeting that the recent questionnaires done on behalf of the Mill Project showed that people were glad about the project but worried about influx of visitors and traffic.

The group was then asked to consider The Talgarth Draft Action Plan for the Collabor8 Project which is emailed to non attending members to complete and return by 18th February with comments.

Please consult email and return.

Conclusion – The results of this consultation will be published.

Meeting with TIRC on  Saturday 13th February 2010.

Next meeting will be 9th March at 10.30.   Location to be decided.