COLLABOR8  Mtg

Tuesday July 6th

Present: Carol Williams, Jan Ellis,  S. Grove, L Grove, Joyce Shaw.  Gareth Walters(TIRC) Elaine Starling, R. Bufton ,BBNP,    W. Powell, C Micklewright, Rita Rogers.

Apologies:  John Wake, M. Meredith, M. Cunningham, H. Jones, P Maugham, C. Parkinson, M. Cunningham

The meeting would like to thank Lynne and Steve Groves for hosting the meeting.

A.     Introduction

1.     The meeting began with William Powell introducing Rosie Burton who is the new Conservation Officer for The BBNPA. This morning,  William and Rosie had walked around Talgarth and looked at the ‘Built Heritage’.  They had spoken to Sydna at The Bell and Tim at the Tower.

2.    On Saturday 10th July 2010, a meeting is taking place from 11a.m. to 4p.m. to discuss with the residents the Draft report compiled by John Wykes for the BBNPA   re the Conservation Area.

3.    The Mill Project.   In the absence of John Whitehead, William who is a Trustee of the Project brought the group up to date.  In brief,

a) The BBNPA Planning Committee on Monday 29th June had approved the plan.

b). Interviews for two positions had taken place: i) Admin Book keeper post filled by Beryl Pritchard (8hours a week) and  ii) Project manager.  Appointment TBC .

c). Since planning Permission given, The “Mill” has been tidied; The Mill House on the road has been cleared and will be used for Offices. Scrub has been cut back from the river edge.  Bob Hughes, local volunteer, is working at the Bronllys Forge on the Wheel.

d). BBC are actively involved filming the process e.g. filmed Festival Group.  Ann Hillier’s daughter  starting at Talgarth Primary School.

e). Main Building project will not be ready to start until the middle of August.   Completion Date next Easter. Steve Groves offered the project a complete model railway set up, if they wanted it.

There is also a beer, dedicated to the “Mill” from the Tower Brewery. Lyn asked for a name for a new stout they have produced.

4.    William also reported on the Official Opening of the ‘Erwood Engine’.  The event  was well organised with contributions from the Builth Ladies Choir, Lorraine King, Rhodri Morgan and John Wake.  He reported that Michael and all involved were pleased with the success of the event.

B.  Destination Talgarth - The Walking Booklet.  Article in “County Walking Magazine” July edition. Article in “Wye Valley Life”. “Ladies first Magazine” based in Cardiff have sent a journalist into accommodation in the Town.

Joyce Shaw made comment that

1) BB’s are not hotels and cannot always supply meals to order.

2) The report will be going into September Issue of the Magazine which is the end of Joyce’s season.

Carol reported that Collabore8 had employed a PR Company for the project. Carol had not envisaged that the “Walking Booklet” would be so popular. The demand for further copies has been high. It was reported that it is difficult to get journalists to visit mid week they usually use weekends.

A Rachel Bronson from “House Magazine” is visiting Talgarth this weekend.

Steve reported that Visit Wales had sent a Canadian Journalist who was looking at the middle priced family accommodation.  Her response had been good.

C.    Mission Statement

Mission Statement generally agreed.  Though it was queried whether the TIRC should have a mention especially under Objectives No 6.

D.   Visitor Guide Text.    Carol asked people to read, consider text which is about 100 words and send her recommendations.

E.   Action Plan was read and time scales were considered.

The following points were made:

Action Plan 2 website

Members of the group were asked to reply to Carol quickly with examples of “Welcome Talgarth” in different languages.

Spanish     Vicky

French and German   William Powell

Dutch/ Flemish. Belgium, Japanese, Chinese      Clive Micklewright   (by next week).

Punch is talking to Rita about enhancing the Website.

It was considered important that all businesses in Talgarth were aware of events.  The TRIC does not get to hear about events.  It needs information.

For example, the public have been phoning about the impending ‘Bike Festival’.   Very few were aware of the “Tractor run” a few weeks ago.   Regularly queries were made about the Harley Festival.

It was pointed out that the Harley Festival was largely a private event that happened to take place in Talgarth.

It was agreed that to the next meeting we would invite people so that a Calendar of events could be produced for 2011, e.g. Barry Reid, the Market, people, the Horse Fair, Canon Edwards etc.    If this  meeting  takes place then the venue at Rita Rogers place will have to be altered.  Lynne and Steve offered to host the event.

To reprint the ‘Walking Booklet’ would be very expensive    3000 copies £1555.  Jan wondered if local business placed adverts in the booklet whether that would help bring in more trade to the town and the cost of a re-run.

The Group were reminded that the Walking Booklet was not particularly aimed at families but adults who would stay in the area overnight.

Action Plan    Visitor satisfaction survey was last completed in 2008.  This time a different approach is being tried throughout the year, Business’s are being asked to collect email and addresses.

Cards have been produced for visitors to add their email addresses .   Whether it will work or not remains to be seen.

The TRIC are introducing a “Visitor Book”. Comments from this could be included.

The Web 4U Site is to be left as it is until the autumn – then reviewed.

Action Plan 3   Orientation and Welcoming to the Town.

Brown signage – William has posted forms on the website.  It has been agreed that Members should review the form, seek support from the Town Council, Regeneration Group but it was also felt that Signage should not be altered until the Mill was ready.  Other groups to be contacted include Brecknock Wild Life Trust.

Action Plan 4

Supporting Mill project where it can.  Collabore8 meeting could be filmed by BBC (If we agreed).

Action Plan 5 new promotional booklets.   New Promotional leaflet for Talgarth.  TIRC has already has a similar booklet to the one presented by Carol. “A sense of place”  issue was raised.  The following points were made:

1)    William Powell mentioned   1) the possibility of closure of two Chapels and  their possible subsequent use,

2)    The poor image given by Lower Bell Street.

3)    William reported that two cottages in Bell/ Regent Street that had been empty for 43 year are being refurbished and should be ready for occupation in March 2011.

Action Plan 6   Make more of the Hub Status for Mountain Biking. ‘ Walking Booklet’ certainly promoted the Town.  It was reported that Cycling business seems to go up Sept/Oct, Jan Feb March and April.  It is down in July and August.

Gareth raised the question of postage of “Walking Booklet”.  Carol Williams will pay 40p every time a Booklet is sent by post.

Also the Booklet is on a PDF file.  If the TIRC haven’t one, she will supply one.

Action Plan 7

Briefly discussed PR Plan.

It was suggested that the TIRC ran a photographic competition which started at the Festival Aug 2010, and closed August 2011 when the results would be announced and the best photographs used in a Calendar.  Collabore8 offered to fund the printing of the Calendar for 2012.

Meeting closed with out discussing specifically Action plan 8.

Next meeting:-     Sept 21st 2010.  Either at Rita Rogers or Lynne and Steve Groves.    10.30 a.m. TBC