Collabor8 Meeting

Venue: The Granary.

Attendance: J. Shaw, C. Williams, A. Hillier, G. Walters, L & S Groves, E. Starling, P. Maughan, Rita Rogers, T. James, Barbara Christopher, Geoff Smart.

1.   Apologies:  M. Meredith

2.   Town Map;   Carol Williams introduced Tony from ‘Ridley Webster’.

      The Town Map grew out of the Action Plan. The Brief is to

(a)  To lay out a plan of the Town Centre.

(b)  To include accommodation

(c)   Tourist spots.

Some local tourist maps were given out for the group to discuss.  The target audience for the group needs to be decided.  The cost of the project was discussed and the TIRC’s concern at their ability to reproduce the map once the initial free run had expired.  Carol pointed out (1) other towns could use the Collabor8 funding; (2) She would ensure that there were surplus maps printed to allow photocopying at the end of the project. (3) It was agreed that the map could have donations requested on the front or it could be placed near a voluntary donation box.   Carol stated that Crickhowell and Abergavenny were in the same position as Talgarth TIRC. Once the map produced the TIRC can have the PDF.   All documents produced by Collabor8 were free.

Collabor8 had ensured that professional people were employed to produce leaflets which promoted the Towns and raised their profiles.  Few communities had funding to follow this course of action and there certainly will not be the monies in the future.

Tony James, Chair of the TRIC, stated that every penny the TRIC made, has to count.  The TRIC are raising money to ensure that the Talgarth Centre continues.  They have very little help from outside sources.  When something is free viz. the ‘Walking Booklets’ and subsequently the maps, they, The TRIC, will find it difficult to reprint these copies to the same reprographic standard and certainly will not have the monies to allow subsequent copies to be given away free.

The TRIC is manned entirely by volunteers.  Nobody is paid.  The building is open 7 days per week.  These maps will cost £3000 to produce.  The reprint will be expensive certainly the walking booklet “reprint” will have to be sold for a minimum of £5 to recoup printing costs.  Punch and Carol thought that these costs seemed high.

The point being made is that every time a member of the community is asked to contribute to some other promotion, the TIRC Income is lowered and at time non existent.  The choice may be whether Talgarth wants a TIRC or not.

It was suggested that the TIRC paid a printer to run the copies.  It was stated that this was not sustainable unless there was co-operation with various businesses in the Town - The Mill etc.   It was also stated the amount of money needed to produce this map could easily run the TRIC for one year.  Though the TRIC recognised the quality of the production, they were handicapped by not being able to access grants and funding.  Tony concluded by saying that the Town Guide Booklet was a good idea.  However, Barbara from the TIRC is trying to produce leaflets on little or no budget.

Carol stated that when the project ceased, funding would cease and that “an exit strategy” would have to be discussed, which hopefully would engage between the businesses in the town, the TIRC and other partners.

Tony stated that the TIRC’s frustration is that though it is recognised by BBNP and the Town and Tourism Groups the importance of a community to have its own TIRC, there does not seem to be any public recognition or understanding of how difficult it is to access funding for such a concern, which is run entirely by volunteers, when there is no designated or experienced person who knows how to access current funding streams!

The group went on to discuss the format of the map.

(1)  TRIC requested full blown maps for the inside of the TIRC and the Window.

(2)  Suggested that the map included some of the businesses outside the Park which could be accessed from Talgarth i.e. Wye Valley Canoes, Cycle Hire, Tregoed Mill, Activity Centre at Three Cocks and also Llangorse.

(3)  List of main attractions in the Town itself.

(4)  Perhaps there should be an area map, with a detailed town inset map.

(5)  Must include restaurants and places to eat.

(6)  Places to stay.

Who is the “Audience”?

Two different audiences:  1) Broad one for activities etc. and 2) Specific locating resources around the town and the area.

It was felt that the map and the details should be available on the internet.

The idea should be promoted that the Town of Talgarth was situated is an unspoilt area of Wales and the Town itself was also unspoilt, which was an important selling point !

It was agreed that there was no individual way to promote the Town – brown signage etc was important.  Ancient Capital of Brycheiniog a good start.

Gareth, Barbara and Tony the contractor adjourned to the TRIC to look at what resources were available and what was needed to produce the map.

 

3. Visit Wales - Itineraries.

Proposal to put these itineraries on the website.  PDF File to be produced.

Careful editing needs to take place to ensure that information included was accurate.

It was stated that Castel Dinas could be accessed from Dinas Farm as well as the “Castle” at Pengenfford.

 

4. Any other Business.

(a)  On the 23rd of November, there was to be a session in the George Hotel in Brecon.  Clive Mickelwright is representing the Talgarth Group.

The aim of these meetings is to ensure that the clusters engage and exchange views.

P. Maughan reported that a bid was being made from EU Funding for Communities.  Bob Martin, represented Talgarth on the “Sustainable Tourism Partnership” and was aware of this meeting.   There will be a meeting on the 29th/30th November for the “Public Sectors Partners”.  If any member of the group requires further information- contact Richard Tyler.

 

(b) Mill Update.   Existing Tenders out.

Contacts given to Osborne’s of Builth.

Old timbers out.  Pit wheel and main wheel on site. In the middle of the next month, it will be ready for testing.

At the present time, they are in the process of Branding the Mill.

No visitors allowed at present.

 

‘The Mill’ are planning a ‘Community Open Day’ in the middle of January (15Th) 2011.  They are still working on getting extra funding to finish the project.

 

Meeting closed at 12.45 p.m.

Date of next meeting:  30th November 2.00 p.m. at the Granary to discuss the map.

Provisional Dates for 2011 agreed:

Tuesday 18th January at 10.30 a.m.

Tuesday 15th March at 10.30 a.m.

Tuesday 17th May at 10.30 a.m.

Venue to be arranged.