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Longtown Christmas Fair on Saturday 9th November, 10am till 4pm. With a superb group of handpicked Craftspeople participating, Longtown Christmas Fair never disappoints. Top quality gift ideas, hand made pastries and preserves, bears, bags, basketry, textiles, pictures and much, much, more! Interesting and unique products you won’t find in the high street, and all made locally. Do call in, have a cup of tea and a browse, you may be very surprised at what you find. Home made refreshments and a very warm welcome awaits you. Admision is free. Our raffle this year will be raising funds for Clodock Church.
Hay & District Royal British Legion Branch Would all Members please note that subscriptions are now due. Membership Cards are available for collection from the Branch Headquarters in Market Street.
ION GROUP
REGENERAT
er Sunday Novemb Market will be on meet your & me Talgarth Country Co ll. Ha 1pm in the Town rk, 3rd from 10am locally produced po m herbs & spices, fro t ec sel d plays, cider, dis pals an ral flo & nts , edible pla warm baked bread brocante. eggs, butter, art & biscuits, chutneys, th’s x In tribute to Talgar The Flix in the Sti ber’s vem No g, son of joy Community Choir & the rob ’ starring 60s heartth Flix is ‘Song for Marion h Nov. Town 16t . Sat £4! for All ! Terrance Stamp er & screening. Local cid Hall, 7:30 for 8pm The into pop or a cinem snacks available @ d £10 for pizza han ore bef za piz for Bakers’ Table 01874 711125. & film. Book pizza on
Find other Talgarth doings on Facebook & Twitter
talgarthcountrymarket@gmail.com
CHRISTMAS TREES
News from Talgarth by Cllr.William Powell Powys County Councillor for Talgarth As I sign off my column this month, I can scarcely believe that we are approaching the countdown to Christmas once again. For people of all ages, it is a special time but it can also pose real challenges, especially for those who are lonely, anxious or finding it difficult to make ends meet financially. It is good to be mindful of this in the coming weeks. One remarkable aspect of the Christmas season this year is quite how much progress has been made by local businesses, both in terms of the shops and also the hospitality sector. Unlike just a few years ago, it is now possible to get a wide range of gifts and full selection of seasonal food locally, on our own doorstep. Likewise, there are real options for those who may want to have lunch or a drink in the run up to the festive season.
Another boost for businesses locally comes in the form of the Countryside Alliance Annual Awards, nicknamed the ‘Rural Oscars.’ Nominations are open until 1st November, but I understand that both the Deli Pot at WJ George Butchers and The Baker’s Table Café at Talgarth Mill have been nominated in different categories for the 2013 competition. In previous years, it has been my pleasure to welcome the team from WJ George, and also Chef on the Run from Hay on Wye, to the Senedd for the awards ceremony. I wish both businesses every success, as it is great for hard work and innovation to be celebrated.
As recently as four years ago, a survey carried out for the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority identified a retail vacancy rate of over 40% here in Talgarth. With the last shop having just been let in Phoenix House, High Street, that rate is now effectively reduced to zero. Such a turnaround is little short of astonishing, especially given the difficult financial climate. It is only right to salute those who have embraced the opportunity to invest in our town, as well as those whose efforts have helped to create the level of confidence to make it possible. It is perhaps no coincidence that the Centre for Regeneration Excellence Wales (CREW) is holding a national seminar in Talgarth later in the month.
Direct from the farm Come and choose your own tree grown on our plantation at:
Foresters Court, Brilley, Near Whitney-on-Wye Tel 01497 831079
Open throughout December
Visit our website at
I very much look forward to seeing many of you in the coming weeks, at the forthcoming Service of Remembrance on Sunday, 10th November and at other community events. In the meantime, if you have any feedback or issues of concern, please don’t hesitate to contact me on: 07703 112113 or by email: william.powell@wales.gov. uk Alternatively, please come along to my next advice surgery on Friday, 1st November from 5:00pm at Talgarth TiRC. You can also pop into the TiRC at any time to request a call on any issue that is troubling you.
In this context, many local people have expressed surprise and disappointment that a planning application has been lodged to seek change of use on 2 & 3 Bell Street, to enable the former shops to be converted into flats. I know that the
www.festiveforestry.co.uk Follow signs off the A438 from the Clifford Toll Bridge or Rhydspence Inn
Town Council has held a special session to consider its response. The upper floors of both have been reinstated to a high standard as self-contained flats, with assistance from Powys County Council’s Private Sector Housing section. However, I recall Lord Livsey’s vision of those shops flourishing once again and his commitment to retaining them. Given the wider picture of Talgarth regeneration – and the real progress made over the last few years, – it is a view that I still hold.
Best wishes William
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