Pontardawe Heritage & Visitor Centre
Chairman’s Report AGM 2021
Following a stop/start, quite confusing early 2021, we opened up to the public in July with Corona virus restrictions in place.
We were successful in our application to Mynydd y Betws to construct a housing for the All Saints Window, that Jane Carpenter had painstakingly put together.
The Pontardawe Town council part funded the costs.
Joh Harris created a wonderful light box and setting for the window, and we feel privileged to have two talented crafts people involved with the Heritage Centre.
The window along with a Gilbertson’s exhibition, was very successful as a re-opening spectacle.
Our local artists exhibition attracted visitors, however no notable income.
We had a very successful exhibition of ‘Dai Tenor’. This proved very popular and Trevor (Dai Tenor’s son) along with David Williams a relative, did a lot of marketing for the exhibition, which attracted interest from S4C, and a very well put together piece in ‘Prynhawn Dda’ followed.
The icing on the cake was the inclusion of Pontardawe’s very own Pavarotti – Dai Tenor in the Welsh List of notable people.
Our outdoor ‘play’ and fenced area and has given the outside space a welcoming and protected feeling upon arrival.
We held monthly craft markets for the past few months, which are growing in popularity.
All these above points have really put the centre on the map.
We have several groups now using the building, giving it a very community feel.
The current Locmine/Pontardawe twinning exhibition brought many visitors in for its opening.
The corona virus restrictions were a difficult time.
However, it has to be noted, the Government financial help really did secure the centre’s future.
The funding received made sure we could stay economically viable.
Nevertheless, as always, the financial implications of running an educational/community/cultural building are always of utmost importance.
Exhibitions and historical presentations do not make much revenue.
The centre has a bit of a financial ‘cushion’ for the short term future, but we must always be mindful of creating a revenue stream.
For this matter we are forging ahead with our ‘retail pods’ project.
This type of project is being recognised by the Welsh Government as a means to help regenerate town centres. Known in corporate terms as ‘Meanwhile Space’.
They are seen as affordable business start-ups.
The centre’s managing committee are keen to create them in keeping with our Heritage theme, and Jon Harris who created the All Saints window was contacted for a quote to create four shops in the style of a Victorian street, reminiscent of Pontardawe’s own shops.
Jon constructed a model impression of how they could look.
We applied to Mynydd y Betws fund to help with this construction, and were awarded £4,700 toward the costs.
We will need to apply for match funding the rest of the quote, amounting to £10,000.
These ‘retail spaces’ will be available to hire on an ad hoc basis. They will also be made in a way that two can fold back to the wall, to enable full use of the space in the hall, as it exists now.
In a relatively short time, and spanning a nationwide lockdown for several months, the centre has developed quite quickly.
It is very well used.
Our volunteer group is slowly growing, and we welcome our new committee members.
We hope to see our monthly craft markets grow, and look forward to some interesting forthcoming exhibitions, as well as another Christmas performance from Lighthouse Theatre.
We will close again over the ‘off season’ January – March 2022.
I consider the centre still as ‘a work in progress’, but we are making progress, and in 2022, I hope to be able to say, here is the finished product!
I’m sure though as a very forward looking, creative managing group we will be planning projects and developing the Centre for many years to come.
I have pleasure in concluding and forwarding this Pontaradwe Heritage & Visitor centre Chairman’s report for 2021.
Yours sincerely,
John Jones
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