A COMMUNITY centre that was on the brink of closure just three months ago is celebrating a remarkable turn around in its fortune. Talgarth Information and Resource Centre - which acts as a tourism advice centre, as well as providing a number of community facilities and housing the town's telecentre - was on the verge of closing in May following an unsuccessful grant application to the Welsh Assembly. But following cash injections from the Brecon Beacons National Park, Powys County Council and Talgarth Town Council the centre has been able to survive the summer months. Former Brecon and Radnorshire MP Lord Livsey of Talgarth also joined the campaign to support the centre. The centre's manager, Roger Cowlin, one of three part time members of staff employed at the centre in the town square, said: "A few months ago we were just about bust, we had been turned down for nearly every grant we tried for and things looked pretty grim. "Lord Livsey then got involved and introduced new people to us, and the article in the Brecon & Radnor Express also stirred things up," said Roger. The centre, which attracts nearly 5,000 visitors a year, provides an invaluable service to local tourism providers, who support the centre through advertising, while local arts and crafts are also sold through its shop, said Roger. And the centre is also an important resource for local people, he added, offering IT facilities and a direct link to the nearest job centre in Brecon. "There is no bus service from Talgarth in the evening so although people can get to Brecon they can't get back home. "That means people can't go to Coleg Powys, they can't go to a show in Theatr Brycheiniog, or to the cinema, as they can't get home." Roger says the centre is also vital to hopes of regenerating the town, which has never recovered from the closure of the Mid Wales Hospital in 1997. "The closure of the hospital meant the loss of 400 jobs, plus associated jobs, in a town with a population of 1,500 people but nothing has been done here to regenerate the town." Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations (PAVO) and local county councillor William Powell had also provided the centre with assistance, but Roger said special praise must go to its volunteers. Last year they gave the centre 2,250 volunteer hours and Roger says, to be able to expand the centre it's crucial that more volunteers join in. "Volunteers are given training and can do as little or as many hours as they want. We need more volunteers you don't need to know about computers you only have to like helping and talking to people." If you would like to know more about volunteering at the Talgarth Information and Resource Centre contact 01874 712226 or e-mail [email protected]">[email protected].
