Team hope to get Blaenavon on track (From South Wales Argus)

Team hope to get Blaenavon on track

8:20am Friday 4th January 2013 in News

PEOPLE in Blaenavon have taken it upon themselves to help improve the future of the town by setting up their own group.

Following the appointment of a new town centre manager, Richard Morgan, meetings were held in Blaenavon to gather feedback on what sort of projects people would like.

Out of these meetings, volunteers put themselves forward to be a core part of the community group, known as the Town Team.

Resident Louise Doran is ‘Town Team Champion’ and will chair meetings while Jackie Howells is the vice-chairman. Ms Doran, who has lived in Blaenavon for 18 years, said: “I’m excited about what the group can achieve. I think that Blaenavon is very unique, but I think the town centre could benefit from some attention and I really believe that with a little bit of help from the community we can make it great again.”

Ms Doran, 47, explained that it is not only ideas for big projects, such as a café which holds music lessons and bus tours into the town, that have come out of these meetings, but also smaller town improvements that may help visitors, like better signs in the town.

Mayor of Blaenavon, Cllr Gareth Davies said: “Blaenavon town council welcomes the formation of the Town Team and wishes it every success. Town council members have attended both meetings and welcome the enthusiasm, commitment and fresh ideas that are being put forward.

However, not everyone is optimistic about the impact that the Town Team will have.

Trader in the town, Janet Jones, said: “I have my doubts that it will work.

People have been good to volunteer but they can’t carry out ideas without funds. The Traders Association ended due to lack of support and finance. I wish the Town Team all the best, but I don’t think it will be as successful as people hope.”

For more information email richard.morgan@torfaen.gov.uk or call 01495 766029.