Meeting/Cyfarfod 26/10/10

MEETING

5.30 - 7pm
26th October 2010
Soar Centre

Please note: These minutes are draft only and subject to agreement at the next meeting.
Sylwer: Drafft yn unig yw'r cofnodion yma ac yn amodol ar gytundeb yn y cyfarfod nesaf.

1. Present: Rhian Prosser (Town Centre Manager/MTCBC), Nick Beasley (Audiences Wales), Gus Payne (Arts Development Officer/MTCBC), Lis McLean (Menter Iaith), Jo Richards (Dance Practitioner/MT College), David Jones (H4A), Wendy Marshallsea (Dowlais Engine House)
Apologies: Dinah Pye, Alison Harris (VAMT), Karen Dusgate (MTHA).

2. Soar Arts Centre / Y Ganolfan Gymraeg tour. LM took the group on a tour of the work completed to date at Soar and the Canolfan, explaining where different office, meeting, workshop and performance space will be. The group were impressed with the developments and look forward to seeing the completed work in the New Year.
A management Committee has now been appointed for the Soar Project.

3. Marketing training opportunity (Audiences Wales): NB talked the group through two workshop/sessions he could deliver for the ACMF as part of the funding already agreed with MTCBC: 1) An Introduction to Marketing and Publicity Workshop, and 2) Audience Development and Marketing Planning Workshop.
LM expressed a strong interest in a session similar to the second option for some members of the new Management Committee for Soar Arts Centre. NB was happy to adapt a session and deliver something more tailored to the needs of the group.
It was agreed to run a session, sometime in the New Year, with an emphasis on engaging new people and sharing audience information.
JR suggested, in addition to ACMF and Soar Management Committee members, there may also be interest from a new company set up by MT College staff (Andrew Thomas, Chris Ford and Richard Davies).Action: GP to liaise with NB and LM to discuss suitable date for the Sharing and Caring Knowledge session. Also to contact the new company set up in the college.

4. Pontmorlais Heritage Quarter (Town Centre Manager): RP updated the group on the new THI (Townscape Heritage Initiative) developments for Pontmorlais (Heritage Quarter).

• 2008 a Built Heritage Strategy was developed, identifying Pontmorlais as conservation area (using traditional materials for renovation works etc.). The strategy also recommended that Heritage Lottery funding was secured to develop a Townscape Heritage Initiative in the area.
• Funding has been secured from the Heritage Lottery Fund, to give up to 75% for external renovation work within the Pontmorlais area. The project is called Pontmorlais Heritage Quarter and will last for the next five years.
• The initiative also seeks to improve access to and highlight the Trevithick Trail as it passes through Pontmorlais.
• There are plans to brighten the Pontmorlais promenade area with community mural art-work
• The Castle Cinema is to be demolished with separate funding, and new building is set to replace this along with a small public square.
• Merthyr Tydfil Housing Association has put in a Planning Application to develop the Old Town Hall into an Arts Centre, managed by Cardiff’s Chapter Arts Centre.

In addition to capital works, the project will:

• provide some training on conservation skills,
• produce a book, recording memories and the history of Pontmorlais,
• has some funds available for events in the area

Action: An officer to lead this project is now in post, Russell Shurmer, who will attend the next ACMF meeting to develop links with the group.

5. Updates:

• Global Village workshops: GP has asked the Arts Council of Wales for an application form for workshops leading up to the next Global Village festival. Anyone wishing to be part of this process should contact GP before the application is made.
• Merthyr Aloud: GP highlighted the poster for Voice Workshops, passed on from Heather Murray. The group now meet at the Canolfan. LM and others expressed how impressed they are with the work being produced by HM and the Merthyr Aloud group.
• Zoom Cymru: The next Zoom Film Festival will be returning to Merthyr Tydfil during early March 2011. As part of the project Zoom are offering groups the opportunity to “Make a Film”, with a story session, a day’s shooting and a day’s editing, including use of cutting edge video production equipment, all at an introductory price of £999 in total. (Please see attached poster.). For further info contact Matt on 02920 885505 or matt@zoomcymru.com.
• Dowlais Engine House: WM updated the group on a new £25k HLF project at the Engine House; Iron into Gold, which will be a multi-generational project, including a research element and workshops in a number of subjects, all culminating in a performance. Monster Art (for ages 8-15) at the Engine House has also been very popular.

6. Next meeting: 5:30pm, Tuesday 18th January, VAMT.