Llandrindod Wells town councillors have approved grants to support two community projects, including funding to install rainwater harvesting at the town’s much-loved Incredible Edible garden and backing for a youth arts programme.
Practical help for community growing
At the July meeting, councillors considered applications from local volunteer groups seeking modest sums to help sustain community activity. The better-known of the two beneficiaries, Incredible Edible Llandrindod, asked for support to install water butts and associated equipment so that the shared garden can be watered more sustainably during dry spells.
The group explained in its application that the garden sits in an urban setting surrounded by tarmac and concrete, which raises soil temperatures and increases the need for frequent watering. With higher daytime temperatures becoming more common, volunteers said the existing two water systems were insufficient to keep all the beds hydrated.
Councillors agreed to award £250 towards the project. The full cost of the scheme was listed at £597, with Incredible Edible proposing to contribute £97 from its own funds and to make a separate application to Transition Llandrindod for £250.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Five water butts and stands | £285 |
| Four rainwater diverters (75mm metal) | £100 |
| One diverter (68mm plastic) | £12 |
| Labour | £200 |
| Total | £597 |
The group said it had access to roof space on the neighbouring Dance Centre and existing pipework, which would allow rainwater to be directed into the new storage without additional major infrastructure. The project is scheduled to take place between 1–14 August.
“I would like to give the money to them because it is a fantastic initiative and anything that helps them, we should go for it,”
The comment above came from Deputy Mayor Councillor Kim Nicholls during the meeting. The town mayor, Councillor Steve Deeks-D'Silva, also voiced support, describing the scheme as a useful way of encouraging local activity and getting people out and about.
Support for youth art programme
Alongside the environmental award, councillors agreed to provide a grant towards a separate youth art programme. The town council’s backing is intended to help local young people access arts opportunities within Llandrindod Wells, though the exact value of that grant was not detailed in the council’s public summary of decisions.
- Who benefits: Incredible Edible Llandrindod’s volunteers, visitors and anyone who takes produce from the community garden.
- Why it matters: Ensures continuity of food-growing activity in an urban garden vulnerable to heat and limited water resources.
- Timescale: Rainwater installation planned for early August.
The council’s decisions demonstrate local support for small, practical community projects that deliver direct benefits—food security, green space maintenance and youth engagement—without large sums of money. For a town the size of Llandrindod Wells, modest grants can make a tangible difference to volunteer-led initiatives.
Incredible Edible Llandrindod operates a large community garden in the town centre, run by volunteers for relaxation, meetings, exercise and the production of free food for anyone to take. The council award will partly cover equipment and labour so the garden can make better use of rainfall rather than rely solely on mains or manual watering.
Council minutes suggest the authority is keen to sustain projects that encourage local food production and skills development, while also supporting creative opportunities for young people. In the coming weeks residents can expect to see installation work around the garden and the continuation of activities that help keep this central green space vibrant and productive.
Further details of the youth art programme and the confirmed value of its grant should be available in the council’s full minutes and forthcoming announcements from the groups involved.
