AROUND £30,000 is being sought by various community groups in Presteigne in order to build a new community storage area in Went’s Meadow.

An outline for a joint project between Presteigne and Norton Town Council and Sheep Music, to build a permanent store on Went’s Meadow, has been proposed, in order to provide on-site storage for equipment needed to put on local events, such as the town’s carnival and Sheep Music festival.

The proposed cost of the project is £30,000 and it is hoped that, if all goes well, it will be built in time for the 2025 carnival, set to take place in July.

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“Went’s Meadow is used as the location to hold community events put on by Sheep Music and the carnival, as well as one off events and performances,” the town council said in a Facebook post.

“In 2019, in an earlier joint venture between the town council and Sheep Music, a community barn was built to provide a permanent venue for their events which avoided the need to rent marquees and other equipment, such as staging and flooring, in order to put them on.

“The proposal is to build another smaller permanent structure next to the barn which will have the dual use of providing on-site storage for all the equipment needed to put on these events, which is currently stored off site, and to provide a space for serving hatches for either a bar or food.

“We would also apply to buy some new and additional equipment to encourage more community-based events down on the field by making it easier to set up and run such events.”

Sheep Music organisers are to take on the responsibility for building the store and the plan is for it to be built by the community, as the community barn.

Organisers of Presteigne Carnival are behind the new proposal.Organisers of Presteigne Carnival are behind the new proposal. (Image: Presteigne Carnival) “We have talked to lots of people in the community willing to help, from experienced builders to enthusiastic amateurs,” added the town council.

“The project cost is £30,000. We are applying to the National Lottery Awards for All for £20,000. The town council is providing £3,000, Sheep Music and the carnival committee are contributing £1,000 each and the final £5,000 will be sought from community contributions once the lottery funding has been secured.

“It is hoped to have a decision from the lottery and the planning permission by the end of March. Construction would start in April and it is hoped to have the new store ready for the 2025 carnival.”

Plans are available to view in the library window or on the town council website, which you can visit at https://presteigne.org.uk/town-council/council-news.

If you think this project is a good idea, you are asked to sign the form in the library. Any comments are also welcome. For more information contact Councillor Colin Kirkby on 01544 267811 or email colinkirkbymbe@gmail.com.