Monmouthshire County Council aims to use the National Eisteddfod this summer as a springboard for some exciting future events that will keep attracting new visitors to the area.

The ideas currently under consideration include a ‘large scale’ pop concert with a ‘major, mainstream touring artist’ in a venue such as Bailey Park or Castle Meadows in the summer of 2017.

Another proposal is for a temporary ice rink in Abergavenny Market Hall to coincide with a travelling European Christmas market, running from November 2016 until January 2017.

MCC’s Events Team updated the Economy and Development Select Committee today (Thursday) on current activities connected to the Eisteddfod - along with ideas to give the event a lasting legacy.

Dan Davies, Monmouthshire’s officer responsible for event projects said, “We know that people love to visit our county and we want to give them even more reasons to do so in the future.

“We have a great track record for entertaining people with events and we wish to develop that further for years to come.

“By working with groups such as Team Abergavenny and Abergavenny Town Council, we are always looking at ways to deliver financial and added value returns to the county.”

The events team reported to the committee that fund-raising events and projects designed to enhance the town centre were currently forging ahead in preparation for the ‘main event’ this summer.

Sites are currently being contracted to serve as car parks for the Eisteddfod park and ride provision.

Byfield Lane car park will be used as a drop-off point for buses and required works to make the area fit-for-purpose will start ‘imminently’.

Efforts to recruit support staff and volunteers and to organise their training are being stepped up.

Planning permission has already been granted for the temporary change of use of Castle Meadows from agricultural grazing to outdoor leisure as a venue to host the Eisteddfod.

MCC is planning to develop a prominent area of the site to provide visitors with a range of special attractions and activities designed to ‘sell’ the area.

There will be six main zones of activity:

• a Welcome sector that entices visitors into the Monmouthshire area and features Bee Friendly Monmouthshire.

• stalls where teams and businesses can promote and inform visitors about the county with a focus on hands on activities

• a performance area for musical acts and speakers.

• a country kitchen showcasing the county’s producers, produce and recipes.

• an indoor activity and play area with cycling simulators, sandpits, interactive maps etc.

• a leisure and sport area.

A budget of £80,000 has been set aside to cover this key project, designed to promote the county as a destination for celebrating and appreciating Welsh culture.

The aim will be to showcase everything that’s on offer here - from great foodie destinations to walking and cycling breaks in breathtaking scenery, from exploring the county’s castles to experiencing new leisure activities like hang-gliding and caving.

The events team also reported that fundraising appeals for the Eisteddfod have so far raised £112,000 towards the £300,000 target and are still progressing.

A host of additional events are in the pipeline - including a race day at Chepstow Racecourse and Choirs in the Castle concert at Caldicot Castle, where Caldicot, Chepstow and Monmouth Choirs will join forces on June 18 for an evening of entertainment with all proceeds donated to the cause.

If, however, all this activity fails to reach the £300k target, MCC has allocated reserves for the Eisteddfod project which can be called upon to make up the deficit, without impacting on the council’s service delivery.