THE Angel Hotel’s Ballroom was the venue for the Abergavenny and District’s recent AGM, where it was universally agreed that 2016 had been a good year for tourism,

The chairman, Councillor Sam Dodd, welcomed everyone and thanked William Griffiths of the Angel Hotel for his ongoing hospitality and support for the Association.

She reported that it had been another successful year, thanking the Town Council and Monmouthshire County Council for their contribution, but highlighting the problem of cutbacks. Mumph, the well-known cartoonist had designed the original and successful 2016 brochure cover.

The demand for the brochure had been so strong that a reprint was necessary and Councillor Dodd was delighted that the 2017 brochure would also feature a colourful Mumph cover.

Included in her thanks were the TIC and her supporting committee officers who had played a significant part behind the scenes.

After the usual formalities of an AGM, Abergavenny Mayor, Councillor Chris Woodhouse relayed the highlights of the last year, including the well established food festival, the long awaited Eisteddfod and the cycling events, which all brought visitors to the area.

The 2016 Tourism Award given to the person, business or organisation that has raised the profile of the town and area was awarded to the Eisteddfod Committee.

It was accepted by Mr Frank Olding who explained that there had been 143,000 visitors to the Eisteddfod, many of whom said they were impressed with the town and would return.

Mr Olding was pleased to say that despite early misgivings, the Eisteddfod had made a profit.

Mr Wayne Lewis (BBNPA) explained that they were again facing a shortfall in funding for the TIC and options were being explored.

The last speaker of the evening was Councillor Peter Fox of MCC who outlined the reduced funding available to the county council and the hard decisions that had to be made to protect vital services.

He felt that hubs, concentrating services in one building, were the way to achieve economies, but recognised it would be difficult.

He was questioned on the increase in the business rates which was bound to affect members and the town in general. Councillor Fox explained that the increase was instigated by the Welsh Government and of the County Council’s control, although he hoped there might be some flexibility in the way the increase was implemented.