PEOPLE living in and around Builth Wells are being asked to help offer a place to stay for volunteers at this year’s Royal Welsh Show.
For the first time, street pastors, safety and welfare volunteers assisted by the Powys County Council’s Youth Service, will offer help and emotional support, counselling and signposting to visitors.
They will patrol the town centre from 9pm to 3.30am, from Saturday, July 21, to Thursday, July 26, and will be travelling to Builth Wells from all over Wales. All street pastors are volunteers and only receive travel expenses.
The improvements have been recommended by the Builth Wells Event Safety Group.
County Councillor Jeremy Pugh, a member of the Builth Wells Event Safety Group, said: “Given the large distance that the street pastors are likely to be travelling to Builth Wells, we are asking residents in and around the town if they can offer a home from home for them.
“If you have a spare room or a sofa bed that you would be willing to give up for the week, please get in touch. We hope they will receive a warm Powys welcome, to make their stay as comfortable as possible.”
New safety measures have been introduced after the death of young farmer James Corfield from Montgomery in 2017.
Neil Hamilton AM for Mid and West Wales has called on residents to do their bit.
He said: “Tragically a visitor to the town died during the Royal Welsh Show last year and the Builth Wells Event Safety Group was formed. One of their recommendations was to have the street pastors to help and improve welfare and safety in the town and I welcome this move.
“During the show period these volunteers, who only receive travelling expenses, will be coming from all over Wales, to help patrol the town and a call has gone out for people living in or around Builth Wells, to offer them accommodation.
“If anyone has a spare room or a sofa they can offer then I would urge them to get in touch with the organisers. The Royal Welsh Show is a huge event and annually attracts about 250,000 people and the welfare and safety of visitors is paramount and initiatives like this should be supported.”
Anyone able to help should contact Greg Thomas, business continuity and risk management officer on 01597 826149 or email: greg.thomas2@powys.gov.uk.
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