End of an era? lets hope not.

I don't know how many people realise, or sadly how many people care; this is the last season for the Afan Argoed visitors centre and for the Afan Valley Bike Shed.

I hope that a way can be found for these facilities to be saved, but as with several of the local primary schools, sadly those hopes are (and are likely to be) in vain; the Council is struggling to deal with huge year on year cuts in funding from the Welsh Assembly. The time for appeals and petitons are over, whats needed now is innovation, a way to help bring more revenue to a great, and unfortuantely underused resource.... or ideally a sponsor, anyone with some spare cash?!.

I must admit, I don't make as much use of the facilites as maybe I should, I live locally so quite often cycle to Afan and tend not to use the cafe as I normally head for home from other points on the trail. Though, on hot days it's been a real life saver with an ice cream and cold drink. Likewise, the 'Bike shed has helped in times of need, with the occasional inner tube or brake pad, but this alone won't keep a buisness running. It needs a lot of peoples £'s, come on guys and girls, support the local bike shop, it wont break the bank and will help keep these places open for when you REALLY need
them.

Here's a couple of thoughts, I guess a drop in the ocean in the funding gap, but to get the wheel turning as it were.

• Increase parking to £2 a day. (this would make the season ticket a much better buy) Parking is currently £1 for all day, it's £3 a day in Glyncorrwg.
• Discount at the cafe for parking season ticket holders.
• Use the cafe, even if it's just for a post ride brew and biscuit! also,
• Use the Bike Shed, even if you just buy a cliff bar or brake pad!
• Regular guided walks from the centre.

I'd like to see a revamp of the visitors centre, but that's just a pipe dream. IMHO, I think the cafe is on the 'wrong side' of the centre, there's the potential to have a cafe with a south aspect and great view down the valley and over some of the trails themselves.

I'll be trying to make more time to support Afan in what's likely to be it's last few weeks, using the cafe rather than rushing home, please everyone, can you do the same. Maybe with enough support, a way will be found to keep the cafe and the Bike Shed open.
   
Would you as a rider be prepared to pay a little more in parking costs if you knew that this was helping keep the facilities open and the trails maintained?