Talgarth Old School Community Day

Black Mountains College is opening the doors to our new teaching facility and community space: the newly retrofitted Old School building in Talgarth.

After a transformative retrofit of the Old School in Talgarth, once a much-loved primary school and youth club, Black Mountains College is delighted to share that the building is ready to be filled with life once again.

We’re opening the doors for a special Community Day, offering a first look inside before our official reopening in February.

The Old School Community Day welcomes neighbours who live, work or study in and around Talgarth to explore the building, discover the new spaces and research library, and share ideas on how the building could serve the town in the years ahead.

Whether you’re a community group or individual looking for space to hire, someone interested in collaborating with us, or simply curious about what’s new, we’d love to meet you.

We’re also inviting anyone curious about studying with Black Mountains College — including those interested in our degree programmes — to come along, chat with the team, and see the place where learning and community meet.

Come in, have a look around, and help us imagine the next chapter for the Old School.

In the afternoon, join us for a special film screening of documentary HOPE! We Are On Time exploring stories of regenerative agriculture. After the hour-long film, stay for a Q&A with Catalina from El Gatoverde Productions and Chris Blake, BMC Trustee.

Location

Talgarth Old School, School Road, Talgarth, Brecon LD3 0BB

Schedule

• 10:00 – 13:00 – Drop-in Community Day
• 14:00 – 15:30 – Film Screening and Q+A

What to expect

• Drop-in for as little or long as you like
• See the space, share your ideas and connect with BMC team
• Join a family-friendly making activity (or let your little ones play while you explore!)
• Refreshments will be provided
• Stay for a screening of inspiring documentary HOPE! to see how the space could be used

About the Old School Facilities

The Old School building comprises office space for the BMC team, a shared kitchen and bathrooms along with two large classrooms, both of which will be open to hire out of teaching time (evenings, weekends and school holidays).

We’re also opening a dedicated research library, with a growing collection of sustainability-focused titles, available for both students and community members to explore.

About the Retrofit

The Old School retrofit was designed by architecture practice, Featherstone Young, who have expertise in place-making and social value. The solid masonry walls have been lined in thick hempcrete blocks, providing breathable insulation, which was finished with a clay paint to expose its rich texture. Exposed services and OSB board linings give a simple functional backdrop to the characterful spaces. In the community library space, walls will be lined with shelves made from local wood sourced by the Talgarth Community Woodland Group.