Aled from Tregaron

"There is nothing to do in Tregaron for youngsters. We need more stuff for young people so that we have stuff to do in Tregaron. Tregaron is a small town and we need to get more stuff to do."

Tony Boulton in Grapevine Texas says its about how you look at a small community:

"My aunt and uncle had a farm near Tregaron and, in the 1960's, I used to go there from my parents' home in England and spend the entire summer holidays on the farm. It is a wonderful memory and I have taken every chance I could to return to Tregaron since then, even though the farm was sold many years ago. Young people always complain about being bored, they always have done. But it tells something about your character that you can appreciate the beauty of life in a small community. I would love to sit by the river now and watch the day go by."

Paula Christie from Omaha, Nebraska got in touch with these words of encouragement:

"Take heart Aled, there's a principle in life you can use NOW to cause a change for the better. Start this change by looking for ways to help others get their heart's desire, particularly in those that are older than you, or perhaps far younger, but outside your generation, and you'll find your own life being changed for the better. It is called sowing and reaping, and it works no matter what your circumstances, resources or age...it always helps me when I remember to do it."

Rhydian Wilson from Tregaron got in touch in March 2006, drawing attention to a Welsh Assembly Government initiative for young people. More...

Nia from Jersey sent this message:

" Do you expect fun to be handed to you on a plate? Your comment doesn't reflect well on you as a person Aled."

Jenny from Aberaeron asks for concrete ideas:

"I am reading a lot of comments from young people saying there is nothing to do and that 'they' should 'give us more stuff to do'. What I want to know is what 'you' want and what 'stuff' would you like to do. Nobody gets anything by just complaining. How about coming up with some ideas? It'd be interesting to know what you can come up with...."

Michael Davies from Aberystwyth understands the problems of small town life:

"I really do know what it feels like. Tregaron is not a really big town, all it has got is two parks mainly for children aged 5-8. I used to live in tregaron and I was always bored. This is the problem with small towns, they don't have a lot of funding and therefore not enough things are provided for people in tregaron."

Bub from Builth Wells says youngsters should be given a chance to try different activities:

"I'm father of two, and really do sympathise with all these kids. The trouble every time someone tries to do something for the kids they come across the do-gooders, who haven't got a clue what the kids really need. It's not just about rugby you know, there's a lot of money to made doing extreme sports, so these kids really need the chance to prove themselves. There could be a world champion skateboader etc living in one these small villages but we will probably never know because they will never get the chance to try different things, But one thing is for sure, if one does become famous, we all jump on the band wagon say how much we had to do with it/them. Best of luck, kids don't give up on your dreams."

Duncan from Machynlleth agrees with Celly:

"I have great sympathy with Celly. I remember not long ago in Machynlleth there was a swan-neck basketball hoop put into the park. As a basketball player I was delighted, until I had a look. The hoop had been put on grass! Obviously the council had no idea of what the game of Basketball involved, and never bothered to ask!! The hoop is still there and has remained unused. When the leisure centre was built the council supported a huge indoor bowling green. This was built on top of the only tennis courts in town at that time. Now the only courts are at the school. My only advice is to develop interests outside of the town."

Celly from Machynlleth says towns need more than skateboard parks:

"I've just moved here and I think there is nothing to do for teenagers. Even though they have just built a skatepark, some teenagers don't like skateboarding."

Jodie from Neath says that village life is boring:

"I live in a small village and it is really boring. They should put more stuff around here for us to do!"

Emma lives a few miles from Tregaron:

"I am nearly 20yrs of age. I don't drive and I live outside of Tregaron. If I wanted to go Tregaron, I'd have to catch a bus. The bus only goes past three times a day. So I'd only go there if I really wanted to. There is nothing in Tregaron of interest to young people. There's an old, out dated leisure centre, oh and there's 'Kite watching'! That's as exciting as it gets! The pubs are all the same aswell, really boring. As soon as you walk through the door in a pub, all the old people there, just stare at you for ages and you feel really unwelcome. You get the feeling that just becuse you're under 30yrs and drinking, that you're a trouble maker. There are quite a few bridle paths, but that's for the minority of locals. Not everyone rides a horse or can be bothered to ride a bike up hill or walk in a field!"

Ruth from Tregaron says there are plans to do more for young people in the town:

"I live in Tregaron town and attend school in the comprehensive there. After school, on weekdays I often find myself at home with nothing to do...it doesn't help that most of my close friends live out of Tregaron in other small villages. But as I have a lot of work to do after school and I'm in Aberystwyth working at weekends, I don't find the lack of "stuff" to do in Tregaron a problem. Having said this, I can see how a lot of young people in Tregaron must find this an issue as it leaves them with nothing to do, apart from hang around in the square or in the pubs, which then leads to the older generation in Tregaron finding younger people very annoying and troublesome.

This problem does need to be worked out and at my school, there are many things that we are trying to do to resolve this problem.We are trying to get funding from local councils, and there are more things on locally at The Talbot pub, as well as a young farmers club and a new skate park etc. So hopefully in the near future, Tregaron will become more of a place for the younger generation, as it is a beautiful town which is especially appealing to the older generation. Good luck."

Elen Jones from Carmarthen sent us this email :

"I used to live in Tregaron and it is a boring place if your under 18!! and cant go to the pub!!! even tho i like going back and visiting my family and friends at weekends i always have a laugh and find pleanty to do."

Carol Williams from Haverfordwest has emailed us to say :

"You don't have to be young to be bored, I live in a village called Trefin in Pembrokeshire & it is in dire need of livening up."

Jessica from Ystradgynlas says it's not just a Tregaron issue.

i live in Ystradgynlais and there is nothing 2 do there either. I think there should be more things around for young people."

Mark sent us this email from Los Angeles:

"If it's the same as I remember then Aled pretty much has it sussed!"

Maurice Earnshaw from Tregaron disagrees :

"Tregaron and the surrounding area is a beautiful place with loads to do, the countryside is amazing and ideal for all kind of outdoor activities, all it takes is a bit of imagination, the people and the shops and pubs are also generally ok ......just get off the sofa and go for it."

Michael Jones from Penparcau, Aberystwyth says :

"ok, so you move to a big city where there is plenty to do, the snag is that it cost a lot of money if you are going to do things by day and night, is it not better to stay where you are and create and develop things for young people to do."

Hannah from Llanddewi Brefi near Tregaron

"As I am a keen horse rider I find that there is loads for me to do in the Tregaron area. There is millions of bridle paths and mountains to ride around!!! I am also a typical teenage girl who enjoys to go out with her friends. Tregaron isn't the best place for this but at least there is a decent pub-The Talbot. They hold disco's quite often and offer a good night out for everyone. There is a leisure centre and swimming pool and of course the famous Tregaron Bog. It's a great place for the middle aged and tourists."

Gareth John from Llanddewi Brefi near Tregaron says not having access to a car doesn't help.

"As an almost 18 year old who can't drive, I find the tregaron area quite boring as I have no access to anywhere bigger than a small village. I have a close group of friends and we spend most of our time complaining about the lack of things to do!! Llanddewi has 2 pubs and one shop, a bit of a strange ratio but no-one seems to complain!! The nearest 'town', Tregaron, isn't much better for activities past drinking, and school. Seemingly, the area is full of things to do if your more of a farmer, with a young farmers club and lots of duties. And just to finish, there is no gay in LLanddewi Brefi for those who watch Little Britain, and yes, it does rain a lot!!!!"

Stephen from Tregaron says:"I think tregaron is ok place to go if you like going to the sports center but if u like doing different things there is nothing to do."