History Society

📅 Date: 14th February 2024
📍 Location: Llantwit Major
🗣️ Who we spoke to: Members of the Llantwit Major History Society
Facilitators: Vale of Glamorgan Council Placemaking Officers
🙋 Type of engagement: Street engagement

🚀 Emerging Themes

• Strong appreciation for community cohesion, with local groups working well together.
• High value placed on community assets such as the library, beach, train station, sports clubs, Town Council facilities, and allotments.
• Recognition of the town’s green spaces and overall quality of life.
• Concerns around transport connectivity, including infrequent trains and buses, especially in the evenings and at weekends.
• Frustration with poor signage, lack of a tourist hub, and difficulties navigating to and from key locations like the Old Town and beach.
• Issues raised around beach access, state of roads and pavements, overflowing litter bins, and lack of street cleaning.
• Concern about loss of amenities such as banks and the absence of a year-round hotel.

💬 Comments

• “Good community cohesion – groups working together.”
• “Excellent library – so much more than just books.”
• “Beach access is difficult, with poor car parking, no seating, toilets, or safe pedestrian route.”
• “Need more trains, later services, and better weekend provision.”
• “No banks left in the town – limited access to cash.”
• “Proud of the town and the strong community feel it provides.”

Overall Summary

History Society members expressed strong pride in Llantwit Major’s community spirit, heritage, and local facilities, while highlighting clear challenges around transport, visitor information, public realm maintenance, and beach access. There is a strong desire to protect and sustain existing services, improve connectivity and signage, and invest in cultural and environmental initiatives—such as a cinema, an arts hub, and enhanced biodiversity—to support the town’s future while preserving its characters.