about Brecon Buzz
Brecon Buzz Choir Festival is managed by Brecon Buzz, a Community Interest Company that was set up in 2021 to support the economic, cultural and social vitality of the town of Brecon. Through our flagship project - the Brecon Choir Festival - we aim to enrich the cultural life of Brecon, celebrate music and create opportunities for young people across Wales.
Our founding aims focus on collaboration, innovation, and community engagement, providing initiatives that increase pride, participation, and investment in the town.
Brecon Buzz aims
Connect and support local businesses to thrive, supporting employment, attracting residents and visitors to the town and building a vibrant high street.
Facilitate strategic collaboration across the town, bringing businesses, public organisations and the community together to deliver local initiatives.
Promote innovation and share good practice, learning from other places and organisations to build a forward-looking and resilient community.
Support local campaigns and events, engaging residents and visitors in activities that promote the town centre and raising awareness of what is happening in the community.
Create cultural and community events, through festivals, performances and educational activities, creating opportunities for people to come together, celebrate the arts and attract visitors to Brecon.
Through these aims, we deliver tangible benefits for Brecon and the surrounding area, supporting both the local economy and the town’s cultural life, while working to strengthen Brecon’s identity as a vibrant place to live, work, and visit.
Our activities
Since its inception, Brecon Buzz has delivered a range of activities in and around Brecon, celebrating what Brecon has to offer and supporting our local community. Our flagship project, the Brecon Choir Festival is now approaching its fifth year and remains our primary activity. The festival is delivered alongside our Young Singer Award competition and a programme of educational and community activities
Brecon Choir Festival
The Brecon Choir Festival celebrates choral singing through performances, workshops, and community participation. Set over four days in July, the festival brings together professional and amateur choirs, composers and audiences.
Young Singer Award
The Young Singer Award nurtures emerging vocal talent across Wales. Participants gain opportunities to perform, compete, and receive professional recognition, building confidence and artistic skills while contributing to the country’s wider musical landscape. We have aspirations to build the profile of this award.
Educational activities
Brecon Buzz delivers educational projects alongside its flagship programmes, including art and singing workshops, masterclasses, and community singing initiatives. These activities aim to inspire young people and community members, increase access to musical learning, and foster participation in the arts across the Brecon area.
Community activities
Our current community project is maintaining the bunting license that allows for a rolling programme of Welcome Banners on lampposts at key entrances to the town. These are offered to other festivals and events as a promotional opportunity. Buzz organises the artwork and maintenance of the banners..
Our current Directors:
Punch Maughan has lived in the Brecon Beacons area for 40 years with a background in tourism and the visual arts. Punch started Brecon Beacons Tourism, the now thriving tourism association for the area, in the aftermath of the Foot & Mouth outbreak in 2001. She successfully developed that association for ten years and then went on to set up the Friends & Patrons scheme at Theatr Brycheiniog and more recently the charity ‘The Friends of St Mary’s, Brecon’. Up until October 2025 Punch owned Found Gallery in the heart of Brecon curating a changing exhibition programme showcasing over 600 artists and makers in the lifetime of the gallery. Punch has a proven track record of project delivery and audience development. Punch is the Director with overall responsibility for Brecon Choir Festival.
Leigh Hendra co-owned and managed The Hours Cafe until 2026 - a foodie and cultural hub in the town for over 16 years that partnered with many leading organisations including The Good Life Experience (Hawarden), Brecon Jazz Festival and Brecon Baroque Festival. An experienced Festival, Event and bespoke pop-up co-ordinator, she is also one of the original Co-Founders of the annual Brecon Women's Festival to celebrate International Women's Day which she continues to organise and curate. A confessed bibliophile; a seasoned independent bookseller and interviewer, Leigh is a passionate Arts professional committed to creating and sustaining vibrant, inclusive and resilient, cultural offerings in Brecon and beyond.
Sue Phair co-owns Brecon's Ty Cariad - an independent gift and homewares shop. One of the town's most beloved independent businesses, Ty Cariad is located in the heart of the town's iconic bustling Bulwark. The shop stocks leading Welsh brands such as Melin Tregwynt, Farmer's Welsh Lavender and The Original Welsh Candle Company, along with an array of sought after products by Emma Bridgwater and Jellycat as well as many other Artisan makers and suppliers. Sue is a dedicated High Street Champion and an avid advocate for the role independent retail plays in creating vibrant communities.
Brecon Buzz is a registered Community Interest Company (CIC) and operates as a not-for-profit organisation, reinvesting all income into delivering and expanding our activities. The organisation is run by our Board of Directors.
Directors are responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the organisation, ensuring that it is run properly, remains financially sustainable, and delivers its intended community benefit.
Help shape the future of Brecon Buzz
Brecon Buzz CIC is seeking two new Directors to join its Board at an exciting point in our development.
Since 2021, we have been working to support the economic, cultural and social vitality of Brecon. Our flagship project, the Brecon Choir Festival, has become a key cultural event, attracting visitors from across the UK and delivering significant impact locally.
As we look ahead, we want to strengthen our Board to support the next phase of growth.
We are particularly interested in individuals with experience in finance, fundraising, marketing, events or partnerships. However, we warmly welcome applications from anyone who shares our commitment to community, culture and collaboration.
This is a voluntary role offering the opportunity to:
• Shape the direction of a growing organisation
• Gain or develop board-level experience
• Contribute to a vibrant community initiative
If you are interested, we would be very happy to arrange an informal conversation. Our recruitment pack is available here.
Application deadline: 1 June 2026
Contact: planning@breconbuzz.co.uk
Company No: 13161362