New exhibition captures beauty of the River Wye

A new exhibition has recently opened at Chepstow Museum tracing the ever‑changing rhythms and moods of the River Wye from its source at Pumlumon to its tidal meeting with the Severn at Chepstow.

Flow / Llif – The River Wye from Source to Sea is a major new exhibition by Welsh artist Lucy Burden.

A private viewing was held on 19 February, where guests enjoyed an evening of lively and thoughtful conversations sparked by Burden’s evocative landscapes.

Burden’s work connects with the Museum’s Wye Tour Gallery, inviting visitors to consider how artists over the centuries have responded to the Wye’s dramatic scenery. A short film by Steve Bennett, created during the Wye Valley Walk’s 50th Anniversary events led by Ruth Waycott, accompanies the exhibition.

Attending the event, Monmouthshire County Council’s Chair Cllr Peter Strong said: “Visitors have been travelling to this valley for centuries, seeking the picturesque turn in the river or the sudden drama of a cliff. Lucy’s paintings carry that lineage forward — not as a repetition, but as a modern reading.”

The exhibition has been developed with support from Wye Valley National Landscape, the Wye Valley Walk Partnership, and Monmouthshire Museums. After Chepstow, Flow / Llif will travel to The Pavilion, Castle Grounds, Hereford with additional works expanding the series.

Monmouthshire County Council Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Housing and Tourism, Cllr Sara Burch, said: “The Wye Valley has been drawing tourists and artists to our region for years.

“I would urge all those who can to visit this exhibition to see the beauty of the Wye captured quite magnificently.

“The exhibition is just another wonderful reason to visit Chepstow Museum, the town as a whole and Monmouthshire itself.”

Flow/Llif will be on display at Chepstow Museum until 9 June.

All weather pitch at Caldicot Leisure Centre set for major refurbishment

Monmouthshire County Council is delighted to announce a significant upgrade to the all‑weather pitch at Caldicot Leisure Centre, marking an exciting step forward for community sport in the area.

The project will see the current 2G synthetic surface replaced with a state‑of‑the‑art 3G pitch, delivering a safer, more durable, and high‑quality playing experience for schools, clubs and local residents.

This investment forms part of the council’s ongoing commitment to enhancing sport and play facilities, creating vibrant and accessible spaces that inspire participation and enjoyment for all ages.

The development is being made possible thanks to the support of key funding partners: the Cymru Football Foundation, Sport Wales, and contributions from the education sector.

To secure this investment, the project demonstrates a clear community and school need, guaranteed community access outside of school hours, and compliance with FAW/FIFA‑approved 3G technical standards.

A total of £456,000 has been secured for the refurbishment, including:

·        £206,000 from the Cymru Football Foundation’s Fit‑For‑Future Facilities Programme, supporting the growth of grassroots football across Wales.

·        £150,000 from the Sport Wales Capital Grant, helping provide sustainable, modern and accessible sporting environments.

Construction is expected to begin this month, with completion targeted for April 2026.

Progress updates will be shared throughout the project via a dedicated web page – www.monlife.co.uk/caldicot-leisure-centre-development/ –  and through Monmouthshire and MonLife Social media channels.

Cllr Angela Sandles, Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Equalities and Engagement, said: “These upgraded facilities will be a huge boost to the town and beyond.

“The new pitch will be available for school pupils during curriculum hours, local football clubs and teams, community sports groups, and members of the public.

“It will also enable increased participation for women and girls in a variety of sports and will prove to be a fantastic asset for Caldicot and the wider area.”

Director at the Cymru Football Foundation, Aled Lewis, said: “The Cymru Football Foundation is committed to investing in facilities that inspire communities. This project at Caldicot Leisure Centre will be essential for the growth of football in the local area. 

“A huge thank you to our partners U.K Government and Sport Wales in supporting the development of this new facility – through the power of collaboration, we’re making huge strides in improving football facilities in Wales on and off the pitch.” 

A new chapter for a historic Monmouth landmark

Monmouthshire County Council will commence work on enhancing the Shire Hall in Monmouth. 

To bring this ambitious vision to fruition, Shire Hall will temporarily close to the public from 20 December 2025, to allow essential work to commence. The building is expected to remain closed to the public until early 2027.

Supported by a £2.8 million investment, including £1.5 million from the National Heritage Lottery Fund, this project will see Shire Hall revitalised as an inspiring community museum and dynamic learning hub.

What’s Changing?

• The revitalised Shire Hall will offer innovative displays telling Monmouth’s story, flexible learning spaces, visible object storage, and improved conditions for our internationally significant collections.
• Upgrades to the heating system and energy efficiency will enhance environmental sustainability, reducing the carbon footprint of this Grade I listed building.
• Redesigned retail spaces and a renewed visitor welcome will improve the experience for all, supporting Monmouth’s regeneration and the Destination Management Plan.
• The project will remove physical, financial, and social barriers to access, ensuring Shire Hall is a welcoming space for everyone.

Extensive consultation with a wide range of communities, including ethnic minority groups and individuals living with dementia, has shaped the project. 

Initiatives such as the Dynamic Collections and Anti-Racist Wales projects have already resulted in co-curated exhibitions and more inclusive museum experiences. A Citizens Panel will continue to guide future exhibitions and events, ensuring ongoing community representation.

Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Housing & Tourism, Cllr Sara Burch, said: “The Shire Hall has served Monmouth in many ways over its history, most recently as a place for people affected by flooding to come for support. We look forward to its future as an exciting community museum, telling the many stories of Monmouth and showing our internationally important collections.”

While Shire Hall is closed, we will keep the community informed and engaged through regular updates and behind-the-scenes insights into the transformation. 

We look forward to welcoming visitors back in early 2027 to a Shire Hall that is more vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable than ever before.

For more information and updates, please visit www.monlife.co.uk/heritage/the-shire-hall/

MonLife celebrates national recognition at Food and Fun 10-year Awards

Monmouthshire County Council is delighted to announce that MonLife, the council’s Sport, Play and Community team, has been recognised at the prestigious Food and Fun 10-Year Celebratory Awards. 

The awards, hosted by the Welsh Local Government Association, were held to mark a decade of the Food and Fun School Holiday Enrichment Programme, celebrating the outstanding contributions of individuals, organisations, and partnerships in supporting children and families across Wales during the school summer holidays.

MonLife, which has coordinated the Food and Fun programme in Monmouthshire for the past five years, was shortlisted for the Sport Coach Award, recognising organisations that deliver physical activity in innovative ways, ensuring every child’s needs are at the heart of planning.

Thanks to the dedication and collaboration of the Sport, Play and Community team, MonLife was named the winner of the Sport Coach Award.

The Food and Fun programme in Monmouthshire is built on a robust hub model, giving children and young people the opportunity to attend three weeks of summer holiday activities. Each day, participants receive a nutritious breakfast and hot lunch, alongside a varied programme of sports, play, and enrichment activities. This approach ensures children not only stay active and engaged, but also benefit from healthy meals during the holidays.

Further recognition went to Amanda Davies, Site Lead for Thornwell Primary School in Chepstow, who was named runner-up for the Outstanding Contribution Award. Amanda, who began as a Holiday Site Assistant, has been a passionate advocate for the Food and Fun programme since its inception. Her commitment and expertise have made a significant impact on the community.

Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Equalities and Engagement, Cllr Angela Sandles, said: “I was absolutely delighted to attend and to see our amazing MonLife team recognised at the WLGA Food and Fun 10 Year Celebratory Awards in Cardiff, winning the Sports Coach Award for their fantastic work encouraging children and young people to get active and enjoy sport.”

“I’m also so proud of Amanda Davies, who leads Thornwell School’s Food and Fun programme in Chepstow and was named runner-up for the Outstanding Contribution Award. Amanda’s passion and commitment to the Food and Fun scheme shines through in everything she does, she’s a true champion for the positive difference it makes to our young people and their families.”

Help shape Monmouthshire’s cultural future 

Monmouthshire County Council has just launched a new consultation, which runs until Sunday, 14 December 2025, around the theme of culture and cultural activities in the county. 

The Let’s Talk Culture consultation asks for your thoughts and ideas to help shape the proposed Cultural Strategy for Monmouthshire from 2025 to 2035. 

If you are involved in or have an interest in cultural activities such as art, performance, drama, music, crafts, or history, or if you simply have opinions about what Monmouthshire’s cultural scene should encompass, we encourage you to participate in the consultation. 

The information that the consultation survey captures will help shape the council’s proposed Cultural Strategy Aiming to drive positive change across the county and to make culture more inclusive, accessible and visible for everyone in Monmouthshire.  

Cllr Sara Burch, Cabinet Member with responsibility for culture, said: “Culture is an integral part of the county and its identity. It provides shared, creative experiences where we can express, learn and reflect on our history, place, social issues and personal lives. These experiences can improve our well-being, strengthen communities and help develop vital life skills for employment and a better quality of life.  

“Culture belongs to everyone, and so does this strategy and action plan. Whether you are a performer, creator, visitor, audience member or earn your living through the cultural industries we want to hear from you. What is good? What could be better? Share your views and work with us for Monmouthshire’s vibrant future” 

You can find out more about the consultation and how to take part by visiting the council’s engagement platform, Let’s Talk Monmouthshire no later than 23.59hrs on Sunday 14 December.  

Other ways to get involved: You can also pick up (and return) paper surveys at any one of the council’s Community Hubs, Chepstow Museum, Chepstow TIC, Abergavenny Museum and The Borough Theatre. 

Get creative at Caldicot Arts Festival

Caldicot Castle will be hosting a free-to-attend arts festival next month. It will see some of Monmouthshire’s most talented artists joining forces to celebrate creativity with festival-goers on Saturday 4 October 2025.

The family event, running from 11am to 4pm, will include a whole host of activities for people to enjoy, encouraging them to get creative and have fun.

For those who want to have a go, there will be a plein-air (outdoor) drawing and painting session, a live community mural to contribute to, as well as artist demonstrations and other of other chances to try new arts and creative activities. Those who wish to take part in the plein air session will need to bring: paper, a board to fix the paper to, pencils, watercolour paints, brushes, water in a jar, a stool to sit on and an easel if required.

Children will have the opportunity to create large scale artworks from foraged finds, have a go at graffiti lettering and take part in a ‘local legends’ art competition.  

To take part, young people aged 5–11 years are asked to think of a local person, place, or story that inspires them, and draw, paint, print, cut, or stick their ideas onto an A4 piece of card. With names and ages clearly written on the back, all entries must be submitted to the castle by 2pm on the day. The winner will be announced at 3pm. Participants will have the opportunity to win an exciting creative bundle.

In addition to workshops and activities, a variety of performances by local musicians and groups, as well as artist displays, will be held within the beautiful grounds of the castle. For those looking for refreshments, the tea rooms will be open to serve hot drinks and cakes all day.

Cllr Sara Burch, Monmouthshire County Council Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Housing & Tourism, said: “Monmouthshire is full of creative people and lots of them live in Caldicot. Their work inspires people of all ages. This will be a special occasion where everyone can join in, listen to music, have a go at something new  and be inspired by the natural beauty of the Country Park, the romance of Caldicot Castle and the talents of their neighbours.     

“I can’t wait to see the castle full of local artists, musicians and families, having a great time.”

If you would like to take part as an artist or performer or have an idea on how to support the local creative community, please email: katherinemcdermidsmith@monmouthshire.gov.uk.

This event is funded in part by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is organised by Monmouthshire County Council.

Let’s Talk about playgrounds in Chepstow

Have your say on Monmouthshire County Council’s plans to transform two Chepstow playgrounds. 

The council has received a limited share of the £5million allocated by the Welsh Government for improving playgrounds and play facilities. After reviewing local data and funding criteria, two parks in Chepstow, Western Avenue and Bulwark Park, have been identified for improvement works.

Play isn’t just fun, it’s an essential part of a child’s development and growth. It nurtures confidence, builds resilience and boosts self-esteem, all while fostering closer relationships within families and communities.

We would now like to hear your thoughts on the planned upgrades. Your views will help us understand the needs and preferences of the local communities.

Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Equalities and Engagement, Cllr Angela Sandles, said: “Your views will help us shape the development of both parks in Chepstow. 

“As a council, we aim to develop the parks to provide the best opportunities for the children to build confidence and have a great time at the same time.” 

Over the summer, as part of the consultation, we’ll be speaking with the children and young people participating in MonLife summer activities to gather their views on the plans.

To contribute your views, please visit Let’s Talk Monmouthshire before the 19 September to fill out the survey:  www.letstalkmonmouthshire.co.uk/chepstow-playgrounds-consultation

Monmouthshire County Council wants public feedback on new active travel route in Caldicot

Monmouthshire County Council are developing plans for a new Active Travel route running through part of Caldicot Castle Country Park.

The Caldicot Multi-User Route aims to connect the newly constructed Caldicot Links/Greenway Active Travel route with the Country Park tarmac service road, creating an accessible and quiet route for pedestrians, wheelers and cyclists from Portskewett to Caldicot town centre.

The route is designed to encourage more people to choose active travel for everyday journeys, helping to reduce traffic, improve air quality and support healthier lifestyles. It will also enhance access to the Country Park, making it easier for residents and visitors to enjoy the area’s natural and cultural heritage.

The council now wants to hear from residents to gather ideas for the route.

Monmouthshire County Council would like to hear from you if you live in the Caldicot, Portskewett, Sudbrook, Rogiet, Caerwent and surrounding areas. We are aiming to reach existing and potential new users of active travel routes in the area to find out what you would like to see along the route.

You can submit your ideas by taking part in the project’s online survey, running through the month of August, available at the following web address: www.letstalkmonmouthshire.co.uk/

The survey will be available online for four weeks from August 1st to 31st.

The council will also be holding two public drop-in days where you can see hard copies of plans, talk to members of the project team and leave comments, on the following days:

• 11am to 4pm, Sunday 10th August 2025, at Caldicot Castle Country Park
• 9am to 5pm, Monday 11th August 2025, at Caldicot Leisure Centre

After the public consultation period ends, all responses will be analysed, and a report will be created and made publicly available on the webpage mentioned above.

Cllr Sara Burch, Monmouthshire County Council Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Housing & Tourism, said: “This is another exciting step to improving routes for walking and wheeling across Severnside.

“I am already hearing how important the new Greenway is to parents with children on scooters and in pushchairs and users of mobility scooters, among others.

“A lot of work has gone into designing the next stage of the route, making it accessible and appealing while respecting the unique ecology and archaeology of Caldicot Castle and Country Park.

“We want to get it right, so I would urge all residents to look at the plans and have your say. If you have ideas, we want to hear them.”

Monmouthshire attractions awarded Green Flag status

Monmouthshire County Council is delighted to announce that our attractions and open spaces continue to gather recognition, with the Green Flag Award.

This award gives recognition to locations which offer excellent facilities and an ongoing commitment to great quality service.

Across Monmouthshire, there were Green Flag Awards for:

·        Rogiet Countryside Park – an award recipient since 2024

·        Tintern Old Station – an award recipient since 2009

·        Caldicot Castle and Country Park, honoured since 2013

·        Castle Meadows in Abergavenny, since 2014

 A further 12 Community Sites were recognised with the Green Flag Community Award, including:

·        Bailey Park

·        Busy Bees Garden

·        Caerwent Meadows

·        Caldicot Community Garden

·        Crick Meadow

·        Crucorney Allotments

·        Goytre Community Garden

·        Incredible Edible Usk

·        Laurie Jones Community Orchard

·        Mardy Park

·        Rogiet Wildlife Friendly Village

·        The Cornfield

Keep Wales Tidy administers the Green Flag Award program in Wales, with support from the Welsh Government. Independent experts in green spaces volunteered their expertise to evaluate the applicants against rigorous criteria such as biodiversity, cleanliness, environmental management, and community involvement.

For the full list of this year’s Green Flag Award winners, visit www.keepwalestidy.cymru.

Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Housing & Tourism, Cllr Sara Burch, said: “We have a wealth of fantastic green spaces and attractions across Monmouthshire.

“From family days out to those seeking something more nature or activity focused, there is something for everyone.

“I am proud that the hard work of volunteers has been rewarded once again with these Green Flag Awards.”

Cabinet Member for Climate Change and the Environment, Cllr Catrin Maby,said: “It is so pleasing to see that many of our locations within the beautiful county of Monmouthshire have received awards this year.

“It is fantastic to see sites at from Tintern Old Station to Castle Meadows in Abergavenny have been recognised with Green Flag awards.”