Shire Hall Museum team to join Monmouth Festival of Stories

The Shire Hall Museum team are looking forward to meeting residents and visitors at the Monmouth Festival of Stories this autumn as part of its first community engagement event ahead of the museum’s reopening.

Taking place on 3 October, the team will be based in the arts and crafts tent in The Priory Gardens at St Mary’s Church, Monmouth. The theme is ‘Gather Round’.

Participants will have the chance to create short narratives, design colourful ghost ships, and bring Vice-Admiral Nelson to life with fancy dress and photo opportunities.

At 4pm, participants will also be invited to read their creative writing pieces in the Storytelling Tent.

The ghost ships and written stories created during the day will become part of Nelson’s Ghostly Trail, taking place during the October half term. The trail will be available from Monmouth Library from 23 October, giving visitors the chance to follow Nelson’s ghostly adventures through the town.

The event marks the beginning of what the museum hopes will be a fruitful relationship with Monmouth Festival of Stories.

The Shire Hall Museum’s activities at the festival form part of the Shire Hall Museum Project, made possible thanks to funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Welsh Government’s Cultural Transformation Capital Programme, The Wolfson Foundation, and the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund.

For more information, visit: Monmouth Festival of Stories – Festival in Monmouth, Monmouth

Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Housing & Tourism, Cllr Sara Burch, said: “”The Festival of Stories is a great chance for people to meet the team from the new Shire Hall Museum, get creative, and play a part in celebrating and sharing local heritage through storytelling and art. “We are grateful to the festival organisers for inviting us to be part of the day and look forward to building on this relationship in the future.”

Wild about Nature Isn’t Neat?

Residents across Monmouthshire are being invited to share their views on the council’s Nature Isn’t Neat programme, helping to shape how the initiative develops in the years ahead.

The Let’s Talk Nature Isn’t Neat survey runs until 31 October 2026 and is available on the council’s engagement and consultation platform, Let’s Talk Monmouthshire.

Let’s Talk Nature Isn’t Neat | Let’s Talk Monmouthshire

In green spaces across the county, grass and wildflowers are allowed to grow for longer, creating valuable habitats for pollinators and other wildlife. At the same time, paths, road sight-lines and recreation areas so they remain safe and accessible.

First piloted in Monmouth in 2019, Nature Isn’t Neat has since expanded across the county. The approach is helping to create healthier, more diverse grasslands that support wildlife, retain moisture during dry weather and absorb water during periods of heavy rainfall.

These richer grasslands also contribute to climate resilience by storing carbon, helping to cool built-up areas during hot weather, supporting people’s wellbeing through contact with nature, and creating landscapes that are better able to withstand increasingly extreme weather.

This year, the prolonged hot, dry conditions have presented challenges for grassland management. In response, Monmouthshire County Council has carried out its most extensive cut-and-collect programme to date to help maintain healthy grasslands and improve their resilience.

Careful management has also helped reduce the risk of grass fires through the use of management strips and targeted maintenance in higher-risk areas.

The council is keen to hear from residents about their experiences of Nature Isn’t Neat, what is working well and where improvements could be made.

Cllr Catrin Maby, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and the Environment, said: “Nature Isn’t Neat plays an important role in supporting biodiversity across Monmouthshire while keeping our public spaces safe and accessible.

“It’s a different way of looking after these spaces, and it takes time for people to get used to a change like this. We want to hear residents’ views so we can continue improving the programme for both people and nature.”

Residents can complete the survey at: www.letstalkmonmouthshire.co.uk

Creativity on full show for Caldicot Arts Festival

Caldicot played host to a celebration of local artists at the weekend, providing a chance for the community to come together and get creative.

A council and community collaboration, Caldicot Arts Festival celebrated its second year; spread across three venues for 2026 and celebrating the theme of Summer Colour.

Together Works and the Caldicot Library & Hub hosted free drop-in activities on the day, with Together Works getting things going in the week leading up to the event.

Irene’s Art Club gave attendees the chance to make woodland animal masks for the Summer Fayre.

Caldicot Library & Hub got into the spirit of things too, hosting a celebration of literature with the Summer Reading Challenge and hosting craft activities and exhibitions by local artists.

At Caldicot Castle there were a variety of displays from different local art groups as well as specialist costume designer, Emma Williams, exhibiting some of her work.

The Caldicot Arts Festival shared the Caldicot Castle grounds with the Caldicot Summer Fayre, which was also taking place outside Caldicot Castle on Saturday 1 August.

Monmouthshire County Council Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Housing and Tourism, Cllr Sara Burch, said: “The Caldicot Arts Festival was such an enjoyable and colourful occasion.

“What better way to spend a sunny weekend than by getting creative in a beautiful setting like Caldicot Castle.

“Hopefully even more creative people from around Caldicot will get involved and make next year’s event even better.”

New Castle Dell Play Area opens in Chepstow

Work has been completed on the new Castle Dell Play Area in Chepstow.

Families can now enjoy a transformed play area following the completion of a major improvement project, delivered through partnership working between Monmouthshire County Council, Friends of Dell Park Chepstow and Chepstow Town Council.

The project has replaced ageing equipment that had been in place since the 1960s and introduced a modern, high-quality play space designed to provide significantly improved play opportunities for local children and young people.

Alongside the new play area, improvements have included repairs to a neighbouring boundary wall, replacement of key footpaths and steps through the Dell, and measures to improve accessibility for families and disabled users.

The project is funded through grants from Chepstow Town Council, the National Lottery Community Fund, and the Transforming Towns Programme.

Monmouthshire County Council Cabinet Member for Equalities and Engagement, Cllr Angela Sandles, said: “This fantastic new play area is the result of years of commitment, collaboration and community spirit. I would like to thank the Friends of Dell Park Chepstow, Chepstow Town Council, our partners and council teams who have helped bring this vision to life.

Castle Dell is a much-loved community space, and these improvements will ensure children and families can enjoy a safe, accessible and exciting place to play for many years to come. It is a great example of what can be achieved when communities and public services work together.”

Cllr Vanessa Badderley-Potter, Mayor of Chepstow, said: “Today should be all about The Friends of the Dell and their indomitable spirit.

“As a town council, we’re delighted to have worked in partnership on this project and to contribute towards its delivery. This exciting new play area will bring enjoyment to generations of children while encouraging more families to visit and spend time in Chepstow town centre.”

The scheme has been shaped by years of dedication from Friends of Dell Park Chepstow, a voluntary group of local parents who first began championing improvements to the site in 2016. Their engagement with children and families has helped ensure the new play area reflects the needs and wishes of the local community.

Vicky Burston-Yates, Chair of Friends of Dell Park, Chepstow, said: “Seeing the park filled with children playing and families spending time together is everything we hoped for when this journey began 10 years ago. This project has always been about breathing new life into a much-loved community space and creating somewhere that brings people together, encourages play and can be enjoyed for generations to come.

On behalf of our small volunteer group, I’d like to thank The National Lottery Community Fund, Monmouthshire County Council and Chepstow Town Council for believing in our vision and helping to make it a reality. We are also incredibly grateful to the local community for supporting us every step of the way.”

Look up! How you can help to protect an iconic Monmouthshire bird

Monmouthshire County Council are asking local groups and residents for their help in identifying and cataloguing sightings of common swifts across the region.

Swift numbers have declined 75% since 1995, but there is something that everyone can do to help address this.

Swifts pair for life and are dependent on our buildings for breeding.

A new leaflet published by Monmouthshire County Council outlines how residents across Monmouthshire can help by sharing sightings and making their homes and gardens more swift-friendly – monlife.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/202604-Monmouthshire-CC-A5-Swift-Leaflet.pdf

While similar to species such as house martins and swallows, swifts are larger and have a distinctive boomerang silhouette.

They migrate to the UK from central Africa but do not stay with us for very long, many returning to Africa by early August.

Residents can help provide shelter and food for swifts by:

• Avoiding blocking small holes in your house. Swifts like to nest in cracks and gaps in buildings
• Installing a swift box – ideally on a north facing wall
• Counting swift numbers near where you live
• Making your garden pollinator-friendly to provide plenty of food for the swifts

To share any sightings or information, contact localnature@monmouthshire.gov.uk

Monmouthshire County Council Cabinet Member for Climate Change and the Environment, Catrin Maby, said: “Swifts are one of the iconic species we have here in Monmouthshire.

“If we all do what we can to protect them and to help them to thrive in our own neighbourhoods, we may be able to arrest the decline in swift numbers.

“Let’s make Monmouthshire as swift-friendly as possible.”

Nature Isn’t Neat returns to Monmouthshire with boost for wildlife

Monmouthshire County Council is bringing back its Nature Isn’t Neat campaign this summer, encouraging a more relaxed approach to grass cutting to help wildlife thrive.

Now in its sixth year, the initiative coincides with Wales Nature Week (4-12 July) and focuses on how cutting grass less often in selected areas can boost biodiversity across the county.

Instead of regularly mowing verges, parks and open spaces, the council leaves some areas to grow through the spring and summer. This allows wildflowers to bloom and creates vital habitats for bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

The approach was first piloted in Monmouth in 2020 and has since been rolled out across the county, with Monmouthshire becoming the first council in Wales to review grassland management specifically for biodiversity.

It’s not just good for nature, it also makes green spaces more beautiful and can help you get closer to nature and improve wellbeing. Take a stroll along one of the paths cut through a meadow area and you can find yourself walking alongside wildlife, including grasshoppers and butterflies, with wildflowers and grasses providing a rich landscape.

Cabinet Member for Climate Change and the Environment, Cllr Catrin Maby, said: “Nature Isn’t Neat is about doing things a little differently to get better results for wildlife. By cutting grass less often and at the right times, we can help nature recover and create spaces full of colour and life.

“These areas might look different, but they play a vital role – supporting pollinators, storing carbon and helping manage flooding. It’s a simple change that makes a big difference.”

The council says the scheme is already helping create stronger, better-connected habitats across Monmouthshire and is part of wider work to tackle the climate and nature emergencies.

Residents are also being encouraged to take part during Wales Nature Week by letting parts of their own gardens grow, planting wildflowers or creating small habitats for wildlife.

Visit www.letstalkmonmouthshire.co.uk/nature-isnt-neat for information and tips on how you can encourage more biodiversity in your garden.

Investment in Caldicot Leisure Centre to enhance health and wellbeing

Monmouthshire County Council has approved new investment in Caldicot Leisure Centre, supporting improved facilities and healthier lifestyles in the south of the county.

The investment was approved at a meeting of full council on Thursday, 25 June 2026, and will refurbish and reconfigure the first-floor fitness suite, creating a modern, accessible and welcoming space for residents.

The £601,429 scheme will transform the existing gym by replacing ageing equipment and improving layout, capacity and overall customer experience.

The upgraded centre will include a new 40-station fitness suite, refurbished studios and activity spaces, improved accessibility through inclusive equipment, upgraded toilets, lighting and flooring.

This investment responds to user feedback and recognises the need to modernise facilities that have received limited upgrades over time. Caldicot Leisure Centre is a key community asset, supporting people to stay active, improve wellbeing and reduce social isolation.

The project builds on a range of recent improvements at the site, including a replacement multi-use games area, a new 3G pitch, upgrades to the spin studio, and improvements to the entrance and reception area.

The project is part of a wider programme of investment across Caldicot, including proposals for a new skate park, improvements to the water recovery system, creation of a multi-user route through the country park, and emerging town centre enhancements linked to the placemaking plan, which the council has recently consulted on in partnership with Caldicot Town Council.

Together, these developments demonstrate the council’s long-term commitment to strengthening local facilities, creating welcoming spaces, and supporting healthier, more active communities.

Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Equalities and Engagement, Cllr Angela Sandles, said: “This investment is an important step in improving facilities for residents in Caldicot and the surrounding area. By modernising the leisure centre and continuing to invest across the town, we are creating inclusive, accessible spaces that support people to stay active, feel connected and improve their wellbeing.

“These improvements form part of our wider commitment to strengthening communities and ensuring our services remain sustainable for the future.”

New 3G pitch opens at Caldicot Leisure Centre

A brand-new all-weather 3G pitch has officially opened at Caldicot Leisure Centre, creating new opportunities for people of all ages to get active, connect, and enjoy sport.

The redevelopment replaces the previous 2G surface with a modern 3G pitch, providing a safer, more durable and reliable space for year-round use.

The first of its kind in Wales, the new surface contains an organic, cork infill system, which is biodegradable and boasts a much higher sustainability level than that of a traditional rubber infill system. 

Delivered as part of Monmouthshire County Council’s ongoing commitment to improving sport and play facilities, the project has been shaped by community need and designed to ensure inclusive access for schools, clubs and residents alike.

The new pitch will support curriculum use during the school day, opening up valuable space for grassroots clubs, community groups and informal activity in the evenings and at weekends.

The upgraded facility is expected to play an important role in bringing people together, supporting health and wellbeing, and encouraging more participation across the community, particularly among women and girls.

The development has been delivered through a strong partnership approach, with funding secured from Cymru Football Foundation and the Sport Wales Capital Grant to support accessible, high-quality facilities.

Cllr Angela Sandles, Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Equalities and Engagement, said: “This new pitch is a fantastic asset for Caldicot. Sport plays a big part in our community, and now Caldicot has a brand-new facility to be proud of. But it’s also much more than sport, it’s about creating a space where our community can come together, build connections and lead healthy, active lives.”

Aled Lewis, Director at the Cymru Football Foundation said: “We’re delighted with the completion of the facility at Caldicot Leisure Centre – being able to provide support to upgrade this pitch has allowed us to bring new opportunities for players in the area and will meet the demand. 

“Working collaboratively with Monmouthshire County Council and Sport Wales on this project has been so important in bringing a new lease of life to the facility and a huge thank you to UK Government, the Football Association Wales and the Premier League for their continued support.” 

To find out more about the project, please visit: www.monlife.co.uk/caldicot-leisure-centre-development/

(Pic by Geraint Nicholas/FAW)

Celebrating Walk to School Week with Gilwern Primary School

Students, teachers, councillors and representatives from Living Streets have got together to celebrate Walk to School Week in Gilwern by walking along an upgraded walking route.

They were joined by ‘Strider’, the Walk to School mascot of Living Streets Walking Charity, which works with Gilwern School to support and encourage walking to school.

Using the Welsh Government’s Active Travel Fund, a popular path in Gilwern has been upgraded to help improve access for local residents to get to and from the local primary school from homes east of Gilwern.

The path, running parallel to Ty Mawr Road, provides an improved walking route away from the road. The original path was weathered, leaving a rough and unusable route.

This scheme has upgraded the path, so it is now surfaced and provides improved accessibility through the year, especially for those using wheelchairs, mobility scooters and pushchairs. To mitigate any impact on the ground, surrounding plants, trees and wildlife the path is of a ‘no-dig’ construction style meaning the path is laid on top of the existing ground rather than digging down into the ground.

The works included:

· Widening the path

· Installation of a machine-laid, porous surface

· Addition of tactile pads on crossing points at either end of the path

Monmouthshire County Council Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Housing and Tourism, Cllr Sara Burch, said: “Upgrades like these are vital to enable as many of us as possible to use active travel for our day-to-day journeys.

“With warmer weather hopefully on the way, I can’t wait to see how the path is used by residents and visitors.

“Llanelly Community Council were clear that this path was a priority for action, and I am glad that we have been able to complete it.”

Hundreds of students participate in Monmouthshire water safety event

Schools from across Monmouthshire have taken part in a pair of water safety events.

Around 500 students attended the events, which were organised with the support of the RNLI, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Gwent Police and Swim Wales.

All pupils walked away from the event having taken part in four pool-based workshops focused on the Water Safety Code.

This was followed by four dry-side workshops, outlining the dangers of water and the involvement of emergency services and other partners in keeping people safe in these environments. 

The Water Safety Code is based on research commissioned by the RNLI in 2018 as part of their Youth Education programme. Since then, it has widely been adopted by the UK National Water Forum, of which organisations including Swim Wales, Swim England, RLSS, RoSPA and the Fire and Rescue Services are part.

The Water Safety Code offers easy-to-remember information designed to educate individuals across the UK and Ireland. It encourages people to make critical decisions early and helps them understand the appropriate actions to take in an emergency.

The code instructs that, if you are around water, you must:

• Stop and think – always swim in a safe place.
• Stay together – always swim with friends or family, or at a lifeguarded venue.

In an emergency, you should:

• Call 999 – If you see someone in trouble, you must tell somebody or go to the nearest telephone and dial 999. Then ask for the Fire Service at inland water sites and the Coastguard at the beach. Throw something that floats for the person to hold on to, but don’t enter the water to help.

For more information on the Water Safety Code, visit https://www.swimwales.org/water-safety-code/

A Monmouthshire County Council spokesperson said: “Learning how to be safe around water is a vital skill, especially as we begin to head into the warmer part of the year.

“I am pleased to see that so many students have taken the time to acquaint themselves with the Water Safety Code.

“If you are heading out to one of Monmouthshire’s beautiful rivers or to the coast, please do so safely.”

Hannah Guise, Learn to Swim Manager at Swim Wales, said: “These festivals demonstrate the power of collaboration in teaching and reinforcing potentially life-saving water safety messages to students. Combining theory with practical activities in the water significantly enhances the learning experience. We

were delighted to support MonLife in delivering these festivals and would encourage other local authorities to follow this excellent example.”