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.”

Monmouthshire County Council receives grants for Shire Hall Project

Monmouthshire County Council is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded a significant grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to support the transformative Shire Hall Project.

This grant will enable the council to enhance the Shire Hall, located in the historic heart of Monmouth, into an accessible and vibrant destination for both the local community and visitors.

The Shire Hall project aims to create a space where diverse stories can be discovered, celebrated, and shared.

The project will include the development of new galleries, the installation of a modern heating system, and the creation of versatile spaces to support income generation. These improvements will ensure the long-term sustainability of the Grade I listed building and increase its environmental efficiency.

The project will also focus on community participation and volunteering, with a range of activities and events planned to engage a wider audience.

Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Housing & Tourism, Cllr Sara Burch, said: “The National Lottery Heritage Fund, together with support from Welsh Government and local funds, will allow us to transform Shire Hall into a wonderful museum, showcasing the Nelson Collection and the history of Monmouth and telling many other important stories in accessible and engaging ways. We will continue to work with the people of Monmouth and Monmouth Town Council to bring this vision to life.”

Andrew White, The National Lottery Heritage Fund Director for Wales, said: “We know that heritage can play a huge role in bringing people together and creating a sense of pride in people’s hometowns and cities, and in turn boosting the local economy. That is why we’re delighted to award £1.5 million to transform Monmouth’s historic Shire Hall into an inspiring community museum. Thanks to National Lottery players, this vital funding will preserve internationally significant collections while creating an accessible cultural hub where this important heritage can be enjoyed by future generations for many years to come.”

The improvements to Shire Hall will make it a place where everyone’s heritage can be enjoyed, and the new facilities will provide better conditions for the internationally significant collections housed within.

The council has also received grant funding from the Welsh Government’s Cultural Transformational Capital Programme for the Shire Hall project.

For more information about the Shire Hall project, please visit: www.monlife.co.uk/heritage/the-shire-hall/

Monmouthshire County Council approves ambitious plans for Nature Recovery and Green Infrastructure

Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet has approved two landmark strategies, the Local Nature Recovery Action Plan (NRAP) and the Green Infrastructure (GI) Strategy.

These strategies form part of the nature recovery pillar for the council’s Climate and Nature Emergency response, aiming to reverse biodiversity decline, enhance ecosystem resilience and promote sustainable land use across the county.

Monmouthshire’s Nature Recovery Action Plan (NRAP) is a simple guide to help protect and restore nature in Monmouthshire. Encouraging people and communities to get involved and take action—so together, we can care for nature and help it thrive.

The local NRAP takes the big ideas from the national and regional plans and turns them into simple, local actions. These are things we can do in our communities and local nature sites to help nature recover.

The Green Infrastructure Strategy sets out the council’s approach to enhancing biodiversity and increasing ecosystem resilience through Green Infrastructure. It also outlines the council’s approach to improving health and wellbeing outcomes, as well as implementing climate action through large-scale projects and partnerships.

The development of these strategies was guided by extensive public consultation. This included a campaign which launched at the Usk Show in the autumn of 2024. The council thanks residents, businesses, community groups and stakeholders who shared their views on the climate and nature emergency and how the council can support local action.

Cllr Catrin Maby, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and the Environment, said: “The process we followed to develop these strategies highlighted the importance of collective action in addressing the climate emergency. The council will now begin implementing the strategies, developing detailed action plans, and collaborating with partners such as the Gwent Green Grid Partnership, Living Levels Partnership, and Wye Valley National Landscape.”

For more information regarding the NRAP, please visit: www.monlife.co.uk/outdoor/green-infrastructure/monmouthshire-local-nature-partnership/monmouthshire-local-nrap-action-plan/, and for the GI Strategy, please visit: www.monlife.co.uk/outdoor/green-infrastructure/strategy-and-guidance/

Want to get involved in local nature and green space projects?

We’d love to have you on board!

Check out the latest initiatives on our website and how you can take part:
www.monlife.co.uk/outdoor/green-infrastructure/

Got questions or ideas? Email us at localnature@monmouthshire.gov.uk

This year, Monmouthshire County Council will celebrate Wales Nature Week from 5 July to 13 July 2025, with a range of events taking place throughout the county. On 3 July, a talk about swifts will be held in Monmouth. On 5 July, the Gwent Green Grid will take the BioTapestry to the Alfred Russel Wallace Day, which is being organised by the Usk Civic Society. Additionally, an Insect Safari, hosted by the River Gavenny, will take place in Abergavenny on 9 June.

New gallery opens celebrating diverse communities in Chepstow

Chepstow Museum played host to Welsh Government ministers and Monmouthshire County Council cabinet members last week as part of the opening of a new gallery.

Changing Faces of Chepstow is a new gallery, which was funded by the Welsh Government as part of their Anti-Racist Wales programme for Culture, Heritage and Sport.

The gallery looks at the people of Chepstow from a fresh perspective, recognising that it has always been home to people originally from other places – whether that be invaders – Romans and Normans, people looking for work – Irish Navvies and wire workers from Germany or our Ukrainian community searching for a safe place to call home.

The galley aims to showcase how diverse groups have contributed to what Chepstow is today.

Members of Chepstow’s Ukrainian community who had been involved presented the museum with two handmade fabric dolls symbolising Welsh and Ukrainian friendship. 

In attendance at the preview event were Jack Sargeant, Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership and Jane Hutt, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip.

Alongside the ministers were Leader of Monmouthshire County Council Cllr Mary Ann Brocklesby, Cabinet Member for Equalities and Engagement Cllr Angela Sandles and Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Housing and Tourism Cllr Sara Burch.

Attendees viewed the gallery and met with members of the community who had helped work on the project.

The gallery is part of a much wider project spanning Chepstow and Abergavenny Museums.

Cllr Burch said: “I urge everyone who is able to visit the Changing Faces exhibition in Chepstow.

“It is a wonderful addition to the museum and to the story of Monmouthshire as a whole.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to have a look around.”

Cllr Sandles said: “It was wonderful to visit Chepstow Museum to see the new Changing Faces gallery.

“It just shows how Monmouthshire as it is today has been shaped by people from all over the world.

“We should celebrate that fact and the fact that our diverse community makes us stronger.”

A further event was held the following evening, where the gallery was officially opened by the Chair of Monmouthshire County Council Cllr Peter Strong. People involved in all areas of its creation attended the evening, giving members of the different community groups and experts a chance to come together to celebrate their achievements.

Monmouthshire County Council hosts annual PlayMaker Conferences

Last week, the MonLife Sports Development Team hosted primary school pupils from across Monmouthshire at their annual PlayMaker Conferences.

The conference brings together Monmouthshire’s young leaders for training and to celebrate their leadership journeys.

Around 650 children from Monmouthshire primary schools in Abergavenny, Chepstow, and Caldicot took part in a variety of activities delivered by MCC Services, Monlife Leadership Academy, and external partners, including Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and County in the Community.

Unfortunately, due to the weather, our event with Monmouth Cluster Primary School’s has been postponed for this academic year.

The events included various workshops, such as developing play opportunities, promoting Active Travel, pupil voice, healthy eating, sustainability, water safety and many more.

The week-long programme of events received fantastic support from our Comprehensive Schools, who provided facilities for the events, as well as Abergavenny Rugby Club at Bailey Park. 

The MonLife Sports Development Team has been delivering the Sports Leaders PlayMaker Award throughout this academic year, engaging with nearly all Monmouthshire primary schools. After the pupils have achieved the award, they assist with providing a positive impact on wellbeing within their schools.

Councillor Angela Sandles, Cabinet Member for Engagement and Equalities, said: “The PlayMaker Conference is a wonderful opportunity to engage with our young leaders.

“It’s so fantastic to see these young people develop and grow from Playmakers in year 5 to volunteering in youth work in secondary school and then often starting their careers in sports development in Monmouthshire.

“It’s an inspiring journey, and a joy to see.”

Across the week, 43 Leadership Academy volunteers supported the events, recording 172 hours between them.

For more information about the PlayMaker programme, or wider Sport Development initiatives, please visit – www.monlife.co.uk/connect/sports-development or email sport@monmouthshire.gov.uk

Young people make their mark at annual Youth Conference

Monmouthshire County Council held its annual youth conference on Friday 23 May at County Hall in Usk.

The youth conference allows young people from schools across the county to unpack and dig deeper into the three priority areas identified in the 2025 Make Your Mark survey, which a record-breaking 3,509 young people took part in.

The priority areas were:

1. Cost of living (with 17.1% share of the total vote from all respondents)
2. Mental health matters (with 17% share of the total vote from all respondents)
3. Employment and skills (with 14% share of the total vote from all respondents)

Discussions and workshops around those priority areas were conducted with a view to formulate recommendations for decision makers, public services and young people themselves to address over the coming year.

The Children’s Commissioner for Wales, Rocio Cifuentes, opened this year’s youth conference and gave some perspective of the top three priority issues at a national level.

Cllr Angela Sandles, Cabinet Member for Equalities and Engagement, said: “It is vital that we listen to the voices of young people across Monmouthshire and hear what is important to them.

“Engaging with people of all ages will help us to form a balanced picture of what matters most to the people of Monmouthshire.

“I hope that everyone who attended Friday’s Youth Conference was able to take away an understanding of how we all have to support each other to thrive as a county.

“This is always my favourite conference of the council year, listening to the voices of our young people inspires me and reminds us of all of the insight and innovation they bring.”

Cllr Laura Wright, Cabinet Member for Education, said: “Learning how local government can function to support people from all aspects of society can be an extremely beneficial part of education.

“It was great to see so many young people taking part in the Youth Conference.

“I particularly enjoyed listening to them discussing mental health and wellbeing, reflecting on their experiences and sharing their ideas.

“They have given me a lot to think about and I look forward to working with young people across Monmouthshire to protect and improve mental health in our schools.”

For more information about the youth conference, the Make Your Mark survey and more, visit the Youth Service’s webpage at monlife.co.uk/connect/youth-service/

Temporary closure of Abergavenny Leisure Centre for Phase 2 site improvement works

Abergavenny Leisure Centre will be closed from the 21st of July until mid-August for improvement works.

This work is part of the Phase 2 School and Leisure Centre improvement works programme, which began in Easter 2025; the next stage now includes the installation of new utilities and significant construction works at the school and leisure centre site, which must be carried out during school holidays due to the scale of the project.

These upgrades ensure the facility’s long-term sustainability and operational efficiency.

Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Equalities and Engagement, Cllr Angela Sandles, said: “We understand the importance of the leisure centre to our members and the potential disruption to their routine, and we sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

“I thank all our members for their understanding throughout the period.”

To minimise the impact of this closure, we will not be processing Membership Direct Debit payments in July. Annual members will have their memberships extended to cover the closure duration.

Due to the work, the swimming pool will remain closed beyond the centre’s reopening date, and we will provide updates regarding specific reopening dates through our website, social media channels, and the MonLife App.

For families with children enrolled in swimming lessons, no payments will be processed in July or August, and further communication will follow regarding lessons starting again in September.

MonLife will continue to provide summer holiday programmes in Abergavenny. Further updates regarding The Monmouthshire Games and Active Play will be released soon. The Food and Fun Scheme in Abergavenny will also take place this summer, with the location to be confirmed shortly.

MonLife are currently looking at a limited provision of fitness classes in Abergavenny. Further information will be provided as soon as details are confirmed.

We appreciate your patience and continued support throughout this period.

For regular updates and a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), please visit www.monlife.co.uk/temporary-closure-of-abergavenny-leisure-centre/, follow our social media accounts or download the MonLife App.

For further enquiries, please email monmemberships@monmouthshire.gov.uk

Monmouthshire celebrates positive impact of NERS Program

The National Exercise Referral Scheme (NERS) has positively impacted more than 1,000 individuals in Monmouthshire over the past 12 months.

The programme, funded by the Welsh Government, helps improve the lives of adults at risk of developing or currently managing chronic conditions through a structured 16-week physical activity regimen.

In the 2024/2025 reporting period, NERS received 1,010 referrals, demonstrating strong community engagement. Among these referrals, 75% of clients commenced the program, with 66% successfully completing it.

Based on feedback:

• 100% of participants expressed their hope that the program would continue in the future
•  91% said they would recommend the program to others
• All participants reported feeling safe and comfortable while exercising
• 100% found the fitness instructors approachable and easy to talk to

One participant, Donald, 90 years old, has been part of Chepstow Leisure Centre since 2018.

Despite challenges, including a fall which resulted in a broken femur, Donald’s daughter said: “The surgeon believes his remarkable recovery is down to his fitness from his exercise classes.

“Dad is now back to his weekly class, enjoying the banter and exercise with the rest of the class, who we now consider to be our friends.”

Donald continues to attend weekly classes, enjoying the camaraderie and exercise with friends.

This year also marked the retirement of one of our members of the NERS team, Clare.

Clare has been an integral part of NERS since its inception in Monmouthshire in 2008. Throughout her time with MonLife, Clare has been instrumental in supporting individuals with chronic health conditions, aiding them in regaining fitness and leading healthier lives.

Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Equalities and Engagement, Cllr Angela Sandles, said: “It’s incredibly uplifting to witness the positive outcomes and feedback from those who have participated.

“Programs like NERS are vital in promoting healthier lifestyles and supporting individuals in managing chronic conditions.

“The participant stories and high engagement rates are a testament to the program’s impact and the dedication of our team.”

To learn more about the impact of the National Exercise Referral Scheme, visit https://www.monlife.co.uk/the-positive-impact-of-the-ners-program-on-monmouthshire-residents/