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/

Improving Access for All, Monmouthshire’s commitment to inclusivity

MonLife’s Countryside Access Service has teamed up with Bethany Handley to raise awareness about improving access for all.

Funded through the Welsh Government Access Improvement Grant, two videos have been filmed to raise awareness and train volunteers/landowners about the need to remove barriers for people accessing the county’s countryside.

Bethany Handley is a resident of Monmouthshire, a member of Monmouthshire’s Local Access Forum and serves as an ambassador for Country Living’s Access for All campaign, Wales Coast Path, National Trails and Ramblers Cymru. She has been recognised as one of the ten most influential disabled people working in the UK’s politics, law, and media.

Bethany Handley stated: “We all have access requirements. One in five people are disabled. At some point in our lives, we may all experience a disability.

“When you exclude one individual, you also exclude their family and friends. There are ways for everyone: volunteers, landowners, and those walking and wheeling on trails to make our paths more accessible to all”.

Cllr Mary Ann Brocklesby, Leader of Monmouthshire County Council, noted: “Monmouthshire was the first authority in Wales to adopt (in 2004) a policy of least restrictive access. Because of the policy we are committed to reducing barriers to access on the rights of way network and removing existing stiles.

“It’s one of the ways we are tackling disadvantage within communities. I am delighted we are working in partnership with Bethany and getting out the message that the countryside is for everyone.

“Improving the accessibility of our public rights of way network is core to what we do. It makes it easier for people to incorporate walking, riding or cycling into their everyday lives and supports active healthy lifestyles. We would like to thank all the landowners, organisations and volunteers that work with us to remove barriers and make our countryside more accessible for all.”  

Cllr Sarah Burch, Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Housing, and Tourism, added, “We are very proud to have been able to support and enable community volunteer groups to be actively engaged with countryside projects, creating sustainable and resilient communities.

“Thanks to the Access Improvement Grant we now have 17 active volunteer groups who have been supported with training, equipment and materials.

“They have undertaken miles of surveys and in the past two years have helped to improve access by removing stiles and replacing them with gaps or gates(68). They have also cleared vegetation from eight miles of paths and 466 pieces of furniture.  Many more paths are lined up for improvements in 2025 and we are looking at ways we can now promote them better.” 

If you are interested in removing barriers or joining a countryside access volunteer group, please get in touch with the Countryside Access Team by emailing countryside@monmouthshire.gov.uk

For more information, and to view the videos, you can also visit:

https://www.monlife.co.uk/outdoor/countryside-access/countryside-access-projects-delivery-plan

Swift tower unveiled at County Hall, Usk

A six-metre common swift tower has been installed at County Hall in Usk as part of the Gwent Green Grid Shared Prosperity Funding for enhancing Green Spaces.

The tower, which includes bird boxes for up to 12 pairs of swifts, has been installed at the Incredible Edible community garden.

The tower aims to support the local swift population, which is on the Red List of Conservation Concern, and to raise awareness of how Monmouthshire County Council is supporting nature recovery across the county.

The tower will:

• Provide additional nesting spaces for swifts and other urban nature, to help address the long-term loss of traditional nest sites in buildings.
• Provide a prominent piece of art to inform residents and visitors to the Incredible Edible Community Garden of this iconic, declining urban bird, and to inspire individuals to take action to help swifts and other urban nature.

Swifts have recently been put on the Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern in recognition that populations across the UK have declined by 58% since 1995, 75% in Wales.

Swifts nest almost exclusively in buildings, making use of small holes to raise their young. Swifts pair for life, returning to the same nest site each year.

However, with many old buildings being renovated, small holes being filled, or buildings simply demolished, our swifts are losing their nesting sites. To help these birds, their nesting sites should be retained during renovations, provided artificially in the form of swift boxes or in the form of a Swift Tower.

Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) has produced a Local Nature Recovery Action Plan, which sets out actions to help reverse the decline in biodiversity and build ecosystem resilience, support nature recovery and deliver nature-based opportunities to raise awareness.

Cabinet Member for Climate Change and the Environment, Cllr Catrin Maby, said: “Swifts are on the red list due to declining numbers and so it is vital that we do what we can to support them.

“This swift tower is an excellent way to ensure that we continue to see breeding pairs at County Hall for many years to come. Hopefully it can prove to be a small step towards the recovery of swift populations in the near future.”

Monmouthshire County Council hopes to support further swift project work through the Welsh Government Local Places for Nature funding during 2025-2027. If you would like to find out more or get involved, please email LocalNature@Monmouthshire.gov.uk