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Chepstow celebrations mark 10 years of the Wales Coast Path

National Poet Ifor ap Glyn, Chepstow Town Mayor Margaret Griffiths, Jont Bulbeck (Outdoor Access & Recreation Team Leader of Natural Resources Wales), Simon Pickering (Head of Designated Landscapes and Countryside Access, Welsh Government), Tricia Cottnam (Wales Coast Path Officer), naturalist Iolo Williams and MCC Deputy Leader Cllr. Paul Griffiths
Former National Poet Ifor ap Glyn, Chepstow Town Mayor Margaret Griffiths, Jont Bulbeck (Outdoor Access & Recreation Team Leader of Natural Resources Wales), Simon Pickering (Head of Designated Landscapes and Countryside Access, Welsh Government), Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail Officer Rob Dingle, Tricia Cottnam (Wales Coast Path Officer), naturalist Iolo Williams and MCC Deputy Leader Cllr. Paul Griffiths

Chepstow Riverside was the setting for celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of the Wales Coast Path on Monday 27th March. The event, attended by representatives of Monmouthshire County Council, Welsh Government and Natural Resources Wales, highlighted the benefits of getting out and about and experiencing nature first-hand. Respected naturalist, conservationist and television presenter Iolo Williams was one of the guests of honour, along with former Bardd Cenedlaethol Cymru / National Poet of Wales, Ifor ap Glyn.

Iolo Williams demonstrates the new sound box on the Wales Coast Path at Chepstow riverside
Iolo Williams demonstrates the new sound box on the Wales Coast Path at Chepstow riverside

On the site, not far from Chepstow Bridge, Iolo unveiled a new sound box describing the many varieties of wildlife that can be encountered on the Wales Coast Path. Iolo has recorded three of the messages on the sound box and former National Poet of Wales Ifor ap Glyn has provided his poem Bendith Llwybr yr Arfordir (Wales Coast Path Blessing) for the audio presentation.  Walkers undertaking the coast path will be able to use the sound box to bring to life the rich diversity of wildlife they may spot along the way. The sound box has four messages in total, in both English and Welsh, and provides a more accessible way to hear information.  The messages can be changed as required to keep them fresh and relevant.

Former National Poet Ifor ap Glyn reads out his poem about the coast path, stood by the riverside in Chepstow
Former National Poet Ifor ap Glyn reads out his poem about the coast path, stood by the riverside in Chepstow

Artist Michael Johnson designed and made a pebble artwork for the Chepstow site that incorporates part of Ifor ap Glyn’s poem. Similar art work can be found in Flintshire.

Opening the event, Iolo Williams said: “I’m delighted to be invited along to help celebrate 10 years of the Wales Coast Path. Over the past decade, I have walked several sections of the path and the sheer variety of landscapes and wildlife never ceases to amaze me. The Covid lockdowns taught us just how important the natural world is for our physical and mental wellbeing and I hope this event encourages more people to get out and enjoy the natural wonders that Wales has to offer.”

Former National Poet Ifor ap Glyn said: “Although this event celebrates the beginning (and end!) of the path at Chepstow, walkers can create their own ‘beginnings’ and ‘ends’ anywhere they choose along the 870-mile length of the path. The important thing is to get out there and enjoy it.”

Iolo Williams talking about wildlife with pupils from The Dell Primary School
Iolo Williams talking about wildlife with pupils from The Dell Primary School

For the past year Monmouthshire County Council, Flintshire County Council and Natural Resources Wales have worked in partnership to improve the gateways of the Wales Coast Path route. Funding for the project has come from Welsh Government and local authorities. The project aims to bring together the north and south gateways so that people who walk the entire route will have a sense of connectivity, heritage and celebration in their significant achievement.

Cllr. Sara Burch, Cabinet Member for Inclusive & Active Communities, said: “The Wales Coast Path provides an important opportunity to experience the beauty of the county and improve our well-being, both physical and mental. I would like to thank Natural Resources Wales, Flintshire County Council, Welsh Government, Ifor Ap Glyn, Iolo Williams, Chepstow Walkers Welcome and Lower Wye Ramblers for all coming together to celebrate the Wales Coast Path’s anniversary in Chepstow.”

Cllr. Catrin Maby, Cabinet Member for Climate Change & the Environment, said: “The addition of the new sound box to the Chepstow end of the coast path will enrich people’s experience of the journey and will raise awareness of the incredibly diversity of wildlife that can be found here. I hope that as many people as possible enjoy using the sound box and explore the coast path for themselves inspired by the information they hear.”

Monmouthshire County Council's MonLife Countryside Access Manager Ruth Rourke opening the event, with Iolo Williams
Monmouthshire County Council’s MonLife Countryside Access Manager Ruth Rourke opening the event, with Iolo Williams

In addition to being the start of the Wales Coast Path, Chepstow is also the gateway to many other long distance paths such as Wye Valley Walk and Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail. 2023 also sees the launch of ‘Wales, by Trails’ – a year of trails – which the event also celebrated.

Chepstow Walker’s Welcome hosted a short ‘health walk’ to mark the event and promoted the forthcoming Walking Festival, which takes place on 12th April. The Wye Valley Rambler were also at the event and hosted a longer walk. Both groups, Countryside Access staff, the Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail and Wales Coast Path Regional officers were on hand to discuss volunteering opportunities and where to walk. Pupils from The Dell Primary School attended the event and presented Iolo Williams with a book they had made.

The Wales Coast Path, which is 870 miles in length, provides opportunities for the public to engage with biodiversity for their health and well-being. 

The event, held where seals and a Peregrine falcon can often be seen, also saw Nature Isn’t Neat, Gwent Green Grid and Living Levels carrying out activities for the public and local school children from The Dell Primary School in the town.

Crowds gathered to see Iolo Williams unveil the new sound box, which features information about the coast path and a poem inspired by it

For information about the Wales Coast Path visit www.walescoastpath.gov.uk/


Important Turner painting of Chepstow Castle coming home

Thanks to funding secured from the Arts Council England / V&A Purchase Grant Fund and National Lottery support, Museums Association Beecroft Bequest, The Usk Valley Trust and MonLife museums’ acquisitions fund, a ‘local treasure’ – a painting by JMW Turner – will be coming home to Chepstow soon. Turner’s watercolour of Chepstow Castle is one of only two works by the artist known to capture the iconic view of the castle by the River Wye.

MonLife Heritage have acquired the beautiful landscape which will be on display in the summer at Chepstow Museum and it is hoped that as many local people as possible will visit to view the painting and be inspired by it.

Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775-1851) is acknowledged as arguably the greatest of the British ‘Romantic’ artists, and is often referred to as “the painter of light” due to his ability to evocatively capture vibrant landscapes and seascapes on paper and on canvas.

The Chepstow Castle watercolour was painted in 1794 when Turner was just 19 years old and it is thought to have been created as a result of the artist’s first tour of South Wales. Once on display at Chepstow Museum, the painting will help tell the story of not only 18th century Monmouthshire, but of Turner’s love of the county.

Cllr. Sara Burch, Cabinet Member for Inclusive & Active Communities, said: “It’s fantastic news that the painting will be coming back to Chepstow where Turner painted it at the age of 19. It will become the jewel of Monmouthshire’s collection of paintings and drawings inspired by the Wye Valley. I hope today’s young artists will see it and be inspired. We had thought purchase of a significant artwork like this was out of reach, until generous funders stepped in to save the painting for the nation and for Monmouthshire.”

Turner’s painting will be display in Chepstow in the summer, in the meantime to find out about Monmouthshire museums and their current exhibitions visit https://www.monlife.co.uk/heritage/


Proposals for Community Nature Spaces in Chepstow take shape

Last year it was confirmed that Chepstow would be the next town to benefit from the Community Nature Spaces Project following the completion of schemes in Monmouth. Residents and stakeholders were asked for their views on possible enhancements for green spaces in the Autumn of 2022. The project is now progressing and it’s time to share your feedback on the four proposed schemes around the town.

The four Chepstow sites that will be taken forward at this time are: The Danes, Severn Crescent, Woolpitch Road and Strongbow Road. These sites have been selected based on responses received during the first stages of the consultation and where it’s possible to meet the needs of the environment and the community. 

Residents, businesses and community groups are encouraged to visit the Community Nature Spaces webpage to see the designs and share their feedback by 10th March 2023. Following this feedback period, the council wants to continue management and enhancement of green spaces, so ideas are welcomed at any time.

Cllr. Sara Burch, Cabinet Member for Active & Inclusive Communities said: “I am pleased to see the four schemes taking shape in these proposals for Chepstow. The response to the consultation last year was fantastic and has helped to shape these schemes. I look forward to Chepstow having new, green and beautiful spaces to enjoy and relax in in the future.”

Cllr. Catrin Maby, Cabinet Member for Climate Change & the Environment said: “These spaces will enrich the environment in Chepstow for people and for wildlife. They will also bring health and wellbeing benefits for everyone. I would encourage as many local people to share their feedback as possible and help make these spaces truly for the community.”

The Community Nature Spaces Project, supported by Welsh Government’s Local Places for Nature funding, aims to improve our green spaces for nature and help support opportunities for health and wellbeing. This can be done in a variety of ways, such as by planting trees, adding raised beds for community food growing and increasing wildflower planting for pollinators. They will be places to get up close to nature and get active. To find out more visit: www.monlife.co.uk/outdoor/consultation-community-nature-spaces/

Woolpitch Wood
Severn Crescent
Strongbow Road
The Danes

Tags: climate emergencycommunity nature spacesMonmouthshire


Monmouthshire’s heritage to benefit from funding awards

Tea caddy – Our collections contain items that reveal the products of the British Empire.  This work will better interpret these objects.
Tea caddy – Our collections contain items that reveal the products of the British Empire.  This work will better interpret these objects.

MonLife, which runs Monmouthshire County Council’s heritage service MonHeritage, has secured two funding awards totalling over £415,000 from Welsh Government and The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The award will enable MonHeritage to work closely with communities in Monmouthshire, over the next two years, to ensure everyone’s stories are told in the county’s museums.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded £241,697 for the project ‘Dynamic Collections – Opening the box’ discovering and sharing Monmouth’s local history collection. This work will transform how Monmouth’s local history collections are documented, making them relevant to today’s communities.

The project will run between April 2023 and March 2025 and tasks will include: Improving computerised catalogue database and commissioning a report on empire, slavery and colonialism artefacts within the local history collection, to complement reports that have recently been produced about museum collections in Abergavenny and Chepstow. 

The MonHeritage team will work with diverse community groups to critically examine how and what is recorded about collections, including identifying key terms. This will include working with Race Council Cymru to support sessions with racially diverse groups; those with a disability and the LGBTQ+ community, and working with people who understand ecology and climate change.

This project will result in a community co-curated touring exhibition that explores the question “What makes Monmouth Monmouth?” This will enable different perspectives to be heard, new contexts explored and a variety of stories told. The exhibition will tour community venues, sharing collections with new audiences who may not have previously visited the museum. A companion exhibition in Shire Hall will enable themes explored in the project to be showcased and trial new approaches ahead of the Shire Hall Museum’s redevelopment. A community engagement programme of learning sessions, handling workshops, renaissance session and craft activities will facilitate discussion around our collections.

Collections Review –Our projects will enable us to improve information about and access to our collections
Collections Review – Our projects will enable us to improve information about and access to our collections

Andrew White, Director of The National Lottery Heritage Fund in Wales said: “Heritage is for everyone and we want to see a wider range of people involved in heritage, which is why we’re supporting Monmouthshire County Council’s ‘Dynamic Collections – Opening the box’ project. Through our funding we aim to bring communities together through a deeper engagement with heritage, particularly through finding creative ways to bring heritage to new audiences.  This will help discussion and exploration of our heritage so that people and communities across Wales can engage with, interpret, and gain a shared understanding of our past.”

To support MonHeritage’s collections at Abergavenny and Chepstow Museums, MonLife has been awarded £173,318 by Welsh Government. The funding is for the project ‘Researching, re-examining and reclaiming: the heritage and culture of Monmouthshire’s Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority communities’.This work will contribute to the heritage goals in the Anti Racist Wales Action Plan.  The award builds on work begun at the two museums and will lead to improved interpretation of the collections, better representing their links to slavery, colonisation and empire and acknowledging Monmouthshire communities’ past role in slavery, empire and globalisation

With Race Council Cymru, MonHeritage will host community workshops to explore ways to better interpret the collections. Work with the communities will enable the Learning and Curatorial team to create an activity programme, which is likely to include cultural events, exhibitions and displays in Monmouthshire venues. In addition, community and learning activities in local schools and in the county’s museums. The content will be inspired by the collections and local heritage.

Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport Dawn Bowden visited Abergavenny Museum recently and said: “It was excellent to learn more about how our funding will be used by MonLife.  Our national and local museums, galleries, libraries, theatres, and sporting venues need to be inclusive of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people and places. Our culture, heritage and sports services must be culturally competent and reflective of the history and contribution made by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people to Welsh society.

“I am committed to delivering the goals and actions in the Anti-racist Wales Action Plan and the Programme for Government commitments within my portfolio. I look forward to seeing how MonLife’s project contributes to our continued progress as we deliver meaningful change with and for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people across Wales.”

 This work complements the recent decision of Monmouthshire County Council to become a member of the City of Sanctuary network and to begin the process of formally applying to become a county of sanctuary for those fleeing persecution.

Cllr. Sara Burch, Monmouthshire County Council’s cabinet member for Inclusive and Active Communities, said: “We are very grateful for this funding from Welsh Government and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. It will bring about significance improvements in the way our heritage collections are interpreted, displayed and communicated.  The activities planned in both of these programmes will help us to identify and share with people the stories related to our collections and our locality that celebrate the full cultural diversity of our Monmouthshire communities and will enable representation of all our communities at our museums. We look forward to working with Race Council Cymru to ensure our collections are relevant, respectful and inclusive.”

Tags: fundingheritageMonHeritageMonLifeMonmouthshirenewsThe National Lottery


Get set for half-term fun with MonLife!

MonLife has put together a programme of exciting activities for children, young people and families to enjoy this February school half-term.

The Monmouthshire Games are returning, providing a great chance to learn new skills, develop confidence, meet new people and most importantly have fun through sport. The week-long programme runs from Monday 20th to Friday 24th February and is hosted across the county’s leisure centres  (Abergavenny, Caldicot, Chepstow and Monmouth). Follow the link for more information and the booking form – www.monlife.co.uk/monactive/childrens-activities/the-monmouthshire-games/

At Monmouth leisure centre there is the indoor play centre, featuring an exciting three-storey, action-packed climbing maze, featuring a unique beat the clock timing system. There’s also a designated (enclosed) toddler area. The play centre is open seven days a week (except bank holidays) between 10am and 5.30pm and is suitable for ages – babies and toddlers (0-3), young children (4-8) and older children (9-11).  Please note due to a private booking the play centre is closed to the public Saturday 18th and 25th  February between 4pm-6pm.

There’s also plenty of fun for all the family in the leisure centres’ pools with some amazing sessions to keep you or your children entertained. Find out more: Swimming – MonLife Holiday Activities

There is lots of free fun to be had at MonLife Museums.  Follow the play trails at Abergavenny and Chepstow museums, play dress up at Shire Hall Museum in Monmouth and get creative with our chalkboards, market stall and ‘crack the crime’ games. Children can also could also cook something up at Abergavenny Museum’s Mud Kitchen and play in the grounds with special backpacks filled with fun things to do outdoors, toys and games.

Youngsters can also go undercover at Shire Hall in Monmouth, and at Chepstow and Abergavenny museums, and test their detective skills as part of the national Montgomery Bonbon: Museum Mystery Trail, organised by Kids in Museums and Walker Books. The trail celebrates the release of new children’s book Montgomery Bonbon: Murder at the Museum written by comedian Alasdair Beckett-King and illustrated by Claire Powell. So why not visit Monmouthshire’s museums over half-term and join the free fun. To find out museum opening hours visit: www.monlife.co.uk/heritage/

MonLife will be also be holding free Stay and Play sessions where children and families will have the opportunity to freely choose from lots of activities including physical play, arts and crafts, den building or wherever their imagination takes them.  The sessions are taking place at Raglan Old Church School on the 21st February between: 10am-noon; Shire Hall, Monmouth on the 21st February between 1:30pm-3:30pm; Magor Scouts and Guides Hut on the 23rd February between 10am-noon; Deri View Primary School on the 23rd February between 1:30pm-3:30pm.  Please note that parental supervision is required for children under the age of 11. Book now via the following form: https://forms.office.com/e/w38MZvNMGp

MonLife will also be holding FREE Active Play sessions at Abergavenny, Chepstow, Caldicot and Monmouth during February half term. Mon Life Active Play programme is 1 hours and 55 minutes where children aged 5-11 can be left with our highly trained and experienced playworkers and choose from a range of activities to play including physical play, arts and crafts, archery or wherever their imagination takes them. These sessions are now fully booked.

Youth centres across the county will also be open on certain days for young people to visit. They’re a safe space for young people to access, where they can take part in activities, hang out and meet new friends, supported by qualified and registered Youth Workers. The Attik, Monmouth, will be open Tuesday 21st between 3-5pm, Wednesday 22nd between 3pm and 8pm and Friday 24th between 3pm and 6pm. The Cabin, Abergavenny will be open Tuesday 21st and Wednesday 22nd February, 3pm-8pm and Friday 24th, 3pm-6pm. The Zone, Caldicot will be open on Tuesday 21st 2pm-8pm and ‘The Pav’ youth centre in Thornwell, Chepstow, will be open on Tuesday 21st between 2pm and 8pm and Friday 24th February 2pm-7pm.

Full details of what happening over half term can be found here: www.monlifeholidayactivities.co.uk/activities/


Monmouthshire’s Youth Service gears up for successful 2023 after receiving Welsh Government accolade

MonLife’s award-winning Youth Service is gearing up for another successful year after recently securing a Bronze Quality Mark for Youth Work in Wales.

The Youth Service received the Welsh Government accolade following a week-long assessment of its services in October 2022, with the award officially given on the 17th of November 2022.

The Quality Mark is awarded to organisations and service providers who meet a range of criteria as set out by gold, silver and bronze standards and supports the aims and objectives of the ‘Youth Work Strategy for Wales.’ The Quality Mark is regarded as being the only system available in Wales that can meet a profession-specific set of standards.

Assessment for the award focuses on:

  • Performance management
  • Quality of youth work practice
  • Young people’s learning and development
  • Legal requirements

Following the assessment, MonLife’s Youth Service was recognised for its work in developing positive relationships with young people, helping promote learning and achievement, and for providing opportunities which are educative, empowering, participative, inclusive and expressive, and extends their knowledge, skills and understanding.

The team and its services were also regarded as having a clear vision and strategy for young people, having a plan to measure the impact and effectiveness of its services and ensuring all work with young people is linked with local and national policies.

The accolade comes as the Youth Service gears up for an ambitious 2023, with the key focus on ensuring young people from 11 to 25 years old can develop holistically through a range of activities and opportunities. This work includes the delivery of youth clubs, youth centres, school holiday provision, the Shift project which supports young people’s mental health and emotional wellbeing, participation work including Engage 2 Change (Monmouthshire’s youth council) and LGBTQ+ support including ‘Equality Street’ – an award-winning service.

Cabinet Member for Inclusive and Active Communities, Cllr Sara Burch said: “Our youth services are a fundamental part of ensuring young people are given opportunities to help them learn new things, form new relationships, expand their minds and in turn thrive as members of our community. I am delighted the excellent work carried out by MonLife’s Youth Service has been recognised and I look forward to seeing these excellent programmes welcome more young people over the coming year.”

Cllr Martyn Groucutt, Cabinet Member for Education added: “Education and learning opportunities for our young people certainly do not stop at the classroom door, and youth services play a key role in giving our younger generations a well-rounded experience within our communities. This award further demonstrates our commitment to providing young people with every possible chance at being the best version of themselves. Well done to all involved.”

For further information on MonLife’s Youth Services, visit: https://www.monlife.co.uk/connect/youth-service/


Milestone reached in Active Travel bridge for the Wye at Monmouth

Images: Artist’s impression of a possible design for the proposed Active Travel bridge across the Wye at Monmouth

Proposals for a new Active Travel crossing of the river Wye at Monmouth have taken a major step forward. The proposed design for a bridge for pedestrian and cyclists has now been submitted for planning. The project, which is supported by the Welsh Government’s Active Travel Fund, aims to create a new safe route linking Monmouth and Wyesham that avoids the vehicular traffic on the busy Wye Bridge. It is to be noted that the existing Wye Bridge pavement will remain if the new bridge is constructed.

‘Active Travel’ describes journeys with a purpose, such as to and from school or a place of work, undertaken by foot or by bicycle. The current Wye road bridge (A466) is not suitable for Active Travel purposes and a separate car-free crossing has been developed by Monmouthshire County Council in partnership with Welsh Government, Transport For Wales, Sustrans, WSP, Monmouth Town Council, Natural Resources Wales and Haberdashers Schools.

The plans can be viewed, and comments made, on the planning website at https://planningonline.monmouthshire.gov.uk/online-applications/ entering application reference DM/2022/01800.  Public access computers are available at Monmouth library if required.

Cllr. Sara Burch, Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Active Travel, said: “I’m delighted that we are moving towards making this project a reality. The new bridge will make a big difference to the people of Monmouth and Wyesham and visitors to our county.  It will make it easier to walk or cycle to work in town and for children and young people to go to school. Completing this project is a priority as part of our Active Travel plans and I look forward to being able to update residents further in due course. So many people have said that they did not feel safe walking or cycling across the existing bridge that it’s right to make it a priority.”

Cllr. Catrin Maby, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and the Environment, added: “Supporting Active Travel is a vital part of our work to tackle the climate emergency. This new bridge will enable more people to leave the car at home and travel by foot or by bike away from traffic; making commuting easier, more enjoyable and more environmentally friendly.”

The bridge forms part of a comprehensive suite of Active Travel plans for the town, with improvements proposed linking Wyesham to the new bridge and from the new bridge to the Kingswood Gate development. Subject to securing planning permission and funding, Monmouthshire County Council expects to construct the bridge in 2024/5.

For more information about Active Travel in Monmouthshire visit www.monlife.co.uk/outdoor/active-travel.


Visitor to Caldicot leisure centre returns to thank those who helped save his life

A visitor to Caldicot leisure centre recently returned to thank the centre’s staff for their quick response when he suffered a potentially fatal medical emergency earlier in the year. Alan Owen of Carmarthen suffered a cardiac arrest while he was at a Walking Football Tournament at the leisure centre on Sunday 3rd April 2022.

The immediate intervention of staff and players at the event is credited with saving his life. Alan was given CPR and a defibrillator was used prior to Alan being airlifted to Heath Hospital Cardiff, where he underwent surgery to have an ICD (implanted cardioverter defibrillator) and stents fitted.

During Alan’s return visit to Caldicot leisure centre last month, he met Kirsty Burnett, Briden Whitbread and Duty Officer Justin Aylett, to thank them for their life saving actions. All the leisure centre’s staff were delighted to see Alan looking so well.

Alan Owen with colleagues whose quick actions saved his safe in April 2022
Alan Owen with colleagues whose quick actions saved his safe in April 2022

All MonLife leisure centres across Monmouthshire have monthly training for all lifeguards on CPR and using the defibrillator machines to ensure they are prepared should a medical emergency occur

Cllr. Sara Burch, cabinet member with responsibility for Inclusive and Active Communities, said: “I am so proud of our colleagues at Caldicot leisure centre for their quick thinking intervention, without which the outcome could have been very different. It really does show the importance of having training in CPR and the use of defibrillators. I am very pleased to see Alan so well recovered and thank him for his kindness in coming back to visit Kirsty, Briden and Justin, and the rest of the team in Caldicot.”

Alan Owen said: “Without the early intervention of the players and staff who performed CPR and administered three shocks via the on-site defibrillator, I would not be alive today. The training that the staff undertook and put into practice on that day contributed to saving my life.”

CPR training can make the difference between life and death, and anyone can learn. The British Heart Foundation’s website has a helpful introduction to the basics: www.bhf.org.uk/how-you-can-help/how-to-save-a-life


Gwent-wide projects come runner up at the Landscape Institute Awards

GGGP Team at the Awards on the 24th November 2022

The Gwent-wide Nature Isn’t Neat and Gwent Green Grid Partnership Team (GGGP) attended the Landscape Institute Awards 2022 on the 24th November.

The team came runner up in both categories they were short listed amongst national and international submissions.  Firstly, for the Excellence in Biodiversity Conservation and Enhancement professional category for their Nature Isn’t Neat project and secondly, for a Partnership & Collaboration award which recognises exceptional work in landscape as part of the Gwent Green Grid Partnership.

The Landscape Institute Awards is one of the biggest events in the industry, celebrating people, place and nature, and the many ways that landscape projects can connect them. It celebrates spaces that people can be truly proud of, with there being over 200 entries in total this year, including 53 from international entrants.

GGGP Team

The Gwent Green Grid Partnership is a new ground-breaking regional collaboration that aims to improve and develop “Green Infrastructure”; a term used to describe the network of natural and semi-natural features and green spaces, rivers and lakes that intersperse and connect our villages, towns and cities as well as helping to support job opportunities within the area. Green Infrastructure has a crucial role to play in addressing nature, climate change, health and economic emergencies.

The Nature isn’t Neat project is establishing joined-up green space management to create wildflower-rich pollinator habitats across Gwent local authority areas – Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport, and Torfaen – as part of the Gwent Green Grid Partnership. Nature isn’t Neat aims to raise awareness about the importance of pollinators, the actions that we can all take to support them, and how these can have a positive impact on other important issues such as reducing the decline in wildlife and lessening the impacts of climate change.

Monmouthshire County Council Cabinet Member for Climate Change and the Environment, Cllr Catrin Maby said: “We are very excited that both the Gwent Green Grid Partnership and the Nature Isn’t Neat project have been shortlisted for the Landscape Institute Awards in London, getting the recognition they deserve on a national scale. Both of their approaches are crucial in protecting and enhancing our special landscapes, developing green infrastructure and helping address the decline in biodiversity and challenges of climate change. We are lucky to have such excellent professionals as well as such a stunning landscape to work with.”

These projects are supported by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe Investing in Rural Areas and is funded by the Welsh Government’s Enabling of Natural Resources and Well-being Grant.

If you would like to find out more about what these projects do, please follow these links:

Gwent Green Grid PartnershipGwent Green Grid Partnership – Monlife

Nature Isn’t NeatNature Isn’t Neat – Monmouthshire


Community artwork in Abergavenny inspired by nature

The community artwork, with mosaic flowers, person, and insect, installed in Bailey Park, Abergavenny
The community artwork installed in Bailey Park, Abergavenny

New nature inspired artworks are appearing in green spaces across Gwent, encouraging more people to value the nature we can find in our communities.

The pieces have been developed as part of the Nature Isn’t Neat project, which aims to raise awareness of the decline in pollinators and encourage local action, including embedding a regional meadow management approach across the Gwent area.

Over the summer, communities have been busy designing and building mosaic artworks with artist Stephanie Roberts, that reflect the beauty of nature in their local green spaces.

The artworks are situated across Gwent, in Gilfach, Bargoed, Bryn Bach Park, Tredegar, Rogerstone Welfare Grounds, Rogerstone, Fairhill, Cwmbran.

Bailey Park, Abergavenny is home to the Monmouthshire sculpture, located near to the Rugby Club. The mosaic celebrates the humble daisy and its role for pollinators with an iridescent thick-legged flower beetle stealing the show.

Nature Isn't Neat bilingual logo with bee, beetle and flower

The new community artworks celebrate the relationship between wildflowers, pollinators and people of Gwent. The artworks will be the focal point of a celebration in the spring, looking forward to an exciting season of nature ahead.

Cabinet Member for Climate Change and the Environment, Cllr Catrin Maby said: “The new artworks celebrate the Nature Isn’t Neat approach and the positive effect it can have had on wildlife and pollinators across Gwent. Selective mowing allows grasses and wildflowers to thrive for longer is supporting pollinators and a diverse range of wildlife generally.”

Cllr. Sara Burch, Cabinet Member for Inclusive and Active Communities, said: “It’s fantastic to see this community project taking pride of place in Bailey Park. It was heart-warming to see how many local people went along to the workshops to work on this artwork in the summer. It’s not only a great testament to Nature Isn’t Neat, but also to the community spirit in Abergavenny.”

This community art project is supported by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe Investing in Rural Areas and is funded by the Welsh Government’s Enabling of Natural Resources and Well-being Grant.

Welsh Government logo
Gwent Green Grid logo