Monmouthshire’s plans for Active Travel following Welsh Government funding

Monmouthshire County Council has received Welsh Government Active Travel funding of £3.4m for the financial year 22/23 with the aim of reducing everyday car journeys, and making walking, cycling and wheeling the easiest option.

Monmouthshire’s Active Travel strategic focus is on journeys shorter than 3.0 miles to education, employment, shopping, health destinations, bus and rail stations, and details of the schemes will be developed in partnership with local people.  

How is this funding being distributed across the county?

Caldicot

• Construction of phase 1 of Caldicot Links (subject to planning) – Changing disused MOD railway into walking and cycling link.
• Scheme development (design work) of multi-user route through Caldicot Castle County Park to link Caldicot Links to Church Rd.
• Construction of phase 2 on Church Road.
• Scheme development of Newport Rd (West).
• Scheme development of Education and Leisure Centre based project.

Abergavenny

• Furthering the design work on Castle Meadows and the Active Travel bridge over the river Usk.

Monmouth

• Furthering the design work on Kingswood Gate to Williams field Lane.
• Williams Field Lane links to Monnow bridge & Monnow Street.

In addition, the council has received £500k in core funding, which is to be used for:

• Scheme development of the Wye Active Travel bridge and Wyesham links projects.
• Quick wins around the county, focussing on minor improvements to Active Travel routes, bringing them up to audit pass standards.
• Barrier removal – making access to Active Travel routes easier and more accessible.

Cllr. Catrin Maby, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and the Environment, said: “It is very good news that Monmouthshire County Council has received this funding from Welsh Government. There is much more to do, but this is a positive step in the right direction by making it easier for people to walk, cycle or wheel, rather than using a car.”

This total funding of £3.9m is the largest ever Active Travel award achieved by Monmouthshire County Council, showing the continued commitment to improving walking, cycling and wheeling routes within the county. Previous awards included £3m in 21/22 and £1.8m in 20/21.

For more information regarding Active Travel in Monmouthshire, visit: Active Travel – MonLife

Residents asked to help create community artwork inspired by nature

Residents of Abergavenny and from across Monmouthshire are invited to help create community art inspired by nature. The Nature Isn’t Neat team and visual artist Stephanie Roberts will be holding two workshops for local people, during which a lasting legacy to the Nature isn’t Neat campaign will be created.

Booking is not necessary to attend the workshops, which are taking place at the Rugby Club at Bailey Park between 9.30am and 1.30pm, on both the 30^th June and 11^th August. You can drop in at any point during the morning and stay as long as you like at the free sessions, which are suitable for all ages.

The first workshop will involve the design of the artwork using a combination of hand drawn, collage, print and stencil art processes, and will be inviting thoughts and ideas that will inform the artwork. The second workshop in August will focus on making the final mosaic artwork alongside the artist.

Councillor Sara Burch, Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Inclusive and Active Communities, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for the community to help create a lasting piece of artwork that reflects the beauty of nature in Monmouthshire, and the Gwent area as a whole. We’d love everyone to spread the word about the workshops. The more people that get involved the better as we want this artwork to reflect the local community. We’re all looking forward to seeing what will be created as a lasting testament to Nature Isn’t Neat and the positive effect its principles have had on wildlife and pollinators across Gwent.”

Cabinet Member for Climate Change and the Environment, Cllr Catrin Maby said: “The impact of Nature Isn’t Neat across Gwent cannot be overstated. The selective mowing approach that allows grasses and wild flowers to thrive for longer is supporting pollinators and a diverse range of wildlife generally. To have the community come together to help celebrate this is truly wonderful. I encourage everyone not only to get involved in these workshops, but also in the Nature Isn’t Neat ethos.”

There is no need to pre-book, but the organisers would appreciate it if those planning to attend let them know by emailing gwentpollinators@monmouthshire.gov.uk so they can get a rough idea of how many are likely to take part. To find out more about Nature Isn’t Neat visit www.monlife.co.uk/outdoor/nature-isnt-neat

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.

First Minister celebrates 10 years of the Wales Coastal Path with visit to Chepstow

The Wales Coastal Path is celebrating its tenth anniversary this week, with celebrations beginning with First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, meeting with local walkers, artists and pupils in Chepstow on Thursday 11^th May.

With Chepstow being the official start (or finish) of the Coastal Path, Mark Drakeford met with local walkers and creatives in the town after being greeted by pupils of the Dell Primary school. The 870-mile (1,400 km) long-distance walking trail runs from the Welsh border near Chester to Chepstow, connecting historic coastal trails, such as Anglesey, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire.

Award winning broadcaster and National Poet of Wales, Ifor ap Glyn wrote a poem especially for the milestone, naming it ‘A Wales Coast Path Blessing’. The poem was presented by Ifor at Thursday’s event just after the First Minister unveiled a bespoke, handcrafted bench designed by Tony Bonnici from Newport Wrought Ironwork, which celebrated the 10^th anniversary of the Coastal Path.

Thursday’s event in Chepstow also showcased art installations from local artists Sheila Moya Harris and Toby Garratt, showcasing examples of seal sculptures, linking to the importance of the environment along Wales Coastal Path. The sculptures will be exhibited by the riverside in Chepstow as part of the Festival of Arts on July 16^th, and then placed on a seal trail around the town’s landmarks for the rest of the year.

Year 2 pupils from the Dell Primary School gave a delightful performance of Penblwydd Hapus/Happy Birthday to celebrate the 10-year milestone, accompanied with handmade cakes made from Chepstow School’s year 9 ‘Bake off’ winners.

The Wales Coast Path has made it easier than ever to explore Wales’ coastline. In Monmouthshire, you can enjoy the trail in short sections or walk the whole 14-mile (22km) length from Chepstow to Magor. Black Rock is a popular spot along the Coastal Path as it offers spectacular views of the Severn Bridge and the Prince of Wales Bridge, and a peaceful spot to enjoy picnics and bird watching.

A year-long programme of events and activities celebrating the Wales Coast Path will take place throughout 2022, including walking festivals, virtual challenges and art installations. Since its opening in 2012, the Wales Coast Path has established itself as a beacon of our nation’s natural beauty. The path guides walkers along Wales’ picturesque coastline, weaving its way past a hundred beaches and 16 castles.

First Minister Mark Drakeford, who spent time meeting all the people involved in the celebrations, said: “The coastal path is one of the crowning glories of Wales and one of the proudest achievements of devolution. I would like to thank all those involved in the management of the path. Particularly the staff and volunteers, who are out in all weathers, working hard to maintain the path to such high standards. If I had to choose my favourite stretch of the path, the portion between Pendine and Amroth would be a candidate: starting in my own home county of Carmarthenshire and ending in Pembrokeshire. It may not be the most well-known part of the path, but it offers huge variety: some challenging climbs, outstanding variety of flowers, secret coves and plenty of historical interest.”

The Welsh Government will build on the successes of the first ten years so that more people are able to enjoy the path, from more backgrounds, more easily, and with more benefits for local communities, businesses and the environment.

If you would like to walk a stretch of the Wales Coastal Path in Monmouthshire, you can find out more information here: Wales Coast Path – Visit MonmouthshireTags: Chepstow, First Minister, Mark Drakeford, Monmouthshire, Wales Coast Path, Wales Coastal Path

Spring into Easter holiday fun with MonLife

EASTER 2023 – Spring into Easter holiday fun with MonLife

If you’ve been looking for things to do during the upcoming Easter school holidays then look no further, MonLife has the answer – a whole programme of activities and events to keep children of all ages entertained.

MonLife Heritage has hatched some plans for family fun at Old Station Tintern, Shire Hall, Monmouth and Caldicot Castle which include egg decorating Easter bonnet kits, craft activities plus much more! They have also created play-filled spaces for children to play freely, surrounded by history.

The ever-popular Monmouthshire Games (TMG) returns to all four Leisure Centres across Monmouthshire from Monday 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th April, and Wednesday 12^th – Friday 14th April. It’s a chance to learn new skills, build confidence, meet new people, and most importantly, have fun through sport. Each day promises to be action packed, and booking is essential as there are 30 spaces available per day. Children and young people between the ages of five and 11 will get the chance to experience, across the sessions, over 30 different sports. Sessions run from 8am to 5pm, and it costs £21 per day. Places can be booked by clicking HERE.

MonLife Active Play programme which will be taking place across Monmouthshire 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. Parents will need to complete a registration form to book their children to attend. Further information on venues and how to book can be found on the MonLife Holiday Activities Website link below.

Monmouth’s Play Centre at the town’s Leisure Centre will also be open, offering three-storey action-packed fun. There’s even a special enclosed toddler area. Adults can relax with a cup of tea in the café, with free wi-fi access available. Don’t forget the swimming pools, gyms and classes are open throughout the holidays (excluding Friday 7^th and Monday 10^th ).

For more information how to book and ideas visit:

 https://www.monlifeholidayactivities.co.uk/activities/

New trees planted in Bailey Park to improve Green Infrastructure

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With help from Cantref Primary School’s eco club, Abergavenny’s Bailey Park now has five brand new English Oak trees and five Copper Beech trees, which have been dedicated to Her Majesty the Queen for the Platinum Jubilee under the Queen’s Green Canopy project.

After inspections of Bailey Park’s green infrastructure, a number of the trees in the park had to be removed for safety reasons. To compensate for the loss, 21 trees have been planted this year. Working well as a team in some challenging weather, Cantref Primary School’s eco club gave a helping hand to the council’s grounds staff with the planting of ten of the new trees, five English Oak and five Copper Beech. The Friends of Bailey Park have also planted wildflowers during the winter and plan to improve the park’s green infrastructure will be developed this summer, including a review of the brook and a long term tree management and planting plan.

Grants from Welsh Government, through the Gwent Green Grid Partnership (GGGP), have allowed the council to improve and develop green infrastructure in Monmouthshire, with Bailey Park being the latest beneficiary. The GGGP is a three-year project running from March 2020 to March 2023.  

The GGGP aims to improve and develop green infrastructure – a term used to describe the network of natural and semi-natural features, green spaces, rivers and lakes that intersperse and connect villages, towns and cities – as well as providing green job opportunities within the area.

A spokesperson for Monmouthshire County Council said: “Improving our green infrastructure is so important to our green spaces. The Gwent Green Grid Partnership aims to improve green infrastructure in the Gwent area, providing real benefits to local communities. Green infrastructure has a crucial role to play in addressing nature, climate and health emergencies. It is wonderful to see the enthusiasm of local school children planting trees in Bailey Park to improve our natural environment, and their local park.”

Monmouthshire County Council, working with Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Newport and Torfaen councils as well as Natural Resources Wales, Forest Research and the Severn Wye Energy Agency, leads the GGG Partnership. The organisations will work together to ensure that the area’s natural resources are healthy, resilient to pressures and threats and thereby better able to provide vital health and well-being benefits for current and future generations.

This 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.