Monmouthshire Council Receives Funding to Improve Linda Vista Gardens
The funding has been secured as part of the Brilliant Basics Fund – set up to deliver improvements in basic infrastructure at tourism destinations.
Funded projects include: Access improvements
Installation of solar panels to the café
Work to reinstate some of the vistas across Castle Meadows and to the Blorenge
Installation of a screen in the café showing live feed from wildlife cameras
New interpretation panels providing information about the gardens
Notices will be posted to inform residents about upcoming works, and the council said that project staff will strive to minimise disruption as much as possible.
The council said it would like to thank Abergavenny Town Council for supporting the work by providing match funding required for the application.
The total budget including match is around £100,000.
Monmouthshire County Council Cabinet Member for Climate Change and the Environment, Cllr Catrin Maby, said:
'Linda Vista Gardens is already a wonderful place to visit, both for Abergavenny residents and those travelling to the town.
'This funding will allow us to further improve a popular attraction, making it accessible for even more visitors.
'The addition of solar panels will also make the café more sustainable in terms of its energy use.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
3 hours ago
- Wales Online
Faked news articles appear online promoting cryptocurrency schemes
Faked news articles appear online promoting cryptocurrency schemes People urged not to be taken in by counterfeit 'investment opportunities' which appear to be news articles but are hosted on phony platforms and include fake quotes from the Welsh Government (Image: PA) Fake news articles are appearing online which promote cryptocurrency schemes - some of which are designed to look like genuine WalesOnline articles and featuring phony BBC footage. Links for the articles have surfaced on Facebook to readers with headlines such as 'Online platforms allow investing in stocks and cryptocurrencies' and 'Now anyone can become an investor'. One article, made to look like a genuine WalesOnline article but with the url ending with even had a picture of First Minister Eluned Morgan and a made-up 'interview' between her and journalists. The quote 'this is a special investment system, supported by the state and designed for the earnings of ordinary Welsh citizens' is attributed to her, but the First Minister has not said this and the interview is fake. Another fake article made to look like it was published on WalesOnline, complete with the website's usual logo at the top of the page, had the headline 'Welsh Government launches state investment platform', inviting people to 'safely invest and multiply their capital threshold'. This is categorically a fake advertisement and people who see such items or articles on Facebook or on any other social media platform are advised not to click on the link, and certainly not to sign up to any investments offered within it. Article continues below A spokesman for the Welsh Government said: 'This is a fake advert. We notified the Advertising Standards Authority last month and they had it taken down immediately. "We would never ask people to invest money, and we ask anyone who spots similar fake adverts to report them to us or the Advertising Standards Authority.' WalesOnline Editor David James said: 'There are fake articles circulating which appear to be news pieces encouraging people to invest in cryptocurrency schemes. "One of these articles has been designed to look as if it is on WalesOnline. It is being promoted on Facebook and claims that the scheme is backed by the Welsh Government. 'We would urge readers to look at the url of an article if they are concerned about its legitimacy. These articles appear to be hosted on All genuine walesonline articles are hosted on Fact-checkers Full Fact give the following tips for spotting fake news: A trusted source is your safest option. Look for the little clues: phony URLs, bad spelling, or awkward layouts. On social media, check their handle to verify the name matches. Read the whole story and watch out for images, numbers, and quotes that don't have sources or that might have been taken out of context. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is. If you spot what you believe to be a fake WalesOnlines story, send the URL and where you saw it to newsdesk@ and we can report it. Meta has removed stories reported on Facebook but new stories have re-surfaced. WalesOnline approached Meta for a comment. Article continues below
Business News Wales
4 hours ago
- Business News Wales
Caerphilly Teenager Launches Fitness Brand Inspired by His Journey Through Grief
An 18-year-old learner from Caerphilly is launching his own fitness brand – inspired by the memory of his late father. Oliver Edmunds was just 10 years old when he lost his dad. Now after completing his Level 3 BTEC Business course at Coleg y Cymoedd, he's preparing to launch OE Fitness, a brand aimed at helping others find the same sense of strength, discipline and mental wellbeing that the gym gave him during his most difficult moments. Oliver said: 'Fitness changed everything for me. The gym helped me get through the hardest moments of my life and I don't know where I'd be without it. I think my life would look very different if my friend hadn't suggested I go with him for a session all those years ago. 'It gave me purpose, discipline, and helped me to build a support network. It had a really positive impact on my mental health. I now want to help others find that same strength.' Oliver's drive to one day work for himself was rooted in his childhood, inspired by watching his father run his own guitar shop. He added: 'I always knew I wanted to follow in my dad's footsteps and build something of my own – he ran his own guitar shop. After he passed away, it became even more important to me to create something meaningful and a way to honour his memory. Starting my own business in fitness just felt like the right fit for me.' OE Fitness will initially launch with a line of gym essentials such as weightlifting belts and joint supports, with plans to expand into supplements, apparel and online personal training. Oliver is currently working towards a personal training qualification through MPCT academy to gain professional experience in the industry. His entrepreneurial journey began to take shape while studying at Coleg y Cymoedd where staff introduced him to Tafflab, a programme designed to support young people with innovative business ideas. There he received mentoring on everything from marketing and business planning, helping him build a clear strategy and business plan for his brand. Oliver also received further support through Big Ideas Wales, a Welsh Government-funded service that helps young people under 25 turn business ideas into reality, as part of its commitment to the Young Person's Guarantee. 'I built a strong support network in college and I'm in the position I am today because of that,' said Oliver. 'Without the advice and encouragement I received, I don't think I'd have had the confidence to pursue this path. They helped me believe in the idea and in myself'. Oliver says the decision to attend Coleg y Cymoedd was about both the business course offered and the independence it would give him. 'The best piece of advice I received during college was to take time to focus on yourself – to find what really matters to you and put energy into that. Fitness has helped me grow in every area of my life, and now I'm ready to give back through something that I've built from the ground up. I'm excited for the future.'
Business News Wales
4 hours ago
- Business News Wales
Development Bank of Wales Announces a £10 Million Extension to the Green Business Loan Scheme
Tim Harper, Thorncliffe Building Supplies; Bear, Thorncliffe Building Supplies; Scott Hughes, Development Bank of Wales The Welsh Government has confirmed an increase of £10 million to the available funding for the Development Bank of Wales to help accelerate the decarbonisation efforts of Welsh businesses. First launched in March 2023, the Green Business Loan Scheme is now being extended to £20 million with funding available until 2028. To date, over 30 Welsh businesses have benefitted from tailored support through the scheme, delivering forecasted carbon savings of more than 28,000 tonnes over the lifetime of their projects. This includes a loan of £3.2 million for Mold-based Thorncliffe Building Supplies to invest in a new wash plant and water treatment system that will reduce the company's use of landfill. As one of the largest independent builder's merchants in North Wales, Thorncliffe Building Supplies provides an extensive range of building, timber, steel, plumbing and heating supplies, and plant hire, along with a waste management and skip hire service. With five sites across North Wales in Dyserth, Ewloe, Rhuddlan, Wrexham and Abergele, Thorncliffe is owned and managed by husband and wife duo Deborah and Tim Harper. Established in 1987, the company now employs 265. Managing Director Tim Harper said: 'We are constantly evolving as a business to diversify and strengthen our customer offering while remaining compliant with regulatory and legislative requirements. 'Reducing waste and cutting our carbon emissions is a key priority for us hence our decision to invest in a new washing plant. This will allow us to process our construction waste and sub-soil on-site rather than use landfill. The facility will wash and sort the waste into different grades of aggregates that can then be re-sold so it's a win-win all round.' Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, said: 'This £10m extension to the Green Business Loan Scheme demonstrates the Welsh Government's commitment to supporting businesses on their journey to net zero. We are ensuring even more firms can access the support they need to reduce their carbon footprint while strengthening their competitiveness. 'With over 30 businesses already benefitting and forecasted carbon savings of more than 28,000 tonnes, there is clearly a strong appetite for sustainable innovation amongst Welsh enterprises who are supporting our ambition to grow the economy.' Bethan Cousins is New Business Director for the Development Bank. She said: 'The success of the Green Business Loan Scheme is a testament to the ambition and innovation of Welsh businesses in tackling climate change. 'Thorncliffe is a great example of how the scheme is helping businesses across Wales to 'invest to save' by providing loans with discounted interest rates to make energy efficiency improvements and implement decarbonisation initiatives. This further investment from Welsh Government will ensure we continue driving meaningful change, supporting businesses of all sizes to adopt technologies that reduce emissions and strengthen energy resilience.' With a simple application process, the Green Business Loan Scheme supports a broad range of energy efficiency and low-carbon technologies, including heating, ventilation, heat pumps, waste management solutions, and building fabric improvements. As part of the scheme, businesses can access support to engage with an energy consultant to assess needs and shape practical decarbonisation strategies. Upfront capital repayment holidays are available for companies that have been trading in Wales for at least two years as part of an innovative package of support that is aimed at reducing operational costs, managing energy risk, and supporting businesses on their journey to net zero. For more information and guidance, visit: Green Business Loan Scheme – Dev Bank
