Armed Forces Day at Caldicot Castle and Country Park
Councillor Peter Strong, chair and armed forces champion at Monmouthshire County Council, said: "What a wonderful day at Caldicot Castle and Country Park.
"Seeing so many people in attendance to show their support for our Armed Forces community highlights the high esteem that people have for serving personnel, veterans, reservists, cadets, and their families."
The event featured a Spitfire flypast, a cadet and veterans parade, and a full programme of musical performances. It was also where the Armed Forces Covenant was re-signed by the council.
Councillor Mary Ann Brocklesby, leader of Monmouthshire County Council, said: "It was a privilege to re-sign the Covenant at the Armed Forces Day event."
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South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- South Wales Argus
Decisions on planning applications in Monmouthshire
1 Bat and bird boxes A delegated officer from Monmouthshire County Council has approved the discharge of condition 6 relating to planning DM/2022/00212. This relates to the design and location of bird and bat box locations as well as as hibernacula and wet scarpes for amphibians and reptiles. The reason for approval was to provide biodiversity net benefit and ensure compliance with the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 and the Local Development Plan for Monmouthshire. The application was in relation to King Henry VIII Comprehensive School, Old Hereford Road, Abergavenny. 2. New home A delegated panel of Monmouthshire County Council planners has approved plans for the partial demolition of existing range of farm buildings and erection of new dwelling with attached garage range on land beside Llwyn Celyn Farm Llantilio Crossenny. The conditions of approval include that it should be started within five years, that it should be carried out in accordance with the approved drawings and that it should include provision for bats and nesting birds. 3. Kitchen extension Plans for a single storey extension to provide a larger kitchen, entrance lobby and utility room at Upper Beaulieu Farm, Duke Of York Road, Staunton, have been approved by a delegated officer from Monmouthshire County Council. The application was made by Ms L Alford, of the same address. The plan is to built a single storey front extension to increase the size of the kitchen and add a boot room. The extension will come out 2.8m from the front of the property and be 6.475m wide, connecting up with the neighbouring barn. It will have a flat roof with a roof lantern which will be 3.67m at its highest point. 4. Roof plans Plans to install a temporary roof to an existing concrete material bay at Llanfoist Highways Depot, Merthyr Road, Llanfoist, have been approved by a delegated panel of Monmouthshire County Council planners. The application, lodged by the council, was in relation to a small 10m by 10m concrete materials bay used for tipping road sweepings. The plan is to place a temporary roof on this structure using a steel frame and taurinox fabric which will be off white in colour. 5. No to glamping site Planners have turned down an application for a glamping site at Swallows Nest, Tyr Pwll, Parc Llettis Road, Coldbrook, on what was previously residential land. The plans, submitted by Elizabeth Pengelly, of the same address, included the construction of wash facilities and the building of a field shelter for animals, doubling as an observation deck. Planners felt the scale and layout of the proposed glamping units, a new car parking area and the associated activity by users of the site would cause unacceptable noise disturbance to nearby residents. It was also felt the increase in traffic using the narrow rural lane to the proposed car park, would significantly inconvenience existing road users and cause harm to local amenity. 6. Travellers site Monmouthshire planners have given the go ahead for new travellers site on land opposite New Stables, Llancayo House, Abergavenny Road, Llancayo. The plans include four bespoke family related pitches with one static and touring caravan and a day/utility room per pitch. There will also be emergency flood access, the installation of private treatment plant and ecological enhancements, which are partially retrospective. Existing stables and kennels need to be removed from the site as they are vulnerable to flooding and the new private treatment plant needs to be installed 12 months to ensure the integrity of the River Usk Special Area of Conservation. 7. Agricultural building Plans for an agricultural machinery store at Lower Meend Farm Farm Road, Lydart, Mitchel Troy, have been approved by a delegated officer from Monmouthshire County Council. The applicant, Ms J Sadler, of the same address, has been given the go ahead to build a new 45ft x 30ft agricultural machinery store, a hay barn and hard stand with associated green infrastructure and biodiversity enhancements. One of the conditions of approval was that the new building should not be used for anything other than to store hay and agricultural equipment unless otherwise approved in writing by the council. 8. First floor extension Plans for a first floor extension at 1 St Mary's Way, Usk, have been approved by a delegated officer from Monmouthshire County Council. The application was submitted by Mr Williams, of Marlborough Close, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham. The work on the two-storey, semi-detached home, which is not listed, will include a first floor extension to the side over the existing garage and utility room. The applicant also wants to partially convert the garage, including alterations to the roof and front elevation. The materials proposed for the development are brick for the walls and concrete tiles for the roofs both to match the existing dwelling. 9. Tractor store Plans for a tractor shed and feed stone on land north of Primrose Green, Raglan, have been approved by a delegated officer from Monmouthshire County Council. The applicant was Mr Williams, of DH EE & JP Williams, Lower Ty Newydd, Clytha. The new store will be built from juniper green corrugated steel cladding sheets. It will be used for the storage of a tractor, trailer, various additional items of machinery, tools and feedstuff. 10. Cattle store Plans for a cattle shed at Perthellic Farm, Tre Herbert Road, Croesyceiliog, have been deemed acceptable by a delegated officer from Monmouthshire Council Council. The applicant was Stuart Stone, of the same address. The new building will be on an agricultural plot of land measuring greater than five hectares. It will be sited approximately 134m west of the farmhouse close to a group of other agricultural buildings and will measure 22.86m long and be 18.29m wide resulting in an area of approximately 418sqm. It will have a dual-pitched roof and will be built with concrete panels and timber above in grey/brown for the walls and fibre cement profile sheets in grey for the roof. 11. House extension Plans for a porch and living room extension with a balcony over at a house in Chepstow have been approved by a delegated officer from Monmouthshire County Council. The plans are also for a single storey rear extension over raised garden at first floor level and were submitted by Sabrina Deans, of the same address. The property is an end-of-terrace home with Chepstow Town Wall, a scheduled monument, at the back of it. It sits within an Archaeological Sensitive Area. Chepstow Town Council recommended the refusal of the application because it felt the front extension went against planning policy as it was not in keeping with the local area, was an overdevelopment of the site and lacks privacy to neighbouring properties. The town council was satisfied with the proposed rear extension. 12. Split in two An application to split a property at 17 Denny view, Caldicot, into two self-contained units, has been approved with conditions by a delegated panel of Monmouthshire planners. Work will include internal partitions, division of amenities and seperate access points and a small rear infill extension. The applicant was Owen Staddon, of the same address. One condition of approval was that a bird box should be installed within a month of the completion of the work and shall be kept in perpetuity. This is to provide a biodiversity net benefit and ensure compliance with the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 and the council's Local Development Plan. 13. House extension Plans for a single storey flat roof extension at the back of 20 Osprey Drive, Caldicot, have been approved by a delegated officer from Monmouthshire County Council. The applicant was Mrs K Pocock, of the same address, which is a bungalow in a cul-de-sac. The application states that the majority of the extension will project beyond the rear elevation by 5,000mm, with an additional section projecting from the rear of the existing garage. It will be about 2.5m high with three rooflights above and bifold doors. 14. Summerhouse approval An application for a summerhouse in the garden of 41 Leechpool Holdings, Portskewett, have been approved by a delegated officer from Monmouthshire County Council. The applicant was Michael Blackaby, of the same address. The summerhouse will be set in a parcel of land was granted consent in 1999 to become part of the residential garden. It will be located on the northern boundary of the garden. It will be 8,933mm long and 4,983mm deep. On the south wall there will be bifold doors. It will be single storey with a slate roof and timber cladding on the external walls. There will also be a patio outside the building. 15. Change of use Plans to change the use of the first and second floors of 17 Market Street, Abergavenny, have been approved by a delegated officer. The plans, submitted to Monmouthshire County Council, were to change the use from residential to office space with associated storage. The applicant was Daniel Williams, of the same address. The building is Grade II listed and is thought to date to the late 17th century, but was largely reconstructed in the mid 19th century and altered in the 20th century. The site is within the Central Shopping Area of Abergavenny and the Abergavenny Conservation Area. A planning officers report said as no physical work is proposed, there will be no impact on the listed building or wider street scene and the change from residential use will result in a lower demand for parking. 16. Conservatory Plans to build a conservatory at Penyclawdd Cottage The Causeway Undy, have been approved by a delegated officer from Monmouthshire County Council. The applicant was Mr Grey, of the same address. The conservatory will be 3,300mm long and 3,000mm deep. The eaves height will match the porch with the ridge being set slightly lower. The wall will have a render finish with the frames for the glazing being white upvc. 17. Pub plans Plans to change the use of the Castle Inn, at 64 Church Road, Caldicot, have been approved by a delegated officer of Monmouthshire County Council. The applicant, Darren Jones, of the same address, has the go ahead to change the existing first floor domestic accommodation to four letting rooms. Each of the bedrooms would be en suite and are intended for use by tourists looking for short-term stays. There will be no external alterations to the building.
Edinburgh Reporter
2 days ago
- Edinburgh Reporter
Three new public artworks to be approved in principle
The council may approve three new pieces of public art for the city later this week following the establishment of a new Public Art Policy last spring. The policy will outline commissioning guidelines to support the management of existing and future monuments and street art. A Public Art Panel has been established setting up its own remit and code of conduct and outlining ways of progressing proposals to introduce new memorials in the city. Edinburgh based artist Cath Keay has been appointed to the panel which will meet quarterly to discuss up to three proposals each time. The newest piece of public art was the Whale sculpture unveiled in March this year at the Gasholder Park. 27/3/2024 A design of a humpback whale by Svetlana Kondakova Muir has been put in place in Gasholder 1 park Photo Alan Simpson Planning officers are seeking an in principle approval for these three memorials which will be fully funded from external sources this week's Culture and Communities Committee. Muriel Spark – East Princes Street Gardens (Southside) The project will be fully funded by established Edinburgh-based philanthropists, and has the support of Dame Muriel's companion of 30 years, sculptor, Penelope Jardine. It has gathered a significant groundswell of support a wide range of people. A robust governance structure has been established to oversee the development and administration of an open and fully transparent international competition for artists to submit outline plans and concepts for the Memorial. Commitment has already been given by the philanthropists to cover all costs of creation and installation as well as ongoing maintenance. A design competition will begin in September 2025 after an announcement at the Edinburgh International Book Festival. The Royal Regiment of Scotland – West Princes Street Gardens, North thoroughfare between the amphitheatre and the Ross Fountain. The statue is not a war memorial but a statue that resonates with the Royal Regiment of Scotland, those who are currently serving and those who have served, whether deceased or living. It is to be a place where serving and veterans, and their families and friends, can gather at a time of their choosing and reflect. The Rt Hon Lord Provost, as Armed Forces and Veteran Champion for the city, has offered his support in principle for this project. The commissioned sculpture, Kenny Hunter, is highly renowned and has a rich history of high-quality work across Scotland and further afield. Subject to approval by the City of Edinburgh Council The Royal Regiment of Scotland statue would be unveiled as part of the Regiment's 20th anniversary celebrations on Saturday 28 March 2026. Contaminated Blood Memorial – location to be confirmed dependent on final design The UK contaminated blood scandal is one of the worst treatment disasters in NHS history and a Contaminated Blood Memorial Fund was established in 2016 to raise funds for a lasting tribute to the hundreds of people in Scotland who lost their lives due to the contaminated blood tragedy. A working group was formed, to bring the community together and raise the funds needed for the creation of a permanent memorial. After the group's initial funding goal was reached in 2022, work began to identify a suitable location for the installation that would satisfy the key priorities expressed by the community. Sunshine on the Ross Fountain in Edinburgh Princes Street Gardens PHOTO Alan Simpson Like this: Like Related
Powys County Times
4 days ago
- Powys County Times
Remembering VJ Day and the Powys hero who returned home
Today marks the 80th Anniversary of VJ Day, when Japan surrendered and the Second World War ended in the Far East. While VE Day marked the end of the war in Europe on May 8, 1945 many thousands of Armed Forces personnel were still involved in bitter fighting in the Far East. Today is also a poigniant day for one Powys family. Chrissy Maddy shared the amazing story of her father Lawrie Price who lived in Hay on Wye following the end of the war. Mr Price had to lie about his age to get enlisted in the Oxe and Bucks Light Infantry and would train in Oxford, Northern Ireland and Scotland before boarding a ship to South Africa. From there he was sent to India and flown into Burma. They landed in the middle of the jungle where he joined the Chindits, a special force under the command of General Wingate. They had a long march from the crossings of the Irrawaddy river in Burma - now Myanmar - and completed a 600 mile trek over three months which saw the soldiers navigate narrow valleys and mountain sides. Daughter Chrissy said: "Dad witnessed many harrowing scenes and the loss of fellow recruits played heavily on his mind for the rest of his life. "Few of us can imagine the hardship those brave soldiers endured. "Trekking like mules carrying half their body weight in a backpack across mosquito infested rivers, through steamy dense jungle terrain with scant water, little food, high humidity, temperatures of 110-112F, monsoons and always the threat of the Japanese. "Life here was no paradise and conditions were extremely tough." The Chindits, named after a Burmese mythical animnal, endured some of the worst conditions of the War. They suffered terrible casualties from savage hand-to-hand combat as well as sickness and slow starvation. In the first expedition a third of the men were lost and 600 of the survivors were too ill to ever fight again. Malaria, Dysentery and Tuphus were rife and Mr Price suffered with all three of these diseases as he plunged from a sturdy 12 stole to a skeletal seven sone. "Dad was desperately ill and taken by raft across a lake to a hospital in Assa," said Chrissy. "There were many sick and wounded men on this raft and many were thrown overboard as one by one they died. "By the time they got to Assam my Dad was the only survivor. "He recovered slowly in hospital for three months were the nurses taught him embroidery and after convalescing he was able to join his Battalion in Poona." However, fate intervened and changed the course of Mr Price's life. When the day finally came to leave hospital and join his Battalion there wasn't room for him onboard. The next day he learned that the boat had sunk and there were no survivors. Chrissy said: "Dad always believed that there was someone with him all the time looking after him and that he was meant to survive. "He was brought up in a religious family and like the rest of our family had a strong faith which helped him enormously. My Dad was a survivor one of the lucky ones." After the end of the war, Mr Price returned home to Hay on Wye on the Powys border and married his sweetheart Peggy and together they raised seven children. Mr Price re-joined Hay St Mary's Football Club having been a keen football player in his younger years and even declined a trial at Liverpool Football Club. Chrissy said: "My Dad treasured each day and lived it to the full, his love of nature, the River Wye, his family and life's simple pleasures that cost nothing were what was important to him . "Dad never talked about his time in Burma and only received his medals when my sister wrote to the British Legion when he was in his eighties and was dying of Bowel Cancer, so he did get to see his medals before he died."
