Latest news with #SaraBurch
South Wales Argus
4 days ago
- General
- South Wales Argus
Delight as four Monmouthshire locations pick up Green Flag awards
This award recognises locations offering excellent facilities and an ongoing commitment to great quality service. The Monmouthshire sites to gain a Green Flag award this year were Rogiet Countryside Park (an award recipient since 2024), Tintern Old Station (a recipient since 2009), Caldicot Castle and Country Park (honoured since 2013), and Castle Meadows in Abergavenny (since 2014). Twelve community sites were recognised with the Green Flag Community Award, including: Bailey Park, Busy Bees Garden, Caerwent Meadows, Caldicot Community Garden, Crick Meadow, Crucorney Allotments, Goytre Community Garden, Incredible Edible Usk, Laurie Jones Community Orchard, Mardy Park, Rogiet Wildlife Friendly Village and The Cornfield. Keep Wales Tidy administers the Green Flag Award programme in Wales, with support from the Welsh Government. Monmouthshire County Council's cabinet member for rural affairs, housing and tourism Cllr Sara Burch said: 'We have a wealth of fantastic green spaces and attractions across Monmouthshire. 'From family days out to those seeking something more nature or activity focused, there is something for everyone. 'I am proud that the hard work of volunteers has been rewarded once again with these Green Flag Awards.' Cabinet member for climate change and the environment Cllr Catrin Maby said: 'It is so pleasing to see that many of our locations within the beautiful county of Monmouthshire have received awards this year. 'It is fantastic to see sites at from Tintern Old Station to Castle Meadows in Abergavenny have been recognised with Green Flag awards.'
South Wales Argus
6 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Monmouth Shire Hall project to receive £1.5 million grant
Monmouthshire County Council has secured a £1.5 million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to support the Shire Hall Project, which will transform the Grade I-listed Shire Hall in Monmouth into a vibrant, accessible community space. Councillor Sara Burch, Monmouthshire County Council's cabinet member for rural affairs, housing and tourism, 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." The project will deliver new gallery spaces, a modern heating system, and areas designed to generate income, supporting the building's long-term sustainability and environmental goals. It will also prioritise community engagement through volunteering opportunities, events, and activities. Andrew White, director of The National Lottery Heritage Fund in 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." Additional funding has been provided by the Welsh Government's Cultural Transformational Capital Programme. More information about the project is available on the MonLife website.
Business News Wales
7 days ago
- Business
- Business News Wales
Monmouth's Shire Hall Project Receives £1.5m Grant Funding
Monmouthshire County Council has been awarded a £1.5 million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to support the Shire Hall Project. This grant will enable the council to enhance the Shire Hall in Monmouth into an 'accessible and vibrant destination' for both the local community and visitors, it said. 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 council has also received grant funding from the Welsh Government's Cultural Transformational Capital Programme for the Shire Hall project.
South Wales Argus
25-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Monmouthshire council outlines support for community assets
Councillor Sara Burch who is responsible for rural affairs and tourism was asked if a community asset team could be set up to help advise communities wanting to take on buildings at risk of closure. She said: 'It would be wonderful for the council to support community led initiatives but I don't think we are in a position at the moment to be able to recruit a new team but fortunately we do have that expertise within the community development team that would be the first point of contact for anybody in the community wanting to set up any kind of new facility.' Rachel Buckler, Conservative councillor for Devauden, had asked at Monmouthshire County Council's May meeting if the cabinet member would set up the specialist team and highlighted how the The Star on the Hill at Llanvihangel Tor-y-Mynydd, in a remote part of Monmouthshire, had closed. Cllr Buckler said: 'I think it's so important to have a place where rural communities can gather. We know there has been an upsurge in farmers committing suicide due to the stresses and strains of trying to make a living.' She thanked Cllr Burch, who represents Cantref near Abergavenny, for her response and said she looked forward to discussing the issue with her further. Cllr Burch said as well as the council's community development team support is available from the Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations and they can also call on experts including from Welsh Government funded Cwmpas which supports cooperatives. She also described the Plunkett Foundation as 'acknowledged experts' that have been supporting community run shops and pubs for more than one hundred years.
South Wales Argus
29-04-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Council issues update on bridge over river Usk at Llanfoist
Planning permission for the bridge connecting the town and Llanfoist was approved in October 2018 and work to construct footpaths leading to the proposed bridge started by Monmouthshire County Council in September 2023. But although at the point it was anticipated the crossing would be completed by December 2024 progress has stalled and there is, as yet, no crossing in place, prompting Conservative councillor for Llanfoist and Govilon, Tomos Davies, to ask for an update. Councillor Sara Burch, the council's Labour cabinet member for rural affairs and tourism, told him at the council's April meeting: 'It's been subject to regulatory delays and to technical issues and delivering that new route across the fast-flowing river, through an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest), a historic landscape was never going to be easy. 'I'm hopeful that all of those issues have been resolved and that we are ready to proceed with the project subject to receiving final confirmation of the second tranch of funding from Welsh Government. 'So, I am afraid my response has to be watch this space. We are expecting an imminent announcement from the cabinet secretary for transport and North Wales Ken Skates and as a number of us in this room have had the opportunity to bend his ear I hope we will have an announcement soon.' A spokesman for Monmouthshire County Council said: 'We are set to provide a positive update on the scheme in the near future and remain committed to delivering this scheme.' At the council meeting Cllr Davies had also asked for an update on the council's 'active travel' programme of walking and cycling schemes and Cllr Burch said it has had annual funding it has put to routes across Severnside and an active travel bridge across the Wye in Monmouth. She described the Llanfoist bridge, which will link the area to Castle Meadows as 'perhaps the most ambitious'. The council, she said, has also delivered additional phases of the Williamsfield Lane Links project in Monmouth and phase one of the Caldicott links project converting the disused railway line to a pedestrian and cycling path. Smaller scale projects have included putting in dropped kerbs and crossings.
