MonLife wanted to make the summer of 2021 a special one for all of our communities given the events these past two years. The easing of lockdown restrictions enabled MonLife to bring back many of our much loved schemes and activities including ‘The Monmouthshire Games’.
Children in Monmouthshire in particular have enjoyed a fun-filled summer holiday with wide range of play provisions. Two flagship programmes, The Monmouthshire Games and The School Holiday Enrichment Programme took centre stage and were supported by a wide range of MonLife services aimed at children and young people. Below you will be able to find our review and can help us celebrate our Summer achievements.
MonLife has announced a programme to carry out
much-needed improvements to Chepstow Leisure Centre’s swimming pool hall.
These will include redecoration, an upgrade to glazing in the viewing area, a
replacement ceiling, an LED lighting upgrade and installation of new air
handling units.
Scheduled to start on Monday 25th October,
the work will necessitate the closure of the pool. The expected
re-opening date is 4th January. Meanwhile, the rest of the
leisure centre will remain open and MonLife will automatically freeze the
membership of its Aqua holders while work continues.
MonLife
members with any queries about the pool area refurbishment should email: monmemberships@monmouthshire.gov.uk – meanwhile, groups with bookings for the
pool have already been notified of the closure. Anyone with a general
query on the work should contact chepstowleisurecentre@monmouthshire.gov.uk. MonLife will also launch a dedicated microsite on Tuesday 28th
September with up to date information on the scheme’s progress and a list of
FAQ’s.
Monmouthshire’s cabinet member with
responsibility for MonLife, Councillor Lisa Dymock said: “I’d like to thank
visitors to Chepstow Leisure Centre for their patience while work continues and
I’m pleased that these refurbishments will provide an improved service to users
of the leisure centre. I’m also glad that many of the measures
implemented will result in improved energy efficiency and reduction in carbon
emissions.”
Children
in Monmouthshire have enjoyed a fun-filled summer holiday, thanks to two
successful play provision schemes offered by MonLife, the council’s tourism,
leisure, culture and youth services body.
The
Welsh Government-funded School Holiday Enrichment Programme (SHEP) has provided
healthy meals, nutrition and food education, physical activity and enrichment
sessions to children in specific areas of the county during the summer
holidays.
The free four-week programme has seen over 420 children sign up at five schools, with sessions at Overmonnow Primary and Kymin View Primary in Monmouth, Thornwell School in Chepstow, Caldicot’s Dewstow Primary and Deri View Primary in Abergavenny. The response to the scheme was overwhelmingly positive with a large majority of children delighted to make new friends and try new sports.
Meanwhile,
MonLife has offered the exciting and popular Monmouthshire Games, with a range
of different interests and hobbies keeping children and young people active and
entertained over the summer holidays. The five-week programme featured at all
of the county’s leisure centres in Abergavenny, Caldicot, Chepstow and
Monmouth, with almost 900 youngsters participating. Nearly all expressed
their desire to attend future events.
This is the
sixth year that MonLife has organised the Games. Aimed at children between the
ages of 5 and 11, they have encouraged thousands to develop confidence, meet
new friends and most importantly have fun through sport. With
challenges caused by the pandemic, this year’s events also aimed to help
improve wellbeing and promote healthy bodies and minds.
Monmouthshire’s
Cabinet member for Community Wellbeing and Social Justice, Councillor Lisa
Dymock said: “The School Holiday Enrichment Programme and The Monmouthshire
Games have been especially valuable during the pandemic, allowing the county’s
children to be active, have fun and socialise. They have been brilliantly
organised by MonLife staff and give parents the peace of mind that their
children are looked after in a fun and safe environment.”
The Monmouthshire Games and SHEP attracted a total of 7,750 attendances over the summer while children enjoyed 7,240 free meals provided in line with the wide range of benefits delivered by SHEP.
In December, Monmouthshire County Council made a
Traffic Prohibition order to temporarily close footpaths 6 and 13 in Caldicot
and Rogiet. The legal closure due to end on 23rd June has been extended for a
further 6 months due to continuing safety issues.
Speaking on the closure, Councillor Lisa Dymock,
cabinet member with responsibility for MonLife said: “We are deeply concerned
that people are at risk. This section of footpath contains two live firing ranges
and we have had reports about people continuing to use the path, wandering
around the foreshore and elsewhere putting themselves in danger. An alternative
route is in place following the Wales Coast Path, which is well signed and
maintained and we appeal to people to use this path instead.
“A multi-agency
approach is being taken to resolve the issues on this popular path. These
include fly tipping, arson, vandalism, gates being left open, which allowed
cattle to wander off, damage to the sea wall, illegal cycling, motorbike use
and consideration of range safety measures”.
A Monmouthshire
County Council spokesperson added: “Notices regarding the closure of the
footpath and alternative route are available on Monmouthshire County Council’s
website and we have been endeavouring to keep them up on site. However, there has been problems with individuals
removing the signs. This is an offence, but it is also putting visitors and
local people in danger and hampering our endeavours to deal with the issues”.
If you or anyone should witness someone tampering with the signs, then please
contact: countryside@monmouthshire.gov.uk”
Following the meeting of Full Council
on Thursday 22nd July, Monmouthshire County Council has confirmed
that the proposed refurbishment of Abergavenny Leisure Centre has been
agreed. To enable residents to see the full development plans and find
out more, MonLife has today (Friday 23rd July) launched their new
microsite www.monlifeleisuredevelopment.co.uk.
Monmouthshire County Council’s
MonLife is committed to investing in projects which will benefit the health and
wellbeing of the county’s community. Its leisure centres provide a vital
hub to support physical and emotional wellbeing across all age demographics.
The proposed refurbishment of Abergavenny Leisure Centre
will create a wellness hub over the first floor of the building, to create
modern leisure facilities for the local community and helping to increase
participation in regular physical activity.
The proposed new facilities will include:
·
Extended Fitness Suite
·
Power Assisted Exercise Studio
·
Dedicated Spin Studio
·
New Fitness Changing Facilities
·
Ground Floor Coffee Vending Offer
Councillor Lisa Dymock, Monmouthshire County
Council’s cabinet member for Community Wellbeing and Social Justice,
said: “We are committed to investing in and
developing leisure facilities across our county to support the health and
wellbeing of our citizens. The continued investment in leisure facilities
will have a significant impact on wellbeing for not only now, but also for our
future generations. I would encourage local residents to have a look at the
plans and find out more about this exciting project.”
Make some magical memories this summer,’ that’s the message as MonLife, gets ready to welcome children and young people in Monmouthshire to its exciting wealth of activities and fun across the county. The Monmouthshire Games, indoor play centres, theatre events and many more activities have been organised with the intention of keeping children and young people active and entertained during the summer break.
The Summer of Fun kicks-off with ‘The Monmouthshire Games’ taking place between July 26th and August 27th, with action-packed days offering more than 30 different sporting activities that can be enjoyed by children and young people aged 5-11 years old at all four of the county’s leisure centres. The Monmouthshire Games provides a unique opportunity for both children and parents. Participants can meet new friends, develop new skills and confidence, whilst parents are content knowing that their child is safe, happy and having hours of sporting fun.
MonLife has organised free activities for the whole family to enjoy over August, including archery, a climbing wall, clay play, badge making, natural art collage and orienteering. Visit the MonLife Activities website to see what free activities are at your nearest local venue: Family Days – MonLife Holiday Activities. The dates and locations are:
10th August – Old Station Tintern 11:00 – 16:00
11th August – Shire Hall 11:00 – 16:00
17th August –Abergavenny Museum and Castle 11:00 – 16:00
18th August –Caldicot Castle 11:00 – 16:00
MonLife’s Youth Service will also be providing a ‘Summer of Fun’ with provision for 11 years plus and a range of activities and opportunities including Graffiti workshops, outdoor activities, Skate Jam plus much more.
Open-air theatre events at Abergavenny Castle grounds have also been scheduled this summer, with Horrible Histories: Gorgeous Georgians & Vile Victorians taking place live on stage on 28th July. There are plenty of other theatre events on at Abergavenny Castle throughout summer for all the family to enjoy, including The Great Gatsby (11th August), Pride & Prejudice (14th August) and David Walliams’ Mr Stink (22nd August).
Families can also book a visit to MonLife’s indoor play centre at Monmouth Leisure Centre this summer, which features an exciting three storey, action-packed climbing maze and a unique ‘beat the clock timing’ system. All of Monmouthshire’s leisure centre swimming pools are open for the summer holidays, including family bubble sessions, junior swim lessons and aqua classes. Local swimming timetables can be found here: Swimming – MonLife Holiday Activities
Lisa Dymock, Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing and Social Justice said: “MonLife has done an excellent job ensuring the children of Monmouthshire have a fantastic summer with all they have planned. There were less opportunities for children to enjoy a variety of experiences in 2020, this summer promises to be different with many new memory-making opportunities being held again. There is something for every child in Monmouthshire to enjoy this summer – sporty, creative, arts loving, or fans of the great outdoors – this summer will be lots of fun in the gorgeous, Monmouthshire, great outdoors.”
Summer of Fun is a Welsh Government initiative and runs from 1 July until 30 September. It provides a range of free leisure, recreational, sporting and cultural activities for children and young people aged 0-25 to help support their social, emotional, physical and mental wellbeing.
For more information on the events and activities in Monmouthshire this summer, visit: https://www.monlife.co.uk/monactive/childrens-activities/
This May Half
Term we have a fun filled week of activities planned for children of all ages
at our MonLife venues.
Nerys the Dragon and Ostin the Dormouse
Why not visit Caldicot Castle and Country Park and Old Station Tintern where you can say hello to our delightful new
additions to the MonLife family; Ostin the Dormouse and Nerys the Dragon.
Ostin and Nerys feature between the pages of
our new Explore and Create family activity packs that are available at both
sites. These fun-filled resources will enable you and your family to
explore two of our fabulous attractions through a range of playful and creative
activities and discover more about the nature and history of the sites.
The packs also include great ideas for continuing the fun at home.
You can collect Ostin and Nerys stamps and stickers for completed activities and even ‘transform’ you and your family into one of these cute characters using our Dormouse and Dragon photo cut-out boards. Remember to tag us into your photos on social media.
Abergavenny Museum
Why not take a step back in time and visit one or our MonLife museums which are open throughout half term, enjoy the wonder of the history of Monmouthshire and open up this whole new world for your children. Entry is FREE for all visitor s and your children can also take away quizzes and activity sheets to keep them entertained at home. For opening times please visit https://www.monlife.co.uk/heritage/
Our popular The Monmouthshire Games will be returning at all four of our Leisure Centres during half term week with a fun filled programme of activities. You will need to book early to avoid disappointment as places are very limited. Register your interest by clicking here and a member of the team will be in touch https://buff.ly/3y8jB6r For further information on The Monmouthshire Games please click here https://buff.ly/2ROnahB
If you are looking for some indoor fun then why not book onto one of our swimming sessions taking place at all four Leisure Centres by clicking on the following link and going through to the Leisure Centre of your choice https://www.monlife.co.uk/monactive/.
Monmouth Indoor Play Centre
Also don’t forget that our Indoor Play Centre at Monmouth Leisure Centre is now open, your place will need to be booked in advance so call the centre on 01600 775135.
MonLife also
deliver Youth Work in the community through a range of activities and
opportunities for young people aged 11 plus. During the May half term The
Attik (Monmouth) will be open Wednesday and Thursday 10am – 6pm, the Zone
(Caldicot) Tuesday and Thursday 12pm – 8pm, the Cabin (Abergavenny) Tuesday and
Wednesday 12pm – 6pm and Thornwell Wednesday and Friday 3pm – 8pm.
Positive Futures will be running on the Friday in all areas 6pm – 8pm. Each
area will also carry out a litter pick on one day for each area for Keep Wales
Tidy – Spring Clean Cymru.
The Community Nature Spaces project is working to bring together communities and revitalise un-used or unloved playgrounds and make them accessible play areas that embrace nature.
Residents and stakeholders were invited to take part in a public consultation in February and by the end of March, Monmouthshire County Council and the consultants Pegasus had received in excess of 130 responses. Now, the council is asking residents of Monmouth’s Rockfield Estate to share their thoughts once again, in order to finalise plans for nine sites across the community.
The recent lockdowns have reinforced the importance of having a variety of good quality outdoor spaces that are easily accessible by everyone, so that they can spend time safely outdoors experiencing what nature has to offer in local neighbourhoods.
Ideas that fall within the Community Nature Spaces scope include community food growing, fruit trees and mini-orchards, re-wilding areas and the creating of mini-meadows on mounds and slopes for wild play and to encourage pollinators, and local provenance tree nurseries and planting for pollinators.
A spokesperson for Monmouthshire County Council said: “We’d sincerely like to thank everyone who has got involved and contributed so far – the detailed designs shaped by this consultation are now available on the Community Nature Spaces website (monnaturespaces.co.uk). We would now like to hear from local residents and groups that would be interested in becoming more involved in the project as it moves forward, or in specific aspects of the project, such as community food growing. The emphasis on community is key to this project coming to successful fruition.”
The detailed plans show the council’s current aspirations for the sites, subject to the further public consultation. Monmouthshire County Council have secured funding to deliver the Community Nature Spaces project during the 2021/22 financial year. In addition, separate consultations will be undertaken regarding the play areas at Hendre Close, Goldwire Lane and King’s Fee in Monmouth, which will all be improved for both play, enjoyment and wildlife.
Monmouthshire County Council has been working in partnership with Monmouth Town Council, Transition Monmouth, ACE (Action on Climate Emergency), Gwent Wildlife Trust, Rockfield Community Centre, the local schools and NRW (Natural Resources Wales) consultants Pegasus Group, and residents to develop Community Nature Spaces that benefit local communities at various locations, initially in Monmouth.
The Local Places for Nature funding is administered by the Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) on behalf of Welsh Government.
Monmouthshire County Council will be undertaking a series of
landscape enhancement works at Clydach Ironworks on Monday 10 May 2021.
The works will continue until the end of July 2021.
A footpath closure will be in place until the end of July
when the works will be completed, however we will work with the contractor to
open up sections as soon as possible.
This programme of work is crucial in helping us to improve this historically important site and allow it to become an important gateway for visitors and local residents to access the eastern end of Clydach Gorge.
The works will:
landscape
the former industrial features of the Cemex site and reprofile the area in
front of the existing ironworks so as to provide a continuous and improved
landscape setting for the ironworks
Last month saw
the introduction of new Open Access Play Opportunities for children between the
ages of 5-11 across the county. Organised by MonLife, part of
Monmouthshire County Council, it brought together teams from sports
development, leisure and outdoor adventure to plan a programme with a variety
of activities, each risk assessed and following government guidelines in order
to keep the children and staff safe. The Open Access Play Opportunity
was offered for seven days throughout the Easter holidays, between
10am-11.55am, and was accessible for children from across Monmouthshire.
Across the four
MonLife leisure sites in Monmouthshire, children were able to attend and
participate in a range of fun activities all delivered by trained staff. These
activities included bottle rockets, daily mile, nature scavenger hunts and
dance activities. The atmosphere on each site was filled with fun, with children
enjoying themselves. The events held had a positive impact on parents, children
and staff as this was the first chance to feel some sort of normality.
“‘I get excited every morning to come to the open access play, to see my
friends and to play sport” and “Open Access Play has allowed me to meet new
people and make new friends whilst playing sport,” we just a couple of the
positive comments from the children taking part. The week’s activities were, in
some instances, the first opportunity that children had to re-engage with
others in a safe environment since Christmas.
The Open Access Play Opportunities sessions provided the parents and carers in the community with a scheme that they could trust and they can resume some normality of work life. In addition it provided staff with the opportunity to return to the workplace and re-engage with staff. ‘’The Open Access Play is a great provision to offer a morning of sports, different activities in which children can participate in with their friends, all whilst having fun,” said one of the leisure team.
