The Caerwent Community Newsletter does not appear in August so we are issuing this update to members and interested parties:

The “Museum” or “Visitor Centre” proposal

This has been vigorously pursued by Caerwent Community Council, with our support, for some years.  The latest news is disappointing.  In 2006 a Planning Grant of £50,000 was secured from the Heritage Lottery Fund and consultants were appointed.  However the grant did not seem to cover some of the most important planning, some of the consultancy work did not truly deliver what we expected and no other agencies such as Cadw or our County Council were prepared to come in as partners or offer substantial support.  A request for further funding to enable detailed plans for the use and conversion of the former school has been turned down.  We think that the development of the Westgate Barns site has to some extent undermined any proposals based on the school.

We remain convinced that Caerwent is the most important Roman site in Wales and should have an archaeological display.  We shall therefore continue to press for one.  There was never any suggestion that the local community would actually provide a Visitor Centre, the Community Council has been trying merely to facilitate the setting up of one and this fitted in well with the broader aim of village enhancement.  The issue seems to now hinge on long term government policy.  The Community Council will convene a meeting of interested parties in the autumn.

The Poor Wood and Llanmelin Hill Fort

The woodlands surrounding the Fort are now under the joint management of Caerwent and Shirenewton Community Councils.  If any local residents have prior experience of these woodlands, especially the Poor Wood, we would like to hear from them.

The Great Flood of 1607

Continuing the series of events commemorating the Flood, there is a photography competition & exhibition at Redwick church on 25,26 & 27 August, 10-5 each day.  By way of advance notice, there will be a talk explaining theview that the Flood was due to a storm surge rather than the tsunami idea which I think many of us have found more appealing.  The speaker is to be Dr Kevin Horsburgh, a leading figure in researching tide and sea level problems, venue Redwick Village Hall, 7.30pm on Monday 17^th September.  For details on all of Flood 400 events please visit www.flood400.org.uk

but see you at the Caerwent Show if not before!

History of Caldicot

Don’t forget the exhibition about the history of Caldicot, 11am-5pm each day.  It’s on in the Woodstock Tower of Caldicot Castle until the end of September.  The official title is "Caldicot: A Growing Community in a Changing Landscape" and covers the development of the village from the Domesday Book until the 1950s.

Caerwent Show  September 1st

Hope you can look in on us at the Show where amongst other things we shall have Gareth Jones’ collection of World War I memorabilia.

I’m not sure of my availability during September so thanks again to Jennifer Powell for taking the role of Acting Secretary:  01291 421086  jen.powell@btinternet.com .

John Nettleship 19.8.2007