Famous landmark secured (From Free Press Series)

Famous landmark secured

PLANS to safeguard the heritage of one of Monmouth's most famous landmarks have taken a step forward this week.

The Shire Hall, with its Charter Market, has been at the focus of the town's civic, community and commercial life since it replaced an early 16th-century building, when completed in 1724.

The building has played a prominent role in the county's administration and its first floor court room was the venue for the famous 'Chartist' trials in 1840.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has provided a grant so that a detailed condition survey can be carried out - on everything from the clock to the internal mysteries of the fabric of the building itself!

Monmouthshire County Council, who own the building, is already well prepared to start the necessary planning work on this building which is so important to the people of Monmouth.

Monmouth Town Council and the Shire Hall Stewards are fully supportive of Monmouthshire County Council in their plans to improve the building for all areas of the community.

Cllr Alan Wintle, also a member of the Shire Hall Stewards, says he is delighted with this news, and would like to thank everybody who has been involved in the project so far.

Jenny Lewis the council's area manger said: "Its not only good news for the Shire Hall. We are pleased at the One Stop Shop because of the amount of funds that we have managed to attract to the town over the last nine months.

"This money has come from all sorts of funding sources. The money for the old bridge is European money, delivered through the Assembly government.

"This money is also funding the remarkable efforts of the trust who is aiming to restore the Savoy Theatre, and a new history project on Geoffrey of Monmouth.

"The Community Bus is another project funded from the same means, which will directly benefit Monmouth.

"At the same time, we have just heard that our bid for environmental funds for the Nelson Gardens has also been successful. Community Safety funds have also been utilised on work on the sports ground grandstand.

"All these projects are linked in an important way. They are the result of the council working at grass routes level with community groups, trusts and committees of all shapes and sizes."