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Four years ago, a small group of Govilon residents were inspired to look for ways to record, celebrate and share the village’s rich heritage with residents and visitors alike. Last week, their project was completed with the installation of the final two Information Panels which guide visitors on the Heritage Trails around the village and link up with those of the adjoining Blaenavon World Heritage Site.

The four boards feature the history of Govilon village centre, the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal, Christ Church and the aqueduct, and the old Tramroads and Railway Line. The maps on each board may also be used alongside the Village Leaflet, on sale from Govilon shops and pubs and local tourist information centres, which describes the Heritage Trails in more detail.

Residents working with Clive Williams and Steve Smith, Wardens for Brecon Beacons National Park, and Alvin Nicholas, Warden for Blaenavon World Heritage Site, installed the last two boards opposite the Govilon Post Office and in Christ Church Car Park, just in time for last Saturday’s Guided Walk around the Heritage Trails.

The metal posts for the board opposite the Post Office, which features an old photo of the Blacksmith’s Forge, were a little too long, and needed cutting to size. In a delightful historical twist of fortune, Gordon Stockham, the current owner of the Forge, stepped in and cut the posts for the group. He was delighted to see the picture on the board. “The blacksmith in that picture is Bill Matthews,” he said, “and the young man standing next to him is Joe Stockham, my father”.

Special thanks are due to Llanfoist Fawr Community Council, The Church in and members of Christ Church, Govilon Parochial Church Council, British Waterways and Brecon Beacons National Park for their permissions to site the boards and all their support for this village project.

Govilon Heritage projects were financed by grants from Awards for All Wales; the Welsh Assembly Government under the Article 33 Rural Development Plan for ; Rural Community Action; and Monmouthshire County Council’s Community Pride Grant.

For more information about the group or the Heritage Trails, Frances Baines may be contacted using the contact us form on the website.

For details of the grants referred to above, and how to apply for grant aid for your group or organisation, contact Rural Community Action Monmouthshire, on 01873-736037.