Monmouthshire County Council Creates Living Legacy To Mark World War I Centenary

Garden City Recreation Ground is to be protected forever by Monmouthshire County Council as a Centenary Field. Run by national charity Fields in Trust, in partnership with The Royal British Legion, Centenary Fields aims to protect war memorial playing fields, parks and green spaces in memory of those who lost their lives during World War I. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

This national programme is a unique way to commemorate the centenary of World War I. It gives land owners such as Monmouthshire County Council the opportunity to dedicate space to remember the sacrifices of those who gave their lives during the conflict, but also to ensure that future generations have valuable green space to enjoy as a living legacy. Centenary Fields protected through the programme can be war memorial parks and playing fields given in memory of those who lost their lives, or other green spaces that have an existing or planned link to World War One such as Garden City Recreation Ground. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Recreation Ground was laid out by the Admiralty ‘National Shipbuilding Company’ as part of the new village built for workers of the Government’s new shipyard at Chepstow in 1917 to provide ships for the First World War effort. The housing development and slipways for the ships were built by 6,000 Royal Engineers and some civilian work was undertaken by German prisoners of war. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Fields in Trust Cymru Chairman Ivor Morgan said:
“This programme is a fitting way for us to mark the sacrifices made by so many in World War I whilst looking to the future through a living remembrance. We are delighted that Monmouthshire County Council is embracing Centenary Fields, commemorating the centenary of World War I for the people of Chepstow in a way they can appreciate forever. We look forward to many more landowners following their lead.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Phil Jones, Wales Area Manager for the Royal British Legion added:
“Through partnership with Fields in Trust we are ensuring that we are helping to preserve important memorials as part of the UKs Centenary commemorations. Community spaces, such as the one dedicated as a Centenary Field by Monmouthshire County Council, form a vital part of local heritage and play a key role in educating the next generation about the significance of Remembrance.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr John Prosser, Armed Forces Champion for Monmouthshire County Council commented:
“We are delighted to have this opportunity from Fields in Trust and The Royal British Legion to mark the centenary of World War I in this unique way. Protecting Garden City Recreation Ground and also Bailey Park in Abergavenny means that there is always somewhere to remember the sacrifices of World War I, but also to enjoy the fresh air and the surroundings”. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​