ABERGAVENNY’S Civic Society marked its 50th anniversary by presenting a certificate of commendation to well known local businessman Alan Griffiths in recognition of the work he does towards the preservation of Abergavenny most historic buildings.

The presentation was in keeping with the society’s motto of “Preserving the best and improving the rest’ and paid tribute to Mr Griffiths’ work on the ‘beautification of the town’s historically important buildings’ and marked the appreciation of the Civic Society for his special contribution towards the ‘enhancement of Abergavenny by the conservation of key buildings’

Among those who attended the celebration were founders members of the society, who were praised for having the foresight in 1967 to recognise the need to ‘preserve, maintain and improve Abergavenny’s heritage and future’.

The gathering also heard about some of the many projects undertaken by the Civic Society in the past decades which have included:

• The restoration of the Holy Well

• Planting 25 trees for the Silver Jubilee in Bailey Park

• Commissioning the building of flower beds on Monmouth Road

• The Millenium Walk project in Linda Vista

• Writing a book called ‘Abergavenny in the twentieth century’

• The Good, Bad and Ugly photographic competition

• Landscaping and planters at Fairfield car park

• Recent support for acquiring the Gunter Mansion

• Supporting a youth project at Abergavenny Museum

• Completing a Characterisation Report and publication on Abergavenny.

As part of its celebrations members of the Civic Society past and present heard a talk from guest speak Frank Olding about the ‘Lost Pubs of Abergavenny’ which while entertaining served as a timely reminders of how ‘the relentless march of progress has resulted in the demolition of what would now be considered a fascinating collection of heritage buildings’. said Civic Society vice chairman, Tony Konieczny

“The society intends to do all it can to preserve the remaining ‘best’ of Abergavenny,” he added.

With this in mind, the Civic Society has become a vital part of the town’s structure and officers and members of the executive committee meet regularly to review and comment on planning applications and enhancement projects and to liaise with town and county councillors and other like minded groups to discuss potential improvements for the town.

Most recently members of Abergavenny Civic Society have expressed their dissatisfaction with the revised plans for the town’s Morrison’s supermarket criticising its ‘inferior’ design and claiming it will be an ‘ugly’ addition to the town centre.

In a strongly worded letter the society’s chairman Ruth Coulthard said the supermarket giant’s plans for the cattle market site store were a ‘betrayal of the people of Abergavenny’ and had ‘gone backwards’ in design terms.

The group’s vice chairman, Tony Konieczny, said the design was ‘alien’ to the rest of the surrounding area.

“We actually have no problem with a supermarket coming to Abergavenny, but do I think this design will enhance the beauty of our town? No”