At the recent AGM of the Monmouthshire branch of CPRW members heard of the busy year the group has had in protecting our lovely country side.

As well as scrutinising local planning applications the branch is keen to inspire the next generation. An Art and Poetry competition was held for Monmouthshire schools with the subject of Terrific Trees of Monmouthshire. All schools who entered are to be presented with a Welsh apple tree to be planted in the school grounds.One will be coming to Cantref school in Abergavenny.

This year the Post Office sponsored Rural Wales Award was awarded to the Village Alive Trust for contributions the trust has made to rural communities throughout Monmouthshire.

On presenting the award to the trust's representative Dr Jean Prosser, National Chairman Dr Jean Rosenfeld said, "Improving local social facilities are the kind of activities that are very important in keeping local communities alive and your organisation is particularly active in helping large numbers of communities across Monmouthshire in maintaining the facilities that they have, which keeps the community a vibrant, active one for everyone to live in."

Stuart Taylor of the Post Office said, "I am delighted on behalf of the Post Office to support these awards and this branch never fails to pick a tremendous recipient for the award."

Receiving a slate plaque and a framed certificate, the Rev Prosser thanked the CPRW for the award.

"I am very honoured to receive this award on behalf of the Village Alive Trust," she said.

"In the last two years we have run two projects – 'Bringing your Village Alive' and 'Sense of Roots' – and we have grant aided 15 projects across Monmouthshire and have employed a project officer to help community groups to be like we are.

"Some projects are in conservation areas, conserving the built heritage and the sense of roots project is all about interpreting local heritage and making audio or visual plaques or trails in their village."

The meeting concluded with a talk by Dr Nicola Bradbear of Bees for Development, based in Monmouth, who spoke about her work and the charity's work towards sustainable apiculture at home and abroad.