A local man found out last week his beloved village of Govilon was not a ‘primary destination’ deserved of ample signposting.

Ivan Beatty, a retired army chef, told the Chronicle that recent visitors to his home ended up lost after new signage near his village omitted a crucial detail.

Mr Beatty said, “I had friends to visit recently and had to twice direct them over the phone as the new signs put up near Govilon don’t bother to say ‘Govilon’ on them.

“They missed the main turning twice, both from the Abergavenny, and Brynmawr directions from the same road.

They said that there was no indication for our village off the dual carriageway (A465), so I had to check the road signs out. I double-checked— ‘Govilon’ isn’t even on the sign!”

Mr Beatty got in touch with the council, who bumped him to the Welsh Government press team, who replied:

“In general, only primary destinations are signed along the motorway and trunk road network.  Other settlements adjacent to and accessed directly off the motorway or trunk road network are signed from junctions where they may be accessed via the most appropriate route.

 “Unfortunately, the village of Govilon is not a primary destination, however, it is displayed on direction signing on the east and west bound off-slips and off the gyratory at Glanbaiden junction on the A465.”

Bemused, the Govilon man told the Chronicle,

“I know Govilon might not be Montmartre. But it is a beautiful little village. And surely deserves a mention on a road sign or two?”