October 2026 issue
This update covers news and information from your Town Council – sign up to receive it by email. Full council meeting minutes can be downloaded here.
Remembrance: a story of service and support
With Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday approaching, Royal British Legion (RBL) volunteer Clare was at the Gatehouse this week, distributing wreaths for local people and community groups to lay at the commemorations in town.
A veteran herself, Clare has volunteered with the RBL for the last couple of years, helping organise wreath collections and poppy boxes in local shops.
“What you find when you’re selling poppies is that everyone who comes to buy one from you has a story,” she explained. “You get donations from completely unexpected people, each with their own story to tell.”
While we were talking, another veteran arrived to collect his wreath. He spoke about how the RBL had supported him through recent difficult times, and how he’d met people and found support among fellow veterans. “We are a team and when it comes to it, we pull together,” he said. “There’s a lot of banter, and that’s what gets us through the things we have to face, but when it comes to it we’re a team.”
As he left, Clare summed up why she volunteers: “That’s why I do it. The RBL is a comradeship.”
Remembrance is a time to honour those who have served and sacrificed, but it is also a reminder of the bonds that service creates and the support people can find in one another.
As Clare said goodbye to the veteran, her parting words were simple: “You look after yourself and you know we’re here.”
Find out more about the work of the RBL and join Chepstow’s commemorations:
Remembrance Sunday Parade 8th November, starts Welsh Street Car Park 10.40am
Armistice Day commemoration 11th November, The War Memorial from 10.40am
Photo:
-Wreaths being distributed from the Gatehouse ahead of Remembrance Sunday.
Project updates & other news
Remembrance Day commemorations
The Remembrance Sunday Parade, 8th November, will start from Welsh Street Car Park at 10.40am followed by a 2-minute silence by the War Memorial and a service at St. Mary’s Church. On Armistice Day, 11th November, commemorations and a 2-minute silence will be held at the War Memorial from 10.40am.
Chepstow Christmas Street Party
Arrangements for Christmas 2026 are now in place. The Town Council street party will be on Friday 27th November from 4pm and includes a street market, Santa’s grotto, lantern parade and live musical entertainment. Children are invited to make lanterns for the parade at free workshops this month.
Grants Update
Chepstow Wassail & Mari Lwyd set for 2027
Widders Border Morris dance group have been awarded a grant of £478 to bring the Mari Lwyd Welsh winter folk custom and wassailing to Chepstow in January.
Mari Lwyd is a traditional Welsh midwinter custom where a decorated horse’s skull, mounted on a pole and covered with a white cloth, is carried from house to house by a group of singers.
The January event will involve Morris dancing, a public parade, window displays, wassail at the castle orchard, a ceremony at the museum, and pwnco at the castle gates with Welsh singing, Mari Lwyd horses and greeting of the English and Welsh across the bridge. There will be a ceilidh at The Drill Hall to round off the day.
Find out more about Widders Border Morris.
Mayor and Councillor Update
10 Oct – Mayor’s Curry Night for SARA
A full house for Mayor Cllr Vanessa Badderley-Potter’s fundraising night of delicious food and great local music raised a total of £2043 for the Mayor’s chosen charity.
The economic secretary to the Treasury Lucy Rigby talks to stakeholders from the banking sector and local staff (Photo: Cllr Jim MacTaggart)
22 Oct – Town Centre Christmas information delivery
Mayor Cllr Vanessa Badderley-Potter delivered information about the town’s Christmas plans to businesses along High Street and St. Mary’s Street and talked with local people.
31 Oct – Beachley Heritage Centre tour
The Mayor and several councillors enjoyed a tour around the Heritage Centre and Barracks, exploring the history and potential ties with Beachley and the council.
Photo: Councillors visit Beachley Heritage Centre and Barracks
Useful resources and opportunities
Children’s Lantern Making Workshops
FREE fun workshops for children aged 6 and over to make their own lantern to carry at Chepstow’s 27th November Christmas Lantern Parade.
Workshop dates:
14th November – Chepstow Library
10.15am-11.15am
11.30am-12.30pm
21st November – The Drill Hall
9.45am-11.15am
11.30am-1pm
1.30pm-3pm
Booking essential – email us.
Community Orchard Volunteering
Come and enjoy some of Chepstow’s 17 Community Orchards – there for everyone! Join a volunteering session to help care for the fruit trees including harvesting, pruning, tidying and planting. No experience or tools needed.
Next 4 dates and locations:
14th Nov – Riverside
28th Nov – Fairview
6th Dec – Thornwell Road and Western Avenue
12th Dec – Garden City
All sessions 10am-12.30pm
Email us for information or visit the Chepstow Community Orchards page.
Useful links
- Next council meeting dates
- Minutes of last council meetings
- What’s on – Chepstow events
- What’s on – The Drill Hall events
- Download a PDF of the newsletter
Is your community group running an event, launching a project or celebrating an achievement? Get in touch to share your news in a future issue. Follow us on Facebook and on Instagram.