You can learn more about Castle Meadows in Abergavenny, the main venue for this year’s National Eisteddfod, in a series of spring and early summer walks.

The walks have been organised by the Friends of Castle Meadows, a group of volunteers who work with Monmouthshire County Council to manage the meadows, a traditional floodplain between the River Usk and town and a haven for a variety of plants and wildlife.

On Saturday, April 16 (10am) a walk with Fiona Ford will introduce you to the Myths and Stories of Plants, while on April 23 there’s a bird walk, with an earlier than usual start time of at 8am, with leader Steve Butler.

Sheila Kerry will lead a botany walk on Saturday May 7 starting at 10am, while May 14 will see pond dipping, with Becky Ward, at 10am.

On July 16 find out about butterflies with Jeff Davies, after meeting at 11am at the Orchard, Mill Street.

All the walks are about two hours long. Unless stated, they start from Byfield Lane lower car park.

The Friends’ group organise different activities to improve the Meadows, from combatting invasive species to planting.

If you’d like to become a member of the Friends’ group or for more information about the walks, please see friendsofcastlemeadows.wordpress.com/about/ or email [email protected]