Five things about Abergavenny and the surrounding area we didn’t know last week

1. Abergavenny has a late night Christmas shopping event.

Organised by Love Abergavenny and supported by more than 40 local businesses, the event on Thursday, December 10 will see shops open until 8.30 and a feast of festive entertainment for the whole family.

2. Work to prepare the Castle Meadows for the National Eisteddfod will start in June

Work will include building a temporary service road and walkways to create the Maes with its main pavilion, a yurt, an open-air stage and tents for concerts, performances and exhibitions showcasing the best in Welsh literature, music, art, song and dance. The centrepiece pavilion will be situated between the two sets of trees on the meadows with Other areas would house a technical compound, broadcasting facilities for BBC Wales and S4C, traders’ stands and catering facilities.

3.A campsite near Usk has been named as the best in Wales

Pont Kemys Caravan and Camping Park at Kemys Commander near Usk has been named AA Campsite of the Year for Wales 2016. Owners Bryan and Rosy Jones have been welcoming guests to their ‘immaculately maintained’ holiday destination for many years. The site has the benefit of separate family and adults-only enclosed areas, the latter providing fully-serviced and very spacious all-level pitches.

4. You can’t buy a poppy on Abergavenny on Armistice Day

Market trader Wayne Gibbon was upset to find that all stocks of the Royal British Legions fundraising flower had been either sold or packed away before before Wednesday, November 11

5.Estate agents can be quite nice…

Staff from Parrys Estate and Lettings Agents, Abergavenny got a taste of what it’s like to be homeless when they joined hundreds of others around the country for ’Sleep Out 2015’, a national fundraising event for homeless and disadvantaged young people in the UK, raising almost £3,000 as they did.

For the full stories behind the headlines pick up your copy of the Chronicle this week.