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

1. Monmouthshire County Council will not let the mistakes of this year’s Velothon be repeated when the event returns to the area next year. The council has agreed to host the event only if contingencies are put in place to ensure that businesses are not closed and that people have access to their homes

2. A tip off from a power supplier let to a police raid on a massive cannabis factory in Clydach. One officer described the ‘factory’ as the biggest he had ever seen in his career. One eye witness said that the smell of the cannabis plants was overpowering.

3. The popular and successful restaurant The Harwick was almost called The Sauce and Gnochhi…at least according to the chef behind the menu Stephen Terry

4. A team of 1930s railway workers created a show-stopping carnival entry which claimed top prizes at pageants all over the country but was stopped in its tracks when the LMS railway company demanded a share of the prize money.

5. The foliage of horse chestnut trees at Bailey Park is being attacked by the voracious horse-chestnut leaf miner moth and volunteers are being asked to help pick up fallen leaves to help prevent the critters getting a hold.

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