The Abergavenny and District Civic Society, which exists to ‘preserve the best and improve the rest’ in the town, recently took a challenge to students at King Henry VIII School to shout about just that.

Over the following three months, students took to the corridors asking their fellow classmates what they thought needed safeguarding in the town and what changes needed to happen.

If you’re thinking the answer would be another skate park or fast food establishment you’d be wrong.

Five confident students addressed members and guests at the Society’s meeting in February with a manifesto for change, something most experienced politicians would be proud of producing!

Representing the school, students Katie Shaw, Claudia Berzolla, Jules Young, Erin Shorey and Nara Baxter outlined four key themes: health and wellbeing, culture and heritage, the local environment and out of school learning.

Their ideas included proposals for more indoor sport areas such as football factories, gym trails by the river, more safe areas for young people of all ages to play, new heritage trails, drop-in-clubs for Welsh culture, reduction in litter and development of homework hubs.

In total, more than thirty detailed proposals were presented and welcomed by those attending.

Civic Society Chair, Ruth Coulthard said, “Abergavenny is lucky to have had a number of plans drawn up to help improve our town but all too often the younger generation’s voice is not heard in these. This is vital if we want them to live here in the future.

“The students dealt expertly with a wide range of questions from the audience with confidence and gave us a fresh perspective on our town. We are looking forward to working with them in future to help realise their ambitions.”

Martin Williams, Assistant Headteacher at King Henry VIII School added, “The experience of meeting with members of the Civic Society and sharing ideas relating to current and possible facilities for young people has been a hugely valuable experience for the pupils at King Henry.

“It has not only provided the opportunity to bridge the generation gap between members of the local community, but also opened the pupils’ eyes to the notion that they could be directly involved in helping to make decisions that would have a direct impact upon the quality of their lives and the future of their town.”