Chepstow Museum played host to Welsh Government ministers and Monmouthshire County Council cabinet members last week as part of the opening of a new gallery.

Changing Faces of Chepstow is a new gallery, which was funded by the Welsh Government as part of their Anti-Racist Wales programme for Culture, Heritage and Sport.

The gallery looks at the people of Chepstow from a fresh perspective, recognising that it has always been home to people originally from other places – whether that be invaders – Romans and Normans, people looking for work – Irish Navvies and wire workers from Germany or our Ukrainian community searching for a safe place to call home.

The galley aims to showcase how diverse groups have contributed to what Chepstow is today.

Members of Chepstow’s Ukrainian community who had been involved presented the museum with two handmade fabric dolls symbolising Welsh and Ukrainian friendship. 

In attendance at the preview event were Jack Sargeant, Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership and Jane Hutt, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip.

Alongside the ministers were Leader of Monmouthshire County Council Cllr Mary Ann Brocklesby, Cabinet Member for Equalities and Engagement Cllr Angela Sandles and Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Housing and Tourism Cllr Sara Burch.

Attendees viewed the gallery and met with members of the community who had helped work on the project.

The gallery is part of a much wider project spanning Chepstow and Abergavenny Museums.

Cllr Burch said: “I urge everyone who is able to visit the Changing Faces exhibition in Chepstow.

“It is a wonderful addition to the museum and to the story of Monmouthshire as a whole.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to have a look around.”

Cllr Sandles said: “It was wonderful to visit Chepstow Museum to see the new Changing Faces gallery.

“It just shows how Monmouthshire as it is today has been shaped by people from all over the world.

“We should celebrate that fact and the fact that our diverse community makes us stronger.”

A further event was held the following evening, where the gallery was officially opened by the Chair of Monmouthshire County Council Cllr Peter Strong. People involved in all areas of its creation attended the evening, giving members of the different community groups and experts a chance to come together to celebrate their achievements.