The year has been another busy and successful one for the Society, with both membership numbers and attendance at monthly meetings increasing under the Chairmanship of David Barber.

Two new innovations this year were a garden party at the Veddw, Devauden in June, (where even the rain failed to spoil the hog roast or the members' enjoyment of the unusual horticulture) and a "tapas" social evening at the Beaufort Hotel to celebrate twelfth night in style, with members, in turn, providing their own entertainment with readings and poems in time honoured fashion.

Those members who took trips with the excursion section had plenty to choose from. There was a spring weekend in the north-east, taking in Durham Cathedral, Holy Island (Lindisfarne), Bernard Castle and Fountains Abbey. May saw a trip from Penarth to Minehead and back on the vintage paddle steamer "Waverley", which was celebrating its 60th anniversary year in service. Other trips took in Lyme Regis, the geology of the Gower and a guided tour of the Palace of Westminster.

The year's varied lecture programme enlightened members on subjects such as the history of Roman Caerleon, the Forest of Dean Lime Kilns , the latest on Piercefield and its connections, the Severn estuary "tsunami" of 1607 and the life and music of Sir Edward Elgar.

The Civic and Amenity group of the Society has kept a close watch on planning and amenities in the town throughout the year. The possibility of a public toilet in the bus station after nearly fifty years of waiting is welcomed by those in the Society who have tirelessly campaigned for this civilised facility for many, many years. Members were also pleased that the danger to pedestrians on Mounton Road is to be lessened by the installation of a pavement on the one-way section.

Members are now looking forward to 2008, with the year's first meeting taking place on January 16, in the community rooms at Chepstow Leisure Centre. The speaker will be Elizabeth Baker who will talk on "What the Romans ate and drank". The meeting starts at 7.15 pm and all are welcome.