At a reception at the Sessions House, Maryport Street, Usk Mayor Jill Jeremiah and members of the Town Council thanked local organisations and groups who have contributed and made a difference to the town over the last year. Representatives of each organisation received a special town plate as a token of the Council's appreciation.

Amongst those honoured were Usk Cricket Club and Usk Tennis Club, who have each this year proved themselves the best in Wales, and Usk Town Brass Band, which has won regio nal and national accolades. Other groups included were those responsible for the highly acclaimed and successful Usk Prison Offender Rehabilitation programme and the Usk First Responders who are a group of volunteers who respond to 999 calls in Usk ahead of the ambulance service.

Individuals honoured were Gareth Edwards, who gave his professional expertise to the group who successfully fought the County Council and prevented car parking charges in Usk, and Frank Evans, for his continued work on the Usk diary, the Usk Town Website, the Usk Town Guide, and almost every event where I.T., lighting o r sound skills are required.

The event concluded with Usk Fair Trade Group being thanked for its efforts in making Usk a Fair Trade Town, and this was followed by all the participants in Usk Fair Trad e being awarded certificates by Colette Mooney, Sustainability Officer from Monmouthshire County Council.

Cllr. Jeremiah said, "A final mention must be made of Mr. Terry Smith, who couldn't be here this evening. We want to thank him for his many years of service to Usk Retained Fire Service, where he was Station Officer, and from which he has recently retired."