The Society’s November meeting at the Drill Hall was once again very well attended.

The speaker for the evening was Mr Peter Strong, who is Head of History at Caldicot School. On this occasion his subject was, “Early Christianity at Caerwent”.

After the Romans left Caerwent it became the site of an early Celtic Monastery just outside the walls of the Roman Town. He spoke about pot that had turned up in an excavation bearing an early Christian Symbol, which was subsequently dated to C375 AD. This was some of the earliest evidence for Christianity anywhere in Britain.

He argued a very strong case, based on much circumstantial evidence that St Patrick (b389 AD) could have come from Caerwent. The Celtic dedication to St Tathan was to an Irish Saint.  With the arrival of the Normans the Celtic Church was superseded by their settlement at Chepstow, with its Benedictine Priory and Church.

In the second part of the meeting members expressed concerns about the traffic delays caused by repair work on Hardwick Hill. There were also issues with plans to establish a Taxi Rank in the High Street and questions were asked as to why the road repairs in Welsh Street had not been completed.

The next meeting is in the New Year as there is no meeting in December.  This will take place on January 21st at the Drill Hall. The Speaker will be Keith Underwood, who will talk to the members on “Medieval Chepstow”.  As usual, everyone is welcome to attend.