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Chepstow Set to Celebrate its 950th Birthday

Chepstow

Local residents are celebrating the anniversary of their town as 2017 marks the 950th year of Chepstow and people are planning a variety of events to be held during the warmer months.

Chepstow, its castle and priory, were founded in 1067 by the Norman conquerors, less than a year after the Battle of Hastings.  The castle was founded by William FitzOsbern, one of William the Conqeuror’s two deputy commanders for the Norman Conquest.

After the conquest the town was seen as a key location and provided a base from which to advance Norman control into South Wales and also control river access to Hereford and the Marches.

The founding of the castle by FitzOsbern was followed by a new Priory and the growth of a new town on land between the Castle and the Priory.  Ancient Britons, Romans, and Saxons have all left their mark at Chepstow but no permanent settlement, and the town as it is known today started in 1067.

To start the year, and to commemorate the 950th anniversary, Chepstow Town Council has produced an information leaflet for the public, schools and school projects, and visitors to the town explaining what happen 950 years ago in 1067 and the significance of the 950th anniversary.

More information on events being held to celebrate the anniversary will be released after Easter, and further events will be held by the Chepstow Town Twinning Association.