At the end of 2012, HRH the Prince of Wales suggested a remarkable nationwide project: a meadow in every county across the UK to mark the anniversary of The Queen's Coronation.

The first stage of Coronation Meadows was launched last week with the announcement of the first 60 flagship meadows, including Gwent Wildlife Trust's very own New Grove Meadows and the adjacent privately owned New Grove Farm Meadow in Trellech.

The meadows reflect the local character of the landscape. Over 80 per cent of the 60 meadows identified can trace an undisturbed history beyond the Coronation. Many are truly ancient, dating back hundreds of years. At Trellech there are a group of five fields which show outstanding examples of wildlife and flora.

"There are at least five species of orchids in the meadows which have remained unploughed and untouched by chemicals for years," said Gemma Bodé of Gwent Wildlife Trust.

"These are certainly some of the best examples of meadowland in Wales. The dry stone walling dissuades people from widening the gateways, restricting the machinery access, so the meadows have remained untouched for years. We cut them for hay and graze our rare breed Hebridean sheep on them so they are still used for agriculture but managed in a very careful way."