MORE than 160 people attended the Flamenco Fiesta in the Drill Hall on 20th May, where MI Flamenco put on a flamboyant performance of authentic Spanish dancing from dancers and musicians originating from Jerez de la Frontera, Andalusia in Spain.

This idea came about when campaign group A-B decided that a fundraising event was necessary to raise awareness of the Wander Wye Route with local people.

The aim of the project is to create a ‘stunningly beautiful route making the Wye Valley accessible to all’.

The raffle, donations, and the auction on the night raised more than £900 with advance ticket sales raising the total to £1,800 towards the planning application funds, giving a grand total of more than £10,000, half the amount needed.This Fiesta was partly financed by the ‘Gospel Pass‘ 150km Audax ride that took place in mid March, a well established long distance cycling event initiated by the late Nik Peregrine that raised more than £800.

The group has steadily increased support for this evolving project over three years since May 2014 when the campaign petition was created; that has now achieved nearly 4,500 signatures.

During that time the website www.wyecycle.co.uk has been developed and the ‘not for profit’ organisation A-B Connecting Communities established.

A spokesperson for the group said: “We would like to thank these businesses and organisations for their support with this superb event: Chepstow Chamber of Commerce, Chepstow Tourist Information Centre, Chepstow Drill Hall, Leitch Consulting, Distinct Graphics, Chepstow Race Course, Baa Brewing, Hannah’s Music, Two Cook’s Catering, Cycling Guides, Taylor Made, Deacons Florists, The Filling Station Café, Mama Mias, Stone Rock Pizza, Eden Rose, Fremainis Design, Castle Framing, Green Thumb, DGA Decorating, Fair Feather Illustrator, Herbert Lewis, and Chepstow Bookshop."