SIR,
Certainly it is accurate to talk of Hilston Park from 1996 as part of the Gwent Outdoor Education service (Beacon 26th January).
However, this belies the important role it performed from 1971 onwards; 25 years earlier.
It was set up by Monmouthshire County Council as a field study and outdoor activity centre for secondary schools within the county.
Thus schools were able to bring groups of pupils to participate in academic studies at both GCSE and A level in biology, geography/ geology, history and environmental study.
It also provided INSET courses for teachers at both primary and secondary level.
These academic courses were able to draw upon the very rich variety of habitats and inhabitants of the immediate area, as they utilised freshwater, woodland and hedgerow, upland and the individual farms and markets.
It gave pupils a rich and varied approach to their subjects, as well as involvement in outdoor activities.
I look back with many happy memories and much pleasure to those years.
It is what brought the Oxford family to the Monmouth area, to be resident at Hilston Park, and to develop this important aspect of it's role in the education service of the county.
Michael R Oxford
(Monmouth)