A project that began three years ago, but has its roots in a launch of 2005, has now moved to the centre of Usk.

The Usk tapestry has been an on-going labour of love for 16 volunteers working under the direction of Susie Martin (designer) and Sarah Windrum (stitching supervisor) who is an experienced tapestry maker.

Having worked the past few years at the Usk Garden Centre, they have now moved to an empty shop in Bridge Street thanks to Arthur Griffiths, who owns the premises.

Mr Griffiths, for many years known as a supplier to the agricultural trade, very generously offered his premises rent-free.

As the listed premises has been empty for several years, Mr Griffiths has not been eligible for rates and assumed the situation would continue.

However, soon after moving in, the tapestry-makers had a visit from a valuation officer from HM Revenue and Customs who informed them he would be recommending to Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) that they should be rated, even though they were not trading.

The rateable value of the shop was estimated at £12,750, despite the tapestry being confined to one of five rooms available.

MCC, in a statement issued to the Beacon said: "Monmouthshire County Council has a duty to charge business rates on all properties whose rateable value has been assessed by the Valuation Office, an executive agency of HM Revenue and Customs.

If the rateable value of a business premises exceeds £6000, we are obliged to levy a Business Rate. There are no exemptions based on the age of the property's owner. If the property is a listed building and unused there would be an exemption. And there is also "Charitable Relief" available to registered charities, which equates to a discount of up to 80 per cent.

We have not yet sent a formal rate bill to the owner of 23a Bridge Street, so we cannot comment further on that particular case.

• A tapestry for Usk was the idea of Margaret Turner, a talented needlewoman who sadly died just before the unveiling of the design in 2005.

Margaret wanted the tapestry to express some of the beauty and natural riches of Usk and its surrounding countryside.

Elements of Usk can be seen in the design, including the river, the castle as well as many 'hidden' elements connected with the historic town.

The committee of eight people, led by Hamish Sandison, anticipate the work being finished by summer 2014 if not before.

As an Usk project, they are working with local people to identify the best location to hang it where it will be seen by as many as possible. There are several options – the new County Hall is keen, as is St Mary's Church.