Following the news that the St John Hall has been sold, it brings an end to 98 years of the trust’s ambulance operating from its Monmouth base.

Despite a petition started by a county councillor pleading for the trust to review the sale, the building went under the auction hammer this week, as reported in the Beacon last week.

The St John Cymru Trust has send us this response following our request for a comment on the sale.

“The building has been for sale on the open market for a number weeks with a closing date for expressions of interest and offers as the 9th December 2022.

Following the end of the open market process, the organisation received a number of bids to purchase the Monmouth building. We are now in a position to share that an offer has been accepted by the Board of Trustees for the sale of the Monmouth building, subject to formal exchange of contracts.

“St John Ambulance Cymru remains fully committed to the future of the Monmouth Division and continuing to support and serve the local community, helping to save lives and promote health and wellbeing through lifesaving first aid.

We have been exploring options locally in the event that an acceptable offer was made, and agreed by the Board of Trustees, for the purchase of the Monmouth building.

“As this is now the case, we will be transitioning across to the Bridges for our divisional meetings with effect from the 4th January. All stock will be located at our county stock stores at Tredegar Hall.

“The ambulance will be housed in Abergavenny on a short term basis, whilst we explore our medium to longer term options.

“We understand that change can be unsettling and there are some members who strongly felt the organisation should retain ownership of the Monmouth building.

“We want to take this opportunity to once again re-enforce our commitment to protecting and maintaining our St John Ambulance Cymru Monmouth Division and the invaluable service that our dedicated volunteers deliver to the local community.”