First Minister Mark Drakeford paid a visit to Monmouth last week to see for himself some of the help groups in the town.

Warning that there are bleak times ahead, he told community group leaders that there is in Monmouth “an island of poverty in a sea of affluence.

“That can add to the burden people are facing. Their children can look out of their homes and see what others take for granted” he said on a whistle-stop tour of Bridges Centre and Ty Price Hall.

Greeted by Bridges’ Manager Aileen Atkinson, he was shown the Social Circles group by Andrea Charles and met some of the clients who have been making gaily-coloured name placecards, meeting Margaret, Janet Reed and Pam Wells.

Moving on to the Monmouth Community Fridge - part of the Transition Monmouth’s Food Sense project - he was welcomed by volunteers Mary Boase, Claudia Blair and Waultraud Englefield and heard how they are given food by Marks and Spencer, the Co-op and Waitrose as well as surplus food from allotment holders to redistribute freely.

The food donated is within its use by date and would otherwise be destined for landfill.

He then strolled along Drybridge Street with local labour councillors and supporters to Ty Price Hall where he was greeted by Steve Martin and given a tour of the building.

Mr Drakeford met Ukrainian refugee Hanna Honcharova from Kiev who had to leave Ukraine after her house was bombed in the present conflict. She is an accomplished engineer who worked on Soviet submarines

Rev Catherine Haines, Ty Price’s Community Engagement Minister, leads their links into the Ukrainian Refugee Support.

He also met Fran Kenny of the Reach Out support group who aim to offer friendship and support and heard from Maggie Riches about Tommy’s Tiddlers; a carer and toddler group born out of the Mothers Union.

Before leaving, he was given a small gift made by Alec Riches.

Mark then left for Monnow Bridge where he met more labour supporters.