TRAVELLERS who occupied a county castle and country park ahead of a Volkswagen camper van festival left the site. in time for a festival to go ahead.

They had moved into the grounds of Caldicot Caslte and Country Park after being served a notice to move on from the playing fields at the town’s leisure centre.

The group was camped at the playing fields for more than a week, forcing Caldicot Comprehensive School to cancel its sports day.

Monmouthshire Council, which owns the castle, said it would follow similar steps to those it had taken after travellers set up what it called an “unauthorised encampment” at the leisure centre playing fields before the travellers left at around 9.30pm on Tuesday (July 14).

Newport-based football club Albion Rovers FC have now confirmed that caravans and vehicles have moved onto its playing fields at Kimberley Park, off Malpas Road, forcing the club to close the site until further notice.

The Dubs at the Castle festival started as planned on Thursday (July 16), but the encampment caused disruption to the preparation and set back organisers; efforts to prepare the site for the three-day event that features classic camper vans as well as live music.

Caldicot Castle Labour councillor Rachell Garrick said she was pleased the VW event could go ahead as planned but was concerned at the lack of authorised sites for travellers.

She said: “There was a voluntary exodus by the travellers from the castle, followed by another over night stay at the Caerwent training base. I believe they have now moved on to Newport.

“Sadly this is an issue being shifted from place to place as attempts to provide adequate sites are always resisted, resulting in difficult situations for residents and the Travelling community.”

The council is still estimating costs of clean up operations, and any repairs, to both the leisure centre and castle grounds.