Wikipedia project to cover life in Monmouth

Wikipedia is launching a new project aimed at covering life in Monmouth. The online encyclopaedia says Monmouthpedia will be its first venture based on a town. It wants people to contribute articles and photographs on interesting and notable places, people, artefacts and other aspects of Monmouth life. New smart phone technology will allow users to scan barcodes at points of interest and have information about the landmark sent to their mobile. It will be available in many languages, including Welsh, and will allow people to take a virtual tour of the town. Wikipedia said it was keen for local people to become involved by suggesting and writing articles, taking and donating photographs, and recommending good reference material. It insists computer skills are not that important to become involved. A spokesman said: "There are a lot of opportunities for community involvement including teaching and learning of IT skills, local history, natural history, languages and people of different ages working together." He said Wikipedia had been attracted to Monmouth because of its history. It appears in the Domesday Book in 1086, and the Council for British Archaeology has designated Monmouth as the seventh best town in Britain.