The rifle range at the Marshes, Newport, was in use during the nineteenth century by the local Volunteer Rifle Corps. The development of the Marshes Estate for housing in the course of the last quarter of the century and the gift of the remaining 16 acres for the laying out of Shaftesbury Park in 1901 ensured that the rifle range was abandoned. Clearly marked on the first series Ordanance Survey mapping of the area with a 600 yard single range apparent.

The site was also the home ground of Newport Rugby Football Club in their first season before their transfer to a less flood-prone ground on the east side of the river Usk.

Daryl Leeworthy, RCAHMW, 17 March 2011.