Dear Transitioners

With a bit of a struggle against the elements we got most of those trees planted last month.  The hedge at Wonastow Industrial Estate now includes dog rose + dog wood.  We made a start on Chippenham Mead to provide a screen against the beastly A40;  the area is prone to vandalism so we planted prickly stuff – holly + dog rose.  If this survives we will start on an evergreen screen in the autumn.  And Lancaster Way now has about 200 trees including a small orchard with almonds, apples + some very beautiful Harry Baker crab apples.  Thank you to all the valiant souls who came out to dig + plant!

This is the immediately practical side of our flood prevention scheme, RECS.  We have also been working with our principal partners – Monmouthshire County Council, Natural Resources Wales, Wye Valley AONB, Gwent Wildlife Trust, Green Valleys CIC, Long Forest – in developing a brief to put out to consultants for a plan for Monmouth + the surrounding area.  If you would like a copy of this brief please contact vivienmitchell@yahoo.co.uk / 01600 715065 / 07931 849486 – + if you would like to discuss the project there will be a special meeting to do just this:-

On Wednesday 3 May in the Stable Room at the Robin Hood, Monnow Street, starting at 6pm

At our next Members’ Meeting – 7.30 at The Punch House next Wednesday, 19 April – we will be discussing the Transition Monmouth website.  Our old one fell apart + we had to bid farewell to a dear friend who had served us well + was the envy of other Transition Groups.  However, Chris Were has come to the rescue + made a start on an entirely new one – see https://transitionmonmouth.org/.  It’s up to us now to tell Chris how we would like it developed so – please look at the website + come to the meeting with your ideas, + if you have a bit of modern equipment to view the website at the meeting, please bring that along too.

If you don’t know it, Claypatch Wood is a treasure in the heart of Wyesham.  It had become dreadfully overgrown + neglected but two of our members, Richard + Kirsty Garner, have taken things in hand.  Tree clearance, rubbish removal etc are well in hand together with plans for mud-proof paths + other infrastructure.  The next working party is on Sunday 7 May – details at https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=wyesham%20community%20woodland%20project – come + join the fun!

As for the proposed new swimming pool, we are totally in agreement that it is neither fit for purpose nor matches the plans agreed with the community in 2015.  To this end we are working to change the economics through installation of solar PV + thermal panels, + thus be able to fund the improvements that are so obviously necessary.  No promises – but we are doing what we can + have the support of the MCC Chief Executive, Paul Matthews, + the Future Generations Commissioner.

Some dates for your diaries:-

Members’ Meeting:  Wednesday 19 April, 7.30 at the Punch House – to discuss the Transition Monmouth website, the monthly Beans Stall + summer activities;  please bring an iPad or laptop if you have one so we can look at the website while we talk

Swap Shop:  Saturday 22 April, 10 till 12 at Monmouth Priory:  Seeds + plants to swap or buy, tools from Tools for Self Reliance Cymru, + refreshments by the Two River Meadow Group

Snowdrop Planting:  Tuesday 25 April, 3.30 at the end of Elstob Way with Pip Jenkins + children from Attik – more fun – please join us! 

Overmonnow Networking:  Wednesday 26 April, 3.30 at The Riverside Hotel – refurbishment of the old St Thomas’ Church Hall is nearing completion + this group has been formed to develop plans for its use – all welcome, but to please contact stevejmartin52@btinternet.com if you would like to attend

Spring Greens Fair:  Saturday/Sunday 29/30 April at the Court of Noke:  A wide variety of talks, activities + entertainments for all the family – https://springgreens.org.uk/

RECS – Renewable Energy Community Schemes with Flood Prevention + Other Benefits:  Wednesday 3 May, 6pm in the Stable Room at the Robin Hood to discuss what we want our consultants to do – but before the meeting contact vivienmitchell@yahoo.co.uk for a copy of the draft brief

Election Day:  Thursday 4 May – whatever your inclination, please make sure you vote for the representatives of your choice for both the County Council + the Town + Rural Councils – one vote for the County Council but you will probably have several for the other councils – eg four in Wyesham for Monmouth Town Council.  Use all of your votes, or forever hold your peace!  There are many excellent candidates out there

Beans Stall:  Saturday 13 May, 10 till 1 in the Blestium Street market:  We will be handing out free samples of delicious bean meals + recipes.  We intend to be there every second Saturday throughout the summer.  At the first stall, on 8 April, over one hundred market shoppers were persuaded to give the dishes a try, + all were surprised (some more than others!) at just how appetising they could be.  Please get involved – making a dish, manning the stall – contact anneggleton@waitrose.com if you can help, or just turn up on the day + sample

Members’ Meeting:  Wednesday 17 May, 7.30 at the Punch House – we hope to have Jo Draper, MCC Planning, to discuss the planning procedure.  If you have a particular issue / speaker for a subsequent meeting that you would like, please let us know!

And, as ever, there are your Local Produce Markets:-

Abergavenny – Thursday 27 April – 9.30 to 2.30
Usk – Saturday 6 May – 10 till 1
Grosmont – Saturday 13 May – 10 till 2
Usk – Saturday 20 May – 10 till 1
Abergavenny – Thursday 25 May – 9.30 to 2.30

We hope to see you soon, hopefully at the Members’ Meeting next Wednesday, 19 April – with, if possible, your iPad or laptop.

Ann Eggleton
Chairman