Dear Transitioners
Our new website – We are very fortunate that Chris Were has offered to design a new website for us after our beloved old one fell apart in the name of progress. Chris has made a start but we want your input on what should be included – so, please visit https://transitionmonmouth.org/ and give us your ideas + comments or, better still, come to our next Members’ Meeting next Wednesday, 17 May @ 7.30 pm in the Punch House to discuss. We have produced a discussion paper – email vivienmitchell@yahoo.co.uk for a copy.
One suggestion is that we include a section devoted to ‘Occasional Essays’ whereby you can write about something about which you feel particularly passionate. We will be starting with ‘Our Future Lives’ – written by John Payne + inspired by our discussions on the Monmouth Place Plan – yes, we have interesting, + occasionally inspirational, discussions at our Members’ Meetings!
Monmouth Food Assembly
Calling all foodies – five more members needed + we will get our very own Monmouth Food Assembly – see https://thefoodassembly.com/en/assemblies/8971 to see what you could get for pickup on Thursdays, 4pm to 6pm from the Shire Hall. You will, without a doubt sign up – at no charge! – to get meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, dairy, cakes, sauces, difficult to get items such as raw milk + raw butter, + more so you can eat the most delicious + freshest food available, all sourced locally, with no commitment to buy.
The producers are passionate about growing + making food, + when you pick up your order you get to connect with them, your community + your food. Do join up + give it a try!
General Election on 8 June
Please make sure you vote. If, by any chance, you aren’t registered, you have until 22 May – just over a week – click on https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. Friends of the Earth are providing an opportunity for you all to see, hear + question the candidates for the Monmouth Constituency on Friday, 2 June, 7.30 at Bridges Community Centre. Questions in advance, please, to haydncj@hotmail.com
Some dates for your diaries:-
Members’ Meeting: Wednesday 17 May, 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
Monmouthshire Bee Festival: Saturday 20 May, 11 till 4 in the Nelson Garden, Monmouth: Organised by Bees for Development + Bee Friendly Monmouthshire – bring along any seeds, cuttings, plants or other bee related goods for sale. There will be bee related activities throughout the town + a competition for the best bee related jokes with prizes handed out by our very own Miles Jupp
Monmouthshire Food Festival: Saturday/Sunday 20/21 May at Caldicot Castle + Country Park, 10 till 4.30 – demonstrations, producers market, children’s area – entry £5, under 12s free – see www.monmouthshirefoodfestival.co.uk for more details
Foraging from the Garden + the Wild: Wednesday 24 May, 7.30 at Chepstow Leisure Centre – a talk by Liz Knight of Forage Fine Foods. This is a CADGAS – Chepstow + District Garden Appreciation Society – event; £4 at the door
Community Canteen: Saturday 27 May at Holy Trinity Church Hall, Abergavenny, 7 for 7.30, to raise money for Abergavenny Transition Town’s public liability insurance which, inter alia, provides cover for the Community Canteen. Please book early to avoid disappointment as places are limited – email community-canteen-group-1@googlegroups.com
Hanley Landshare Open Day: Sunday 28 May, 10 till 4, next door to the Hanley Farm Shop on the A48. Want to grow your own fruit + veg but don’t have the skills or space? The community plot at Hanley Landshare can help you – free produce in return for your time! And there’s lovely organic food in the Farm Shop + Café
Hedgerow Manifesto: Tuesday 30 May at the Shire Hall, Monmouth: Further details from Bees for Development
Food Group Meeting: Wednesday 31 May @ 6pm. Contact anneggleton@waitrose.com if you would like to join in
Green Hustings: Friday 2 June, 7.30 at Bridges Community Centre, Monmouth – come + hear + question your General Election candidates – organised by Friends of the Earth. Questions in advance, please, to haydncj@hotmail.com
General Election: Thursday 8 June – please make sure you go out + VOTE!
Beans Stall: Saturday 10 June, 10 till 1 in the Blestium Street Car Park: We will be handing out free samples of delicious bean meals + recipes. 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
No Dig Gardening with Charles Dowding + Colum Pawson: Saturday/Sunday 10/11 June at Dingestow Court NP25 4DY – see http://old-lands.co.uk/grow/events/no-dig-gardening/ +
https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=old%20lands%20csa
Coed Cefn Open Day: Sunday 11 June, 2 till 6: Come + take a stroll around the walled garden, chess terrace, wildlife area, orchard, laburnum tunnel, lakes – all organically + sustainably managed with energy saving a high priority. Refreshments (local, organic + Fairtrade as appropriate) by Transition Monmouth + Swap Shop for seeds/plants, + Tools for Self Reliance Cymru with Fairtrade + refurbished tools. Signposting from the A40 at Raglan to Tregare NP25 4DT. Proceeds for Gwent Wildlife Trust
Claypatch Woodland Open Day: Sunday 18 June: Come + see this treasure in the heart of Wyesham and meet some of the local community groups in the area. We will be there with our Swap Shop for seeds + plants. More details at https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=wyesham%20community%20woodland%20project
How to Make Aerobic Microbial Rich Compost with the Land Gardeners: Tuesday 27 June, 10.30 to 3pm at Dingestow Court NP25 4DY – see http://old-lands.co.uk/grow/events/ + https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=old%20lands%20csa
Old Lands CSA Open Evening: Tuesday 4 July – further details next month
And, as ever, there are your Local Produce Markets:-
Grosmont – Saturday 13 May – 10 till 2
Usk – Saturday 20 May – 10 till 1
Abergavenny – Thursday 25 May – 9.30 to 2.30
Usk – Saturday 3 June – 10 till 1
Grosmont – Saturday 10 June – 10 till 2
Usk – Saturday 17 June – 10 till 1
We hope to see you soon, hopefully at the Members’ Meeting next Wednesday, 17 May – with, if possible, your iPad or laptop.
Other Transition Treasures are on the website https://transitionmonmouth.org/ (currently being rebuilt) + on the Transition Monmouth Facebook page
Ann Eggleton
Chairman
Transition Monmouth 