Dear Transitioners
We’ve had a few weeks off + it has suddenly come upon us that we need to get cracking – there’s much to do!
Workshop on Friday 8 September: Flood Prevention in + around Monmouth
RECS (Renewable Energy Community Schemes with Flood Prevention + Other Benefits) has come a long way since we started talking to the County Council in January 2016 following the numerous road closures due to surface water flooding. It was a tough decision (because the standard of the submitted bids was so high) but at the end of July we appointed Atkins as our consultants. We have worked with them during the summer + are now in a position to hold our first workshop to find out what you think should be done, + where.
The study covers Monmouth and the surrounding area to include Skenfrith, Dingestow, Newcastle + Trellech. If there are roads that you know within that area that are prone to flooding, please come + tell us. Atkins will provide an array of maps they have developed + would be grateful to receive your comments/observations. They are very keen to obtain local knowledge of areas at risk, areas that could be developed etc – so please come + tell. If nothing else, we guarantee that you will have a really interesting time finding out about the area in which we live!
This is a drop in session (+ tea/coffee/biscuits) with Atkins staff on hand to inform, help + discuss – at the Shire Hall from 1.30 to 4pm. We look forward to seeing you, but if you cannot attend we would still like you to contribute. One way to do this is to tag locations on the Transition Monmouth mapping portal – https://arcg.is/0KXfCz – relating to flooding, opportunities for holding back flood water, + opportunities for hydropower schemes. You can also email information to vivienmitchell@yahoo.co.uk + Andy.Gill@atkinsglobal.com.
10th Birthday Party on Saturday 23 September
Yes – we will be 10! On 26 September 2007 at a Monmouth Partnership Forum meeting, Simon Brown proposed a new ‘Green Light Group’ – + look where we are now! It’s been an exhilarating, difficult + rocky ride but we are flying high, + higher. Thanks to you all for your support over the years, + please come + party with us to celebrate – 6.30 at Monmouth Priory – tickets in advance (so we know how many to cater for!) from vivienmitchell@yahoo.co.uk. £5 will give you a great feed of local organic produce + Sam Bosanquet will tell us about the amazing stuff that is happening at Old Lands/Dingestow Court. Bar available.
Food Waste – + how we could use excess to good effect
We have long considered what we could do to reduce food waste, utilise excess to good effect, + help those in need – the latter becoming an ever increasing problem as witnessed by the rise in the use of Food Banks + the growing concern about children being inadequately fed during school holidays. Coincidentally, some Indy Monmouth members have been thinking along the same lines. We want to consider the whole issue of Food Banks, business + domestic food waste, food produce usage + food sharing. This is just the germ of an idea that we think has the potential of becoming a great project. Who do we need to contact? What do we need to find out? How do we set about doing something really useful? If you have ideas, or just want to be part of this, contact vivienmitchell@yahoo.co.uk + we will set up an initial meeting.
Members’ meeting on Wednesday 6 September
We’ve brought this forward so we can discuss the flood prevention workshop on the 8th and Birthday Party on the 23rd. Also it will be good to look at our various projects + plan for the year ahead – please come – Punch House at 7.30.
So, here’s the diary for the next few weeks:-
Members’ Meeting: Wednesday 6 September, 7.30 at the Punch House – to discuss our new food waste project, our birthday party, recycling light bulbs + anything else
RECS Workshop: Friday 8 September, 1.30 to 4pm at the Shire Hall. This is a drop in session when the project will be explained together with the preliminary findings, + you will be given an opportunity to add information on the mapping portal https://arcg.is/0KXfCz
Beans Stall: Saturday 9 September, 10 till 1 in the Blestium Street Car Park: The last for this year when, as ever, 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
Tools for Self Reliance Cymru: Saturday 9 September at the Allotments’ Association Coffee Morning, Monmouth Priory, from 10 till 12. Donations of unwanted tools, especially manual sewing machines are welcome
What Future for Fish?: Friday 15 September, 6.45 for 7.30 at St Mary’s Priory Church, Abergavenny: Dr Rory Moore + Dr Alan Terry will discuss the urgent need for marine conservation, the creation of marine reserves, the action needed to allow fish stocks to recover. Find out what is being done to combat overfishing, the destruction of biodiversity, and how you can support the future of our global food security. Free entry. This is part of the Abergavenny Food Festival Fringe, + organised by Just Food – part of Abergavenny Transition Town
Summer Fun Day at Bridges Community Centre: Saturday 16 September, 10 till 3: A day packed with information stands, food, music, games + activities all centred on the theme of wellbeing
Design a Forest Garden/Orchard with Scott Baine: Saturday 16 September, 10 till 4 at the Angus Buchanan Recreation Ground, Coleford. Cost: £10 to £30 – pay what you can afford + a limited number of free places. Book by e-mail to info@therewildproject.com or phone 07811 517096
Transition Monmouth 10th Birthday Party: Saturday 23 September, 6.30 at Monmouth Priory. Please let us know if you are able to help with catering/help on the day. We will reminisce a little, + look to the future with Sam Bosanquet + all the wonderful things being done at Old Lands on the Dingestow Court Estate. Tickets @ £5 in advance from vivienmitchell@yahoo.co.uk
Making Herbal Medicine with Jess Lucas: Sunday 1 October at the Evergreen Hall, Broadwell – see http://herbalways.net/. Cost: £10 to £30 – pay what you can afford + a limited number of free places. Book by e-mail to info@therewildproject.com or phone 07811 517096
Transition Monmouth Coffee Morning: Saturday 7 October, 10 till 12 at Ty Price. Please note the new venue which is the old St Thomas’ Church Hall near the Monnow Bridge, beautifully refurbished. We will be serving Fairtrade tea + coffee, homemade cakes + biscuits, + will have a Swap Shop for seeds, plants + produce. Tools for Self Reliance Cymru will be there with a range of tools – start your Christmas shopping with them! + come to see this lovely new venue
Preserving Fruit + Veg with Anne Harley: Saturday 7 October, 10 till 4 at the Salvation Army, Broadwell. Cost: £10 to £30 – pay what you can afford + a limited number of free places. Book by e-mail to info@therewildproject.com or phone 07811 517096
And, as ever, there are your Local Produce Markets:-
Grosmont – Saturday 9 September – 10 till 2
Usk – Saturday 16 September – 10 till 1
Abergavenny – Thursday 28 September – 9.30 to 2.30
Usk – Saturday 7 October – 10 till 1
Grosmont – Saturday 14 October – 10 till 2
We hope to see you soon, hopefully at the Members’ Meeting next Wednesday, 6 September, + of course at the Flood Prevention Workshop on Friday, 8 September, + our BIRTHDAY PARTY!
Other Transition Treasures are on the website https://transitionmonmouth.org/ (currently being rebuilt) + on the Transition Monmouth Facebook page
Ann Eggleton
Chairman
Transition Monmouth 