Month: November 2017

All change ……?

Transition Monmouth

Dear Transitioners

AGM + Next Members’ Meeting – Wednesday 22 November, 7.30 at the Robin Hood

The AGM is your annual chance to oust all the current officers so come, be bold, start a revolution!  Off with their heads!  But seriously, we are delighted at the number of new members over the past year + it would be good to have some new faces leading the pack – new energy, new ideas, new direction.  Please give it some thought!

At the meeting we will also have Sharran Lloyd who heads up the MCC Whole Place Team to discuss with us how community groups such as ours can support Monmouth Town Council to develop a meaningful (+ sustainable) wellbeing plan, ultimately leading to the creation of such plans + policies by the County Council.  All good stuff for us to increase our influence + impact.  Come!

And we will have a collection for the Monmouth Food Bank – details below for current requirements

Food Waste + Excess Produce – + how we could use it to good effect, especially to combat food poverty – Wednesday 29 November, 7.30 at the Robin Hood

We had an excellent meeting last month – a great turnout + loads of ideas + energy.  And yes, we all want to get on + do something but on the other hand we want to add to what is already being done, not replicate.  We need to find out more about what is being done, by whom, for whom + why – so at the next meeting we will be doing just that.   Please join us with your knowledge, views, suggestions – or just come + listen!  Further information from anneggleton@waitrose.com.

In the meantime, here’s a bit more reading on + around the subject:-

Monmouth Food Bank – What they need right now …..

It won’t come as any surprise to you that there has been a huge increase in demand at the Food Bank in the last six months.  So, what do they need right now?

  • The main requirement up to 10 December is for Christmas ‘treats’ – mince pies, fancy biscuits, sweets + small ‘gifts’ such as soap, bubble bath + the like, socks, gloves, small toys.  These are for the Christmas boxes that will be prepared on 11 December
  • There is, of course, an on-going need for staples so all contributions are welcome, + also baby items (formula, nappies, wipes), toiletries + pet foods
  • Because of the increase in demand in the last six months there is a shortage of volunteers.  To become a volunteer you should collect a Volunteering Form from the Baptist Church between 10 + 12 on a Friday – there are various jobs apart from manning the Food Bank on Fridays

The collection points are currently Bridges, Waitrose, Monmouth Library + the Baptist Church.  There will also be special collections at our meeting at the Robin Hood on Wednesday 29 November, at the Christmas Lantern Parade on Friday 8 December (starting at 6pm from the Old Bridge), + at the pub quiz on 13 December at the Queen’s Head.  You can keep up to date on the varying requirements by looking at the Monmouth + District Food Bank Facebook page.

County Council Planning Alerts

You can get these online by registering with the MCC Planning GIS (Geographic Information System).  This emails links to planning applications as soon as they are made.  It is (allegedly) simple to register.  Google ‘MyMaps Monmouthshire’ + follow the links from the MCC Planning Home Page (it’s at the bottom of that page) to the MyMaps page.  If you have any problems contact charles.boase@gmail.com.

Wyeswood Beef

The beef is from the Gwent Wildlife Trust’s herd of Hereford cattle which graze the natural pastures of Pentwyn Farm, Penallt.  Each box contains 10 kg of steaks, joints + mince, vacuum packed + labelled.  Packs of beef burgers are also available – eight for £5.  The meat is organic certified + pasture fed, + is now ready for collection from Pentwyn Farm or Gwent Wildlife Trust in Dingestow.  For orders or enquiries phone 01600 740600 or email info@gwentwildlife.org.

Here’s the diary for the next few weeks:-

Fairtrade Coffee Morning:  Saturday 18 November, 10 till 12 at Monmouth Priory for Fairtrade refreshments, home made biscuits + cakes, + a range of Fairtrade / Fairly Traded goodies to buy as the start to your Christmas shopping.  Come + enjoy with your friends!

Fermenting Foods with Scott Baine:  Saturday 18 November, 10 till 4 at the Yorkley Community Centre:  Learn how to preserve foods through the ancient art of fermentation.  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

Ty Price Networking Meeting:  Wednesday 22 November, 3.30 – 4.45 (refreshments from 3.15) at Ty Price to find out about the numerous activities at the newly refurbished hall but also to share information on how we, the local community, can engage in the development of emergency accommodation, action on food waste/poverty, + the development of a wellbeing plan for the town

Transition Monmouth AGM + Members’ Meeting:   Wednesday 22 November, 7.30:  details above + collection for Food Bank

Community Canteen:  Saturday 2 December at Holy Trinity Church Hall, Abergavenny, 7 for 7.30, to raise money for a defibrillator for the Community Centre.  Please book early to avoid disappointment as places are limited – email community-canteen-group-1@googlegroups.com

As ever, you have your Local Produce Markets:-

Usk – Saturday 18 November – 10 till 1
Abergavenny – Thursday 23 November – 9.30 to 2.30
Usk – Saturday 2 December – 10 till 1
Usk – Saturday 16 December – 10 till 1
Grosmont – Saturday 16 December – 10 till 2 – Christmas Market

But you also have the Monmouth Food Assembly – see what’s on offer + be tempted at https://thefoodassembly.com/en/assemblies/8971

We hope to see you soon, hopefully at the Robin Hood for the AGM + Members’ Meeting on Wednesday 22 November + the Food Poverty/Food Waste Meeting on Wednesday 29 November.

Ann Eggleton
Chair