Dear Transitioners

It is clear that, for the time being while the public mood is with us – thank you David Attenborough! – our energies need to be channelled into a Plastic Free Monmouth.

We attended a meeting of the Town Council’s Environmental Affairs Committee on 5 March when it was decided that the Council’s Litter Group would organise a public meeting + bring all interested parties together. There is so much to be done in engaging the schools, scouts/guides, businesses as well as the public at large – we need a plan for us all to work to together! Last month we published a paper summarising what we knew of the current situation in Monmouth; for the time being we will publish monthly updates – email vivienmitchell@yahoo.co.uk if you would like to go on the mailing list. And, you might like to look at the tool kit on achieving ‘plastic free’ status which has been published by Surfers Against Sewage – https://www.sas.org.uk/plastic-free-community-leaders/.

We will have an update at our Members’ Meeting next week – 7.30 on Tuesday, 20 March at the Robin Hood. ‘Plastic Free + the Future Generations Act’ will be the subject of our discussion evening the following week – 7.30 on Tuesday, 27 March at the Robin Hood.

Yes – Plastic Free Monmouth is on its way, as is Plastic Free Monmouthshire! Initiatives are under way in Chepstow, Abergavenny + Usk, all with the active support of the County Council.

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

La Leche League: Saturday 17 March, 10 till 12 – coffee morning at Ty Price – fundraiser for this breastfeeding support group. The Paint On Me pottery company will be there to amuse the little ones

Members’ Meeting: Tuesday 20 March, 7.30 at the Robin Hood – Plastic Free Monmouth, the Monmouthshire Well-Being Plan, food poverty (an uphill struggle), flood prevention, woodland management (both going brilliantly), Chippy Playground (showing signs of moving!) + anything else you want to talk about!

Community Canteen: Saturday 24 March at Holy Trinity Church Hall, Abergavenny, 7pm; there will be a winter vegetable stew + bread + cheese followed by apple crumble. Proceeds for Rhydyfelin Youth Music. Please book early to avoid disappointment as places are limited – email community-canteen-group-1@googlegroups.com. Also, please consider offering to help with the preparation of the meal; this is sociable + enjoyable, + starts at 3pm

Earth Hour: Saturday 24 March at 8.30pm – what will you do to show solidarity? – ideas + pledges, please – further information: https://www.wwf.org.uk/earthhour. Will you make a promise to do something to protect our planet? – commit at https://www.wwf.org.uk/earthhour?pc=GLB009001

Discussion: Plastic Free Monmouth + the Future Generations Act: Tuesday 27 March, 7.30 at the Robin Hood – discussion led by John Payne. We have done a lot on this in a very short space of time; if you would like a copy of our Plastic Free Monmouth Diary email vivienmitchell@yahoo.co.uk

Transition Monmouth Coffee Morning at Ty Price: Saturday 7 April, 10 to 12 – Fairtrade tea/coffee + homemade cakes, Swap Shop for seeds + plants, Tools for Self Reliance Cymru

Transition South West Gathering: Saturday 7 April, 10 till 4 at Edventure Frome – see https://edventurefrome.org/ for further details

Food Sense Meeting: Wednesday 11 April, 7.30 at Ty Price. This is our food poverty project which attempts to also tackle the problem of waste/excess food – much to do, much for everyone to get involved with – please come!

Spring Greens Environment Fair: Saturday/Sunday, 5/6 May at Court of Noke near Pembridge HR6 9HW – inspiring, enjoyable + healthy solutions to the difficult social, environmental + economic issues which confront us – a family friendly event exploring innovative skills + ideas. Get involved – bring a stall, exhibit, activity or performance – contact info@springgreens.org.uk or call 07777 661252 – more information at https://springgreens.org.uk/

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

Grosmont – Saturday 10 March – 10 till 2 – details on the Grosmont Market Facebook page
Usk – Saturday 17 March – 10 till 1
Abergavenny – Thursday 22 March – 9.30 to 2.30
Usk – Saturday 7 April – 10 till 1
Grosmont – Saturday 14 April – 10 till 2
Usk – Saturday 21 April – 10 till 1

We hope to see you soon, hopefully at the Robin Hood for our Members’ Meeting on Tuesday 20 March, the Discussion Evening on Tuesday 27 March; also Food Sense at Ty Price on Wednesday 11 April!

Ann Eggleton, Chair
Bryan Miller, Deputy Chair