Dear Transitioners
Where do we start? It’s been more hectic than ever since getting back from the summer break.
Let’s start with Food Sense. We have, for months, tried to get into the system of picking up food from the supermarkets that would otherwise go to waste. Now, all of a sudden we are inundated – mainly with bread + other bakery items. It’s easy enough for dented tins to be taken to the Food Bank, but we need to extend our network of groups + organisations that may wish to receive such food + put it to good use. If you can help with pick ups + distribution, please let us know at mail@transitionmonmouth.org or come to the next Food Sense meeting on Wednesday 17 October.
While we’re talking about surplus food in this season of nature’s plenty, we are holding an Apple Juicing event on Saturday 13 October – 11 till 2.30 at St James’ Hall in Wyesham. Ned Heywood from Transition Chepstow has kindly lent us the equipment so bring your apples + pears, + your clean bottles, + make yourselves some lovely juice. The scrattings (is that what you call the stuff left over from the scratter?) are great for your compost heaps so bring a bucket or three! Spare apples going to waste? – please let us know – mail@transitionmonmouth.org – we will come + collect, + we can also arrange to pick for you.
Plastic Free Monmouth is nearly ready to apply to Surfers Against Sewage for official plastic free status. We have all nine schools on board, a load of businesses, + we will be showing the film Albatross at the Savoy Theatre on Sunday 4 November. We have given much input to Monmouth Comprehensive School which is now in its smart new building. They have made huge changes in the plastic free direction + have a series of assemblies planned for the pupils to come up with even more suggestions. Watch this space!
And then there’s Shared Space – an issue dear to our hearts that involves the design of urban spaces to improve the pedestrian experience while sharing with other users – but, the car is not king! We started this by holding a public meeting on 1 May 2007 addressed by Ben Hamilton-Baillie + attended by a host of MCC Officers as well as the public. It’s been a long time in the making, but it’s going to start in February with a makeover of the ‘pinch point’ in Monnow Street followed by major changes to Agincourt Square within a couple of years. We can show you the designs – we will have them at our meeting next Tuesday in the Robin Hood, or contact vivienmitchell@yahoo.co.uk.
Section 106 Monies: Do you have a community space that could benefit? Many of the improvements at Claypatch Woods were funded from this source, as will the new children’s playground on Chippenham Mead. The County Council wants to hear from you. We can supply further details.
We are sorry, but it has to be done – we have to talk about Brexit. October 30 is the last day for responding to the Welsh Government’s consultation on Brexit – our land: Securing the future of Welsh Farming. The document is available at https://beta.gov.wales/consultations + there is a public debate at the Abergavenny Community Centre on Wednesday 17 October starting at 7pm; speakers include Aine Morris – CEO Abergavenny Food Festival, Pamela Mason – co-author of Sustainable Diets, + Huw Evans, Three Pools Farm – https://www.threepools.co.uk/.
Now, here are those dates for your diaries:-
Members’ Meeting: Tuesday 9 October, 7.30 to 9.00 at the Robin Hood to talk about keeping our show on the road, Shared Space, a community pub, Food Sense, Plastic Free Monmouth, Nature Isn’t Neat + …… – then time to talk about whatever is on your mind. Please come!
Climate Change Champions: Wednesday 10 October, 7pm to 9pm at Llanarth Village Hall where you can see how the hall has used solar panels, battery storage + LED lighting to significantly reduce their energy bills. Further details from vivienmitchell@yahoo.co.uk.
Apple Juicing: Saturday 13 October, 11 till 2.30 at St James’ Hall, Wyesham – bring your apples, pears + clean bottles, + a bucket to take away some scrattings for your compost heap
Food Sense: Wednesday 17 October, 7.30 at the Robin Hood – using surplus food, our mission with SHEP, a community cupboard + any other ideas you might have
Brexit – our land: Securing the future of Welsh Farming: Wednesday 17 October, 7pm at the Abergavenny Community Centre: Public debate
Transition Monmouth Coffee Morning: Saturday 20 October, 10 till 12 at Monmouth Priory: Fairtrade refreshments, homemade cakes, sew a bag, tools from Tools for Self Reliance Cymru, + Swap Shop for seeds, plants + produce – bring all that surplus from your gardens, + meet friends old + new!
Swap Shop: Saturday 20 October, 10 till 12 at Monmouth Priory: We have a load of plants + this is a great time of year to get planting so they settle in over the winter months – helibores, tree peonies, grape hyacinths, marjoram, verbena bonariensis, epimedium (excellent ground cover), ajuga reptans, Michaelmas daisies, day lilies, heleniums + more for the great outdoors, + aloe vera + scented geraniums to cleanse the air in your home, + fresh seed for the pollinators
Newent Climate, Energy + Environment Forum: Saturday 20 October, 9.45 to 4 pm at Newent Community School with key speakers (including Dr David Drew MP, Shadow Minister for Environment), discussion groups, workshops, trade + information stands
Nature Isn’t Neat: Monday 29 October, 10 am at Bees For Development: Developing a pollinator policy for Monmouth + awareness raising – further information from vivienmitchell@yahoo.co.uk
Albatross: Film Show: Sunday 4 November, 7 for 7.30 at the Savoy Theatre – a beautiful film with a serious message
Members’ Meeting AGM: Tuesday 13 November, 7.30 to 9.00 at the Robin Hood – more details next month
Plastic Free Monmouth: Tuesday 20 November, 7.30 at the Robin Hood – more details next month – or keep up to date on the Plastic Free Monmouth Facebook page
And the Local Produce Markets:-
Usk – 1st + 3rd Saturdays – 10 till 1
Abergavenny – 4th Thursday – 9.30 to 2.30
We hope to see you soon!
Ann Eggleton, Chair
Bryan Miller, Deputy Chair
Transition Monmouth 