Dear Transitioners
OK – so COP26 didn’t deliver the bold emissions cuts and supportive finance that we desperately need, the rich nations shirked their responsibility to the planet and to the people who have done the least to cause the climate crisis, and they propose to do more to defend the fossil fuel industry than to defend life on Earth.
But yes – there is a glimmer of hope. The reason that we got what progress we did is because young people, Indigenous leaders, activists and countries on the climate frontline forced concessions, and the world is mobilised in a way never before seen. And it won’t be at the next summit that there will be progress – that happens between summits. Our responses and actions are vital so please come to our next meeting – 7.30 on Tuesday 23 November. Because of the rise in Covid cases the meeting will be via Zoom:-
Transition Monmouth is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting:
Time: Tue Nov 23, 2021 7:30pm – 9:15pm
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84915092507?pwd=WlEwMjdSM2I0c0NCVHdiTjZpcjJZdz09
Meeting ID: 849 1509 2507
Passcode: 223889
| Joining info | Join with Google Meet |
| meet.google.com/hsy-ujbh-vvy |
The meeting will start with a brief AGM – Chair’s report, Treasurer’s report, election of officers – please put your name forward if you would like to take on the role of Chair, Deputy Chair, Treasurer or Admin/Secretary. The agenda for both the AGM and the Members’ Meeting are copied below together with notes of the last Members’ Meeting.
We look forward very much to seeing you next Tuesday – and let us plan a great year of action together!
Vivien Mitchell
transitionmonmouth
creative community action…for life after oil
mail@transitionmonmouth.org
https://transitionmonmouth.org/
Facebook: Transition Monmouth, Transition Monmouth Chat, Wyesham Community Woodland, Plastic Free Monmouth, ACE Monmouth, Apple Pressing Events Monmouthshire, Our Green Spaces Monmouth, Friends of Chippenham Mead, Monmouth Community Fridge
Agenda: Annual General Meeting via Zoom
Tuesday 23 November 2021, 7.30pm – followed by a Members’ Meeting
Introductions
Apologies for absence
Note taker
Chair’s Report for the year: Bryan Miller
Treasurer’s Report: Claudia Blair
Election of officers for the coming year – Chair, Deputy Chair, Treasurer, Admin/Secretary
Any other business
Close of AGM
Agenda: Members’ Meeting
Notes of the last meeting (copied below) and matters arising
COP26 – our reactions and what do we do now?
Benthyg (Library of Things) and the Repair Café
Green Grow/Green Spaces: To be discussed at a meeting on Thursday – here is your invitation:
Monmouthshire Communities is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting:-
Topic: Green Spaces / Green Grow meeting
Time: Nov 25, 2021 07:30 PM
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86192500958?pwd=bHE2Vjg0NVRZQURvRXBUTE1aVHI4dz09
Meeting ID: 861 9250 0958
Passcode: ACE
Any Other Business
Date of Next Meeting
9pm – close of formal meeting – now it’s time to chat ……
Transition Monmouth Members’ Meeting
Tuesday 19 October 2021 at 7.30pm
At the front entrance of Monmouth Comprehensive School
Present: Bryan Miller, Charles Emes, Clare Catto, Mary Boase, Waltraud Engelfield, Vivien Mitchell
Apologies: Kelly Jackson-Graham, Claudia Blair, Sheila Mone, Simon Durrant, Patrick Hannay, Charles Boase, Gerry Ashton, Emma Bryn, Beccy Macdonald-Lofts
Notetaker: Waltraud Engelfield
Climate Future Festival Debrief:-
- Generally good engagement with the public
- Great variety of activities and stalls
- Great networking opportunity between different groups, great to see so many people
- Location of Green Zone: Would Chippy be a better location (like the Bee Festival) and close to the Nelson Garden’s Wellbeing Zone – but have people around town directing passers-by to Chippy. Also a better place for gazebos where pegs can secure them
- Provide better signage and publicity in the run up
- Provide food stalls next year
- Stalls need better weather proofing. We were lucky this year as we were not well prepared for wind and rain
- There is great enthusiasm to repeat the festival to keep the Climate Crisis in everyone’s mind. 18 roles have been identified by the organisers to run the festival next year and initial Zoom meetings are already happening
- Our plant swap/sale made over £40 for the Green Grow group
- There needs to be clarification as to how ACE (a Town Council working group) and Transition Monmouth work together
Marking COP-26:-
- There is a COP-26 procession and vigil in Abergavenny on Saturday 6 November; members were encouraged to participate
- Despite the short time frame we decided to put on an event in Monmouth on Sunday 7 November from 11 to 1 on the grassy area by the Cattle Market car park
- Gazebos proposed for displays by us, ACE Monmouth, Friends of the Lower Wye
- We will ask if the Earthrite presentation with their globe and animal heads could attend
- Vivien to ask Abergavenny if we could borrow their placards
- Bryan and Clare agreed to draft a pamphlet that we could hand out on the day with ideas on how to reduce your carbon footprint
Working with Monmouth School for Boys: The group of boys available on Wednesday afternoons helped rake cuttings at our Community Orchard and enjoyed the experience. It was suggested that they consult with teenagers in town as to what they would like on the old playground area on Chippy. We look forward to discussing further ideas with Sheila Mone.
Community Orchard: We need to discuss a new management plan as the previous one no longer works as the trees have grown so much. The whole of the planted area probable now needs to be mown by MCC, and we should organise a pruning event with Helena Ronicle in the winter months.
Green Grow (TM) / Green Spaces (ACE): Last year we jointly looked at various locations – some new, some previously started by Green Grow. We need a joint meeting to discuss how to proceed with these and also how we should work together in the future. This is quite urgent as the winter months are prime time for further planting.
Wyesham Community Woodland – Claypatch: The group has become active once again. At a hybrid meeting on 11 October working parties were agreed for 17 and 25 October to improve the paths, rebuild benches and other activities in preparation for a Halloween Spooktacular on 31 October – a family friendly event publicized widely on social media and posters. Ash trees on the boundaries are to be felled by MCC. Richard Garner has applied for a chainsaw licence.
Benthyg (The Library of Things): Funded by the Welsh Government’s Circular Economy project, this is ready to go live in Monmouth, Chepstow, Caldicot and Abergavenny in the next few weeks. Benthyg Monmouth is located in the Art Room at Bridges and initially will open just once a week. All items are now on the database. Volunteers are being recruited and trained. It is hoped that a paid coordinator for Benthyg and the Community Fridge can be employed.
Community Fridge: The Fridge is going strong with over 40 volunteers engaged each week. Last year nearly 26 tons of food waste was rescued from landfill and distributed to local residents. Kelly and Claudia presented at the Wyesham WI. Satellite cupboards are planned for Wyesham and other locations. Kate Rees who has undertaken much of the admin is working to reduce her role. To celebrate their first anniversary, a social gathering was held at the home of Ann and Terry Ing. It was also the first time that many of the volunteers had the opportunity to meet each other.
Water Fountains: The water fountain on Chippenham Green is now operational and will be formally opened at the same time as the new children’s playground. The fountain at the Skate Park was officially opened at a Skate Jam last month; the event was very well attended but sadly there was only one girl performing in the demonstration.
Plastic Free Monmouth: Georgie Meadow’s wonderful dress made of discarded plastic was a show stopper at the Climate Future Festival and can be borrowed for future events. Beccy (Chair of PFM) has a monthly slot to write for Living magazine; we look forward to her excellent introductory article being published and will advertise this on social media.
River Pollution: The issue is getting a lot of positive publicity with the Friends of the Lower Wye campaigning tirelessly along with Angela Jones and the angling community. A response together with reports compiled by NRW have been received from David TC Davies MP but the data does not reflect the appalling state of the Wye. No response has been received from the AM, Peter Fox.
Date of next meeting: To be advised
Transition Monmouth 