Dear Transitioners
We hope your Christmas goes as planned – and thereafter you might like something a little different – blow the cobwebs away, get out in the fresh air, get some exercise, and help to improve our environment. A few dates:-
Wednesday 22 December, 9.30am: There is the possibility of a 0.25 acre plot (previously planted as an orchard) being gifted for community use. It runs between Redbrook Road A466 and the Boys’ School playing field in Wyesham. Meet beside the ‘road speed indicator’ for an on-site discussion of the way forward. We would particularly appreciate involvement from anyone with a working knowledge of land transactions
Tuesday 28 December, 10am: Planting whips in Vauxhall Fields to thicken hedgerows and enhance tree cover. Please bring a spade, your enthusiasm, children and dogs. Meet behind Vauxhall House (the yellow house in the middle of Vauxhall Fields (What Three Words: flickers, grins, left). If the weather is too bad or it takes longer than expected, the alternative date is Wednesday 29 December, 10am
Friday 31 December, 11am: Raking the wildflower meadow at Monmouth Comprehensive School: MCC have done a ‘cut and remove’ but there is a lot of vegetation on the ground that needs clearing to expose the soil for new wildflowers to grow so please bring a rake, more enthusiasm and children (probably not a good place for dogs). We will also have wildflowers to plant – ox-eye daisies, marjoram and pilosella – so please bring a trowel, hand fork or spade. Meet at the bike sheds adjacent to the school’s Visitor Car Park on Old Dixton Road
Sunday 2 January, 11am: More raking and more planting of wildflowers – same details as for Friday 31 December. If you would like to come on any other day, please let me know – everyone is welcome, any time
We look forward to seeing many of you!
For the New Year we have much planned – orchard pruning and seed swap events in February (and again later in the year), monthly discussion and awareness raising events, Hustings in April prior to the Town Council and County Council elections in May – with much involvement from the secondary schools as 16-year-olds have a vote for the first time, apple pressings and a second Climate Future Festival in the autumn. There will also be regular Green Grow/Green Spaces working parties as we have over 20 sites around Monmouth where, over the years, we have already undertaken planting and maintenance is needed, or where there are plans for new plantings.
Watch this space – more details nearer the time for each of these happenings.
One last thing: You might like to write a letter of support for a New Planet planning application at Trecastle Wood. You can see the project documents and make a comment by 28 December using the link:
DM/2021/01823 | Change of use from agricultural to One Planet development. | Land At Trecastle Wood Penyclawdd NP25 4BW (monmouthshire.gov.uk). If there is a problem with that link you can search for it using the application reference: DM/2021/01823. The project involves sustainably reducing our carbon footprint and producing low carbon food for the community while increasing biodiversity. Your support would be greatly appreciated.
It just leaves it for me to say that we hope you have a good break over the Christmas period and that we see you all in 2022 when things must surely be better. We have learned a great deal on how to operate despite the restrictions of Covid-19 and we will have much for you to enjoy in the coming year. Above all, take care!
Vivien Mitchell
Transition Monmouth 