Dear Transitioners

COP27 came to a close with pledges and promises similar to those of COP26 but little progress on
limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees. However there was one victory – an agreement to set up a
fund in the next 12 months to provide finance to countries facing the worst climate impacts – a
demand that has been made for 30 years by countries in the global south. It is progress for Global
Justice, but with a long road and many political battles ahead to ensure that this fund is indeed set
up and financed on an equitable basis.
And our year draws to a close – it is our AGM at 7.30pm on Tuesday! – where does the time go?
We will receive reports from our Chair, Bryan Miller, and Treasurer, Claudia Blair – and then we
will be electing officers for the year so – don’t be shy, give it a go – nominations please for:-

Chair
Deputy Chair
Secretary/Admin
Treasurer

The agenda together with notes of the last AGM are below the signature line. This will be followed
by a general meeting, the business being limited to Matters Arising from our November meeting
and Any Other Business. We expect that Angela Jones, well known for her work to save our
rivers, will join us. The zoom link is:

Time: Dec 13, 2022 07:30 PM London
Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85744057287?pwd=QnAxWTQ3eDk1UmRNNnA5dVkweENwZz09

Meeting ID: 857 4405 7287
Passcode: Transition

On a personal note: Last week I was presented with the High Sheriff’s Award for service to the
community. It was very exciting! – but it is all about you, our members, volunteers, supporters
and the community groups that we work with. My grateful thanks to you all for making Transition
Monmouth the amazing success that it is today – which is all the more reason to attend the AGM to
get the full flavour of our achievements during the past year. Bryan has started on his report and
tells me he is impressed!
We have just heard there will be a drop-in session at the Shire Hall on Thursday 15 December
from 2pm to 7pm as part of the consultation on the Revised Local Development Plan. Please
come and meet MCC Officers, see the latest, and have your say. Details are up on our Transition
Monmouth Chat Facebook page, or I can email them to you.
It just leaves it for me to say we hope you have a lovely break over the Christmas period and thrive
in good health, and with much energy, in the coming year!
Vivien Mitchell

AGENDA: Transition Monmouth AGM
7.30 on Tuesday 6 December via Zoom

Join Zoom Meeting

Introductions
Apologies for absence
Note taker
Matters Arising from notes of the last AGM
Chair’s Report for the year
Treasurer’s Report
Election of Officers for the coming year:-
 Chair
 Deputy Chair
 Secretary/Admin
 Treasurer
Close of AGM – followed by a Members’ Meeting

NOTES: Transition Monmouth Annual General Meeting – 23 November 2021 at 7.30pm via Zoom

Present: Bryan Miller, Claudia Blair, Waltraud Engelfield, Vivien Mitchell, Simon Durrant, Clare Catto,
Charles Emes, Barbara Cotterill, Richard Cotterill, Cherry Taylor, Haydn Cullen-Jones
Apologies: Kelly Jackson-Graham, Mary Boase, Beccy McDonald-Lofts, Janine Amos
Note taker: Vivien Mitchell
Chair’s Report:
Bryan Miller briefly described the fantastic year we had despite the restrictions of Covid, taking forward our
amazing Community Fridge, numerous Green Grow projects – working with the ACE Green Spaces Group,
Plastic Free Monmouth, installing a new drinking fountain in Chippenham Park, apple pressing, managing the
Wyesham Community Woodland, and culminating with a high level of involvement with the Climate Future
Festival and an awareness raising event for COP26. Collaboration has been key together with involvement
and dedication from our ever growing band of members. The full report is posted on our website
https://transitionmonmouth.org
Treasurer’s Report:
Claudia Blair reported that we had £23,000 in the Transition Monmouth account but most of this is
earmarked for specific projects, in particular Claypatch Woods and the Monmouth Community Fridge. There
is around £700 in the General Sub-account. The Swap Shop Sub-account has been closed and the monies
transferred to the Green Grow Sub-account.
Election of Officers:
Chair: Deputy Chair, Simon Durrant, called for nominations. Bryan Miller, proposed by Vivien Mitchell, seconded by Barbara Cotterill, was elected unopposed
Deputy Chair: Bryan Miller called for nominations. There were none and it was decided to leave the post
vacant pro tem
Treasurer: Bryan Miller called for nominations. Claudia Blair, proposed by Bryan Miller, seconded by
Charles Emes, was elected unopposed
Admin/Secretary: Bryan Miller called for nominations. Vivien Mitchell, proposed by Bryan Miller,
seconded by Haydn Cullen-Jones was elected unopposed. Waltraud Engelfield and Charles Emes offered to
be note takers
The meeting closed at 8pm and was followed by a Members’ Meeting
. . . . . . . . . .

NOTES: Transition Monmouth Members’ Meeting

8 November 2022 at 7.30 via Zoom

Present: Bryan Miller, Mary Boase, Vivien Mitchell, Haydn Cullen-Jones, Charles Emes, Kelly Jackson-
Graham, Waltraud Englefield, Mike Dunsbee, Steve Garratt, Catherine Fookes, Emma Bryn, Lisa Hicks
Apologies: Charles Boase, Catrin Maby, Janine Amos, Claudia Blair, Beccy MacDonald-Lofts
Note taker: Vivien Mitchell
Notes of the last meeting and matters arising
Local Development Plan: Since our last meeting the following statement has been issued:
Monmouthshire County Council has taken another step forward in developing its proposals for a Replacement Local Development Plan. The Council recently agreed to produce a new growth strategy and has now published those proposals for consideration by the Place Scrutiny Committee on 10 th November 2022. 
The new strategy aims to make provision for up to 2,200 new homes by 2033 in addition to the 3,700 homes already in the pipeline or completed since 2018.  On new site allocations, approximately a third of the new homes will be social housing for rent and another 17% will be affordable housing available at less than market price.  The Plan will also make provision for 6,240 jobs and will be accompanied by an Infrastructure Plan, updated Local Transport Plan and an Economic Development Strategy.
The Council has appraised all the sites which have been offered for development and the new strategy proposes three strategic sites for future housing. These sites will be:
 Abergavenny East – 500 homes together with employment, retail, leisure, education and community uses
 Caldicot East – 925 homes together with employment, retail and leisure uses
 Bayfield Chepstow – 145 homes
Cllr Paul Griffiths, Deputy Leader of Monmouthshire County Council, said: “These sites have been selected because they will add to the sustainability of existing settlements. Residents of these new homes will be well connected to existing town centres, schools and transport facilities. It is my ambition that the homes that are built on these sites will be zero carbon and built to the highest possible standards of design and construction. The Council will work with the Design Commission for Wales, housing developers, and everyone else who can work with us in making these developments the very best places to live – homes that are affordable, well
connected to local facilities and making a positive contribution to our environment. The next two years will be an exciting and creative journey as we ensure that the very best homes are built here in Monmouthshire – homes that will lead the way for every other development in the United Kingdom.”
The new Preferred Strategy will be reported to Council on 1 st December 2022 to seek agreement to commence public consultation. If agreed, this will run from 5 th December 2022 to 30 th January 2023. For more information visit  Latest News – Monmouthshire Mark Hand has provided us with the following update link: Agenda for Place Scrutiny Committee on Thursday, 10th November, 2022, 10.00 am (monmouthshire.gov.uk) (agenda item 7).  The main report and Appendix 2 are possibly the best parts to read.
Orchard Management Plan: Please let us know if you are interested in participating. Bryan will set a
date for a meeting with Helena Ronicle to discuss – action: Bryan
Skenfrith Flood Prevention Plan: Catrin Maby writes: MCC officers plan to set up local meetings to
update communities on a review of the last flood (MCC do a report on each one – available on website), and
plans for alleviation going forward. This will include Skenfrith and Monmouth – they will let me know as soon
as dates fixed. Essential for us to get NRW along at same time of course. We did have a proposed date late
Nov, but it looks like that may not work now.
Mandarin Stone Boundary: Charles Boase has spoken to Alma Small, the Mandarin Stone owner. They
have a planning application in for the car park area and talked about planting trees in tubs. I asked her
about planting a hedge around the site, but although she considered the idea, it sounded as there was quite
a lot for them to do on the site before they got to thinking about the hedge. So still work to do there. I will keep at it. She responded positively to the request for apples from the site and provided cooking apples to
our Fridge.
Monmouth Town Council: Bryan’s presentation on Transition Monmouth to the Full Council meeting on
Monday 24 October went well, with considerable interest from the Councillors. We can, he feels, look
forward to a closer relationship with the Town Council. Vivien did a follow-up email giving further
information on natural flood management and supermarket packaging.
Cost of Living Summit: Catherine Fookes thanked us for attending. Much useful information on local
activities has been summarised in a report which will be used by MCC to determine further actions – in
particular details of the various Warm Places where people can go in the winter months.
Pollution in the Wye and Usk: Martin Sweeney has been in contact with Angela Jones who, as part of
her will known publicity efforts on river pollution, has been funding water quality sampling kits – using these
in citizen science projects and awareness raising work with schools, as well as travelling to schools and
community groups to deliver assemblies and talks, paying for promotional literature, and liaising with media
organisations to raise the profile of the issue. Due to water quality issues, she has been unable to operate
her business, Swim Wild Wye. She is not a constituted group and hence is not eligible to apply for grant
funding. Would Transition help?
Mike Dunsbee praised Angela’s awareness raising activities. His group, Friends of the Lower Wye does little
of this but concentrates on working with the authorities to undertake improvements. He too is not a
constituted group and feels they don’t have the resources to do this, so again, they too would be interested
in Transition helping with their grant applications.
It is clear that the work of both groups is necessary, and yes, pending further discussions, Transition would
be happy to help.
Members were urged to attend the Symposium at Bridges on Friday 25 November with a wide range of
speakers to discuss the issue and the ways forward.
Green Grow/Green Spaces:
Name of the Group: When the two groups, from Transition and ACE respectively, merged, the name of
the new group was chosen as Monmouth Nature Spaces. This has not caught on. It was agreed that the
group be called Green Grow/Green Spaces
Peter Morgan Community Orchard: Much activity:-
 Conveyancing is proceeding, with the solicitors for both sides finally talking to each other
 Mr B, who claims rights over the property, has been arrested for trespass
 We have had notification that 50% of our grant funding from Heritage Lottery has been paid and we
have been given instructions on how to claim the remainder
 An AONB grant for a shelter and bench is being applied for
 We hope to plant the trees in the next couple of months. Emma to find out whether these will come
bare-rooted or in pots
Overmonnow Primary School: No further developments
Osbaston Primary School: Has been working with Size of Wales. An inaugural tree planting will take
place shortly with representatives from ACE and Transition invited
Monmouth Comprehensive School: Following a complaint from on of the neighbours, we have
undertaken to do some planting round the Phoenix Building. Cheryl Cummings has produced a Food for
Birds planting plan. The only viable way is for the MCC Grounds Maintenance team to undertake the work.
The total cost is likely to be around £1,200 for which we have applied to You Decide. We have also been
working on the removal of docks and thistles on the wildflower meadow and further prepping of the tree
nursery area. We look forward to our first tranche of saplings on 19 November.
Plastic Free Monmouth: Beccy (Chair) has been in touch with Steve Garratt with a view to meeting soon.
In the meantime, Beccy has continued to write articles for Living magazine to raise the profile of being more
eco conscious and going plastic free. She is also in early talks with MCC about possible opportunities and
funding support for running PF Business sessions across the county with the aim to cover Monmouth first.
These conversations have been happening as part of other conversations around the motion for Rivers and
Oceans that MCC has declared.
Community Fridge: Currently, the Fridge costs £430 a month, mainly rent and utilities. Costs continue to
rise while donations have fallen off so funding is a problem. Kelly reported that:-
 Monmouth Rotary have been helping out with funding in recent months
 The Fridge has obtained a grant of £1,000 from Neighbourly, the organisation that organises the
M+S collections

Funding of £3,000 has been applied for under the Town Council Community Grants scheme
 A funding application has been submitted to You Decide – members are being urged to vote – the
more votes, the more money
Period products, supplied free of charge by MCC, are being collected from Chepstow this week for
distribution via the Fridge and other channels.
We ran out of Zoom time so the meeting came to an abrupt end. We will be better organised next month!
Date of next meeting: Tuesday 6 December. Post meeting note: We weren’t after all better
organised and the meeting is now scheduled for Tuesday 13 December

Dear Transitioners

Another email, but a brief one. We have two great projects that need funding, and we need your
vote – please!

We have the Community Fridge. An amazing band of volunteers collects food from the
supermarkets each evening, seven days a week – and the following day this food is available from
the Community Fridge at Bridges. It also gets distributed to Monnow Vale, the shelter, and
elsewhere, and is hugely appreciated. This is food that otherwise would go to landfill – about two
tons a month of it! But this costs, mainly rent and utilities – hence the need for funding.

Green Grow is the group that plants trees, hedges, develops wildflower meadows, etc for
biodiversity, pollinators, resilience, and natural flood management. We welcomed the rebuild of
Monmouth Comprehensive School but, inevitably, this resulted in the loss of much habitat so we
have worked on various planting projects – the Kitchen Garden, wildflower meadow, hedges and
have now started on wildflower areas and a ‘Food for Birds’ garden at the Phoenix Building. It all
costs – hence our request for this funding.
We have applied to You Decide and both projects have been selected to go forward to the final
round, but competing with other Monmouth community projects, the amount dependent on the
number of votes we can get – so please vote for the project of your choice at:
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/YouDecideMonmouth

Thank you!
Vivien Mitchell

Dear Transitioners

As I write, it was 15 years to the day when Simon Brown declared that during his year as Chair of Monmouth Partnership Forum he would be ‘setting up something green’.  Little did we envisage the amazing community group that Transition Monmouth has become.  Thank you all for your devotion and hard work in making this happen!

And the latest bit of good news is that we have received funding to develop the new Peter Morgan Community Orchard on a strip of land along the Redbrook Road – whooppee!  The land was donated to us for this purpose but we had to find the funding for all the legal formalities, clearing the site, purchasing appropriate trees etc.  It is full steam ahead now, and we are very happy!  Please let us know if you would like to be involved in this marvellous new project – there will be plenty to do and many hands make light work.

At our last meeting, Mark Hand provided us with an enormous amount of information on the current status of the Local Development Plan and other planning issues.  We are very grateful for this – thank you, Mark!  We await developments with eagerness, and optimism!  If you missed the meeting you might like to watch the recording on https://www.dropbox.com/s/vc3cljy3sjdtdey/TM%20Meeting%20Sept22.mp4?dl=0&fbclid=IwAR1GQ-nuXTR3ZrVkv7wXgGdX36ukF7wYV5AYna-FQoTeejV-tisFN3O4L3M  

Since then we have had a very successful apple pressing event but there’s another one – 10.30 to 1.30pm on Sunday 9 October at the Rockfield Park Community Centre.  Bring your apples or pears, some clean containers, see how it’s done, and go away with your very own freshly pressed juice.  If you need some apples please contact mail@transitionmonmouth.org and we will tell you where there is fruit for picking.

You are encouraged to attend a Cost of Living Summit, 6.30 to 8pm on Monday 10 October at Bridges Community Centre.  Part of Monmouthshire’s Community Action Network, and hosted by GAVO, Monmouthshire Housing, and the MCC Communities Team, this is part of a county effort to ensure that, as a community, we provide the best possible support for each other in these increasingly difficult and dark times. 

Then on Tuesday 11 October, the Community Fridge is holding a celebratory Skittles Night for all the wonderful volunteers that put so much time and effort into this project, and who never meet other members of the team.  Well, there is much to celebrate – since launch just two years ago, over 50 tons of lovely food saved from landfill along with over 6,000 bunches of flowers for use and enjoyment by our community.

To catch up on all the latest and plan for the future, please come to the next Members’ Meeting, 7.30 on Tuesday 4 October.  The agenda plus notes of the September meeting are given below the signature line, and the Zoom link is:-

Topic: Transition Monmouth – October Meeting
Time: Oct 4, 2022 07:30 PM London
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86979354103?pwd=S084RkdLbUNpRVNPSUY1L1dEVE5Sdz09

Meeting ID: 869 7935 4103
Passcode: 955344

We look forward to seeing you soon!

AGENDA:  Transition Monmouth Members’ Meeting

7.30 on Tuesday 4 October via Zoom

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86979354103?pwd=S084RkdLbUNpRVNPSUY1L1dEVE5Sdz09
Meeting ID: 869 7935 4103
Passcode: 955344

Introductions

Apologies for absence

Note taker

Notes of the last meeting (copied below) and matters arising

Cost of Living Summit

Updates:

• Community Fridge
• Redbrook Road new orchard site
• Other Green Spaces

Any other business

Date of next meeting

NOTES:  Transition Monmouth Members’ Meeting

6 September 2022 at 7.30 via Zoom

Present:  Bryan Miller, Mary Boase, Charles Boase, Vivien Mitchell, Charles Emes, Claudia Blair, Martin Sweeney, Alison Ellis, Sian Damon, Rebecca Cunningham, Mark Hand, Catrin Maby, Alison Ellis, Catherine Haynes, Haydn Cullen-Jones, Monmouth Town Council, Dick Cole, David Cummings, Emily Fairman, Laura McCartney

Apologies:  Kelly Jackson-Graham, Waltraud Englefield, Emma Bryn

Note taker:  Vivien Mitchell

Local Development Plan (LDP):  Update by Mark Hand

Submissions to the LDP by developers and the community have been completed;  it is to be emphasised that these are a ‘wish list’ and in no way represent the final contents.  A map including all of the submissions is available in the document for each main town.  The procedure now is:-

Factors affecting decisions:-

• Water quality in the Usk and the Wye:  Much work is being undertaken jointly with various agencies – Welsh Water, NRW, the Environment Agency etc and also across county borders to include particularly Herefordshire and Powys
• The amount of housing required for a (currently) declining population but one with a severe shortage of social housing
• Because of the phosphate problem in the rivers, there is currently a moratorium on house building north of Bigsweir Bridge
• Energy efficiency of housing with work being undertaken with Zero Homes, a preferable design to the Solcer House
• Impact of the Climate Emergency on the LDP must ensure development and growth are in the right place particularly in regard to infrastructure and active travel and public transport

Sites for protection:  We thanked Mark Hand who has throughout been very supportive of our RECS project on Natural Flood Management and has been of great help in our submission of eight sites for protection. 

Under the Transforming Towns Welsh Government regeneration package, a bid has been submitted for ambitious projects in Monmouth to include refurbishment of Monnow Street, an active travel link with Kingswood Gate, a cycle/footbridge across the Wye.

Much information for us to absorb, much work being undertaken by the new County Councillors.  We look forward to developments, and thanked Mark for his time and care.

Updates from our meeting in July:-

Apple Pressing:  Sunday 18 September at St James’ Hall, Wyesham and on Sunday 9 October at the Rockfield Community Centre, both from 10.30 to 1.30 have been booked and volunteers arranged

Orchard Management Plan:  Bryan requested those interested in discussing the Plan written by Helena Ronicle to let him know and he will arrange a meeting

Skenfrith Flood Prevention Plan:  A report in the Beacon said that NRW is planning on building flood defences.  Charles Boase asked whether NFM (natural flood management) measure had been considered.  Action:  Catrin agreed to find out from Ian Chandler

Mandarin Stone boundary:  A large area of trees has been cut down to create a lorry park.  Action:  Charles Boase suggested a hedge round the park would make the area less unsightly and agreed to approach Mandarin Stone about how this could be expedited

Monmouth Town Council:  Bryan will make a presentation to the People and Places Committee on 10 October to bring the activities of Transition Monmouth to their attention

ACE Monmouth:  Meeting at 7pm on Tuesday 13 September at the Priory to finalise their Action Plan to present to the Town Council – all welcome!

Overmonnow Primary School:  Martin reported that the school is keen to undertake more growing projects and he undertook to obtain a Starter Pack from Keep Wales Tidy for them

Community Fridge:  Claudia reported that:-

• they were holding a Skittles Night on 11 October as an opportunity for volunteers to get to meet each other
• they were very pleased to get a visit from Mark Drakeford recently
• funding needed to be applied for to cover the increased costs, particularly energy.  Martin explained about the procedure for applying to Monmouth Town Council

Redbrook Road orchard site:  The funding application was submitted at the end of July and we expect to hear the outcome very shortly

Date of next meeting:  Tuesday 4 October

Dear Transitioners

Welcome back!  We hope you had a good break over the summer, that you enjoyed the sunshine, and that your gardens survived despite the drought.  Now it’s back to some action, starting with …..

Transition Monmouth Members’ Meeting:  Tuesday 6 September at 7.30pm.  We had hoped to take advantage of the last of the warm evenings but unfortunately Covid has intervened and we have reverted to a zoom for our meeting with Mark Hand, MCC Head of Placemaking, Regeneration, Highways and Flooding, to talk to us about the Local Development Plan and the various submissions that have been made for new housing, green spaces, flood mitigation etc – see https://www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/app/uploads/2022/03/Monmouth.pdf and

https://www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/app/uploads/2022/03/Candidate-Sites-for-Protection.pdf.  This is your opportunity to get answers to your questions and concerns on a wide range of planning / development issues.  Details:-

Time: Sep 6, 2022 07:30 PM London
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86514322952?pwd=V1JOOXB2MWtrNk1YeGd2Sk5nNlBtdz09
Meeting ID: 865 1432 2952
Passcode: 157203

ACE Members’ Meeting:  Tuesday 13 September at 7pm at St Mary’s Church, Priory Street to finalise the action plan and discuss the need for a Sustainability Officer to help take forward these actions – all welcome!

Apple Pressing:  Sunday 18 September, 10.30 to 1.30 at St James’ Hall, Wyesham NP25 3JY – bring your apples and pears, and bring clean empty bottles to take away your very own lovely fresh juice.  Help will be at hand!  We will also have a plant sale

Dave Goulson:  22 September, 7.30 at the Savoy Theatre:  Saving Our Insects:  Tickets £10 from https://monmouth-savoy.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873634302

HAPPY 15^th BIRTHDAY TO TRANSITION MONMOUTH! – Monday 26 September.  We are very proud of the mature teenager that you have become and of all the great projects, hard work and dedication of the members

Apple Pressing:  Sunday 9 October, 10.30 to 1.30 at Rockfield Park Community Hall, Cornwallis Way, NP25 5DN to put the last of your produce to good use!

Transition Members’ Meeting:  Tuesday 11 October at 7.30pm – details nearer the time

While we enjoyed a break from meetings over the summer, the work continued, seven days a week, at the Community Fridge where there was much excitement this week with a visit from the First Minister, Mark Drakeford, together with the Leader of the County Council and others.  Their interest, and in the problems we face, was much appreciated.  Benthyg too continued to operate every Friday and Monday, with a steady demand for camping and party equipment, and for the carpet cleaners and garden tools.

We look forward to seeing you all soon!

Vivien Mitchell

Dear Transitioners

Summer seems to be here, and along with it a host of community activities to tempt you out into the fresh air and sunshine – starting with …..

Beictown – an ACE Monmouth event this Sunday 26 June, 10 till 2 – starting with the Vintage Ride at 11am from the Old Monnow Bridge – get out your old tweeds, hats and dresses! – tickets from Honeysuckle Wood on Church Street or online http://bit.ly/Beic22 or on the day.   But also bring along your bikes for repairs, maintenance and security labelling, and bring along the family for there will surely be fun to be had as well as delicious pork baps, real ale, ice cream and then you can make your own smoothie on the Smoothie Bike.  The Monmouth Carnival is on the same day on Chippenham Field – more fun!

ACE Monmouth Meeting:  Tuesday 28 June, 7.30 – zoom details on the ACE Monmouth Facebook page nearer the time – to discuss plans for the coming months including a Sustainable Living Festival on 25 September.  We hope that some of the newly elected Town Councillors will attend

Bee Festival:  Saturday 2 July, 10 till 4:  We will have Open Garden at the Community Kitchen Garden and wildflower meadow outside Monmouth Comprehensive School, The Burgage, NP25 3DP.  The garden is No Dig – digging reduces soil health – and who wants to dig anyway?.  It is dominated by soft fruit together with herbs, seasonal veggies and edible flowers with members providing the seeds and seedlings.  The idea is to have a large variety of produce to demonstrate where our food comes from 

The adjacent wildflower meadow was sown just two years ago.  It is still very young and in a state of development as various species find their niche, other species are removed, and we learn how to manage the meadow during this developmental stage – but it is coming along nicely.  You will see it just before its first cut of the year with a wide variety of wildflowers attracting an even increasing number of insects

There will be an information stall together with plants, books and beautifully refurbished tools from Tools for Self Reliance Cymru for sale

Bee Festival:  Sunday 3 July, 10 till 4:  A huge range of activities – food and drinks too – on Chippy and in the Nelson Garden.  It was brilliant last year and the plan is for an even better event in 2022.  We will be there with our plants, books and tools from Tools for Self Reliance Cymru

Orchard Pruning of the stone fruit trees:  Saturday 9 July, 10 till 12, under the guidance of Helena Ronicle.  Wear appropriate clothing and bring pruners if you have them – but no ladders!

Wye July:  Sunday 10 July, 11 till 3:We will be joining Friends of the Lower Wye with a stand at their event on the green near the Old Monnow Bridge.  Come and celebrate, support the River back to health, meet other Wye based groups and clubs, try citizen science water testing and other activities for the children.  The Samba band procession will start at Agincourt Square at 10.45am

Transition Monmouth Members’ Meeting:  Tuesday 12 July, 7.30pm under the stars at the front of Monmouth Comprehensive School, NP25 3DP – the last before we take a break for the summer to reconvene on Tuesday, 6 September when we will be joined by Mark Hand, MCC Head of Placemaking, Regeneration, Highways and Flooding, to talk to us about the Local Development Plan and the various submissions that have been made, including our own.  Bring something to sit on;  we might provide some sustenance …..

In the meantime – Monmouth Town Council is seeking members of the community to put themselves forward as Town Councillors.  There are five vacancies (but you don’t have to live in the Ward you represent).  Applications by 1 July to the Town Clerk – details on the Town Council website (see Elections 2022) and on our Facebook pages.  Please consider standing and in this way influencing decisions in an environmentally caring way

And a last plea – we need help for Beictown, the Bee Festival and Wye July – please contact mail@transitionmonmouth.org if you are available – and also please bring along any plants you can spare for our plant stall at the Bee Festival

We look forward to seeing you all soon and hope you have a lovely summer break!

Vivien Mitchell