The Welsh Georgian Trust has launched a campaign to raise £10,000 by 25 August as match funding to enable the purchase and urgent repair of the Gunter Mansion, an ancient building with a secret Catholic chapel on Cross Street, Abergavenny.  If the building can be made sound it is hope that public access and commercial uses can combine to secure the future of this important building.  For more information go to http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/gunter-mansion-and-its-hidden-17th-c-chapel/.

Monmouthshire enjoyed success in both of this year’s Keep Wales Tidy Green Flag awards for parks and green spaces, again picking up three Green Flag awards (Caldicot Castle and Country Park, Castle Meadows at Abergavenny, and Old Station, Tintern) and five first-time Community Awards:

Bailey Park, Crick Woodland, Crucorney Allotments, Goytre Community Garden, and Laurie Jones Community Orchardat Abergavenny

The South East Wales Energy Agency is a registered charity tackling climate change and fuel poverty from our office in Clarence House, Clarence Place, Newport. They currently have funding for a Healthy Homes project and need someone to help deliver outreach activities until the end of December 2016. The job entails seeking opportunities to go to existing group meetings or events to talk to people about saving energy, reducing their energy bills, supplier switching and the grants that are available. The technical side is not too difficult and training will be provided; the important thing is the ability to talk confidently to people. The hours would be 37.5 per week, but they can be flexible and part-time would not be a problem, with the salary being £24,000 p.a. You would require a car as travel would be necessary across Newport, Monmouthshire and Torfaen. Subject to funding the contract could be extended. If you are interested and would like to discuss the job then please call Andrew David on 01633 223120.

Monmouthshire County Council is looking for new members to join the Monmouthshire Local Access Forum.  They need people who care about public rights of way and Monmouthshire’s beautiful countryside – the Local Access Forum provides a platform to share views on the issues people feel are important.  The forum provides advice on the improvement of public access in the county for open-air recreation and enjoyment and it advises and assists with the implementation of the council’s Public Rights of Way Improvement Plan.  E-mail countryside@monmouthshire.gov.uk for more information and application forms can be downloaded from www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/countryside-services/monmouthshire-local-access-forum.  The closing date for applications is 1 September.

The summary for Wales from the recent UK Climate Change Risk Assessment Evidence Report can be read here: https://www.theccc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/UK-CCRA-2017-Wales-National-Summary.pdf. The Future Generations Commissioner has written to all public bodies in Wales: ‘The report requires stronger, more focused action which is needed to protect communities in Wales from the risks of climate change and understanding and planning for these risks will clearly need to be part of your approach to implementing the Well-being of Future Generations Act. You will be required to have due regard to the Climate Change Risk Assessment in terms of the well-being assessments being conducted by Public Services Boards and must consider it in setting well-being objectives.’

In response to Britain’s decision to leave the European Union, WCVA will be hosting a free webinar to examine the implications for the voluntary sector in Wales. The webinar will take place on Wednesday 20 July, 2pm-3pm. The webinar will be hosted by WCVA’s Director of Operations, Innovation and Business Development, Phil Fiander and Third Sector European Team Officer, Jessica Williams. You will have the opportunity to ask questions in advance and throughout the session, please email 3set@wcva.org.uk or tweet using #wcvabrexit. To take part, contact training@wcva.org.uk or 0800 2888 329 by Monday 18 July. Your booking confirmation will give clear guidance on how to access the session.

The revised proposals for the Circuit of Wales at Ebbw Vale anticipates £90m in loans and underwriting from Monmouthshire and Blaenau Gwent Councils, as well as half the cost underwritten by Welsh Government.  But Monmouthshire’s leader, Peter Fox, has made it clear that nothing has been agreed.  A Welsh Government statement is awaited.

Following the Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2016, the Welsh Government is consulting on a number of documents of importance to those interested in the historic environment.  They are available at http://gov.wales/consultations/cultureandsport/proposals-for-secondary-legislation-to-support-the-historic-environment-wales-act-2016/?lang=en and the consultation closes on 3 October.  A related draft Planning technical advice note is at http://gov.wales/consultations/planning/proposed-technical-advice-note-24-the-historic-environment/?lang=en and has the same closing date.

The annual GAVO Volunteer Achievement Awards are now open for nominations from across the four areas of Gwent – Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire & Newport. If you would like to recognise the invaluable work carried out by volunteers in your community and celebrate their achievements then please put forward your nominations. Closing date for nominations: 29 July. For a nomination form and category information follow the link: http://www.gavowales.org.uk/shout-about-it

Monmouthshire and Newport’s Rural Development Plan team are looking for ways by which their 2014-2020 programme can help valued non-statutory services to overcome the risks of public expenditure cuts.  New partnerships and business models may help.  A community toolkit is also being developed with guidelines to enable local activists to create ideas for exploration and testing – the programme will only work if the initiatives and ideas come from the ruralcommunities themselves.  Further information and contacts at www.valeofusk.org.