Newsletter - Spring 2011
Contents of this edition:
Severn Estuary near Caldicot
Forgotten Landscape is forgotten no more
Thanks to funding of £2.47 million the Forgotten Landscapes Partnership has now begun work on ambitious plans to help conserve the precious natural and cultural heritage of the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site. The money was awarded to the scheme by the Heritage Lottery Fund with support from a number of other funders, including the Wales Assembly Government.
The 'Forgotten Landscapes' refer to the land around Blaenavon which was transformed by the industrial development of the area. Once blackened by colliery spoil and dissected by tram roads and railways, the landscape became forgotten as the industries declined. With time nature has re-colonised and a fascinating landscape has developed, rich in both history and wildlife. Through a range of projects, the Forgotten Landscapes Scheme aims to improve public awareness of this important local landscape and encourage more people to get out and enjoy it!
Project ideas were generated by local people through a series of consultations which were led by the Scheme Manager, Steven Rogers. Mr Rogers said "I was overwhelmed by the public's response. So many good ideas came forward and it was a tough call to select the successful ones. With Heritage Lottery Fund support we are now underway and we are looking forward to making a real difference to the heritage landscape. More features will be protected and a network of improved footpaths and information will help visitors enjoy and understand the globally important heritage. Over the next few years we expect to see visitor numbers rise and Forgotten Landscapes will help ensure that the Blaenavon World Heritage Site develops into an internationally recognised heritage attraction."
Projects include:
Management of heather moorland and conservation of the wildlife which lives there. The area supports the most southerly population of Red Grouse in the UK, a population which has been in decline for a number of years. Through Forgotten Landscapes work has already begun to control the spread of invasive bracken, allowing the heather moorland, on which the grouse depend, to recover.
Installation of a hydro-electricity scheme on the Afon Lwywd. Income generated from this will be used to support future projects in the area.
Events, guided walks, school visits and lifelong learning opportunities allowing people to discover more about the landscape, and both its natural and industrial history.
Volunteer Ranger programme provides opportunities to receive training and get involved with practical conservation work such as footpath maintenance, dry stone walling, and wildlife studies.
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Chepstow Fairtrade Forum - Show off your label
Chepstow Fairtrade Forum held a clothing sale as part of Fairtrade Fortnight in March. Chepstow Mayor Marion Lewis opened the event and gave her support and encouragement. The Mayor pointed out that “Many of the everyday things that we use come from third world countries, where wages are low and the working conditions are poor … Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world.”
At the wonderful clothes sale we were able to make over £500 from our customers that evening, which will make a great contribution to the clothes producers. The Mayor pointed out that “This is yet another example of our superb and active community that is our town!”
We can make a difference together, so over to you to maybe make a point to buy SOMETHING Fairtrade in your next shop!
Chepstow has been a Fairtrade town since 2006, and Wales is the world's first recognised Fairtrade country.
Homemakers showroom opening
Welsh Assembly Government Environment, Sustainability and Housing Minister Jane Davidson performed the official opening ceremony at Homemakers new showroom in Abergavenny on 16th March. The new showroom at the old chapel in Union Road West finally provides a permanent home for the charity which collects used furniture from around Monmouthshire and offers it for re-sale. Until now, Homemakers have been renting premises in Abergavenny. Homemakers divert 5-6 Tonnes of bulky furniture and other goods away from landfill every month.
The charity is hoping to expand from its own premises to provide workshop space that will enable it to do more. It has received assistance to purchase the new premises from the Charity Bank, Monmouthshire County Council and the Allen Lane Foundation.
In her speech at the opening of the new showroom Jane Davidson spoke of the importance of re-use in the hierarchy of waste management, especially in the context of Wales' Towards Zero Waste Strategy. Re-use of waste is often overlooked, with recycling receiving more attention, and she pointed out that re-using items is more resource efficient than recycling. Back to top
Sustainable Technology workshops for Abergavenny schools
Sustainable Technology workshops were enjoyed by over 200 pupils from Abergavenny schools in March in conjunction with National Science & Engineering Week.
Mulberry Environmental Studies Centre in Penypound opened its doors to pupils from Cantref, Deri View, and Our Lady & St Michaels Primary Schools, and King Henry VIII Secondary School, and looked at how innovative communication methods can reduce carbon footprint.
There were 8 workshops across the day, delivered in partnership with Cardiff University and Transition Monmouth. Year 10 students from King Henry prepared an environmental impact assessment by video conferencing with industrial representatives from Magnox Ltd & Mendel Biotechnology, whilst years 5 & 6 compared notes on setting up wind turbine models with Pontnewynydd Primary pupils in Pontypool via Skype.
There was also a chance to have a look at food miles, generating electricity via pedal power, and sustainable building techniques including having a go at dry stone walling. Dr Nicola Perkins, Director of Mulberry said "we used social networking platforms such as Twitter & Facebook so the pupils could communicate their findings from the workshops, and everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy the day. These workshops were possible due to a small grant from the Welsh Assembly Government, and we hope this will be the first of many activities at Mulberry for the local community."
Mulberry Centre is expanding the activities available, and providing more services aimed at local children and adults. May 21st will see an Eco Activity Funday for all the family. It's part of Adult Learners Week, so drop in anytime between 11am and 2.30pm to have a go at woodcarving, willow weaving, soap making, jamjar lantern making and much more besides. A barbecue will be an additional incentive to come along.
A Green Hustings was arranged in April by the three Monmouthshire Friends of the Earth groups to see where prospective Assembly Members stood on various green issues. The questions asked were very varied, ranging from the plight of bees, to incineration of waste, nuclear power and culling badgers to fight TB in cattle.
Five of the six Assembly candidates were present – Fiona Cross for Plaid Cymru, currently a County Councillor in Torfaen, Conservative Nick Ramsay who holds the Monmouth Assembly seat, Mark Whitcutt for the Labour Party a Newport City Councillor who has been a teacher and lecturer, Chris Were of Monmouth standing for the Green Party on the regional list and the youngest candidate in the race, and Janet Ellard for the Liberal Democrats who is a former teacher and family carer.
The debate was both lively and interesting, with plenty of interaction between candidates and between the audience and the candidates. It was chaired by Haydn Cullen-Jones of Monmouth Friends of the Earth group.
Plaid Cymru want to see Welsh Assembly powers extended, pointing out that Wales cannot be as green as it would like to be when it is unable to benefit from or make decisions, for example on large power generation schemes above 50 megawatts. All of the candidates are keen to make sure that community groups can benefit from renewable energy installations. The Green Party also advocated the need to use less energy by improving home insulation standards, a view applauded by members of the audience who feel we need to change our way of life, to use less energy and so reduce demand for it. Later a question was asked about the candidates’ views on nuclear power following the disastrous earthquake and tsunami that damaged the Fukushima power plant in Japan. Only the Conservative candidate would not necessarily be against new nuclear, but all three of the other party candidates were opposed to its development on the grounds of safety, waste, efficiency and the relatively small number of jobs it creates.
A question about the inefficiency of producing literature in both English and Welsh was hotly debated, with the Labour candidate arguing that it is necessary to treat this subject with sensitivity as language is so important to Welsh culture. However, there was also a recognition that this can at times be wasteful.
There was a question about the inclusion in the Local Development Plan of a local housing site that is on land at risk of flooding, a subject that has caused considerable anxiety for local people in the Overmonnow and Wonastow area of Monmouth. All of the candidates cited similar proposals elsewhere where flooding had affected new housing, and none were in favour of developing on designated flood plain land, with one candidate expressing the opinion that a longer term view needs to be taken. Nick Ramsay suggested designating ‘blue belt’ land, which would preclude development at such locations.
On a question about incineration of household waste, the Plaid candidate was the only supporter, and then only as a short term measure. All candidates were agreed on the need to do more to tackle waste at its source.
A question about the proposed badger cull to prevent the spread of TB in cattle brought the most widely opposing views. Both the Green and Labour candidates thought the cull unjustified scientifically and that a cull would be cruel – the Green party would prefer to see vaccination. The Plaid candidate was undecided on the issue, but the Conservative and Lib Dem candidates would support it in order to protect farmers’ livelihoods.
All candidates were agreed on the issue of protecting bee populations, and the importance of this. The natural environment element of the Welsh agricultural support mechanism Glas Tir was recognised as important in protecting habitat for bees.
When asked about other issues that had not been covered all the candidates raised transport, with the Lib Dems pledging to support a UK wide bus pass that can be used across national borders, Labour supporting a new Rural Transport Act to protect and improve out of hours transport provision, the Conservative candidate supporting the electrification of rail as far as Swansea and Plaid Cymru pledging to support cycling and improved bus plans.
The hustings meeting was attended by around 50 local voters, and the election took place on 5th May.
Results: Nick Ramsay Conservatives 50.29% (held seat but with 4% swing to Labour) Mark Whitcutt Labour 29.9% Janet Ellard Liberal Democrats 9.79% Fiona Cross Plaid Cymru 7.54% English Democrat candidate 2.48% Turnout was 46.26%. Back to top
Village Hall Photovoltaics and Renewable Heat Incentive
Two village halls in Monmouthshire are now generating their own electricity, and a healthy income in the sunny spring weather, from photovoltaic panels.
Pandy was the first, with a 9.6 kilowatt scheme, costing £30,000. The installation was undertaken by Gwent Energy CIC, which is leading the way in Monmouthshire in encouraging and enabling community groups to install these schemes. More recently St Arvans also switched on its solar array, positioned on the roof of the Memorial Hall. Gwent Energy is inviting other community organisations interested in photovoltaic panels to get in touch - contact Phil Powell to discuss the possibilities for your community group 07506004581. The next installation is likely to be at Bridges Community Centre in Monmouth, where planning permission and listed building consent were recently granted.
In March 2011 the government announced the details of the Renewable Heat Incentive, which, like the Feed in Tariff for renewable electricity generation, pays a bonus to anyone installing solar water heating panels, biomass (wood, straw or other non-carbon fuelled stove or boiler) stoves and ground source heat pumps, as well as making grants available to help with the capital cost of purchasing and installing the equipment. Generation tariffs will be available on top of the grants, index linked and guaranteed for 20 years.
The feed in tariffs do not come from Government funds, but come from energy suppliers' profits. The Feed in Tariff for electricity generation will be reduced by 8% from April 2012, so to gain maximum benefit, it is worthwhile investigating both photovoltaics for electricity generation and the 3 main technologies for generating heat from renewable sources - but do it soon before the tariffs are reduced.
Visit these websites for more details Department for Environment and Climate Change (DECC) and Energy Saving Trust who offer independent advice.
New scheme to help Monmouthshire's Local Wildlife Sites
Monmouthshire County Council has secured funding to set up a new project to help identify and support the management of Local Wildlife Sites in Monmouthshire. This project will build on the success of Gwent Wildlife Trust's grasslands project and the joint work between the Trust and the Council to identify and encourage appropriate management of Local Wildlife Sites. Once established a part time project officer will provide management advice to owners and land managers and there will be a new small grants scheme to support site management. The project will run from late Spring 2011 until the end of 2013 and will also support further survey work to help identify new Local Wildlife Sites. The project is part of the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013, which is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. For more information please contact Gemma Bode at Gwent Wildlife Trust 01600 740600.
A Wildlife Site is an area considered to be of particular conservation value locally and that fulfils certain criteria. For example, a field that qualifies as a Local Wildlife Site must have at least eight well-distributed plant species from an agreed list of 'indicator' species. Woodlands, wetlands, ponds and other habitats all have their own list of species or features, a proportion of which must be represented if the site is to qualify. A site is designated as a Local Wildlife Site with the full knowledge and co-operation of the owner. A panel of experts from the Countryside Council for Wales, Monmouthshire County Council, Gwent Wildlife Trust and Monmouthshire Meadows Group discusses each site and approves its designation or otherwise. Designation has very few if any drawbacks. It may help protect the site from adverse development but does not commit the owner to anything; indeed grants are more likely to be available to help with management if you are an owner of a Local Wildlife Site than a site not so designated.
Try an Electric Bike in Monmouth and Abergavenny
Two groups in Monmouthshire now have electric bikes available to use or to try out. For a hilly county like Monmouthshire electric bikes can reduce or even remove the need to use a car for some journeys, for even unfit or occasional cyclists. They are also great fun to use.
Transition Monmouth purchased an electric bike in September 2010 with a grant from Environment Wales, and it is available for their members to use, with bookings taken by Monmouth Appliance Centre. A nominal charge of £5 per borrow is payable to cover the cost of insurance year on year, which the group hopes will make the e-bike a financially as well as environmentally sustainable option. The Transition Monmouth e-bike is a Life Cycle Alpine Sport, a top of the range model with a range of up to 70 miles. It has a powerful motor and long lasting battery, and both a pedal assist mode (the battery kicks in when the cyclist is pedalling) and a throttle mode (propels the bike up hills without the need to pedal, but uses the battery power more quickly). The bike is heavy to pedal without any assistance from the motor, except on the flat or downhill. One user of the bike has cycled easily from Redbrook by the Wye, up into the Forest of Dean and down the other side to Mitcheldean, and back again with very little effort and no anxiety about flat batteries on the return journey. He said "The bike requires intelligent and foresighted use of the gears and first three modes of use for best progress and range. When conquered it provides real fun and a very economical means of travel." Transition Monmouth usually have the bike available for people to try at the monthly Seed Swop at the Priory, Monmouth on the 4th Saturday of the month. To join Transition Monmouth contact Vivien Mitchell (there is no membership fee), and if you are already a member and want to borrow the bike contact Allan at Monmouth Appliance Centre 01600 772016.
Abergavenny Cycle Group's e-bike is a more recent purchase, and the group is still finalising all the details of how to loan out their bike. The bike is a Wisper, and like the Monmouth bike has a good powerful battery to give it a very useful range of 50 miles plus and sufficient power for hilly terrain. Richard Lewis of the Cycle Group says he took it over the Blorenge from Llanfoist to Blaenavon effortlessly, and back again - and that is one steep hill! The throttle feature enables cyclists to use the power of the battery to pull the bike up hills even when it isn't being ridden. If you are interested in trying the bike, contact Richard Lewis or Ivan Gaston by email.
Chepstow Society News
The number of people attending Chepstow Society meetings at the Drill Hall has continued to grow. The speaker in March was Richard Wheeler giving a talk on "Monmouthshire Rood Screens". He showed many illustrations of screens in the County and the Hereford border comparing them with others from an English background. Many still remain in Monmouthshire.
When local matters were discussed members were concerned at what they saw as a very unsuitable proposal to site a "Food Kiosk" in Bank Street on the open space in front of Lloyds Bank. This is in the heart of the conservation area and could cause noise, litter and disturbance for those living nearby. Neither could they understand the need for a shop and offices at the other end of the Library Arcade when so much empty similar accommodation can already be found in the town. The removal of the recycling bins from the Social Club Car park in Bulwark was also regretted.
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