Newsletter - Winter 2009-10
Contents of this edition:
Abergavenny Fairtrade Forum - The Big Swap
Abergavenny Fairtrade Forum is celebrating Fairtrade Fortnight from 22nd Feb to 7th March with a programme of events in the town. The Forum will be taking the BIG SWAP message to coffee mornings, stalls and public meetings and story readings. The aim is to register One Million and One Swaps to Fairtrade products across the UK - for example swapping your usual bananas for Fairtrade bananas when you go shopping. For more information visit www.thebigswap.org.uk and look at the www.fairtrade.org.uk for general information.
The latest figures of worldwide sales put the value of fairtrade products at £1.6 billion pa. These products are available through the 4,500 fairtrade registered products carrying the logo. This consumer preference is currently assisting 7 million producers in 58 countries. The more SWAPS we make in Fairtrade Fortrnight the more people will be helped. This is consumer power having a direct effect on making a difference and we can all play our part to make trading fair.
Details of the Abergavenny Forum Programme from katrinagass@yahoo.co.uk or 01873 855760, or click here for details.
Fairtrade Events elsewhere in Monmouthshire:
Monmouth - Fairtrade Coffee Morning Sat 6th March Priory 10am to 12.30 (wide range of Fairtrade products for sale)
Bryn y Cwm Community Forum is working
In 2003 Monmouthshire County Council initiated area forums to help make its services more ‘customer focused’. The forums were to be independently chaired and consist of representatives of local organisations. Since then each part of the county has developed its own version of the forum, or none at all. Forums are primarily an opportunity to engage with the council and other organisations, exchanging information, seeking action, and responding to consultation, preferably with consensus opinion. They may also initiate projects themselves or help others to do so.
Bryn y Cwm, the Abergavenny area of the county, has a successful forum engaged in a wide variety of issues, usually working closely with the council, but sometimes questioning council policy – an independent spirit that has led some to question the support being given by the council. Fortunately more enlightened councillors recognise the value of participative democracy and constructive partnerships are being formed.
Environmental matters and sustainability have been to the fore since the beginning of the forum. Sub groups prepared reports on their priorities for transport, energy and waste management. There is now a productive joint working group with councillors on transport, and engagement in several ways with the council and others on micro-renewables and energy conservation. The forum’s support for kerbside recycling has been unsuccessful, but other proposals for dealing with waste are being pursued. More allotments are another forum objective. The forum is very happy for other local organisations to follow up its aims, but likes to keep abreast of overall progress, perhaps intervening where barriers to progress are met.
The main conflict between the forum and the council has been about the future of Abergavenny’s cattle market site. Favouring a sympathetic mixed development on the site and willing to compromise on the elements of the scheme, the forum has been increasingly disappointed by the council’s approach, which seems to be moving in the opposite direction.
Participation in the work of such forums can be rewarding, especially in terms of influencing council members and officers. If you want to know more about the Bryn y Cwm Community Forum contact Tom James at the council’s Abergavenny One Stop Shop. The forum’s web site will be on line shortly – watch GreenWeb’s Bulletin Board for details.
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Usk Civic Society: The end of an era
Our President, Lord Raglan (second from right), sadly died on 24th January 2010. He had been associated with the Society for many years. Always a devoted and conscientious President, he was no mere figurehead but gave generously of his time, his unrivalled local knowledge and experience. We also enjoyed the use of his house for many Christmas and summer parties. We shall miss his company and his wise counsel.
John Barrow (on the left of the picture), our Chairman and Secretary, has stood down because of ill health. He has been associated with the Society for some fifteen years and has given tireless and devoted service to our cause. As a planning professional and a former Planning Inspector his expertise has been invaluable, though his contribution went far beyond planning, and he will be sorely missed. We wish him a speedy and complete recovery.
Christmas Party and Annual Environmental Award. On a seasonally cold and frosty evening we held our Christmas party at the Centenary Hall in Usk on Thursday 10th December. Over 40 people enjoyed the evening. In what was sadly his last formal appearance as our President, Lord Raglan presented the Society’s annual Environmental Award to Peter and Helen Morgan for their work in restoring Llancayo Windmill as holiday accommodation. The windmill, always a prominent landmark off the road from Usk to Abergavenny, had been a shell since it caught fire in the 1820s when the gears were left unattended. Back to news index
Seedy Sunday 7th March
Do you always have some of last year’s seeds left over, or do you save seeds from plants that grow well locally? Seedy Sunday could be of interest to you. Monmouthshire’s first ever Seedy Sunday will take place on March 7th at Trinity Church Hall, Baker Street, Abergavenny 2pm to 5pm. What is a Seedy Sunday then? It is a seed swap event plus a lot more! People who don't have seeds to swap can still get them in return for a donation to charity. Plants can also be swapped. These events occur quite widely in Britain; Machynlleth and Hove are well known ones that have been going for years.
As well as the seed and plant exchange, other activities will be available including making recycled paper pots for children. Abergavenny Climate Action will be launched on the day as well, and this new group is already very active in and around Abergavenny. There will be other information stalls and activities available on the day. If you want to help, have skills to offer, or would like a stall at the event, please contact Richard Lewis as soon as possible on 01873 854662.
Transition Monmouth 10:10 campaign
TransitionMonmouth launched their 10:10 campaign on 01.01.10 at 1 o’clock. In support of the campaign David Davies MP said this was too important an issue for party politics to intervene. The Mayor of Monmouth, Cllr Ann Were, also spoke in support. The event was well attended and highly visual and included an eight foot long black footprint, posters, chocolate footprint biscuits, and was toasted with mulled wine and spicy apple juice. It was filmed by MonTV and photographed by the Beacon.
The campaign is gaining momentum. Football clubs and universities, schools and hospitals, local authorities, Tate Modern, the Environment Agency, Microsoft, 10 Downing Street and a host of celebrities have already signed up. The Welsh Assembly Government joined the signatories late last year and since then Monmouthshire County Council and the Local Service Board have too.
Monmouth 10:10 has held meetings at Monmouth primary schools for local people to come along and find out what they can do to save money and reduce their carbon emissions. The prolonged wintry conditions in January contributed to a poor turnout, and the group is considering how best to progress the campaign.
Anyone in Monmouth wanting to work with others to reduce their carbon footprint and save money on their fuel bills may still join the campaign as the group will continue to meet regularly to compare notes on their own household carbon reduction measures and learn from one another. Special Transition Monmouth carbon calculators are available at the One Stop Shop or through TransitionMonmouth, and they include tips on reducing fuel use together with a format for calculating your current carbon emissions.
Mixed Funding Fortunes for Local Groups
The Brecon Beacons National Park led Green Valleys Project jointly won the top prize in the NESTA Big Green Challenge. The £300,000 prize pot will ensure that more small scale hydro-power schemes will now go ahead and the aim of making the Park carbon neutral by 2025 is achievable. The Big Green Challenge was a year-long experiment to test whether a Challenge prize could be used to unlock the power of communities to respond to climate change. During the project 10 small scale hydro-power schemes were installed and a further 50 sites were identified as being viable. Other projects included irrigation systems for allotments, household energy audits, woodland management and restoration of damaged peatland habitats. CO2 emissions were reduced by an impressive 20% over the last year by the communities involved.
Meanwhile Transition Chepstow were again disappointed as their funding application in partnership with the County Council failed to make the shortlist for the Low Carbon Communities Challenge. The application was for an exciting and innovative project adding renewable energy to various public buildings in the town, as well as energy saving measures for households and public buildings. and educational projects with schools. There have been many positive things that have emerged from developing the funding application, and all parties are confident that some of the projects proposed can still be taken forward using other funding opportunities.
Woodlands for Learning
I would like to introduce myself, I’m Juliette and I have recently joined the Woodlands for Learning Team with Forestry Commission Wales. I will be delivering free education visits in local woodlands for school groups in the county. Monmouthshire is very fortunate to have some beautiful woodland sites to explore, enjoy and learn about and I am looking forward to working with school groups in the area. A woodland visit can be tailored to meet the specific requirements of a group and all age ranges are catered for. Typical activities or topics include: woodland wildlife, shelter building, natural art, environmental games and seasonal activities. Please contact me if you are interested in arranging a woodland visit or you would like more information:
Juliette Staples - Education Officer for SE Wales Tel: 0300 068 0300. Email: juliette.staples@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
Tree Planting - Usk to Wye
12 months ago a local conference was organised to bring together individuals, landowners and organisations who could contribute to the development of an ambitious landscape-scale campaign in Monmouthshire. Its aim was to link habitats across a large part of Monmouthshire between the Rivers Usk and Wye. Since then, the campaign team led by The Woodland Trust and Gwent Wildlife Trust, but also involving many other partners, has been working to make the campaign happen. At present a funding bid is being considered by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Please note that this event has been postponed (for the second time) due to snow (19/2/10). On Sunday 21st February the first of 7,500 trees will be planted at Wyeswood Common as part of this project. Supporters and friends are invited to come along and help with the planting between 10am and 3pm (last arrival 2pm please). Trees will be supplied, but please bring a spade and wear suitable clothing. Parking is by the Bush Inn at Penallt, or Pentwyn Farm Reserve, with a walk of around a quarter of a mile to the planting site. If you can come, please contact Annette Murray amurray@gwentwildlife.org.
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Monmouthshire Tourism Trails
Monmouthshire County Council has received funding to create 5 new multi-purpose routes throughout Monmouthshire. These routes will be for horse riders, cyclists, walkers and where possible disabled users. The Tourism Trails Project has received its funding through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013 which is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. It is being lead by Monmouthshire County Council in conjunction with adventa. The aim of this project is to encourage sustainable tourism activities in Monmouthshire through the development and construction of these new multipurpose routes, bring revenue to the local economy and to pilot a community volunteer improvement program. So far 5 potential routes have been identified:
The Wye Valley, this route will comprise 2 connecting routes, approximately 33 miles long through the Wye Valley from Fedw Wood nr St Arvans to Penallt. The whole route would be for the more adventurous user as there are some very steep descents and climbs for example around Whitebrook and Penallt. However other sections, for example around Chepstow Park Wood and Maryland, can be used by all users with varying abilities i.e. family groups. This route will mostly be off road using Forestry Commission tracks with only a few short sections of quiet roads connecting them. The route will follow Monmouthshire Council's least restrictive policy with the possibility of having only 2 gates along the whole route, both of which will be easily opened from horseback. Any work needed to improve the surface condition will be carried out by an appointed contractor.
Wentwood Forest, a 6 mile route along forestry tracks which will be able to be used by all from family groups and disabled users to the more experienced. It will also be totally barrier free. Users will be able to extend their route on into the Newport side of the forest if required.
Kingswood and Trothy Valley, this is an existing riding route around farmland at Treowen and Kingswood, which needs to be re-routed and be more defined. This route was set up by Monmouthshire County Council's countryside section some years ago aimed primarily at horse riders. Parts of the original route used sections of bridleways that are very steep, which potentially could be dangerous to any user. The proposed new route is approximately 7 miles through Kingswood and surrounding farmland. As this route passes over farmland there will be a number of gates, but as with the Wye Valley route they will upgraded for ease of use. Surface works are needed in areas and will be improved if this route is successful.
Clytha Park, this route is only in the very early stages of development and we still need to obtain full permission for sections of it. It follows the current permissive route set up by the National Trust who are keen to improve the access to the area and have offered to help set up the route once permission has been obtained from the tenants. This proposed route takes you along the banks of the River Usk, through woodland and farmland around Clytha House and right past Clytha Castle and would be approximately 4 miles long.
Route and project information will be available on the Monmouthshire County Council website: http://www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/countryside and adventa's website http://www.adventa.org.uk/tourism. Each route will be themed and have accompanying leaflets to guide you round along with some innovative interpretation.
and finally .......................... Volunteers Needed! I am also looking for volunteers to help with these routes, so if you would like to get your hands dirty and get involved or would just like further information regarding the project please contact:
Salmon on the Wye, and now also the Monnow
The salmon is an essential barometer of the quality of our rivers, and of our marine environment. The King of Fish also provides an important source of income and challenge for anglers. There is no doubt that there are less salmon in the Wye now than in previous times. The reasons for the decline in salmon stocks are varied and complex, ranging from reduced access to spawning sites due to obstructions such as weirs and log-jams, pollution, acidification, low or high river flows at critical times as well as overfishing. But the main reason for the decline, throughout the North Atlantic area, seems most likely to relate to reduced survival of salmon at sea. The Wye was renowned for its large salmon, and these are particularly at risk because they spend up to 4 years at sea and so are exposed for longer to the marine factors that seem to affect survival.
The salmon is an intriguing fish, with migration a key feature of its life-cycle. The smolts (juvenile fish) migrate downriver to the Atlantic Ocean where they usually spend the next two years or more of their life growing and maturing, before returning to their birth river where they spawn in gravelly reaches and the cycle begins again.
Scientists and researchers have pinpointed a key period during their first year of life in the sea when they seem to be especially vulnerable. Through the 1990s it was noted that the number of salmon returning to our rivers was less than half what it was in the 1970s. It is believed that the problem may well be caused by climate change, with evidence that the Norwegian Sea has warmed considerably, changing the whole ecosystem. Salmon in their first year at sea appear to be struggling to find enough food, and because they are smaller, they are more likely to be taken by predators.
The Environment Agency is actively working with a range of partners to better understand and mitigate the problems that are affecting salmon stocks. They work with landowners, fishery owners and other organisations with an impact on or influence over the aquatic environment.
On the Monnow, salmon and other fish have been unable to reach the spawning grounds for more than 300 years because a high weir at Osbaston has obstructed their route. The development of a hydro-power scheme here in 2009 provided the opportunity for a fish pass to be installed by the Environment Agency, and this has finally and successfully allowed migratory fish through again. It was with great excitement that the first migratory salmon were sighted during the autumn at Kentchurch near Grosmont on the Monnow, some 20 miles above the fish pass.
For more information see www.environment-agency.gov.uk www.nasco.int North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation who work to better understand the life of salmon at sea. www.wyeuskfoundation.org The Wye and Usk Foundation is a charity working closely with fisheries and the Environment Agency to restore and improve our rivers.
News in Brief
**Stop Press** The Tintern Angiddy Project was given approval by County Council Planning Committee to go ahead with its community owned micro-hydro power scheme on 2nd February. The project has been developing for the last 3 years, and involves diverting part of the Angiddy river into a pipe to increase its flow, before returning it to the river lower down. Because the scheme is in the AONB, and the pipe passes under a scheduled monument, it has had to overcome significant hurdles to get to this stage. Numerous scientific, nature conservation and heritage surveys have had to be completed to satisfy planners and nature conservation interests that the development will not damage its beautiful setting. Although the scheme has a long way to go before construction can begin, it will supply enough electricity to power as many as 40 homes when complete, and provide an income for local community projects. It will be the first community-based renewable energy scheme in Monmouthshire. For more information about the scheme visit http://www.tapenergy.org/index.html
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