BULLETIN BOARD

Here members display short items of news, information or opinion. Members wishing to use this page, which will be updated regularly, should contact the GreenWeb Coordinator

GreenWeb exercises editorial control to exclude irrelevant or offensive material and reserves the right to select and shorten submitted material.

Jobs                 Grants                 Other News

GreenWeb also would welcome new committee members.  If you are interested in contributing to the future of the network and can represent one of our member organisations please contact Dick Cole.

Planning Aid Wales is looking for new volunteer members of its Board of Directors.  PAW supports groups and individuals to play a more effective role in the planning system, and is looking for people with expertise in relevant fields.  Contact Neil Harris on 029 2087 6222 or HarrisNR@cardiff.ac.uk.

Grants News
 

Welsh Community Recycling Sector Awarded £3m Fund

WAG has awarded the community recycling sector in Wales £3 million over three years to help build capacity. This will be designed to help Cylch member organisations achieve the investment necessary for them to be sustainable long-term social enterprises.  The fund will be used to provide suitable investment that will help the sector in Wales deliver waste minimisation, reuse, recycling and composting activities. In order to avoid any conflicts of interest the Cylch Capacity Building Fund will be administered independently of Cylch, following selection of a contractor by the end of March. Further details will be announced once an administrator has been approved, with guidelines, eligibility criteria and how to apply available later in the year.

Added 8 Apr 08

Tubney Charitable Trust

It has always been the plan that the Tubney Charitable Trust would seek to spend its endowment by the latter part of this decade. The Trustees have now reconfirmed that intention and have published a timetable for closure. The Trust gives substantial grants to projects that have a significant impact on the biodiversity of the UK and the welfare of farmed animals both in the UK and internationally. From June the Trust will stop accepting applications to open grant programmes and award grants to invited applicants instead. Both capital and revenue costs are supported, but grants are not made towards capital projects unless they are part of a larger project that falls clearly within the aims of the Trust. The absolute application deadline is 2 June 2008. Applications can be made at anytime though, and you should not delay unnecessarily. Further details are available from info@tubney.org.uk.

Added 8 Apr 08

Tackle Flytipping

Keep Wales Tidy is running a pilot WAG scheme that offers up to £5,000 towards dealing with flytipping hotspots.  The grant can help with the costs of tools, clothing, disposal, volunteer expenses, preventative measures, etc.  Contact Pam.Barnes@keepwalestidy.org or 02920 256767.

Added 9 Mar 08

HLF Landscape Partnerships

Heritage Lottery Fund support is available for partnerships of local, regional and national interests, which aim to conserve landscape areas of distinct local character. Priority for support are schemes which provide long-term social, economic and environmental benefits for rural areas.  The scheme is changing in 2008. New application and guidance material will be available from 1 April 2008.

Added 27 Nov 07, amended 20 Apr 08

Playground Partnerships

Playground Partnerships is inviting potential applicants to register an interest in applying to the scheme when the application packs are published in March 2008. The scheme provides awards of between £1,000 and £10,000 to primary schools within the UK so that they can enhance children's play opportunities. Playground Partnerships was launched in 2004 and has supported over 650 primary and special schools. Projects need to: be pupil led; involve the whole school; have an input from the wider school community; encourage high quality teaching and learning across the curriculum; foster the inclusion of pupils with special educational needs. Awards are likely to be of £1,000, £2,000, £5,000 and £10,000. At this stage all that is required is for you to register your interest in receiving an application resource pack when they are published in March 2008.

Added 11 Nov 07

Google Grants for Advertising

The Google Grants UK beta programme supports organisations sharing their philosophy of community service to help the world in areas such as science and technology, education, global public health, the environment, youth advocacy, and the arts. Designed for UK charities which meet their requirements and are registered with the Charity Commission of England and Wales or by the Inland Revenue, Google Grants is a unique free advertising programme. Each organisation choosing to participate in Google Grants receives at least three months of free advertising.

Added 11 Nov 07

Small Changes, Big Differences

Guardian Unlimited, the online version of the newspaper, has launched Small Changes, Big Differences, a bursary scheme to encourage local groups to use small amounts of money to make significant changes to their local environment. £10,000 is available overall, and bursaries can range from £50 to £5,000. The bursaries do not have to be used for charitable purposes. Application is really easy, you simply have to provide your contact details and write up to 400 words about what you would do with the money you need. Ideas do not have to be especially inspiring; the judges are simply looking for ‘small but thoughtful improvements that will make a big difference to you and your community’. Examples cited include: buying devices to place in a community centre’s toilets to save water; putting up hanging baskets; buying solar panels for a school.

Added 3 Oct 07

New WCVA Funding Web Site

WCVA’s sustainable funding team have been busy bugs this summer preparing a new website. Visit now to find practical help and support on achieving long term financial sustainability. Useful information on various funding options, case studies, training and sources of further help – www.sustainablefundingcymru.org.uk.

Added 18 Sept 07

WAG CFAP Programme 2007-11

Small grass roots groups should look at The Community Facilities and Activities Programme (CFAP) (especially Annex F), a capital grant scheme operated by the Welsh Assembly Government. It is open to community and voluntary organisations and provides funding for the provision of facilities  within communities such as village halls, and for activities, including environmental improvement, engaging local people which help promote the regeneration of communities. The programme is for voluntary and community groups and private not-for-profit companies limited by guarantee having a turnover of less than £100,000.

Added 4 Sept 07

Warm Homes Campaign 2007

Every year NEA Cymru runs a campaign to raise awareness of the issue of fuel poverty and solutions to the problem within local communities throughout the month of November. NEA is awarding up to £500 to help promote work to tackle fuel poverty and/or to help local people achieve affordable warmth. If you are a not-for-profit organisation, local authority or other statutory/voluntary agency helping people make their homes warm and healthy you can register for the Warm Homes Campaign Award Scheme 2007 and be in with a chance of receiving the grant award of up to £500. Further details are available from Sarah Fraser, Warm Homes Campaign Co-ordinator on sarah.fraser@nea.org.uk or 0191 261 5677.

Added 7 Aug 07

Biffawards

A £2.4m fund to help protect and rebuild the UK's biodiversity is appealing for applications from environmental groups. Biffaward, managed by the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts, uses landfill tax credits from Biffa Waste Services to support community and biodiversity projects and has given £85m to more than 1,000 projects since 1997. But it says it is not receiving enough applications. Grants of between £5,000 and £50,000 will be awarded. Further details are available from www.biffaward.org where you can check whether your project is in an eligible area.

Added 7 Aug 07

O2 Community Awards

O2 have committed £1m towards a nationwide community improvement programme. The programme has four categories: improving the place communities’ share; helping bring people together; tackling issues and restoring pride and improving the natural environments of communities. The programme is ongoing and it is hoped that 60 awards are given out per month. Applications can be made online at www.itsyourcommunity.co.uk or phone 0800 90 20 250.

Added 26 July 07

Local Transport Services Grant

Each year, local authorities in Wales are allocated extra funds for the provision of additional or new bus or other transport services for local communities. The funding available for the 2007/08 financial year has increased from £9.4 million to £10.4 million. There is a requirement that a proportion of the funding (at least ten per cent) is spent on community transport schemes promoting accessibility and social inclusion. Applications will be made in two instalments; one during summer 2007 and another during spring 2008. Further details are available from Mrs Jane Corbett, Integrated Transport Unit, Welsh Assembly Government, Transport Policy and Administration Division, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NQ. Tel: 029 2082 6505, e-mail Jane.Corbett@Wales.GSI.Gov.UK or visit www.wales.gov.uk.  It would also be a good idea to speak to Simon James at GAVO (01291 672352) if you want to talk about possibilities in Monmouthshire.

Added 17 April 07

People and Places

The Big Lottery's People and Places fund aims to bring people together to make their communities stronger and to improve their rural and urban environments. This programme will support people working together to make their communities better places to live. It will support local and regional projects and projects that work throughout Wales. People and Places can fund projects that achieve one or more of the following programme outcomes: revitalised communities; improved community relations; enhanced local environments and community amenities. This programme is open to the community, voluntary and public sector. Money is available for capital and revenue projects and can be used for the development of communities or communities of interest. Further details are available from http://tinyurl.com/ypkxqs.

Added 27 Mar 07

Small Events Recycling Fund

Cylch have a grant fund available, from Environment Wales, to help small, volunteer led, community based events start recycling. Groups will need to explain the background to their event, what, if anything has happened in the past with recycling at the event and why they wish to recycle at this event this year. Grants of  £1,000 are available. For further details, contact Ruth Llewellyn, Wales Event Recycling Officer, tel 029 2064 9750, email ruth.Llewellyn@cylch.org.uk.

People’s Millions

The People’s Millions competition has announced it will give out even bigger grants in 2007. Grants of up to £100,000 (previously up to £50,000) will be available for projects that help communities enjoy as well as transform their environment. This may be for a range of purposes including buildings, amenities, public and green spaces and the natural environment. Voluntary and community groups, local authorities, schools, health bodies and social enterprises may apply to the competition, which gives local people a real say in funding via phone and text voting. Those undertaking community projects should register their interest via the People’s Millions hotline on 0845 0 10 11 12.

Added 15 Jan 07

Micropower Grants for Buildings

Phase two of the government's Low Carbon Buildings Programme has £50 million in grants over the next 18 months to help fund the installation of micropower technologies such as solar panels, micro wind-turbines and ground source heat pumps on schools, not-for-profit and public sector buildings. See the Phase 2 web site at www.lowcarbonbuildingsphase2.org.uk, although the press release has some useful background.

Added 15 Jan 07

Heritage Lottery Fund - Your Heritage

The Your Heritage programme offers grants of between £5,000 and £50,000 and aims to involve communities in their local heritage. The programme will help to: conserve and enhance our diverse heritage; encourage communities to identify, look after and celebrate their heritage; increase opportunities for learning about heritage; and open up heritage resources and sites to the widest possible audience. Further details are available from the Heritage Lottery Fund, tel 029 2034 3413, email wales@hlf.org.uk or visit www.hlf.org.uk/English/InYourArea/Wales/.

Added 28 Nov 06

It's Your Community

Awards of up to £1,000 are available to local groups and individuals for the hire of tools or equipment, and to purchase plants, paint, signs, materials etc.  All types of environmental projects such as: turning derelict land into an amenity park or wildlife area, tree planting, creating a wildlife pond, renovating neglected river and canal footpaths, providing water butts and recycling facilities in village halls - are welcome to apply, from anywhere in the country. Further information is available from www.conservationfoundation.co.uk/ActLocalAwards.php.

The Steel Charitable Trust

The Steel Charitable Trust is a grant-making trust supporting general charitable purposes. It is the policy of the trustees to make grants to a wide range of charitable bodies. Grants are made to registered charities in the UK within the funding priority areas: health & medical research; social services; environment and culture. Grants are made at the end of January, April, July and October and the total level of grants is £900,000 per annum. Grants are made as single payments between £500 and £25,000.  Further details are available from www.steelcharitabletrust.org.uk.

Added 13 Nov 06

Biodiversity Challenge 2007

GrantScape will be making £2m available through the Biodiversity Challenge Fund 2007, to projects aimed at creating, conserving or enhancing the biodiversity of England and Wales. Applications to the Fund will need to comply with the requirement of the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme, the minimum grant will be £200,000. Further details are available from www.grantscape.org.uk.

Young Roots

The Heritage Lottery Fund's Young Roots programme can provide grants of £5-25,000 to engage young people (13-20) in exploring their heritage.  Projects that bring together a youth sector partner and a heritage partner so that young people learn about and become involved in heritage can bring a sense of pride and self-worth.  Innovative and creative projects, involving young people in the management of the task, helped by partners' expertise, can bring a wide range of benefits for both young people and heritage interests.  Click here for more information or get in touch with Stephen Barlow, Development Officer, Suite 5a, Heritage Lottery Fund, Guildhall Place, Cardiff CF23 8PT - 029 2023 4165 or stephenb@hlf.org.uk.

Added 27 Sept 06

Other News
 

New WAG Transport Strategy

WAG has launched a new Transport Strategy for Wales, claimed to be its first comprehensive transport strategy. though you may find most of the very generalised content pretty familiar.  We must hope to see a regional strategy with more detail soon.

Added 6 May 08

Tidy Wales Week 2008

Tidy  Wales  Week  will  be  taking place from 23 – 29 June and aims at getting  as  many  people as possible to lend a hand. You can organise your own event or join one that is taking place in your locality. To  assist  groups,  Keep  Wales Tidy has produced 1000 FREE clean-up kits.  Sponsored  by  the  Welsh  Assembly  Government.  The kits are available to anybody  who  wants to take part and organise an event as part of the week.  The  kits  will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis and will be distributed in June 2008 - MAKE SURE YOU ORDER YOUR KIT TODAY!!  The  kits contain information on how to organise and carry out a successful clean up plus posters, tabards, promotional items and hints and tips.  Contact tww@keepwalestidy.org. 

Added 2 May 08

E-Democracy

The National Assembly for Wales has set up an e-petition system, enabling the use of petitions online, http://www.assemblywales.org/gethome/e-petitions.htm. This is one of a number of 'enhanced e-democracy services' launched recently, including online forums for Committee Inquiries.

Added 26 Apr 08

'Voices of Abergavenny'

Abergavenny Community Centre Ltd, a community organisation with green objectives, is showing its new film at Mulberry House, Pen y Pound, Abergavenny on Tuesday, 6 May at 7-8 pm and there will be an opportunity to talk about their vision for this charitable company.  Contact Marion Pearse.

Added 26 Apr 08

Dragonfly Recorders Wanted

The National Dragonfly Atlas Project will be launched by the British Dragonfly Society in April 2008.  Dragonfly recorders are being sought to help contribute sightings and records for the new atlas.  Climate change, as
well as other factors, are leading to rapid changes in the range of a number of species, as well as the addition of a number of species to the British fauna.  If you want to get involved, contact the Monmouthshire Dragonfly
Recorder Ian Smith welshdragonflies@aol.com or phone 01600 713561.  Ian is arranging 3 training courses across South Wales between May and August (Magor Marsh 12/13 July) for people interested in starting to record this fascinating group of insects, or to extend their knowledge.

Added 24 Apr 08

Update on Badgers

The Badger Trust is to seek a judicial review of the cross-party WAG decision to make a cull of badgers in part of Wales, possibly Monmouthshire, in its efforts to eradicate bovine TB, which cost taxpayers over £15m last year to compensate farmers for the slaughter of nearly 8,000 cattle.  The Trust and the RSPCA say that the cull contradicts scientific evidence, whereas farming interests support a package of measures including culls.  If you want to express a view, write to Elin Jones, Minister for Rural Affairs at the National Assembly for Wales, Cardiff CF99 1NA.

Added 24 Apr 08

Time to Nominate Volunteers

GAVO, in partnership with the County Council and Rural Community Action, is looking for nominations for their annual Volunteer Achievement Awards.  You can nominate both individuals and groups - the categories are for under 25s, over 25s and community groups.  The closing date is 19 May 2008, and all nominees will be invited to the awards ceremony on 4 June.  Nomination forms can be obtained from Kim Boucher (01291 672352).

Added 20 Apr 08

Sustainability and the Local Development Plan

As part of the LDP process the County Council has to subject the plan to a combined Sustainability Appraisal (SA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).  The first stage of this is to consult on a draft Scoping Report, and you have until 30 May 2008 to make representations.  This report sounds bureaucratic, and much of it is, but it contains a useful introduction to the planning issues facing the county and there is a lot of information in the Appendices about the county .

Added 18 Apr 08

Monmouthshire the Greenest Place to Live in Wales?

Research by online directory locallife shows our county to have more eco-friendly businesses and organic food stores than any other part of Wales - one green business for every 3,625 people.  We are 8th greenest in the UK it seems.  But that's only about 24 businesses in total, whereas GreenWeb's own Green Directory contains about 150 entries.

Added 18 Apr 08

Community Strategy Guidance

Following consultation last year, WAG has now published 'Local Vision', its revised guidance on the preparation of community strategies.  You might like to compare this with Monmouthshire's approach (see 2 Apr and 5 Feb 08 below).

Added 12 Apr 08

Civilised Streets

This new report from CABE (the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment), sets out the opportunities and challenges of new design approaches. It argues that the car still dominates and our streets will only become more civilised places if the needs of pedestrians are prioritised over cars.

Added 12 Apr 08

GloballySusDCymru

Cynnal Cymru - Sustain Wales produces this excellent on-line monthly newsletter originally launched by WAG.  You can access it here.  The April issue includes items on:
●   'Tackling Climate Change Together' - a DVD raising awareness of the implications for Wales and action already taking place
●   A wildlife photography competition
●   St Arvans Zero Waste Village
●   A free sustainability health check for businesses available until June
●   www.liftshare.org
●  The new Climate Change Commission for Wales

Added 12 Apr 08

Monmouthshire E-Factor Event

Members of community groups and school teachers have an opportunity on 25 April (11am - 7pm) at Gilwern Outdoor Education Centre to find out who provides what to educate and raise awareness about environmental issues in Monmouthshire.  Drop in at any time.  Nearly 20 organisations have already booked stall space.  The event is being organised by colettemooney@monmouthshire.gov.uk on behalf of a sub group of Monmouthshire's Environment Partnership Board.

Added 12 Apr 08

MCC's Climate Change and Energy Strategy

Click here to see the County Council's strategy for responding to climate change and the need for much greater energy efficiency.  The council has now got internal groups and community groups working on short term action plans to start to deliver the strategy.

Added 12 Apr 08

Projects Needed for Volunteer Teams

Teams at the Welsh Assembly Government are being encouraged to use one of their away days or team building days to undertake a project, which will benefit the community or the environment.  Do you have an opportunity for a team of volunteers? Teams vary in size from teams of 5 or 6 to task force events from 50 to 100 people! We are always looking for new and innovative ideas to benefit teams and benefit the community or the environment.  Some staff are on the Civil Service Fast Stream or Leadership programmes. They would like to include a community project in their development. This could give teams the opportunity to work on longer term projects, which include planning, consulting with users, designing and delivering a project. If your organisation could benefit from a team to undertake an activity, please get in touch to discuss further.

Please contact Julie Bush on 01685 729297 or Julie.Bush@wales.gsi.gov.uk

Added 8 Apr 08

Community Strategy Consultation

The consultation period on the Community Strategy (see 5 Feb 08 below) has been extended to the end of April.

Added 2 Apr 08

Flora of Monmouthshire

Yesterday's Country and Farming section of the Western Mail contained a lengthy article on Monmouthshire's renowned octogenarian botanical recorder, Trevor Evans.  The Chepstow Society has published Trevor's 641 page 'Flora of Monmouthshire' at £25 inc p&p, available from Trevor at La Cuesta, Mounton Road, Chepstow NP16 5BS.  Eighty fellow enthusiasts were involved in the survey, which found 71 extinctions over the past century and a few newcomers.

Added 2 Apr 08

Environmental Guide

Changing the Way We Work, is a new guide produced by Every Action Counts to help third sector organisations 'green' their offices, save energy and resources, source ethically and travel wisely.

Added 30 Mar 08

Community Networking

Freshties.com is a new website listings service that enables charities and voluntary organisations to advertise for what they need. Individuals, businesses and other charities can browse the website to see which parts of charities’ shopping lists they can meet - from equipment to volunteers. Not-for-profit organisations can join the site for free, and can also contact the website for a voucher code that can be emailed to local businesses and individuals to enable them to join for free as an encouragement to support charity projects.

Added 30 March 08

Local Development Plan Newsletter

MCC has published its first newsletter on the preparation of the new Local Development Plan for the county.  The plan will cover the period up to 2021 and 25 April is the deadline for responding to January's invitation to submit candidate development sites.  A report on Issues and Options will be published for comment later this year.

Added 30 Mar 08

Threat to Bees - Petition

If you are concerned about disease threatening our population of bees, already hitting nearby Europe, you might like to sign a petition (deadline 11 June) calling for preventative research.  Remember that bees play a significant part in the pollination of our crops and wild and garden plants.

Added 21 Mar 08

Collecting Waste for Recycling 

Some environmental groups have been alarmed by news that MCC may change its household waste collection system.  The Council has been recommended to move from the current weekly collection of waste that has been separated into glass, paper, etc by householders to alternate fortnightly collections of unseparated dry recyclables one week and residual waste the following week.  No decisions will be made until after the elections.  The report to the Council’s Select Committee on 4 March can be accessed via here and Monmouth Friends of the Earth’s page on our site has more information.  The latter group urge you to raise this matter with Council election candidates and to write to the Council supporting the present system.

Added 16 Mar 08

Living in Wales Survey

WAG has today published the results of its 2006 Living in Wales survey, which asked 7,500 households about their experiences of public services.  Worth a browse.

Added 5 Mar 08

Supermarkets and Sustainability

With the current flurry of news and debate about plastic bags, the UK Sustainable Development Commission's report 'Green, Healthy and Fair' report is particularly welcome for widening concern beyond this arguably 'token' issue.  The Commission points to the scope for WAG to influence supermarkets' practices such as over-packaging and cheapness at all costs.  Over 70% of our groceries come from four supermarket chains, so their influence is enormous, but they need Government help in defining 'local' food and clarifying the 'local' vs 'fair trade' confusion.  WAG and supermarkets have welcomed the contribution, both pointing to action already being taken.

Added 1 Mar 08

A Renewable Energy Route Map for Wales

Jane Davidson has today launched a consultation on WAG's programme for the way Wales uses and produces energy.  It offers the possibility of Wales being self-sufficient in renewable electricity within 20 years.  Responses are wanted by 13 May 2008.

Added 19 Feb 08

Ecovillages

An application from Grosmont to join GreenWeb has drawn our attention to www.ecovillage.co.uk which is all about promoting rural sustainable community, harnessing village expertise and other resources to a green agenda - for example community supported agriculture (CSA) such as the Grosmont Pig Co-op.

Added 19 Feb 08

Canal Progress

British Waterways is committing £15m to repairing the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal which burst its banks last autumn.  It will reopen in time for the 2009 cruising season - the towpath is open now.  Substantial further investment will be required each winter from 2009 to 2011.

Added 7 Feb 08

Consultation on Community Strategy Review

Monmouthshire's new Local Service Board - a partnership of key stakeholders in the county's future - is consulting on its first thoughts about refreshing the vision and setting new priorities of the 2004 Community Strategy.  At this stage the strategy contains no action plans, but if you want to be part of the consultation process from the beginning click here or contact Matthew Gatehouse (tel: 01633 644397).  This stage ends at the end of April 2008.

Added 5 Feb 08, amended 25 Feb 08 and 2 Apr 08

Severn Barrage - Latest

News that the two-year feasibility study into the Severn Barrage will consider tidal lagoon options may be welcome, but the Wildlife Trust fears that the current Planning Bill may lead to the protection given to internationally important wildlife sites being overridden.  The Trust is concerned that planned national policy statements for topics like energy and transport could take advantage of the 'overriding national interest' loophole in the Habitats Directive.  Morgan Parry of WWF recently pointed out that, if and when built, it would contribute less than 1% of our total energy use, not even meeting one year's increase in demand.  He wants the investment made in energy efficiency and other renewables.

Added 3 Feb 08

Plastic Bag Free?

As we read of cross-party support for moves towards County Council support for a county free of plastic bags, we also learn that the 'Transition Chepstow' community group is working with Monmouthshire Community Recycling and Keep Wales Tidy to develop an environmentally-friendly re-usable Chepstow shopping bag as an alternative to retailers' plastic bags.  The bags will be launched at the Chepstow Festival in July and the group also want to source compostable bags for business use.  Shoppers are increasingly refusing plastic bags as awareness grows of the centuries they take to break down in landfill (and hedgerows) and their effect on wildlife (especially at sea).  Chepstow contact: Marcus Perrin 07944 468052.

Added 26 Jan 08

MCC Transport 'Surgeries'

In a welcome move, MCC are to hold regular surgeries at One Stop Shops where you can discuss matters relating to such topics as traffic calming, works on the highway, highway matters relating to new housing, road traffic regulations, safe routes to school, car parking and road safety.  You can find out more and book a 20 min. appointment by contacting your One Stop Shop: Bryn y Cwm 01873 735800 (we know a surgery there on 7 Jan); Severnside 01291 426400; Lower Wye 01291 635700; Central Mon 01600 775200.

Added 14 Dec 07

Connect2 Cycling Project Wins Vote

Sustrans' Connect2 project, a UK programme of 79 walking and cycling links between communities, has won the competition for £50m of BIG Lottery money with 42% of the vote.  Two of the links are in Monmouthshire - in the lower Wye Valley and at Monmouth.  Sustrans thanks everyone who voted for the project and hope to start work in 2008, once the match funding is in place.

Added 12 Dec 07

Threat to Ancient Salmon Fishery?

The historic art of lave fishing may be threatened by Environment Agency by-laws intended to protect salmon stocks.  The Black Rock Lave Net Salmon Fishing Association can fish only for 90 minutes every other week and are expecting a further cut, and a stipulation that all catches are returned to the Severn, unless their representations succeed.

Added 2 Dec 07

Woodlands for Health and Well-being

The Woodlands for Health and Wellbeing: Why and How  report produced by Coed Lleol is now online. It is aimed at health practitioners interested in involving their client groups in woodland activities. It includes an overview of relevant national wellbeing initiatives, where to find woodland venues and woodland training providers, practical issues such as insurance and health & safety, and case studies of best practice.

Added 27 Nov 07

Bioenergy - More Harm than Good?

'Bioenergy in the UK' , a report supported by Wales Environment Link (the umbrella body for environmental non-governmental organisations), highlights the potential of small scale bioenergy projects but warns of the environmental impact of monoculture.  WEL hope to influence WAG's forthcoming consultative Biomass Energy Strategy.

Added 24 Oct 07

New Recycling Target

WAG Environment Minister Jane Davidson has asked local authorities to consider a target of recycling or composting 70% of household waste by 2025.  This target looks beyond the current target of 40% by 2010.  The initial response of the Welsh Local Government Association was that 70% would be 'massively challenging - even heroically ambitious.'

Added 19 Oct 07

Go Green in a Fortnight

WWF's Pocket Green Guides now include a 14-day plan for going green and helping to save the planet can be downloaded free at www.greenguide.co.uk.  For information on local suppliers of green goods and services go to our own Green Directory.

Added 7 Oct 07

Back to top