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Our Projects
Like many Transition Groups we have attracted a wide range of people with an equally wide range of skills and interests.  Some people like to come along to meetings and discuss strategy and plans for the future, other people like to get stuck in to practical projects where they can see they are making a difference.  There is room for everyone in the Transition movement.  These are a few of our projects:

The Community Orchard has been planted on an area of ground known as the Millennium Field, between the A40 and the Rivers Wye and Monnow.  Progress was amazingly quick, with first discussions held in April 2009, and the first orchard trees planted in the autumn and winter of that year.   A very enthusiastic group of volunteers is involved, and their hard work and dedication has resulted in a real community asset on an area of land that has been neglected and relatively little used by townspeople.  There are plans to expand the area and to plant shrubby soft fruits such as currants and  gooseberries.  The produce from the orchard will be available to all in the fullness of time.

A Community Woodland Project is in its early days, but shows promise.  We have permission to undertake management of an area of neglected woodland, to demonstrate the value of timber for firewood and perhaps other purposes as well.  We will be learning the skills necessary to manage the woodland and handle tools.

The big green monmouth shopper was one of our first projects, and aimed to reduce the numbers of plastic bags used by shoppers in Monmouth.  They cost  £2.50 and are available from various shops in Monmouth and the Tourist Information Centre.  It is noticeable that plastic bag usage has reduced dramatically over the last two years, and should reduce further now that the WAG is introducing a levy on plastic bags.

Seed, Plant and Produce Exchange, and Tools for Self Reliance.  On the 4th Saturday of every month, we have a seed, plant and produce exchange at The Priory, Monmouth from 10am to 12 noon.  Bring along any surplus plants, produce or seeds which you can either swap, or if you have no surplus, give a donation in exchange for the produce that you'd like to take away.  The Exchange has worked well since the spring of 2010 when we started it.  Tools for Self Reliance also have a table here, where you can buy good quality garden and hand tools which have been refurbished and sharpened to raise funds for sending tools and kits to artisans in Tanzania.  You can also bring along rusty or broken tools to donate to Tools for Self Reliance. 

10:10 campaign.  We are taking part in the 10:10 campaign, to encourage local people to reduce their carbon emissions by 10% in 2010.  (We will obviously be trying to reduce our own emissions at the same time).   We have produced a carbon calculator for people to use to help with their carbon reductions, and prioritise which areas of their life need attention first.  We have also developed a presentation that can be taken to businesses to encourage them to reduce their CO2 emissions, and save money at the same time.  We have recently purchased a set of demonstration renewable energy technologies, that are very useful for explaining how we can get power and heat from the sun and wind to use in our homes.  These had their first outing at a rather damp Monmouth Show on August 26th.  In addition we have now purchased an electric bike  which members can book to use for getting around town, instead of using their cars.  The bike has a range of around 60 miles, so should be suitable for most local journeys.  It will be available for use in the New Year 2011, and more details will be posted here. 

Community Energy Project.  We are working with other groups in Monmouth and the County at large to develop a Community Energy Project for Monmouth.  Details are not yet available as the project is at an early stage, but when they are, they will be posted here.

Abundance Project.  The idea behind this is to collect surplus produce and redistribute it to those who need it, or could use it - for example many people have more cooking apples than they can manage in early autumn.  The project aims to prevent wasted produce, when it could be being used.  If you have spare produce and would like a group of volunteers to come and pick and collect it, please get in touch - vivienmitchell@yahoo.co.uk  in the first instance.

Forthcoming events

 

Contact details:Get involved  by emailing Vivien Mitchell vivienmitchell@yahoo.co.uk or phoning 01600 715065 or meeting us at an open event. Come Along!

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