There are several events happening in the next few weeks.
Welsh Climate Week: is next week from 11th to 15th November 2024 and there is still a few spaces left on the FREE Climate Fresk workshop at the Estero Lounge in Monmouth on Tuesday 12th November 6-9pm.
If you want to reserve your place or find out more about the Climate Fresk workshop please use the link below:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1036878831497?aff=oddtdtcreator
Tree Planting: Monmouth Town Council will be planting a few fruit trees in the Town Field which is just behind the Rowing Club. This is an opportunity for you to get involved. The proposed dates are between 4 – 6 December and planting will go ahead so if you can help for a few hours on one of those days please email info@acemonmouth.org.
Regenerative and Organic Farming: You are most welcome to come along to the talk by Rob Whittall of Square Farm on Thursday 28th November 2024 from 7-9pm.
These are the minutes of the last open meeting.
Meeting Title: ACE Monmouth Open Meeting
Meeting date and time: 22nd October at 7:30pm
Venue Details: Zoom
Present: Charles Emes, Ann Eggleton, Sarah Read, Clare Catto, Jess Long, Fiona Wilcox, Andy Karran
Apologies: Tom Kirton, Katherine Pitts-Tucker, Cherry Taylor, Nichola James
Agenda and Notes
1. Welcome and apologies for absence
2. Chair’s report
The Interim Report was discussed, which provides a review of ACE’s activities, events and projects since the previous report was produced in April, and their expenditure, as well as upcoming events.
Notable successes were:
- the ‘Monmouth Feast’ event held at Haberdashers’ Monmouth School, which tied in with their Sustainability Conference
- the Regenerative Farming Mentoring Project
Available funding for potential and planned future projects and events was briefly talked about.
A copy of the Chair’s Interim Report along with the treasurer’s report is available here: ACE Interim Report
Actions: Please get in touch if you have any ideas for future ACE projects or events.
3. Regen Farmers Mentoring Update
There is one mentoring session remaining for one of the farms, and soil sampling to test the soil health will be taking place on all three farms on Monday 28th October.
A short video is being created to highlight the project’s achievements so far, and Cherry is currently preparing a final project write up.
Actions: Anyone interested in being involved in activities at Square Farm is encouraged to join the dedicated WhatsApp group – email farmers@acemonmouth.org for details!
4. Energy Advice Talk
ACE was recently contacted by the Severn Wye Energy Agency who expressed an interest in collaborating and providing free energy advice.
A response was sent indicating enthusiasm for the collaboration, offering to advertise the event, hire a venue, and provide necessary equipment such as a screen and projector. December was suggested as a suitable time for the event, but confirmation has not been received yet.
Next Steps: Follow-up communication will be made to chase the agency for feedback, with the potential to partner with Transition to maximise participation.
5. Square Farm Talk
Rob Whittall of Square Farm is giving a talk at Bridges on 28th November on Regenerative and Organic Farming, where he will be sharing his experience of the regenerative agriculture project and future plans for Square Farm. His recent talk at the Monmouth Feast was very well received and so this promises to be an engaging and enjoyable evening!
Action: The event is free, and there’s no need to book – more details are here.
6. Wales Climate Week 11-15th November
Sarah provided an update on the Climate Fresks (an interactive workshop to learn collaboratively about climate change) planned to take place during Wales Climate week. The Tuesday 12th event has six tickets left, while the Thursday 14th event is fully booked. She is seeking additional facilitators to increase capacity, as Estero Lounge can potentially accommodate around 50 participants. Efforts are being made to invite local town and town council and county council members to enhance community engagement and promote Climate Fresks, which could be facilitated in the future. A budget of £100 for snacks and a free drink for attendees at each event was proposed.
Next Steps: Charles will check if the Fresk events can be promoted again in the Town Council’s weekly mailings. Sarah will further promote the events to boost attendance.
Actions: Please do come along to the free Climate Fresk Workshops – more information available here.
7. Biodiversity Audit
Despite numerous calls and emails by Sarah over the past year to various contacts, no responses have been received regarding funding for the biodiversity audit. Following a recent discussion with Andy Karran from Gwent Wildlife Trust, the estimated cost for the audit is approximately £700 for 4 training sessions (3-4 hours each) over April, May and June focusing on different habitats, including birds, woodland, grasslands, and invertebrates, and funds could be provided by ACE, potentially up to £100 with venue hire and catering.
Sarah suggested training 10 volunteers from Monmouth to conduct biodiversity audits, potentially using a local farm that has shown interest in hosting. Locations such as the Two River Meadow and local reserves were also discussed as potential sites.
Clare expressed interest in getting involved and Sarah will add her to the existing WhatsApp group.
Next Steps: Coordinate with interested volunteers and arrange a preliminary session and set some dates with Andy for the training sessions to take place.
Action: If you would like to join the training sessions for the biodiversity audit, please get in touch via email – info@acemonmouth.org
8. Lower Wye Valley Climate Action Network: The first meeting of the Lower Wye Valley Climate Action Network is on Thursday 14th November 6-8 pm, at Llandogo Village Hall. The aim of the network is to bring together groups taking action for climate within the Wye Valley National Landscape and further afield, from both sides of the border in England & Wales, to learn from and support each other. This first meeting will be a chance to find out more about what climate action is already going on, share ideas, and discuss what we would like to get out of the network going forwards. The network is open to any community group, business, council member, or organisation who wants to make a positive difference for climate.
Refreshments and a light dinner will be provided from Forest Deli in Coleford.
Please use the link below to reserve a place and give any dietary requirements: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/wye-valley-area-outstanding-natural-beauty/t-kraremq.
9. Climate Festival
Next year’s Climate Festival was briefly discussed with the potential for combining with Beictown. September was considered as the potential month to hold an event again, taking into account other events in the town schedule.
10. Date of next meeting
Thursday 21st November, via Zoom, 7:30pm.