May 2026 – Meeting Notes

Transition Monmouth – Members Meeting

1. Introductions / Apologies

Present: Bryan Miller (co-chair), Helena, Ronicle (co-chair), Emma Bryn, Sarah Swann, Jem Jenkins Jones

Apologies: Claudia Blair, Kelly Jackson-Graham, Jed Warman, Sue Parkinson

2. Note Taker

Helena agreed to write up the minutes.

3. Notes of the Last Members’ Meeting and Matters Arising

The notes of the April2026 meeting are available on this website: see below

4. Events Feedback

Friday 24 April – Hustings @ The Priory, 7pm

This was well attended with standing room only at the Priory and no issues of disturbances. Attendees: Ian Chandler (Green), Anthony Hunt (Labour), Matthew Jones (Plaid), Kevin Wilkins (Lib Dems), and David Rowlands (Reform). Processdings were expertly chaired by Hugo Perks.

Transition has run hustings before, but this was the first time this group had been involved. Ideas to take forward for future events:

We need more set up time (especially to get the urns working)

The event should have been longer with possibly a break in the middle.

It was also suggested with the Senedd elections in 4 years’ time we try and run a hustings (or similar) for MSC as all of years 12 & 13 and some of the pupils in year 11 were eligible to vote for the first time.

5. Future Events

Nature Connections

#1 Sunday 26 April –@ Leeping Stocks Nature Reserve, 2–4pm

• 24 attendees, most from U2A. People appeared to enjoy the event, all feedback received was positive.
• Looked at woodland plants, the ideas of climax vegetation and how people have altered woodlands.

#2 Sunday 10 May –@ Just After Dawn Chorus Walk at Two Rivers Meadow Monmouth. 7 – 9am

Lead by Roger Rushton, with 18 attendees, many of whom had never been to the site before and several had not been on the previous walk. Species heard / seen included blackcaps, robin, blue tits, long-tailed tits, sand martins, swifts, cormorant, grey heron, goosander (with chicks), great spotted woodpecker, wren, swan, Canada geese, song thrush & garden warbler.

5. Future Events

Nature Connections

#3 Sunday 14 June –@ Angus Buchanan VC Recreation Ground, Coleford 2 – 4pm

Looking at meadow habitats, ecosystems and food webs. HR to provide Sarah with details

#4 Sunday July –@ Neutral Meadow Site possibly near Trellech to discuss Meadow Management.

Other walks planned: Heathland / pond dipping / bat walk with possible star gazing/ soils & rivers

Balsam Bashing – planned for July – Bryan to ask the WVNL for information on how and why we are doing this. WV to provide a Risk Assessment. Helena can loan tools and warning signs. Emma to liaise with the Boys School for possible volunteers.

6. Project Updates / Actions

Wyesham Community Woods – Management Plan Development

• Helena has completed the first draft and handed to Emma and Bryan for typo’s etc. Once these have been written up the plan will be circulated.

Wyesham Woods Bus Stop

• The council has confirmed it will be refurbished but has not yet given a date.
• Funding exists for panels and glazing. The bottom panels will be replaced with metal (steel) for durability; the top panels will be glass for visibility.
• Action: Emma to photograph, re-measure, and obtain new quotes.

Wyesham Pollinator Patch

Emma enquired as to what plants Helena had donated. Perennial cornflower and yellow loosestrife. Helena also said she had more plants available and some for the green spaces in Wyesham. These can be planted in the autumn.

NEB Film Event

• No progress made.
• The film is being shown at Devauden Festival and Usk are trialing a showing with the aim of a larger event later in the year.
• ACE are keen to show this film.
• Sarah to discuss with ACE

Fridge / Benthyg – Bridges Closure

• No additional information has been received from Bridges.
• Bryan’s workplace has been identified as a possible short-term option. This has now been approved by Alun Thomas (MCC Environmental Health) as a venue – although it will need to be visited again once operational.
• The room has been cleaned but will need painting.
• We have been offered the space rent free but will need to pay for the increase in electricity.
• Claudia is looking into new racking.
• Alun has also OK’d the use of second hand fridges and freezers – Kelly is looking at one.
• Claudia has been in contact about potential council support but the details are not yet to hand.
• Rotary & Monmouth Charity also identified as possible sources of funding.
• Benthyg shelving will fit in the small room (only one length), although they may need to re-evaluate some of the items.

Pollinator Garden – Bus Station

• MTC have been in contact about redesigning this area and the bus station. Jem is trying to organise a meeting to discuss this.
• MTC have promised this will be done in line with MTC’s Pollinator Policy – HR to ask for a copy of this.
• Helena stated that we need to have a session working on the area.

Kitchen Garden – Monmouth Comp School

• The SRB post 16 group have received £200 for Transition Monmouth and £500 form the Monmouth Charity. They are waiting to hear about grant funding from MTC
• They are now working independently on the garden although Helena is prepared to help if needed.

7. Any Other Business

• People, Planet & Pints: Bryan has looked into this and an event is planned for June 2026. Transition to support. We will be advised of date, when available.
• No Mow May – Helena advised that Plantlife are now extending this campaign into “Let it Bloom in June” – agreed to promote this on our social media pages and share with other groups when possible. Helena to send info to Sarah.
• There is a push to add bedding plants/hanging baskets around the town, led by Martin Newall (Councillor MTC) to ‘brighten up’ the high street. More detail is needed, but we were happy to support efforts, within our area of expertise.

8. Plant of the Month – Helena

Helena presented a group of plants this month, known as Yellow composites. This is a group that look very similar to dandelions but contains species such as cats ear, prickly sow thistle, hawkbits and hawkweeds.

9. Date of Next Meeting

Tuesday 9th June 2026, 7:30pm

Venue: Estero (in person). Sarah to advertise on Facebook.

Summary of Actions

• Helena: Circulate draft management plan for Wyesham Community Woods
• Helena: Follow up with Andrew (Comp school) regarding outstanding money.
• Helena: Arrange a tidy-up session at the pollinator garden.
• Helena: Contact MTC re Pollinator garden and pollinator policy.
• Helena: Provide Nature Connections #3 and #4 date confirmation
• Helena: Send details of “Let it Bloom in June” to Sarah.
• Bryan: Send tools/plant donation request for Comp garden.
• Bryan: Locate and retrieve display board from the farm for the pollinator garden.
• Bryan: Ask the WVNL for information Balsam bashing and a Risk Assessment
• Bryan: Set date for Balsam bashing
• Bryan: Date for People, Planet & Pint
• Emma: Re-measure Wyesham Woods bus stop and obtain updated quotes for panel artwork.
• Sarah: Contact ACE re NEB film event.
• Claudia: Look into finding from NCC for Fridge.
• Kelly / Sarah: Look into other funding for Fridge.
• No Mow May – Helena advised that Plantlife are now extening this campaine into “Let it Bllom in June” – agreed to promote this on our social meadia pages and share with other groups when possible. Helena to send info to Sarah.

April 2026 – Meeting Notes

Transition Monmouth – Members Meeting

14 April 2026 at 7.30pm via Zoom
Present: Bryan Miller, Helena Ronicle, Sarah Swann, Mary Boase, Emma Bryn
Apologies for absence: Claudia Blair, Peter Small, Jem Jenkins Jones, Jonty Pearce, Kelly Jackson-Graham
Note taker: Zoom recording

Events feedback:
• ACE AGM – Thursday 9 April@ Robin Hood – Charles has passed the Chair on to Nicky James. Brendan Sweetman is Treasurer and Jess Long continues as Secretary.
Future events:
• Friday 24 April – Hustings@ Monmouth Priory, 7:15pm – Joint event with Amnesty International. All the main parties have been invited; Conservatives, Greens, Labour, Liberals, Plaid Cymru & Reform. Decision has been taken not to allow the independents to talk due to lack of time. Conservatives are all busy that day. TM to provide refreshments for donations only. Hugo Parks to chair. HR to organise refreshments, BM to bring table cloths / feathers / chip & pin machine and display board. SS to redo info for display board.

• Sunday 26 April – Nature Connections Woodland Walk, Leaping Stocks Nature Reserve 2 – 4pm 21 people booked on, mostly from U3A and a few from Monmouth Comp, dogs are allowed on leads. HR leading and organising. Next event Dawn Chorus walk on Sunday 10 May lead by Roger Rushton. HR to send details to SS for the flyer.

• Sewage Works Visit – Awaiting WW response.
Updates/Actions:
• Wyesham Woods – Emma requested the draft management plan asap. As many of the residents have concerns about the woods. HR promised by end of May.
• Wyesham Bus stop – MCC have money for the glass but not to cover them. BM to find the original quotes for this work.
• Films at the Savoy. Ace are interested in doing this, suggested we pass the issue over to them to run as a joint event.
• Meetings – it was proposed to go back to face-to-face meetings at least for the lighter months. Try Estero as a venue.
• Discussion about People, Planet and Pint events, BM to look into what happened as these were planned for Monmouth in November.
• Fridge relocation – Sarah has arranged a meeting with Environmental Health. No further news from Bridges. Emma has details of the owner of the health food shop if the first option is not available.
• Benthyg relocation: Milking solutions has a suitable empty space.
• Monmouth Leisure Centre is no longer willing to take bread from the Community Fridge, K J-G / SS / CB to look into why.
• Incredible edible garden – the situation was discussed. HR to organise a work party, BM to look for the interpretation board.
• Monmouth Comprehensive Garden – The SRB unit has agreed to take this on. TM have agreed to give them a £200 start up grant. HR to help with an application for a Town Council Community Grant for this and they are applying to The Monmouth Charity. TM to help by asking members if they have spare hand tools / seeds or vegetable plants.
Any Other Business
• TM has been invited to join an Air Quality Information group. BM to join.
• WV Adventurers want to hold an apple pressing in the community orchard.
• Discussion about FB pages and the need to sort permissions. KJ-G and SS to look into this.

Plant of the Month – we had two:

Field wood rush – a small rush found in grasslands including gardens and one of the very first to flower in the spring – stands about 6” tall and once this is in flower its officially spring – there’s no going back!

Ground ivy – a small purple flower, again early flowering, April / May. Very similar to bugle but flowering earlier. Found in woodlands, grasslands and road verges.

Date of Next Meeting – Tue 19th May, Estero Lounge (face-to-face)

It was great to see the #ThreadGroup Board of Directors gathered together for our face-to-face meeting in Vienna, Austria. Missed this #MembersMeeting? Make sure to sign up for the next one in October 2026!

#ThreadGroup #Meeting #IoT #Board

That's a wrap! Another successful #ThreadGroup Members Meeting has come to a close. Thank you to all who joined and participated in the sessions this past week. See you in October!

To learn more about #ThreadGroupMembership, visit https://www.threadgroup.org/thread-group#Membershipbenefits

#MembersMeeting #IoT #Thread

Day 1 of the #ThreadGroup Member Meeting in Vienna was a success! Thank you to our guest speakers, Daniel Moneta, Alban Notin, and Daniel Egger for joining us and sharing your perspectives on #Thread and the #IoT industry.

#MembersMeeting #SmartHome #SmartBuilding

One week left until our Spring Members Meeting in Vienna, Austria! Haven't had a chance to sign up? It's not too late! Hear more from our Marketing, Technical, and Certification committees while doing a deep dive into the world of IoT! See the link below to learn more about our member benefits.

https://www.threadgroup.org/thread-group#Membershipbenefits

#ThreadGroup #IoT #SmartHome #MembersMeeting

Thread Group is just one month out from our Spring 2026 Members Meeting in Vienna! Have you had the chance to register? Hear more from our Marketing, Technical, and Certififcation committees while doing a deep dive into the world of IoT! See the link below to learn more about our member benefits.

https://www.threadgroup.org/thread-group#Membershipbenefits

#ThreadGroup #IoT #SmartHome #MembersMeeting #TechAlliance

Our AGM will take place 7pm Tue 20th Jan

This will be in-person in Wyesham so please RSVP so we have an idea of numbers.

#AGM #MembersMeeting

November 2025 – Meeting Notes

Transition Monmouth – Members Meeting

18 November 2025 at 7.30pm, 14 Ridgeway and via Zoom

Present:  Claudia Blair, Emma Bryn, Kelly Jackson-Graham, Sarah James (via Zoom), John Payne, Helena Ronicle, Sarah Swann

Introductions

Apologies for absence: John Harris, Bryan Miller, Sue Parkinson, Jonty Pearce

Note taker: Sarah Swann

Events feedback:

• Sat 18 Oct – Planting party @Wye Bridge Street Carpark 10am to Noon – This was the last project with a planting scheme designed by Vivien and Cheryl. 6 people attended with 3 beds planted. Two of the rowan trees have been lost (one due to the dry weather and a second has been vandalised), these will be replaced in the next few months, and Helena has some marjoram (part of the original plan) to be planted in the next few weeks.
• Sat 26 Oct – Open Garden @#11 The Gardens – Noon to 5pm – No one was present at the meeting who had attended.
• Sat 1 Nov – Working Party @St. James Square – 12.30pm onwards – Attended by Bryan.

Future events:

• Sun 30 Nov  – Clearance at the Farm @ Newcourt Farm, HR2 0AN – 10am-2pm – Harts of Monmouth are holding an event to sell off flood damaged stock.
• Planned for Tue 2 Dec – People, Planet and Pint @ Bar 125 – 7pm-8.30pm – This will be a quarterly get-together to talk about climate change, organised by Lisa Hicks from Snoap and Lorraine Allman from Party Without Plastic. TM have agreed to promote the event and to try to attend.
• Tue 23 Dec – Christmas Craft Fayre@ The Priory –TM have been invited to provide tea and coffee for this event. Helena and Sarah agreed to run the café from 10am-noon. Claudia, Emma and Kelly offered to bake. We think ACE have a display board to that could be used for promotion at the event. HR to look into.
• Sat 28 Feb – Seed Swap@ Bridges Centre TBC – Kelly, Claudia and Sarah have agreed to volunteer for the main stand, TM stand and kitchen. There are some seeds left from Waitrose, books for the sale and potentially flowers if available from M&S. There will be a request for volunteers in January to help out and supply plants for the sale.
• Sewage Works Visit – Awaiting WW response.

Updates/Actions:

• Wyesham Woodlands – ongoing
• Woodland bus shelter – a decision needs to be made how much TM is willing to spend so that Emma can feed this back to MCC; from this we can look at how many panels could be covered. Kelly asked if this could be paid for with funds from the Woodland Project. It was thought that panels with pictures of animals and the woodlands by school children (with a strapline), could promote the Wyesham Woodlands as well as brightening up the bus stop.
• Community Orchard – we are still to arrange a date for the winter pruning. Helena will speak to Anthea Dewhurst and Terry Christopher about the re-naming and to update the noticeboard, and Karin Chandler about the Wassailing.
• MTC Sarah James proposal – The Bee Friendly Group on the Town Council have created small patches of wildflowers and have had success in growing many species despite the small area of ground used. They propose to encourage participation with this idea, so that people can get involved, creating their own patches of wildflowers and perhaps plotting the patches on a map so that people might visit them. Monmouth Council and ACE are in support of the idea and a public meeting in January has been proposed. It was suggested that February or March might be a better time within the gardening calendar to engage beginner gardeners. Seeds need to be sourced to be given out. John suggested that his wife may be able to help. Monmouth Meadows, Ecohab Herefordshire and Emorsgate were suggestions also. Helena will provide a link for Sarah J. TM have agreed to support.
• Kitchen garden – Helena has been in touch with MCS and is awaiting a reply.
• Oak Crescent – awaiting a reply.

Any Other Business

• John led discussion around the recent flooding, and the impact of urbanisation and the A40. He suggested looking at detail at the connections between drilling, drainage and landslips and to consider tipping points for the local area from which things could worsen. He highlighted the need to direct people to reliable information and courses and there was discussion around vegetarian and vegan diets. There was discussion about the history of the town, the landscape and trainlines.
• TM Communications – it was raised that there is a need for a shared role in marketing and communication.
• Rebuilding following the recent flooding – Benthyg and the Community Fridge have been affected by the flooding along with the supply chain to the Community Fridge in M&S and Waitrose.

Benthyg – We will catalogue what has been lost, replacing frequently hired items with quality replacements. Those people with items currently on hire have kindly agreed to hold onto them until further notice. The clean-up has begun with dehumidifiers expected tomorrow. Everything will need to be checked and cleaned. A qualified volunteer has also come forward to help with PAT testing.

Community Fridge – All food, and the fridge and freezers have been removed, with one freezer being reused to create a solar garden. Claudia will look into prices for replacements for what was lost. Kelly, Claudia and Sarah have agreed to visit other community fridges to observe different practices and look at possible updates to paperwork going forward. Sarah will contact Environmental Health for guidance on cleaning for food businesses following a flood and will set up a cleaning log. Geraldine at Wyesham Warren is covering surplus food distribution whilst the fridge is out of action and is looking for volunteer support. Kelly will pass the details to the fridge volunteers to contact Geraldine directly. 

• There was discussion on Nature Connections and mindfulness in nature with ideas and suggestions for events such as wildflower walks and a walking tour around Two Rivers Meadow. Helena will contact Lucinda at Wye Valley Natural Landscape (WVNL) regarding community engagement. The importance of increasing awareness of the value of non-obvious flowering species such as grasses, was discussed and the importance of doing a local walk where people can learn to recognise the trees and plants in the places they regularly frequent.

Plant of the Month – No plant of the month this time.

Date of next meeting:

• Tue 16 Dec – AGM @ Local venue (to be decided)

#MembersMeeting

October 2025 – Meeting Notes

Transition Monmouth – Members Meeting

14 October 2025 at 7.30pm via Zoom

Present: Bryan Miller, Helena Ronicle, Emma Bryn, Claudia Blair, Sarah Swann, Rebecca Cunningham, Jem Jenkins-Jones, Kim Kaos, Jonty Pearce & Mary Boase

Introductions

Apologies for absence: Kelly Jackson-Graham

Note taker (& recording): Bryan Miller

Events feedback:

• Sun 14 Sept – ACE Festival @Shire Hall 11am to 4pm – The theme was ‘Make do & mend’ and project volunteers and coordinators promoted The Community Fridge and Benthyg Monmouth. It was felt the poor weather led to low public turnout but good engagement with those who came. It may repeat every other year.
• Sat 27 Sept – TM Plant Sale/Coffee Morning @Priory 10am to Noon – Good turnout for an autumn event and raised around £350 for central funds. Very much a social event and good engagement with visitors – many of which went away with armfuls of books and plants. The two stalls Fairtrade Tools and Tools for Self-Reliance were happy with footfall and seemed continuously busy. New TM branded aprons were used to full effect. We look forward to the spring ‘Seed Swap’ event for the same kind of atmosphere.
• Sun 28 Sept – Wyesham Woods Gathering @Woods Fire Pit 2pm – A successful restart of activities. We had an amazing first session back on Sunday in the woodland, a huge thanks to the 13 adults and 6 kids who carried out lots of tasks around the wood, including: cutting back around the fruit trees, cutting the nettles back and preparing the willow circle for this winter, (when we can hopefully start weaving it together), clearing the pathways of debris, building an awesome den,  a litter pick that got a bit competitive😜 The notice board was re-erected, rotten gate and broken fencing removed, and of course some cake and a social natter.  Next month we are looking at running the usual Halloween event, which relies heavily on help to make it a success – our next woodland get together should be on the 30th November. Helena has written a draft management proposal to Richard for possible future actions.

• Sun 5 Oct – Apple Pressing @Rockfield Community Centre 1:30 – 3:30pm – The turnout (100+) did not disappoint again at this fun family event. There was a bumper crop this year, so no shortage of apples, juice and bottles and we pressed continuously for the whole session and then some. It was tough work, but the volunteers did a marvellous job of keeping everyone happy and moving through the process. Donations were noticeably low (£35) so next year we intend to use better signage ‘Donations Welcome’ and improve layout to encourage more people inside towards the tea & coffee. Need further trugs/sieves/jugs for community pressings and bag for the small press (newly donated). Kim suggested a workbench to secure the small press.
• Fri 10 Oct – Talk – Global Challenges and Solutions’ @Usk Memorial Hall 7pm – A number of us attended this talk which questioned the prevailing doctrine of continuous growth. It looked from an economics perspective and explored wellness, sustainability and finite resources.
• Sat 11 Oct – Nearly New Sale @Bridges Community Centre 1 to 3pm – This sale of pre-loved items saw 121 adults and £1700 in sales, enough to sustain the event biannually and gain momentum from a regular cycle.

 Future events:-

• Sat 18 Oct – Planting party @Wye Bridge Street Carpark 10am to Noon – This was the last project with a planting scheme designed by Vivien and Cheryl, so let’s get out there and add the green touch to the newest car park in town. There are some unloved areas in need of attention, plenty of bindweed removal, along with potted plants to go in the ground. Come along with enthusiasm and appropriate clothing/tools – forks, spades & gloves – to make a visible improvement. We plan to bring hot drinks and some hi-vis vests. There is a plan to replace the two Rowan trees later – one died and one vandalised – and liaise with Community Champions for ongoing maintenance.
• Sat 26 Oct – Open Garden @#11 The Gardens – Noon to 5pm – John Cummings and family are opening the family garden which is testament to Cheryl’s skills in garden design and implementation. All are welcome to come along and remember Cheryl.
• Sat 1 Nov – Working Party @St. James Square – 12:30 onwards – Join the Town Council Amenities Working Group to get the site of the Monmouth War Memorial in top condition ahead of Remembrance Sunday. There is plenty of bindweed and thistle to remove, along with a good tidy needed around the gardens under the renowned Catalpa tree. The planting scheme here also has Cheryl and Vivien to thank.
• Tue 18 Nov – Members Meeting @Online – 7:30 to 9:30pm – This is where we come together and progress our projects and plan future events, always a warm welcome – link.
• Sewage Works Visit – Bryan to get back to Welsh Water with dates now engineering works (Phosphate Stripper) have completed. There was discussion about infrastructure capacity and discharge following rainfall. Friends of the Wye may be collecting data from the locality of the works.

Updates/Actions:-

• Kitchen Garden @Monmouth Comprehensive School – As this project has lost its champion in Vivien, we need to work towards getting an arrangement in place. Helena will approach the school to start this conversation, while Rebecca has offered to maintain it for now, with Penny and offer of support from Sarah. We discussed use by SEN children and fund raising for improvements e.g. water provision (could be a flat roof into water butt) and raised beds.
• Leasbrook Housing & Newton Court bats – Jonty attended the MCC scrutiny meeting and presented his finding on extensive bat activity in the area – 12 species, 893 Greater Horseshoe bats in August alone. This was rejected on the grounds it didn’t cover a full season. This will likely go on to the planning inspector and possibly judicial review.
• Wyesham Woodlands bus stop – this has had a good clean by Emma and Cllr Barrell and she reports MCC are providing the missing panels in painted steel. Bryan to discuss with Chillipepper the possibility of wrapping the panels (6off approx. 1m x 1m) with designs from local students in a woodland theme [TM to pay?].
• Community orchard – We considered renaming as the ‘Vivien Mitchell Community Orchard’ and installing a carved wooden sign or similar. Support for this has come from our local MP and others.
• Air Quality – Jonty has been looking at historical data from the IQAir unit at Dryrbridge Street – finding the average PM2.5 over the last year to be 9.9 ug/m3, which is double the WHO recommended level. People are encouraged to explore the IQAir website and see live data from around the world [currently 94 followers]. The mobile sensor developed by Make Monmouth has gone back to Matt for repairs.

Any Other Business

• Kim discussed the possibility of showing activist films in Monmouth. The Savoy costs £150 for private showing and Kim is considering a river activism film in January.
• The Fridge is about to announce its partnership agreement with MTC, securing the future for the next three years. Emma Drabble has approached the Fridge about developing the Borderlands project and looking for community representation. There is a further offer of making a film about Transition activities like the Fridge.
• A community group have formed to maintain the Osbaston orchard off Lancaster Way and we are happy to support them.
• Benthyg have started meeting as a county-wide group for better communication and problem solving between branches. Monmouthshire is different in that branches are run by volunteers, allowing flexibility in approach.

Plant of the Month – Helena

Stinking bob or herb robert – Geranium robertianum

One of the most common wildflowers in the UK, growing on all soil types It has a long flowering season (early March to October) and is relied on by 9 invertebrates. It smells of cat wee and has a flat flower for ease of access to the pollen.

Date of next meeting:

• Tue 18 Nov – Members Meeting @Online 7:30 to 9:30pm – Chaired by Helena with support from Kelly – link
• AGM – Potentially in person (pub suggested) in December

#MembersMeeting