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Edition 5
Welcome to the Newport Green & Safe Spaces bulletin
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This newsletter is being delivered to you by Natural Resources Wales on behalf of the One Newport partnership.
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As we move into colourful Autumn, I hope you’re all well and you’ve still been able to get out and about a little to spend some time and enjoy nature. I hope to see you at the next network workshop in early 2022 (more detail to follow soon) but here’s a few updates in the meantime which I hope you enjoy reading - a celebration of all the fantastic partnership work and projects which are invaluable to the Green and Safe vision for Newport.
You may also be interested in the most recent quarterly report on how the Green and Safe spaces is progressing (April to July), and the next report is due out soon – you can keep an eye on these here. If you have any info to feed into these do get in touch.
Please don’t hesitate to let me know if you have anything you would like to include in upcoming e-bulletins or get in touch any time. I’m here to help support and promote our Network.
Harriet Bleach, Green and Safe Engagement Officer harriet.bleach@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk
Twitter @harriet_bleach
The Gwent Green Grid Partnership aims to improve and develop our green infrastructure, the network of natural and semi-natural features, green spaces, rivers and lakes that intersperse and connect villages, towns and cities. Green infrastructure has a crucial role to play in addressing nature, climate change and health emergencies.
Monmouthshire County Council leads the partnership, working with Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Newport and Torfaen councils as well as Natural Resources Wales, Forest Research and the Severn Wye Energy Agency. Working together gives the best chance to successfully tackle pressures and threats to the natural environment. A healthy and resilient environment will be better able to provide vital health and well-being benefits for current and future generations.
The partnership is an important part of helping to deliver the South East Wales Area Statement and our Green and Safe spaces aims.
The project will deliver a range of well-being and health benefits for local communities, and aims to make improvements to green spaces, urban and country parks, cycleways, public rights of way, take action to protect and enhance vital habitats for pollinators, and better woodland management. Read more here Gwent Green Grid Partnership - Monlife
Phase three of the active travel network map consultation is now live. This is the full statutory public consultation on the revised draft network prior to submission to Welsh Government for approval in December.
Have your say on Active Travel plans (walking and cycling etc) here Active Travel Network Map Review
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There are many projects happening around Newport, and I would love to hear from you to include them in the upcoming e-bulletins. Here are updates from a few, and I hope you find it energising to see so much going on in Newport!
The Road to Nowhere Nature
The stretch of dual carriageway off the A48 in Coedkernew has seen large scale fly tipping for a number of years, but several agencies have been working in partnership to change that.
Through the hard work, commitment and determination of local residents forming a group called the Friends of the Road to Nature, the clean-up is well underway with the aim to turn the ‘Road to Nowhere’ into the Road to Nature, and to enhance the area for biodiversity and the community. Newport City Council contractors have cleared the large items on the site in an enormous effort and the group enlisted help across Newport and Cardiff for a big community litter pick on 30th October, which saw a fantastic turnout of over 100 people to support the continued clean-up effort. The difference is remarkable - partnership work at its best!
Several partners including Newport Council, Fly Tipping Action Wales (FtAW), Keep Wales Tidy, and Friends of the Road to Nature and others will now focus on keeping the area fly-tipping free and focus on environmental improvements.
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Green Caerleon was set up as a Facebook group in early 2021, with the aim to engage with the community on environmental and sustainability issues and provide a space for sharing tips, advice and information. Abby and Aimee from the group tell us more.
‘‘Green Caerleon has proven to be popular and there are many enthusiastic and knowledgeable people who post on a regular basis. We have also been busy:
- fully supporting 'No Mow May' and mapping out 'Green Spaces' in the village to explore what can be done to improve these spaces
- working with CVP plastics and now have two collection points for stretchy plastics in the village
- talking to local coffee shops about using reusable cups instead of disposable ones and encouraging other people to do the same
A number of other new groups have also sprung up including Pitch in Patrol litter picking group, a Plant and Seed swapping group, a group who are exploring buying a piece of woodland in the village, and a school uniform and fancy dress costume group where people can pass on clothes they no longer need.
It's an exciting time for Green Caerleon and we are very keen to work with others to encourage and support the wider community to live more sustainably. There is so much scope for this group to grow and develop and we are excited to see what the future brings!’’
Check out the Green Caerleon Facebook group or let me know if I can support in putting you in touch to explore how you can work together.
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Stand For Nature - Gwent Wildlife Trust
We hear from Kathy Barclay, Gwent Wildlife Trust, on the exciting work of the Stand For Nature project.
‘‘Stand for Nature Wales is going from strength to strength in Newport. The Wildlife Warriors group is really getting to grips with what we can do to make a difference and take action on climate change. They were busy in half term lending a hand to our friends at Maindee Unlimited creating a rain garden at the Eveswell Community Centre. They got involved in COP26 by taking part in the Global Action Day on 6th November. They are also exploring the idea of creating a climate change garden to show what action we could all take in our gardens.
We have had some fun sessions with various home educated groups in Newport too and they are really motivated to make a difference.
We have made links with BugLife and are excited about their potential pollinator project as well as linking with KidsCare4U Club in Pillgwenlly. Initial discussions have taken place as to how this project could help young people link into the Local Nature Partnership too. We would welcome any ideas you may have on this.
We've met with Youth Engagement officers and are excited to find ways to link this project with their various transition and after school clubs running at the Bettws Centre.
We really want young people to be included in the discussions about their future and can facilitate their learning about climate change actions.’’
Please contact Kathy on krbarclay@gwentwildlife.org if you are interested in linking with this project and sign up for their newsletter here (another one is due soon!)
Woodland Wellbeing with Coed Lleol
Following a successful and popular woodland wellbeing taster session in Ringland woods earlier in the Summer, Coed Lleol ran 6 more Actif Woods sessions. There are now plans to run 6 Actif Woods sessions in Bettws early next year, working with the Newport Council North Hub. Watch this space!
Activities can include Campfire cooking and foraging, Woodland walks, Conservation activities, Woodland crafts, Mindfulness etc. The project helps people to discover new skills and passions, find confidence, exercise, make friends and help to protect our environment. To find out more about Coed Lleol contact Chris here.
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The Gap mini community garden
A small team from Newport based charity The Gap Wales have begun creating mini community gardens in Pill. The charity, which supports refugees and asylum seekers rebuild their lives in Newport, took over an overgrown allotment several years ago which is now flourishing. The gardening team, in partnership with Pobl, have now started clearing and replanting small overgrown areas in Pill.
A team of refugee volunteers, who wanted to give something back to the city which has so warmly welcomed them, met over 2 afternoons in the summer and cleared bags of rubbish and overgrown spiky shrubs from a neglected space in Pill. They replaced them with fragrant and tasty herbs such a mint, oregano, marjoram, chives and rosemary, and also some surplus vegetable plants from their allotment – courgettes, cucumbers, kale and broccoli, for all the local community to enjoy. The group plan to clear and plant other areas like this in the community over the coming months.
Greening forgotten urban areas like this with small community gardens will attract pollinators and support our declining bee population. It provides free locally sourced organic vegetables and herbs, with literally zero food miles, to the community. And hopefully, the colours and smells from the mini garden will bring a little joy into the street as well.
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It’s fantastic to see that Newport now has 6 Green Flag Awards! Well done to all involved, and here are the places with Green Flags below:
- Beechwood Park
- Belle Vue Park
- Gwent Crematorium
- Lysaght Institute Community Garden
- Maindee District
- The Laundry Room, Tredegar House
The Green Flag Awards recognise publicly accessible parks and open spaces for their excellent visitor facilities, high environmental standards, and commitment to delivering great quality green space.
If you are interested in applying for either a Full Green Flag Award or Green Flag Community Award, please contact Lucy Prisk from Keep Wales Tidy. I am also able to help support so please don’t hesitate to get in touch. The closing date each year is 31st January.
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We now have a groundbreaking repair and reuse shop in Newport! RE:MAKE Newport has been created by Repair Cafe Wales and Benthyg Cymru, working in partnership and supported by Newport City Homes, with funding from WCVA.
The aim is to encourage a circular economy where people borrow, rather than buy and to repair, not throw away. The store is a welcoming space for all members of the community to come together to borrow items and share skills.
Library of Things: The library is full of household items that can be borrowed for a really small fee (borrowing costs are kept lower than buying second hand).
Re:Make Newport are always on the lookout for new donations and adding to the inventory so please get in touch if you can help and make a donation!
Repair Café: Regular Repair Cafe sessions will be held by volunteers who will fix your household items for free! If they cannot fix it right there they will still try to diagnose the issue and offer advice.
Workshops / Repair space: Regular workshops will be held to help share skills and expertise amongst the community. The repair space can also be booked by members wanting to make use of the tools for repairs or personal projects.
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The first call of small grants fund applications were able to support four great community projects in Monmouthshire and Newport:
- Caerwent Meadows, Community Wildflower Nursery and Planting Festival
- Greening Maindee, Green Places Explorer Trail
- Newport Youth Justice Service, Twf
- Abergavenny Community Centre, What is growing in the garden?
A second round has taken place for community-based projects which contribute to nature recovery and/or engage with people to increase awareness of the nature emergency.
For more info on the Monmouthshire & Newport Local Nature Partnership click here
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Nature Networks Fund awarded to 3 projects in Newport
29 projects across Wales that help preserve some of our most loved species of animals and
plants are receiving a share of a £7.2million grant fund.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund launched the Nature Networks Fund in March 2021 with the Welsh Government, to give a helping hand to Wales’ protected natural sites and wildlife habitats.
Grants ranging have been awarded to 29 projects tackling climate change and helping nature to thrive, including 3 projects in Newport!
- Former Tredegar Golf Course Biodiversity Enhancement Project - £73,000
- Monkey Island Biodiversity & Visitor Project - £88,000
- Shaftesbury Park Old Allotment Restoration Project - £53,000
See here for more information.
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Stump Up For Trees
‘Stump Up For Trees' is a new, community-based charity planting one million trees in the Brecon Beacons area over the next five years, using an innovative blend of public-private finance. Last March-April, when COVID restrictions lifted, they planted over 20,000 trees with 100 plus volunteers. This coming planting season, their ambitions are even bigger. If you would like to volunteer to plant some trees, please get in touch: Stump up for trees or hello@stumpupfortrees.org
(Photo credit: Stump up for Trees website)
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Photo Credit: Chris Harris/Living Levels Partnership
The Gwent Levels Sense of Place Toolkit is a superb resource celebrating everything that is special about the Gwent Levels. You can use the toolkit to promote and engage people to connect with the Levels. This toolkit illustrates what’s special and distinctive about the area, the places to visit and sights to see along with ideas and stories collected from local people and communities.
Check out the Living Levels website for more info including brilliant video’s about the history, culture and environment found in our unique Gwent Levels landscape.
What is a ‘sense of place’?
A ‘sense of place’ is an idea that every area has an identity and distinctiveness that makes it different from everywhere else.
A place creates different experiences and emotions for people, and by associating these feelings with a place, we feel a sense of belonging to that area, whether we live or work there or are just visiting. The blend of wildlife, architecture, scenery and environment develop a unique sense of a place which people take with them wherever they go. It is these emotions and experiences that we would use to describe the area to someone who didn’t know it, and which underpin a fundamental connection to the area.
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Living Levels
Folk songs and music of Gwent with Katie Batchelor
20th November 6pm – 7pm
Virtual Event: Zoom BOOK HERE
The Roman Origins of our Christmas and its Customs
2nd December 7pm – 8.30pm
Virtual Event: Zoom BOOK HERE
Keep checking the Living Levels What’s On page for updates! See all the latest news from the Living Levels Project here and sign up to their newsletter.
The Outdoor Partnership - for 16 to 24 year olds
Here is the first Outdoor Partnership project in Gwent! It will provide young people in most need of wellbeing focussed activities with the opportunity for outdoor sports and adventure, an appreciation of the natural environment, and achieve a work-related qualification. Check out the poster of the Winter of Wellbeing Outdoor Activity sessions and the dates for Newport are as follows:
Tuesday 23rd November: Caving Day - team building/confidence/health & wellbeing
Tuesday 30th November: Canoeing - water safety/physical health & wellbeing
Thursday 2nd December: Employability Qualification – Health & Safety L2
Tuesday 7th December: Mountain Day - navigation/ teamwork & leadership skills
Please promote widely as it would be fantastic to see all 12 spaces being utilised and benefitting the young people of Newport. Contact Brett Mahoney, Gwent Outdoor Activity Development Officer, to make a referral or for more details.
More information here The Outdoor Partnership | Partneriaeth Awyr Agored
Living Streets Wednesday walks
Living Streets are now running Wednesday walks for people aged 50 and over in two locations in Newport:
- Ringland 11am – meeting at Ringland Hub
- Pillgwenlly 1pm – meeting at Pill Mill Centre
The length and pace of the walk will be decided by the group. To book please contact Laura Service or on 07730 760054.
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Newport’s Wellbeing Plan annual report
This is the third Annual Report of Newport’s Local Well-being Plan 2018-23, covering the work and progress of the partnership during April 2020 to March 2021, along with additional updates to June 2021. The themes include Green and Safe Spaces, The Newport Offer, Right Skills, Sustainable Travel and Strong Resilient Communities.
Thank you to everyone who provided information to contribute to the case studies in the report, and thank you to the many partners and individual citizens who have worked hard to continue to make the plan a success. The Green and Safe spaces Network and its fantastic partnership work and projects are invaluable to the Green and Safe vision for Newport.
For the full report click here:
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Gwent Public Services Board (PSB)
Until now each local authority in Gwent had its own Public Services Board (PSB). From September 2021 there will be one Gwent PSB uniting all the public service partners in Gwent to produce a regional wellbeing assessment in support of the development of a regional Wellbeing Plan due 2023. Newport is committed to a strong local partnership that will support the Gwent PSB and ensure we deliver on the existing Wellbeing Plan. I will keep you up to date once more information is available on the regional wellbeing assessment and Wellbeing Plan 2023-28. If you have any queries please get in touch.
Nature Positive 2030 Report
In September the five UK statutory nature agencies launched a new report - Nature Positive 2030, setting out how the UK can meet its commitments in the Leaders’ Pledge for Nature, and ensure that nature’s recovery plays a critical role in the path to Net Zero.
The findings from the joint report will be highlighted throughout COP26, to emphasise that achieving nature commitments will deliver huge benefits to human health, wellbeing and our economy, and will require transformative change across society and in the way we protect, value, use and engage with nature. Read Natural Resources Wales press release here.
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Net Zero Wales Report
Welsh Government have published the second emissions reduction plan for Carbon Budget 2 (2021 to 2025), setting the foundations to make Wales net zero by 2050, the journey to a greener, stronger, fairer Wales. More information here Net Zero Wales.
Natur Am Byth
Natur am Byth, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, unites nine environmental charities with Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to tackle the startling decline in biodiversity - Wales’ Nature Emergency. It aims to deliver the country’s largest natural heritage and outreach programme to save species from extinction and reconnect people to nature.
Natur am Byth partners have identified species facing the greatest threat of extinction and of particular importance to Wales and the areas of focus include Newport Gwent Levels.
More information here Natur am byth! Saving Wales’ threatened species
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Training and Resources
- The Wildlife Trusts have created these resources to help explain COP26 (‘Conference of the Parties' where world leaders come together to talk about climate change and how to tackle it) in an accessible way. There’s handy infographics and animation, and tips on simple and easy things that we can all do to reduce our carbon footprint, adapt to climate change and make a big difference to the natural world.
- Cynnal Cymru – Sustain Wales are providing a new Eco Literacy course, Nabod Natur-Nature Wise. They are offering free online places for community or voluntary groups in Wales that would like to protect and restore our natural environment.
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Carbon Literacy - Learn about the links between human activity and climate change and develop the knowledge to enable you and your organisation to take action to reduce carbon emissions. Click the link to see course prices. Or if you are a voluntary organisation or community group in rural Newport get in touch to see if a free course is available.
- Natural Resources Wales upcoming training courses for outdoor educators. ‘What matters about the climate emergency?’ provides an insight into the causes and consequences of climate change, the need for positive action and pro-environmental behaviour, and how to involve and raise awareness amongst our future generations.
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Trees for Cities offer a range of free resources and a Wild Teaching Toolkit to encourage children’s sensory engagement with nature and tree planting.
Funding Wales is a funding search platform created by Third Sector Support Wales. You can search hundreds of grant and loan finance opportunities from local, national and international sources to help you find the funding you need.
Here are a few funding opportunities below.
Newport Participatory Budgeting - Grants for Community Covid Recovery Projects
These grants are for community projects that can help improve wellbeing and will be relevant to Green and Safe spaces aims. Applications open November 2021, voting event will be held in January 2022.
For more information or to be kept updated please contact: Participatorybudgeting@newport.gov.uk or 01633 414720
Together for Our Planet | The National Lottery Community Fund
Open until 18th November for grants between £1,000 to £10,000 to support communities (suitable for voluntary or community organisations) across the UK to take action on climate change.
Keep Wales Tidy - Local Places for Nature packages: to help create a Pollinator Garden, Fruit and Herb Garden, or Urban Garden, or bigger projects like a Food Growing Garden or Wildlife Garden.
The Woodland Trust – Free Tree Planting Packs
The Trust has a range of free tree packs to suit schools, youth groups and communities with two delivery periods per year, in March and November.
UK Government - Community Ownership Fund
This fund supports community groups to take ownership of assets and amenities at risk of being lost, including for example, parks, sporting and leisure facilities or other buildings/venues. Please note, there will be further bidding rounds in December 2021 and May 2022.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund
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Local Places for Nature to enable communities in Wales to restore and enhance nature. Grants available of up to £250,000.
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Community Woodlands to restore, create, connect and manage woodlands in Wales. Grants available from £10,000-£250,000.
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- Wales Climate Week (22 to 26 November) as part of COP Cymru – shaping Wales’ response to the climate emergency. More information here COP CYMRU 2021
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