Notes from Gwyrddio Penarth Greening’s General Meeting  – updates on the orchard project, the community garden, the Food Festival, and a presentation on ‘Solar Power for Home and Community’.

Present:  45+ including GPG members

Tricia Griffiths, GPG chair, welcomed people from Penarth and further afield who had come mainly to hear about Solar Power.  Before the presentation reports were made on the projects:

Orchard, Abundance Scheme and Apple Day

Anthony reported that the orchard (on land part of Cosmeston Park) was doing well.  The trees were growing and several of the Orchard group were going to Cosmeston periodically to check progress and to clear weeds around the base of the trees.  He went on to explain the Abundance Scheme which involved getting people with too much fruit to allow volunteers to pick and distribute it to local organisations such as care homes.  Several people had offered their trees and there was a small but enthusiastic group waiting to start picking.

An Apple Day was being organised in October at which there would be a variety of activities around apples – what could be made out of them, information on varieties and possibly some games.  More information on this and dates for picking from Anthony on: as.penarth@gmail.com

Community Garden

Gloria explained that after a great deal of planning, the Wordsworth Park initiative was now at the survey stage. 1100 questionnaires had been delivered in the area and over 100 people were being visited to find out what developments, if any, they would like to see in the park.    The results of the survey would be presented at a public meeting in late September or early October.  No plans would be taken forward to the Vale of Glamorgan council until it was clear what people in the area really wanted.

Food Forum

Anthony updated the meeting on the very successful Food Festival that had been held on 17  July.  See the write up of the Food Festival in the Penarth Times.

Hundreds of people came and feedback from both visitors and stall holders had been very positive.  It had been a challenging event for a small group to organise, but very worthwhile for both the promotion of local food, and also for GPG.  It was intended to hold a similar festival next summer and if possible it was planned to hold a smaller festival before Christmas.  This would include local food and green (i.e. eco friendly and ethical)  decorations/presents etc.

Shop in Penarth (SiP) Scheme

Tricia said that an independent evaluation of the SiP scheme had been carried out in June. It was clear that the majority of retailers were keen for the project to continue, albeit with reservations about how it should be promoted in future. With the help and advice of local marketing expert, Lisa Evans,  we were now in the process of updating the publicity material and looking at ways of promoting the loyalty card more effectively.

Tricia introduced Tony Cooke, a computing lecturer and sustainability champion for Cardiff and Vale College.  Tony gave a comprehensive presentation on the pros and cons of Solar Power for the home, and went on to explain the concept of a Solar Co-operative.

The voluntary collection totalled £38.68.

The next General  Meeting will be on Thursday, 10th November, 6pm in the Windsor Arms.  The topic is likely to be ‘Personal Travel Planning’ and other transport issues.