SEPTEMBER 2009 UPDATE
The sunny weather meteorologists promised may not have materialised but the summer of 2009 has nonetheless provided many memorable moments for the people of Abergavenny and the wider Gwent Area. In the past month we have seen celebrations for the achievements of the young, with pupils at Monmouthshire schools achieving outstanding A-level results that again surpass the Welsh average, and recognition of the continued importance of the agricultural industry to the area, with a successful Monmouth Show.
The excellent results at A-Level in Monmouthshire schools- with A-C passes at 82.7 per cent- represents the culmination of hard work by pupils, parents, teachers and administrators alike. With the county’s schools so ably performing their responsibilities, more pressure falls on the Welsh Government to deliver policies that will deliver the employment and social opportunities that will give more of our talented young people to the chance pursue careers close to home. This point is especially important in Monmouthshire which has a higher than average number of older people and will be among the issues I pursue when the Assembly reconvenes when the summer recess ends. The success of Monmouth Show highlights the vibrancy of our farming community and the sustained level of interest in the county’s agriculture and country pursuits that exists both near and far. It is vital that we have a living, working countryside in farming strongholds such as Monmouthshire for many generations to come in order to strengthen the country’s food security and properly protect our much-loved rural heritage. The Welsh Government may not be able to address the rain that has affected this year’s harvest or always predict disease such as the outbreaks of bovine TB that has infected a number of cattle herds across Wales but it can work to reduce the bureaucracy that frustrates existing farmers and discourages new entrants to the profession. The high quality food that local producers and chefs offer, together with that from further afield, will soon be showcased in the increasingly famous Abergavenny Food Festival (19-20th September). As the reigning
Best Food Tourism Destination in Wales, Monmouthshire’s reputation for hospitality and fine dining is well established and this year’s festival programme looks to be the best yet.
This summer I was particularly pleased to have the opportunity to visit Homemaker Community Recycling (HMC) in Abergavenny. Having been formed in 2001 by Abergavenny & Crickhowell Friends of the Earth, the charity has taken great strides in a short period of time, offering a useful service to local residents in clearing houses and recycling the contents to substantially reduce landfill and were deserving recipients of a £4,500 grant from the Heritage Lottery fund earlier this summer. Modern furniture and complementary furnishing are offered at modest prices and can be viewed at St. Michaels Road. This week’s news that Arctic temperatures are now higher than at any point in the last two thousand years underlines the importance for individuals and communities to take steps wherever possible to use and re-use existing items and dispose of rubbish responsibly. The remarkable efforts of HMC recycling ensure that 5-6 tones of waste per month is diverted from landfill, and are an excellent example of how expert led community co-operation can substantially reduce waste and usher in a greener future.