THURSDAY AFTERNOONS
PLEASE RING LUCY ON THE NUMBER BELOW TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
Contact Lucy on 07821 627038
Suggested donation £3 – £5
Marion Pearse
OPEN DAY celebration Sun 27th
Food project public launch Feb 2022
As concerns grew around the rising cost of living, an initiative aimed at making healthy meals available in communities in Monmouthshire was launched, with financial support from the European Union funded Rural Development Programme and Welsh Government. A feature of this collaboration between community-led organisations in Abergavenny, Gilwern and Monmouth is sharing a commitment to tackling food waste and food insecurity in local homes.
During the lockdown in 2020, Abergavenny Community Centre was encouraged to apply for funding to work with other groups and organisations with the aim of improving access to nutritious meals and cooking skills.
Since refurbishing the former Park Street Infants School kitchen in 2016, the community centre’s kitchen team has been learning about the need for healthy and affordable meals in the population. Chef Elaine Blanchard explained “ We have discovered how important eating a meal with others is, especially to people who live alone. We know the impact that food insecurity has on households, and how ageing, health, access to produce, and confidence in preparing meals all play a role. We also realise that alone we only reach a fraction of people in need of better access to nutritious food and skills. Our hope is that by working with other people that our combined effort will be more effective in addressing the wide, sometimes hidden need that we know exists in our area.”
Abergavenny Foodbank, Gilwern Roots, Abergavenny Community Enterprise, Cwtch Angels, Abergavenny Community Centre and Monmouth Community Fridge were asked to identify how the project could help them to achieve their aims – whether in the form of a fridge/freezer, produce and ingredients, cooked meals, or help with Environmental Health compliance.
We invited everyone involved to write a few lines about their work and how the project is helping them.
Kate Hooton from the Abergavenny Foodbank, whose core purpose is to provide emergency food through referrals from support agencies, told us “We want to work with other groups that share similar aims, as coordinating our effort helps to minimise gaps. The Foodbank is taking small steps towards meeting its goal of providing more fresh food to our clients. We buy a little fresh fruit to add to our food parcels, and over the summer, receive a donation of ‘just picked’ vegetables and salad. The fridge/freezer which the project is funding will mean that we can keep fresh produce for a bit longer, and we can also hold some wholesome frozen meals made in the community centre’s kitchen, for some clients. The project is drawing interested people and efforts together and as a Foodbank we look forward to continuing the work together.”
Over the next few months the community centre will be holding a series of cookery lessons suitable for adults, and young people over 12 years of age aimed at keeping food skills and knowledge alive. For further information about the work please ring 07751666481 or visit the website www.abergavennycc.org about the cooking classes.
Marion Pearse, Centre Manager
Free Cookery workshops
Get in touch now to shape future cookery workshops
Since refurbishing the former Park Street Infants School kitchen in 2016 the Community Centre team has been learning about the need for affordable and healthy meals in the community, and getting to know other local organisations working on the ground.
During the pandemic lockdown last year, an opportunity arose for the Abergavenny Community Trust to apply to the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government for funds to strengthen local partnerships and widen access to nutritious food and cooking skills at a neighbourhood level. The application was successful, and on top of the activities already underway, we are organising a series of ‘hands-on’ cooking sessions, starting this month with a festive theme for Families. [See above]
The focus of workshops next year is to grow confidence in using cookery skills/methods/techniques common to a lot of different meals – helping to improve nutrition, avoid waste and helping budgets stretch. These free workshops will be aimed widely across the population and will touch on bespoke nutritional needs over a lifetime.
Please contact us if you’d like more information, and to book your places.
Note: Numbers are strictly limited due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Ways to CONTACT us:
Community Kitchen on 07564016574 or 07751666481, 07821627038, or, leave a short, clear message on the kitchen landline where your call will be returned – (01873) 856 925 Thanks!
Email: aber.hub@gmail.com; maryabercomcen@gmail.com, or private message us https://www.facebook.com/aberfoodnet
Marion Pearse
Cooking For Life
Coming together to grow, prepare and share food is second nature to many, and because every person needs it, food-sharing plays a big role in the life of the Abergavenny Community Centre, where simple things in life still matter.
In a small way we are doing what we can to foster sustainable behaviour: the kitchen team cooks from scratch using produce that’s grown or raised nearby, and puts to good use any excess produce coming our way. Also, the community kitchen, itself, is creating new possibilities for more of us to benefit from the rich source of goodwill and skills present in fellow residents. The combination of existing skills and a need for basic skills has inspired a series of hands-on cooking activities next year, aimed at keeping skills and knowhow in action through the hands of ordinary people. Could your skills and passion for your craft, help bring our aspirations to life?
In the meantime while we get ready, if you shop in TESCO there is something that you can do to help our mission to get people cooking again. From October until the end of the year you’ll notice that the Abergavenny Community Centre is one of the three good causes which shoppers can choose to support through the blue tokens scheme. Why not pop a token in all three and you’ll be helping residents to build more resourceful and compassionate communities into the future. Thank you.
To find out more and to keep in touch via email, social media platforms, or visit www.localgiving.org and search for Abergavenny Community Trust. MORE to follow about our ‘Back to Basics’ cookery sessions in the FOCUS Magazine next month – or come back to the website ‘Things To Do’ page from time to time. Thanks.
Are you the experienced Company Secretary that Abergavenny Community Centre is seeking to support its Board of Trustees?
If you share our values and have excellent administrative skills, please contact us for an informal chat.
Marion Pearse – aber.hub@gmail.com
Co-Founder, Abergavenny Community Centre Registered Charity No. 1177133
Dance Week
Monday & Thursday – Jelly Tots*
Tuesday & Wednesday 6+yrs
Summer Of Play
*NEW* TOM FISHER MUSIC WORKSHOPS – Wednesdays during the holidays at Abergavenny Community Centre
‘Pop up musical and singing workshops for children and young people to start Wednesday’s off with some musical fun! There’ll be conga, bongos, and ukulele demonstrations as part of the session, with a range of percussion instruments provided for the children to experience.‘
The community centre has become known as a place where people of all ages mix – making vital connections and strengthening community ties.
Over the Summer break, while holiday activities are taking place, we will continue to hold our popular lunches, chair exercise and coffee morning because we know just how important it is to keep bringing people together to socialise.
Supporting families is another vital part of what goes on at the Centre and following on last year’s successful family outdoor play sessions, the programme in August is branching out to include music, art and dance.
We are grateful to the Abergavenny Town Council, The Davies Charities, The People’s Postcode Lottery ‘Magic little grant’ for grants recieved, and private donors for boosting the Trust’s funds, enabling the Centre to offer these enrichment opportunities to more local families this Summer.
If you would like to get behind us, it’s simple to make an online donation now by going to localgiving.org and typing Abergavenny Community Trust in the search bar. To get to know more about the community centre and how we work, please visit the fundraising page or www.abergavennycc.org Thank you.
Monthly Sunday Afternoon Tea
