Report of the Trustees for the period November 2023-November 2024 and for the financial year ended 29 February 2024
Charity Name: Gwyrddio Penarth Greening (GPG) Charity Registration Number: 1198141 Address: 6 SULLIVAN CLOSE PENARTH VALE OF GLAMORGAN CF64 3QR
Email: gwyrddio.penarth.greening@googlemail.com
Board of Trustees:
Gideon Calder (standing down 12.24) Tony Cooke Eurgain Powell Anne Crowley (from 12.24) Nigel Humphrey (from 12.24)
ABOUT GPG http://penarthgreening.cymru/
GPG is in its 14[th] year, with 2023-24 our second full year as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, with the overall aim of protecting the environment for the public benefit in Penarth and environs, by promoting the sharing, repairing and re-using of products; raising awareness on environmental issues; and promoting biodiversity.
EVENTS
Several events for public benefit have been organised in the period November 2023 – November 2024, including:
January 2024: Climate Conversation, funded by Welsh Government and feeding into Wales Climate Week
March 2024: Joint event with Penarth Civic Society focusing on Trees in Penarth, to inform the Vale of Glamorgan’s Tree Strategy consultation.
June 2024: Zero Waste event, focusing on Benthyg (see below), Plastic Free Penarth (see below), Penarth’s Repair Café, and the circular economy agenda.
July 2024: Stall at Penarth Festival, co-hosted with Penarth Youth Action.
September 2024: Celebration of Penarth growing projects at Cosmeston Orchard.
November 2024: GPG annual public meeting, sharing news on our projects and seeking views for steps to take in the year to come.
CURRENT PROJECTS
Benthyg Penarth https://penarth.benthyg.cymru/
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Penarth’s library of things, currently based in the Kymin, launched March 2021 by GPG in collaboration with Benthyg Cymru, with original funding from Natural Resources Wales and the WCVA
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Donations grew early, and borrowing rates have been steadily increasing making it one of the best performing Benthygs in Wales.
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Now partners in a National Lottery-funded network supporting libraries of things across Cardiff and the Vale, making items across these areas more accessible to those affected by the cost-of-living crisis
Penarth Growing Community http://penarthgrowingcommunity.co.uk/
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Activities have continued at the Kymin with regular Saturday sessions to maintain the fruit orchard, growing and wildflower spaces. Volunteers have also been planting wildflowers in Cogan rec and supporting tree planting in other spaces.
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Vale Local Nature Partnership have developed Conservation Management plans for the Kymin and Cosmeston Orchard.
Plastic Free Penarth https://penarthgpg.org/plastic-free-penarth/
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Group set up to secure Plastic Free Community status for Penarth (achieved 2019)
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Recruiting new partners for Plastic Free accreditation
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Facilitating existing partners in upgrading from Bronze to Silver, and Silver to Gold standards
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Planning new work with schools
Cosmeston Orchard
- Established 2010, maintained by members of Penarth Tree Forum; activities include ongoing fruit tree pruning. and hedge laying courses supported by the Vale Local Nature Partnership. A celebration event was held there in September attended by
representatives of Penarth Sea scouts and the Vale of Glamorgan council’s parks team and Chief Executive Rob Thomas.
PARTNERSHIP CONTRIBUTIONS
Penarth Forum
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Collaboration between representatives of the Penarth Business Group, Penarth Civic Society, Living Streets and GPG, geared towards supporting the Welsh Government’s Placemaking agenda. We’ve been attending VoG events to contribute to Penarth Placemaking discussions.
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Working document ‘A Placemaking Plan for Penarth Town Centre’ (May 2024) identifies four themes: (1) Safe and Accessible Town Centre; (2) Welcoming and Inclusive Public Realm; (3) A Vibrant Town Centre; (4) A Sustainable Penarth.
PRIORITIES FOR 2024-25
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Growing our projects and volunteers
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Engaging with local councils (Vale of Glamorgan Council; Penarth Town Council)
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Building our relationships with partner organisations
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Holding further events
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Recruiting trustees