Abergavenny Transition Town held its launch event at the weekend, officially opened by the Mayor, Councillor Sheila Woodhouse. 

The event attracted a huge crowd who came to see the activities and the 40+ organisations taking part, to transition Abergavenny into a more community-based and self-sufficient town. 

The Transition Town movement is an international organisation reaching 44 different countries and Abergavenny is the latest to use the knowledge and skills to help make the town even better. 

Simon Bilsborough, from Abergavenny Transition Town said,  "We are thrilled with how the day went, and the numbers through the door completely exceeded our expectations." 

 A speech was read out from the founder of Transition Town, Rob Hopkins, who unfortunately couldn't attend, who said, "On this most historic of days, with the cutting of this ribbon, I feel sure that the great work that will follow from this will mean that in 20 years' time, great tales will be told, and great songs will be sung, about today, and the potential and promise that it unlocked." 

The day was filled with exciting events like pumpkin carving demonstrations, musical performances from the youth wing of the Borough Band, and a drama performance by students from King Henry VIII Comprehensive School. 

There was also a competition for young people to make things from discarded materials - and some of the creations were quite exceptional. 

Simon said, "There were toy robots, puppets, flags and so many more things made. Everyone was so enthusiastic about getting involved. I said to one man that it is great to see kids doing the same things we did 40 years ago, and that they are not just glued to their computers." 

The event was the start of a four-point plan from Abergavenny Transition Town to change the community for the better and get everyone involved. 

The plan includes helping people save money on energy costs and eventually creating a local renewable energy company. There is also a focus on food, by not only teaching young people to appreciate the benefits of growing and cooking their own produce, but also by utilising green space in the town for public vegetable beds to be maintained by volunteers. 

Simon said, "We know the town and county council are strapped for cash, so our plans are to help save them money by making these changes to the way our community is run.  

"By using these green areas which the council has to maintain, it saves money and is also an ideal way to get the community learning about how easy it is to grow your own food. 

  "Abergavenny has a seven year wait for allotments, so this can cut through that problem and get the entire town involved." 

Another point on their plan is transport, to make the town safer for cyclists and walkers, to avoid people just getting in their cars to come to the town. 

Simon said, "If we can help get better cycle routes, and join up walkways it can make a huge difference to whether people walk to town, or whether they drive." 

The final point is to engage people to feel confident with using their new ideas. 

Simon said, "We can make these services happen, but the most important thing is giving people the confidence to use them. They can only work if people feel confident cycling to town, changing their energy usage, changing their attitudes to food." 

 The organisation plans to begin its work as soon as possible. To find out more visit abergavennytransition.org.