Saturday, 20 June 2009
We have got a new website!
From today please go direct to this site www.transitionwb.org for more exciting developments.
Wednesday, 17 June 2009
Introduce a meat -free day in your week
Meat-Free Mondays Go Mainstream
15 Jun 2009 by Paul Northup
Paul McCartney, Chris Martin and Sheryl Crow have launched the ‘Meat Free Monday’ campaign, asking people to forego meat one day a week to slow global warming.
As reported on Generous a while back, the world’s leading authority on Climate Change, Dr Rajendra Pachauri, says going meat-free one day a week is the ‘most attractive’ way for individuals to reduce carbon emissions. A 2006 UN study found that the livestock industry is responsible for 18% of man-made global greenhouse gas emissions, not least because of deforestation in the Amazon – cutting down trees to create land to raise cattle to cut down again to produce meat for
“I think many of us feel helpless in the face of environmental challenges, and it can be hard to know how to sort through the advice about what we can do to make a meaningful contribution to a cleaner, more sustainable, healthier world,” said McCartney. “Having one designated meat free day a week is actually a meaningful change that everyone can make, that goes to the heart of several important political, environmental and ethical issues all at once.”
More on Meat Free Monday, a video here including these not bad vegetarian recipes.
Commit to go meat-free one day a week here on the Generous site.
15 Jun 2009 by Paul Northup
Paul McCartney, Chris Martin and Sheryl Crow have launched the ‘Meat Free Monday’ campaign, asking people to forego meat one day a week to slow global warming.
As reported on Generous a while back, the world’s leading authority on Climate Change, Dr Rajendra Pachauri, says going meat-free one day a week is the ‘most attractive’ way for individuals to reduce carbon emissions. A 2006 UN study found that the livestock industry is responsible for 18% of man-made global greenhouse gas emissions, not least because of deforestation in the Amazon – cutting down trees to create land to raise cattle to cut down again to produce meat for
“I think many of us feel helpless in the face of environmental challenges, and it can be hard to know how to sort through the advice about what we can do to make a meaningful contribution to a cleaner, more sustainable, healthier world,” said McCartney. “Having one designated meat free day a week is actually a meaningful change that everyone can make, that goes to the heart of several important political, environmental and ethical issues all at once.”
More on Meat Free Monday, a video here including these not bad vegetarian recipes.
Commit to go meat-free one day a week here on the Generous site.
The Queen installs a vegetable patch at Buckingham Palace
For the first time since the Second World War vegetables are being grown in the Palace's grounds alongside ornamental plants.
The move comes amid a surge in demand from people up and down the country to have their own allotment to grow their own food during the recession.
The Queen's organic vegetable patch is about 10 yards by eight yards in size. It is at the rear of the garden in an area which is called the Yard Bed.
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh talk to Claire Midgley, the Deputy Gardens Manager of Buckingham Palace, as they study the new vegetable garden in the grounds of the Royal residence Photo: PA
The Queen installs a vegetable patch at Buckingham Palace
Queen Elizabeth's organic vegetable patch at BUckingham Palace is about 10 yards by eight yards in size Photo: REUTERS
For the first time since the Second World War vegetables are being grown in the Palace's grounds alongside ornamental plants.
The move comes amid a surge in demand from people up and down the country to have their own allotment to grow their own food during the recession.
Guests attending the Queen's garden parties will be able to see her new allotment over the summer.
Claire Midgley, the Deputy Gardens Manager, last week showed the Queen a variety of vegetables that are being grown, including runner beans, "Stuttgarter" onions, "Musselburgh" leeks, sweetcorn, "Red Ace" beetroot, "Fly Away" carrots and an endangered variety of climbing French beans called "Blue Queen".
No chemicals have been used to cultivate the allotment sites. Liquid sea-weed has been used to feed the plants and forms of garlic are being used to deter aphids.
Like the rest of the garden, water from the palace borehole is used to irrigate the plants. Mulch from the palace's compost heap has been used to bed the vegetables in.
In 1918, there was a vegetable patch at Buckingham Palace which was used to grow turnips. There is a short film of the turnips being harvested on the Royal Channel on YouTube.
During the Second World War, vegetables were also grown at Windsor Castle.
A photograph of The Queen, when she was Princess Elizabeth, was taken in the grounds of the Castle to support the Second World War "Dig for Victory" campaign.
Buckingham Palace's garden covers 40 acres, and it includes a helicopter landing area, a four-acre lake, and a tennis court where King George VI often played tennis with Fred Perry, three three-time Wimbledon champion.
It is home to 30 different species of bird and more than 350 different wild flowers, some extremely rare.
The gardens can comfortably accommodate 7,000 guests at each of the Queen's annual garden parties.
Allotments were introduced by the philanthropic Victorians to provide a healthy diet and lifestyle for factory workers.
Today, when their appeal has crossed the class divide, they still offer the same benefits.
Over the years, the popularity of the allotment has risen and fallen in relation to the nation's feeling of wellbeing.
In times of hardship, the public has been keen to turn to the soil - most notably during the Second World War, when millions became vegetable gardeners
It was revealed in February that the National Trust is converting some of its land into about 1,000 allotments to meet soaring demand.
Beeston Transition festival
One of the very musical members of the Skills Exchange and Transition West Bridgford used her strengths and enthusiasm to set up a transition musical event.
For those of you who could not make it, Sharon or Freida Mai, sent you this link so that you can pick up some of their messages too.
Transition Nottingham is part of a nationwide movement which is unleashing the creativity and vitality in communities, encouraging self-sustainability and well-being while reducing our dependence upon peak oil. This is the first event by Beeston Transition to create a greater awareness of the issues surrounding climate change and fossil fuel depletion, with performances from local poet Ann R Parker, the Nottingham Clarion Choir, Freida Mai, Bronwyn Westacott (both accompanied on the clarinet by Mark Ives), Harvey Bruce and Jimmy the Squirrel. contact them at http://beestontransition.weebly.com
I hope you enjoy it.
Tuesday, 16 June 2009
"For Want of a Nail" is a proverbial rhyme showing that small actions can result in large consequences.
For Want of a Nail
For want of a nail the shoe was lost.
For want of a shoe the horse was lost.
For want of a horse the rider was lost.
For want of a rider the battle was lost.
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.
The Transition West Bridgford Group is looking for more people who would like to make a difference. Even a small deed like, handing out some leaflets, sending an email, setting up a gazebo can change the lives of hundreds of people.
Please contact us if you want to feel empowered and make a difference.
Karina 9147408
Thursday, 11 June 2009
Transition West Bridgford Summer Gathering
On Saturday 6th June over 50 stall holders came to celebrate and spread the message of sustainable living in West Bridgford. Although the weather was not very good (understatement) our spirits were high and the cammaraderie was strong.
I would like to thank all the volunteers who came to help set up and run the events and of course the entertainers (Julie from Fairy Land, May pole dancers, and the drummers) who gave their time for Free! At 10am the Therapeutic Drummers drummed their hearts out and made the gathering come to life. Visitors streamed in, protected by their umbrellas, joining in activities, receiving advise and having some wonderful treatments. A little before 11am the rain held off and the children of the West Bridgford Infant school treated us to a heart warming maypole dance that set the theme for the day. Fun,joy and togetherness!
I also would like to thank MC Parker for the wonderful games he organised at such very short notice. As you can see the children loved the tug of war!
Hopefully see you next year. First Saturday in June!
Wednesday, 6 May 2009
the Daffodil principle
For those of you who sometimes feel disenchanted and wonder why bother. Make yourself a cuppa and watch this little video. Not only it is beautiful it is rather thought provoking too.Enjoy!
Sunday, 3 May 2009
Tina's Local Food club idea and taster at Taste
I had an idea this morning, not that I'm about to put it into action myself in the next few months, but if anyone else likes it you are welcome to use it. It goes something like this:
* The basic aim would be for interested individuals to gradually "localise" our shopping lists one or two items at a time.
* Via a local food club which meets once a month at a suitable public venue (e.g. Test Match Pub) on a regular or well publicised date. Advertised widely in WB for anyone interested in local food.
* Each time there could be a theme (e.g. Eggs and dairy, bread and flour, etc etc) or just keep it very open.
* People compare where they get stuff from (using eggs as an example, one person might say that the farmer's market organic eggs are from Horncastle, cost £1.60 for 6, etc while other people will know of more local suppliers, and someone else will explain how you go about keeping your own chickens). The info is shared and those present can if they wish try to buy a more local option in future, now that they know about it. Details like price, "organicness" and food miles etc are shared.
* Local food producers with produce to trade (gardeners, farmers etc) could be invited for a 5 minute slot (or even on a "just turn up" basis to save on organisation and admin), and all "consumers" present would be invited to share their knowledge too.
* There could be a map with flags/pins/stickers to indicate locations so people can see the most local option, and maybe measure the miles from WB to each for the record.
* The info shared is collected for a "local food factsheet" which could grow each time, and perhaps have its own page on our shiny new TWB web site when it takes off. (This would of course involve time and effort for someone, and we might consider looking for a grant to pay for someone's time to collate the info and put it on the website).
This sort of club could be a precursor to or have a symbiotic relationship with a future local food co-op. The idea is to keep the admin and running of the monthly gatherings very simple, but if possible to capture the info and make it available to those who turn up to the meetings and anyone else who wants to view the info on the web.
* The basic aim would be for interested individuals to gradually "localise" our shopping lists one or two items at a time.
* Via a local food club which meets once a month at a suitable public venue (e.g. Test Match Pub) on a regular or well publicised date. Advertised widely in WB for anyone interested in local food.
* Each time there could be a theme (e.g. Eggs and dairy, bread and flour, etc etc) or just keep it very open.
* People compare where they get stuff from (using eggs as an example, one person might say that the farmer's market organic eggs are from Horncastle, cost £1.60 for 6, etc while other people will know of more local suppliers, and someone else will explain how you go about keeping your own chickens). The info is shared and those present can if they wish try to buy a more local option in future, now that they know about it. Details like price, "organicness" and food miles etc are shared.
* Local food producers with produce to trade (gardeners, farmers etc) could be invited for a 5 minute slot (or even on a "just turn up" basis to save on organisation and admin), and all "consumers" present would be invited to share their knowledge too.
* There could be a map with flags/pins/stickers to indicate locations so people can see the most local option, and maybe measure the miles from WB to each for the record.
* The info shared is collected for a "local food factsheet" which could grow each time, and perhaps have its own page on our shiny new TWB web site when it takes off. (This would of course involve time and effort for someone, and we might consider looking for a grant to pay for someone's time to collate the info and put it on the website).
This sort of club could be a precursor to or have a symbiotic relationship with a future local food co-op. The idea is to keep the admin and running of the monthly gatherings very simple, but if possible to capture the info and make it available to those who turn up to the meetings and anyone else who wants to view the info on the web.
Tuesday, 28 April 2009
Foraging walks in West Bridgford
On Friday 24th April, Transition WB went for our first foraging walk. We found many delectable (and free!) elights in a short stretch of the 'Green Line' off Melton Road. The obvious finds were several apple trees in full flower and brambles (we'll be back later for those, no doubt)
There were plenty of dandelions- the smaller leaves can be chopped into salads and the larger ones cooked either with spinach or alone.
Dandelion coffee can be made from the roots (caffene free and very tasty) First wash and dry the roots thoroughly in the sun, then slightly roat them to coffee colour in a cool oven. The can then be stored for a time in a jar to be ground when yu want to make coffee.
Dandeline wine, from the flowers makes a great white wine.
The unopened buds can also be fried in oil and added to an omelette.
Nettles were also prolific; if you go picking, wear gloves or use scissors and a bag to catch them. (remember to check underneath for butterfly eggs and leave any you find) They can be cooked with spinach or alone with the water they retain from washing and a lttle marg or butter.
Nettle soup: sweat the nettles in butter and very little water, with onion and garlic if you like it. Add in a couple of cooked potatoes, milk (or milk substitute) liquidise everything, the add more milk if you feel you need it. To add flavour you could chop parsley in, or spring onions and a little grated cheese at the end.
We also tasted hedge garlic (jack by the hedge) and hawthorn. These leaves can be chopped into salads at any tme or used in sandwiches, as with coltsfoot and herb bennet.
If anyone is interested in eating wild food - which tends to have a higher nutritional value than the domestic sort, I recommend Richard Mabey's 'Food for free' but also check the charity shops, wher I have found lovely old books with great recipes and good identification pictures. very important if you are just beginning.
We are organising our next walk for the 29th May, same time, same place, in the mean while enjoy your weeds!
Julie
There were plenty of dandelions- the smaller leaves can be chopped into salads and the larger ones cooked either with spinach or alone.
Dandelion coffee can be made from the roots (caffene free and very tasty) First wash and dry the roots thoroughly in the sun, then slightly roat them to coffee colour in a cool oven. The can then be stored for a time in a jar to be ground when yu want to make coffee.
Dandeline wine, from the flowers makes a great white wine.
The unopened buds can also be fried in oil and added to an omelette.
Nettles were also prolific; if you go picking, wear gloves or use scissors and a bag to catch them. (remember to check underneath for butterfly eggs and leave any you find) They can be cooked with spinach or alone with the water they retain from washing and a lttle marg or butter.
Nettle soup: sweat the nettles in butter and very little water, with onion and garlic if you like it. Add in a couple of cooked potatoes, milk (or milk substitute) liquidise everything, the add more milk if you feel you need it. To add flavour you could chop parsley in, or spring onions and a little grated cheese at the end.
We also tasted hedge garlic (jack by the hedge) and hawthorn. These leaves can be chopped into salads at any tme or used in sandwiches, as with coltsfoot and herb bennet.
If anyone is interested in eating wild food - which tends to have a higher nutritional value than the domestic sort, I recommend Richard Mabey's 'Food for free' but also check the charity shops, wher I have found lovely old books with great recipes and good identification pictures. very important if you are just beginning.
We are organising our next walk for the 29th May, same time, same place, in the mean while enjoy your weeds!
Julie
Sunday, 26 April 2009
A testimonial from a happy customer who used Cars2Share
When my car mechanic said that it would cost "a hundred Pounds for
this and eighty pounds for that", I said, "no it won't", I will give
up the cost of owning a car.
Every time I walked up to my car in a car park, I wondered why I was
paying to keep it stood for so long.
I live a little more than a mile from the city centre.
I run my own business and am busy every day.
Benefits.
My first whole year's rentals worked out to less than what my annual
insurance and road tax used to be. I realize that others might need a
car more often, but, there are much greater benefits to hiring, than
just cost.
I am able to hire the size of vehicle most suited to the exercise. I
hired a large estate car to pick up foreign visitors and run them
around. I hire cool cars when I want to, and I hire small economical
cars when I want to save on the trip.
I can pay a cheque into the bank in the centre of the city, by cycle
or bus, more quickly than if I drive and park.
The greatest benefit has been my fitness and, therefore, my health.
The twenty minute walk, or seven minute cycle ride, to buy a meal's
ingredients contributes to the recommended exercise before eating.
My daughter son-in law and grand child (I am 56) live three miles away
and that is either an easy bus ride, or really good work out cycle ride.
Walking anywhere locally is more entertaining than the drive. I see,
and speak to, my neighbours, as against driving by and just waving.
When I walk by my garage, I actually smile at the fact that I am not
paying to have something depreciate, need attention, need taxing and
insuring. It is an absolute eye opener.
The city's three pound "all day" bus and tram fare is better value
than parking isn't it?
The trams have made Nottingham's public transport more cosmopolitan.
The recession should take away some of the snobbery around car
ownership and use of public transport.
So, selling the car, and hiring when I need has been the best thing I
ever did regarding motoring (and my last five cars were BMW and
Mercedes so I didn't miss out there) and regarding my fitness and
health.
this and eighty pounds for that", I said, "no it won't", I will give
up the cost of owning a car.
Every time I walked up to my car in a car park, I wondered why I was
paying to keep it stood for so long.
I live a little more than a mile from the city centre.
I run my own business and am busy every day.
Benefits.
My first whole year's rentals worked out to less than what my annual
insurance and road tax used to be. I realize that others might need a
car more often, but, there are much greater benefits to hiring, than
just cost.
I am able to hire the size of vehicle most suited to the exercise. I
hired a large estate car to pick up foreign visitors and run them
around. I hire cool cars when I want to, and I hire small economical
cars when I want to save on the trip.
I can pay a cheque into the bank in the centre of the city, by cycle
or bus, more quickly than if I drive and park.
The greatest benefit has been my fitness and, therefore, my health.
The twenty minute walk, or seven minute cycle ride, to buy a meal's
ingredients contributes to the recommended exercise before eating.
My daughter son-in law and grand child (I am 56) live three miles away
and that is either an easy bus ride, or really good work out cycle ride.
Walking anywhere locally is more entertaining than the drive. I see,
and speak to, my neighbours, as against driving by and just waving.
When I walk by my garage, I actually smile at the fact that I am not
paying to have something depreciate, need attention, need taxing and
insuring. It is an absolute eye opener.
The city's three pound "all day" bus and tram fare is better value
than parking isn't it?
The trams have made Nottingham's public transport more cosmopolitan.
The recession should take away some of the snobbery around car
ownership and use of public transport.
So, selling the car, and hiring when I need has been the best thing I
ever did regarding motoring (and my last five cars were BMW and
Mercedes so I didn't miss out there) and regarding my fitness and
health.
Wednesday, 22 April 2009
Manchester turning itself into orchard to offer free fruit and veg
If Manchester can do it, why can't we?
22/04/2009 Mirror news paper wrote:
A city is turning itself into an orchard to offer residents free fruit and veg.
Thousands of fruit trees will be planted in parks and public areas and even some traffic islands will be turned into mini-allotments.
Manchester's £200,000 green revolution will also see 20,000 strawberry, raspberry and soft fruit bushes planted around the city and beehives and herbs in parks.
Parks boss Chaz Farghaly said: "We were amazed by how many young people didn't know where fruit and veg came from."
22/04/2009 Mirror news paper wrote:
A city is turning itself into an orchard to offer residents free fruit and veg.
Thousands of fruit trees will be planted in parks and public areas and even some traffic islands will be turned into mini-allotments.
Manchester's £200,000 green revolution will also see 20,000 strawberry, raspberry and soft fruit bushes planted around the city and beehives and herbs in parks.
Parks boss Chaz Farghaly said: "We were amazed by how many young people didn't know where fruit and veg came from."
Saturday, 18 April 2009
Mini Farming for Self Sufficiency
Have you heard of a website www.lulul.com ? This is a publishing website where you can publish your own books, poems, calendars etc. You can publish your books online or as a paperback or hard copy.
Brett, wrote this book on Mini Farming for Self Sufficiency and looks very good. I thought you might like the look of it as it fits in beautifully with our Transition ideals.
This book describes the philosophy and methods of a holistic approach to limited space gardening that produces so much food that, within three years, you will be able to produce 85% of the food needs for a family of four on less than a quarter-acre, plus earn over $10,000 in cash annually - and you will be able to do this in less time than an equivalent job would require, netting the equivalent of $50/hour for your labor. Even if you have never been a farmer or a gardener, this book covers everything you need to know to get started: buying seeds, saving seeds, starting seedlings, establishing raised beds, soil fertility practices, composting, dealing with pest and disease problems, farm planning and much more. Since self sufficiency is the objective, subjects such as raising backyard chickens and home canning are also covered along with numerous methods for keeping costs down and production high.
Enjoy!
Read Reviews
Share This Report
ISBN: 978-0-615-13458-1
Publisher: Brett L Markham
Rights Owner: bmarkham
Copyright: © 2006 Standard Copyright License
Language: English
Country: United States
Paperback book £16.34 Add to Cart
Download £11.01 Add to Cart
Printed: 148 pages, 8.5" x 11", perfect binding, black and white interior ink (2686 kb)
Download: 1 documents, 2686 KB
Thursday, 16 April 2009
the Big Lunch - 19th July venue: West Bridgford
The shared enjoyment of eating together, laughter, play, music and conversation bring us together and for all the fact that we are so fabulously different in our outlook and experience on many things, we know a simple truth - together we are strong.Wouldn't it be great if for just one day we remind ourselves about all that is good about us and bring about a moment that ignites a spark?
It may be tricky, it may feel slightly uncomfortable to start with. It takes a bit of courage to stop being a stranger. But think of the prize - to be able to walk down the street and into the wider neighbourhood and realise how many good people there are: people who, acting together, can create a real sense of community - a word that in Latin means; "together, in gift".
So... if you're up for it, try growing something, making something or generally getting stuck in for the Big Lunch. No one is going to tell you how to do it as your ideas will be perfect for you. If you want any prompting we've gathered together lots of ideas that might set you on the road for a day that at worst might be fun and at best could start to change your life in unexpected ways!
It's your party. All we're doing is giving you an excuse but if you need more than that, then there is a remarkable reason to hold your Big Lunch.
Wednesday, 8 April 2009
Raised Beds - The Economy Plot
Looking around my allotment complex you can see daily people walking up and down with wood to make their own raised beds. The end result can be very successful. Not all of us have time or expertese to make this in one's own backgardens. Now Recycle Works has come up with a very aestetically pleasing, very flexible Raised Garden Plots . For those of you that have a little bit more space this might be just the thing to start your own mini allotment in your own garden or back yard and compost at the same time!
Wooden Raised Beds
These easy to assemble garden plots comprises 8 pointed posts - ready for knocking into the ground and eight sides boards.
Special Offer! For a limted period of time, this product is available with a 10% discount.To purchase with the discount, please visit the Special Offers section.
Watch a video review of our raised beds courtesy of http://www.gardencentretv.co.uk/
Price £53.34
Wooden Raised Beds
These easy to assemble garden plots comprises 8 pointed posts - ready for knocking into the ground and eight sides boards.
Special Offer! For a limted period of time, this product is available with a 10% discount.To purchase with the discount, please visit the Special Offers section.
Watch a video review of our raised beds courtesy of http://www.gardencentretv.co.uk/
Price £53.34
Monday, 6 April 2009
“Why London needs to grow more food” by London Assembly member Jenny Jones
I read somewhere that Los Angeles only has 2 days worth of food at any one time such is the scarcity of food production and reading this report from the London Assembly, it struck me that London is in a similar position: “London is almost entirely dependent on food from abroad, or from other UK regions. One possible solution is to maximise food production in cities to achieve a significant level of food self-sufficiency. Existing studies point to London and its green belt being capable of producing at least a quarter of its fruit and vegetable requirements, provided there is the will to introduce change.”
Read the full report here.
Transition West Bridford is looking at a variety of local growing projects who can produce fresh products (for example local salad leaves, herbs tomatoes, cucumbers etc). And to help you out at home, one of our customers has set up the Grow Your Own project where you can get all the equipment and seeds you need to start, its subsidized so it only costs you a fiver! For further reading, other interesting projects are Capital Growth (aiming to get 2012 new growing spaces by the Olympics) and Landshare (connecting those who have land with those that want to grow).
Read the full report here.
Transition West Bridford is looking at a variety of local growing projects who can produce fresh products (for example local salad leaves, herbs tomatoes, cucumbers etc). And to help you out at home, one of our customers has set up the Grow Your Own project where you can get all the equipment and seeds you need to start, its subsidized so it only costs you a fiver! For further reading, other interesting projects are Capital Growth (aiming to get 2012 new growing spaces by the Olympics) and Landshare (connecting those who have land with those that want to grow).
Saturday, 28 March 2009
Local Food in Nottingham
I am a participant at the Hive business incubator at Nottingham Trent University is working towards setting up a locally sourced (reduced food miles) and environmentally friendly supermarket, hopefully in Nottingham. As part of the market research, there is a web survey which includes a chance to win £25. With the growing green community in Nottingham, this project may be of interest.
As many responses as possible are needed,. so please complete the survey and then forward it on to friends, family and colleagues. There is a £25 prize for one lucky respondent in a prize draw when the survey closes, so please do take part! It's a straightforward questionnaire taking around 5 minutes to complete.
Here's the link:
Kind regards
Helen Pack
helenpack@hotmail.com
As many responses as possible are needed,. so please complete the survey and then forward it on to friends, family and colleagues. There is a £25 prize for one lucky respondent in a prize draw when the survey closes, so please do take part! It's a straightforward questionnaire taking around 5 minutes to complete.
Here's the link:
Kind regards
Helen Pack
helenpack@hotmail.com
Friday, 27 March 2009
What Do We Tell Our Children?
Taken from a blog posted by Nate Hagens on March 1, 2009 - The Oil Drum: Campfire
Given the converging financial, ecological, and energy situations, I often wonder what we should be telling our children about subjects that are
a)over their heads and
b)potentially 'R' rated or worse.
Verbal navigation between hope and reality is difficult enough for our adult network, let alone the generation of young people growing up under our influence. Below is a letter I wrote to the 7 yr old son of a friend of mine who asked his mom 'When will the oil run out?'.
I recently got an email from a friend, who told her son I was an 'oil expert'. He had overheard a conversation about future oil shortages and asked his mom if she would email me - below are his questions and my response back (his mother is a homesteader, and has recently started to home school her 2 children).
“When will the oil run out and how old will I (Parker) be when it runs out? “
Dear Parker,
What an amazing question for a 7 year old to ask? It’s not a simple answer, but since you asked, here goes…
Your grandparents have grandparents, and those grandparents also had grandparents, and if you imagine this repeated over and over, like 50,000 grandparents of grandparents into the past – that is how long humans have been using energy to live our lives. But for most of that time, we used the energy from just the SUN. The sun gives our planet all kinds of energy that we can use. It gives us warmth and heat from its rays, gives us wind from temperature changes, makes water evaporate which then falls as rain, which can be used for water-power, and all sorts of other uses (like drying your underwear on a clothesline or growing a Big Beef tomato plant in your garden). But since the time of your grandparents grandparents –only about 150 years ago, people started to use fossil fuels like oil and gas. Fossil fuels are just sunlight from a really long time ago that was captured by animals and little organisms and was buried under the earth when they died. Over millions of years, it decayed and turned into a black gooey fuel called oil, which can be made into gasoline and power engines. Gasoline is very cheap – it is about the same price for 1 gallon of gasoline as a gallon of milk. But it is very powerful. One gallon of gasoline (under $2), can do the same amount of physical work as your mom can digging ditches, carrying wood, pushing a wheelbarrow etc. for about 500 hours, which is like working for 10 weeks in a row without stopping. When you look at it like that, oil and gasoline are almost like magic!!
Oil will never ‘run out’. But what will happen, and very soon, is it will become unaffordable for society to produce and pay for. The problem is that people born before you used a lot of the cheaper oil for silly things – things that either weren’t important, or didn’t last too long, like fast car races, wars, and garbage. Most of our society now depends on this cheap oil – food is grown using oil and gas based fertilizers and tractors. It is then packaged in plastics that are made from oil, refrigerated in containers that use gasoline, and transported in trucks all over the world. So oil is very important to how most people live day to day.
During your life, a great many changes will happen to the planet, and to the things we have become used to. I would say it is highly possible that when you turn 16, oil will be too expensive for you to even drive a car. To someone 7 or 17 or even 67, this might sound scary. But that’s only because they are used to it. We will have to figure out ways to live and enjoy our lives without this extra energy–the oil we found in the ground. We used just the sun for thousands of generations before. And you know what? For someone young like yourself, running out of cheap oil might actually be pretty cool. You have an amazing opportunity to be involved in the first ‘sustainability revolution’ on our planet. Sustainability means something that you can do over and over again each year without relying on energy that was stored underground from the ancient past (like oil, or coal). For example, growing pumpkins from the seeds of last years pumpkins and using chicken poop to fertilize them is something sustainable. Even if you don’t have oil, you will still have the sun, the wind, trees and water to provide food, heat and shelter and make things you need. There is still is a lot of oil left – it is just that it will cost a lot of money and other things we need to get it out. And remember, money is only worth something because people agree that it has value – it doesn’t have REAL value, like a chicken or a windmill or water in a barrel. But right now we can exchange it for stuff. In your lifetime that may not always be true.
Parker, you have an amazing advantage! First you are young, and aren’t too dependent yet on oil. But more importantly, your Mom has given you a big head start. Teaching you about the land, and where food comes from, and natural stuff is very important. Living in the country gives you lots of chances to play and learn at the same time. Most kids don’t get that opportunity and when oil becomes real expensive they are going to be scared and confused about things like where food comes from and such – they wouldn’t know the difference between a chicken and an owl (I bet you do.) Try and learn as much as you can about how the natural world works. Because people too are part of the natural world.
So, to answer your question, oil is a great and powerful energy source, but it doesn’t necessarily make people happy. To catch bugs, play with your sister and friends, have a meal with your family, tell stories, make music, go exploring, design an experiment, raise animals, dream and laugh – all these things don’t need any oil at all. So if I were you, I’d be excited that the cheap oil is soon running out. Your generation will make an important mark on the future of our planet – maybe you will help out Parker! – if not, I’m sure you’ll have fun and do great stuff in your own little corner of the world, wherever that may be. My only advice to you is to always be curious about how things work, always be playful and try to see the fun and joy in every situation, and don’t worry about knowing everything or being good at everything –to be good at the things you are good at and like to do is enough– the world will seek you out and put you on a path. Oil is awesome, but we don’t need it. Personally, I would choose a good friend anyday over oil…
Good luck,Nate
P.S. Parker is a really cool name. Cool and strong.
His mom read the letter to him and I got this reply:
This is from Parker:
Thank you for the letter. I like how the sun makes oil in the earth. I learn that we can use the sun as energy by solar panels for our home. I heard that we can use the wind for energy, too, and I know that you can use fossil fuels for gas. I really like legos and I know that the oil is getting expensive so I am trying to find a new way to make oil and plastic.
Love, Parker
Given the converging financial, ecological, and energy situations, I often wonder what we should be telling our children about subjects that are
a)over their heads and
b)potentially 'R' rated or worse.
Verbal navigation between hope and reality is difficult enough for our adult network, let alone the generation of young people growing up under our influence. Below is a letter I wrote to the 7 yr old son of a friend of mine who asked his mom 'When will the oil run out?'.
I recently got an email from a friend, who told her son I was an 'oil expert'. He had overheard a conversation about future oil shortages and asked his mom if she would email me - below are his questions and my response back (his mother is a homesteader, and has recently started to home school her 2 children).
“When will the oil run out and how old will I (Parker) be when it runs out? “
Dear Parker,
What an amazing question for a 7 year old to ask? It’s not a simple answer, but since you asked, here goes…
Your grandparents have grandparents, and those grandparents also had grandparents, and if you imagine this repeated over and over, like 50,000 grandparents of grandparents into the past – that is how long humans have been using energy to live our lives. But for most of that time, we used the energy from just the SUN. The sun gives our planet all kinds of energy that we can use. It gives us warmth and heat from its rays, gives us wind from temperature changes, makes water evaporate which then falls as rain, which can be used for water-power, and all sorts of other uses (like drying your underwear on a clothesline or growing a Big Beef tomato plant in your garden). But since the time of your grandparents grandparents –only about 150 years ago, people started to use fossil fuels like oil and gas. Fossil fuels are just sunlight from a really long time ago that was captured by animals and little organisms and was buried under the earth when they died. Over millions of years, it decayed and turned into a black gooey fuel called oil, which can be made into gasoline and power engines. Gasoline is very cheap – it is about the same price for 1 gallon of gasoline as a gallon of milk. But it is very powerful. One gallon of gasoline (under $2), can do the same amount of physical work as your mom can digging ditches, carrying wood, pushing a wheelbarrow etc. for about 500 hours, which is like working for 10 weeks in a row without stopping. When you look at it like that, oil and gasoline are almost like magic!!
Oil will never ‘run out’. But what will happen, and very soon, is it will become unaffordable for society to produce and pay for. The problem is that people born before you used a lot of the cheaper oil for silly things – things that either weren’t important, or didn’t last too long, like fast car races, wars, and garbage. Most of our society now depends on this cheap oil – food is grown using oil and gas based fertilizers and tractors. It is then packaged in plastics that are made from oil, refrigerated in containers that use gasoline, and transported in trucks all over the world. So oil is very important to how most people live day to day.
During your life, a great many changes will happen to the planet, and to the things we have become used to. I would say it is highly possible that when you turn 16, oil will be too expensive for you to even drive a car. To someone 7 or 17 or even 67, this might sound scary. But that’s only because they are used to it. We will have to figure out ways to live and enjoy our lives without this extra energy–the oil we found in the ground. We used just the sun for thousands of generations before. And you know what? For someone young like yourself, running out of cheap oil might actually be pretty cool. You have an amazing opportunity to be involved in the first ‘sustainability revolution’ on our planet. Sustainability means something that you can do over and over again each year without relying on energy that was stored underground from the ancient past (like oil, or coal). For example, growing pumpkins from the seeds of last years pumpkins and using chicken poop to fertilize them is something sustainable. Even if you don’t have oil, you will still have the sun, the wind, trees and water to provide food, heat and shelter and make things you need. There is still is a lot of oil left – it is just that it will cost a lot of money and other things we need to get it out. And remember, money is only worth something because people agree that it has value – it doesn’t have REAL value, like a chicken or a windmill or water in a barrel. But right now we can exchange it for stuff. In your lifetime that may not always be true.
Parker, you have an amazing advantage! First you are young, and aren’t too dependent yet on oil. But more importantly, your Mom has given you a big head start. Teaching you about the land, and where food comes from, and natural stuff is very important. Living in the country gives you lots of chances to play and learn at the same time. Most kids don’t get that opportunity and when oil becomes real expensive they are going to be scared and confused about things like where food comes from and such – they wouldn’t know the difference between a chicken and an owl (I bet you do.) Try and learn as much as you can about how the natural world works. Because people too are part of the natural world.
So, to answer your question, oil is a great and powerful energy source, but it doesn’t necessarily make people happy. To catch bugs, play with your sister and friends, have a meal with your family, tell stories, make music, go exploring, design an experiment, raise animals, dream and laugh – all these things don’t need any oil at all. So if I were you, I’d be excited that the cheap oil is soon running out. Your generation will make an important mark on the future of our planet – maybe you will help out Parker! – if not, I’m sure you’ll have fun and do great stuff in your own little corner of the world, wherever that may be. My only advice to you is to always be curious about how things work, always be playful and try to see the fun and joy in every situation, and don’t worry about knowing everything or being good at everything –to be good at the things you are good at and like to do is enough– the world will seek you out and put you on a path. Oil is awesome, but we don’t need it. Personally, I would choose a good friend anyday over oil…
Good luck,Nate
P.S. Parker is a really cool name. Cool and strong.
His mom read the letter to him and I got this reply:
This is from Parker:
Thank you for the letter. I like how the sun makes oil in the earth. I learn that we can use the sun as energy by solar panels for our home. I heard that we can use the wind for energy, too, and I know that you can use fossil fuels for gas. I really like legos and I know that the oil is getting expensive so I am trying to find a new way to make oil and plastic.
Love, Parker
Tuesday, 24 March 2009
Living for Tomorrow Magazine
Although Transition West Bridgford is very active and is trying to get through to residents in many different ways, through music, pub quizzes, stalls at events, setting up new schemes like the Garden Share, Green Streets and local food co-op, Nottinghamshire County Council brings out 3 times a year a wonderful inspiring magazine: Living for Tomorrow.
It shows how local people and businesses are determined to make our County ready for living for tomorrow. If you would like to subscribe to this Free magazine please click here: Living For Tomorrow
Sunday, 22 March 2009
upside down tomatoes, herbs and vegetables
whilst doing some research to help local people grow their own food, even if they only have a very small space, I came across this very cheap, space saving idea of growing your own food.
Upside Down Tomatoes
Upside down tomato growing is becoming a popular way of adding tomatoes to a small garden.
I discovered that some people feel that growing tomatoes upside down will prevent rot and blight by keeping the tomatoes off the ground, and will increase yield, too.
The Method
You will need:
1 large bucket- 5 gallon is good
potting soil with some manure added
a drill or knife for cutting the hole in the bottom
Upside down tomato growing is becoming a popular way of adding tomatoes to a small garden.
I discovered that some people feel that growing tomatoes upside down will prevent rot and blight by keeping the tomatoes off the ground, and will increase yield, too.
The Method
You will need:
1 large bucket- 5 gallon is good
potting soil with some manure added
a drill or knife for cutting the hole in the bottom
Drill a hole in the center of the bottom of the bucket. The hole should be about 2″ in diameter. Fill the bucket with potting soil mix. Cover with a lid or place a piece of cardboard over to serve as a lid.
Turn the bucket upside down, and plant one tomato seedling through the hole you’ve drilled in the bottom of your bucket. Make sure to plant deeply. Water the entire bucket with a mix of water and organic fertilizer, and hang from a sturdy hook. I have seen recommendations to leave it for 1 week to settle before hanging it.
As with any hanging basket, this will dry out easily in hot or windy weather, so watering frequently is a must.
I’ve seen someone with cherry tomato hanging baskets by their front door - what a yummy idea! The regular watering has to be a chore, the same as with flowers, but a much more fantastic reward than a few blooms!
I’ve been doing this exact technique for a couple of years with great results each time. I grow tomatoes in the garden as well, and last year a number of the ground tomatoes were badly damaged by cut-worm. The other advantage of the upside down tomatoes, besides few-to-no bugs, is the plants tend to grow large and with lots of room between all the branches and leaves, making it easy to get the ripe fruit.
It’s important to hang the plants at a hight that keeps them from touching the ground, but is still easy to water. I put herb seeds in the soil at the top and have a great herb garden throughout the summer.
[ For more tomato growing tips and ideas, be sure to visit our sister site, Tomato Casual ] Related Posts Send Friend
Sunday, 15 March 2009
Watch what is happening to the world right now!
Maybe depressing but just click on this breathing earth site and see!! An absolutely amazing thought-provoking site! (....start placing your cursor on the various countries and catch the stats!!!) Don't know about the technology involved and/or the accuracy of the data input - but it sure is interesting! Might make a good screen saver or desktop...
Thursday, 12 March 2009
Garden Share Scheme to be set up in West Bridgford
We are in the process of setting up the Garden Share Scheme and need help with the flyering for the Garden Share Meeting now fixed for the 26th March (see attached copy of the amended flyer).
Please call Jake (0115 9143922) if you can help leaflet one or two streets out of 15 which I have targetted. I will have the right numbers in the bundles for each street.People can collect the bundles from my house at 13 Villiers Road. We are aiming to do the flyering from 18th March onwards until 20th March.
Please call Jake (0115 9143922) if you can help leaflet one or two streets out of 15 which I have targetted. I will have the right numbers in the bundles for each street.People can collect the bundles from my house at 13 Villiers Road. We are aiming to do the flyering from 18th March onwards until 20th March.
Wednesday, 11 March 2009
Stand up you Greenies! Song by Shaz Freida Mai - Feb '09
During yesterday's Food Fuddle meeting we had a wonderful interlude from Sharon who had written a Transition Song. Her guitar came out, glasses on, and a wonderful 10 minutes were spent listing to these words so true.
I have put the words on here for now, but Sharon is about to release her songs on CD so soon you will be able to down load them. If you are lucky she might even be interested to sing and play guitar at your events. If so, please contact her via email: colourandcracks@hotmail.com
TUNE IS dylans Shelter from the storm
CHORDS C, EM, F, CC, EM, F, FC, EM, F, FC, EM, F, C
Stages of change transition handbook
FAT CAT – pre-contemplation stage
SECOND FAT CAT - more inteligent
CONTEMPLATION STAGE
GREENIES - Choral bit
Ahhhh... these Greenies are all the same –
give em an inch and they take a mile...”
So who are these Greenies
we keep hearing about
what do they want
and why do they shout
do they really believe
that they can rearrange
society better
and bring about change
well they do seem to really
believe what they say
and they said they want
positive change today
but how many are there?
and where are they from?
and who's gonna listen
to what they've gotta say
Well they're not all wearing dreadlocks
but so many of them are
they don't all ride push bikes
some still even have cars
and they're not all under 20
some have grandkids that age
and they're not all unemployed
some are on a good wage
and they are not they
they are we, we are we
we are One Soul, on One Earth
we are Humanity
and we care for each other
we care for the trees
we care for our Earth Mother
and we cry for the Bees
Gaia needs our attention
she needs it today
needs our participation
yes our part we must play
and we've dreamed our bestest visions
and we know what to do
and were into Transition
so what about you....
but they blockade the airports
they're all scruffy and brave
and they all run demonstrations
and they all go to raves
and we've heard all about them
heard the bad Greenie hype
in the papers and on the telly
or is that just ....... a stereotype
no we're not all wearing dreadlocks
but we all share the same aims
and were proud of our young brothers and sisters
who demonstrate in our name
cos we all share this one planet
and we know in our hearts
that The Great Turning is here
this is where Transition starts!
In our wee little house
in our own back yard
down our own funny street
yes in our own neighborhood
and in all those back gardens
that once had plush lawns
and on all those front driveways
that once had hedges and gnomes....
where were all planting fruit trees
and some even plant nuts
cos the protein we need
cos old Tesco is fucked (BLEEP)
soon the trucks may stopped bringing
the food from abroad
so we'll grow all our own food now
and they can eat theirs
and the hammock Is strung up
between 2 apple trees
where your old granddad yawns
cos he's been planting veggies
just like the days of old
he remembers so much
oh the stories he tells
of the times in his youth
when they all pulled together
in the great Dig for Victory
in all kinds of weather
wearing patches on his knees
and its not so very long ago
just a stones throw away
they made their own shoes
he remembers it well
and if we listen carefully
we might even hear
our great grandmother speakin'
she's got wisdom to share
of how she made her medicines
and helped the babes get born
if were quiet we'll hear stories
of when time had it's dawn
and its not so very long ago
when we made our own clothes
and we made our own candles
and rag rugs and shoes
we made cider and butter
cheese, chutney and jam
and the making and the mending
was handed down from your Dad and your Mam
and when it was winter
we gathered wood from the shore
our kids had hand me down jumpers
wanted nothing more
and they learned the ancient skills
and had no need of clocks
they had built in resilience
to withstand the shocks
and the times come around
so rise up you people
look at your sacred land
and have a good look at your people
and look at your own hands
well are they strong and able
and fit for the job - and will ya
put your hand in your pocket
and invest just a few bob
a few people, a few seeds
a bit of land is all you need
and a share of the harvest
theres no need for greed
an allotment, a bit of garden
the scrub at the end of your street
and I guarantee you'll have some fun
with all the sweet people you meet
cos we're together on a mission
Yes there is no time to waste
you don't have to wait for permission
you can come together make haste
cos when your in with the vision
and you want to plant your green shoots
then on with the mission
and you'll find your own Land Roots
So get into Transition
just jump in and join the fun
we are all in The Great Turning
yes the New Age has come
and we love our mother Gaia
and her love is sweet and warm
'come in' she said 'I'll give ya
shelter from the storm''
come in' she said 'I'll give ya
shelter from the storm'
I have put the words on here for now, but Sharon is about to release her songs on CD so soon you will be able to down load them. If you are lucky she might even be interested to sing and play guitar at your events. If so, please contact her via email: colourandcracks@hotmail.com
TUNE IS dylans Shelter from the storm
CHORDS C, EM, F, CC, EM, F, FC, EM, F, FC, EM, F, C
Stages of change transition handbook
FAT CAT – pre-contemplation stage
SECOND FAT CAT - more inteligent
CONTEMPLATION STAGE
GREENIES - Choral bit
Ahhhh... these Greenies are all the same –
give em an inch and they take a mile...”
So who are these Greenies
we keep hearing about
what do they want
and why do they shout
do they really believe
that they can rearrange
society better
and bring about change
well they do seem to really
believe what they say
and they said they want
positive change today
but how many are there?
and where are they from?
and who's gonna listen
to what they've gotta say
Well they're not all wearing dreadlocks
but so many of them are
they don't all ride push bikes
some still even have cars
and they're not all under 20
some have grandkids that age
and they're not all unemployed
some are on a good wage
and they are not they
they are we, we are we
we are One Soul, on One Earth
we are Humanity
and we care for each other
we care for the trees
we care for our Earth Mother
and we cry for the Bees
Gaia needs our attention
she needs it today
needs our participation
yes our part we must play
and we've dreamed our bestest visions
and we know what to do
and were into Transition
so what about you....
but they blockade the airports
they're all scruffy and brave
and they all run demonstrations
and they all go to raves
and we've heard all about them
heard the bad Greenie hype
in the papers and on the telly
or is that just ....... a stereotype
no we're not all wearing dreadlocks
but we all share the same aims
and were proud of our young brothers and sisters
who demonstrate in our name
cos we all share this one planet
and we know in our hearts
that The Great Turning is here
this is where Transition starts!
In our wee little house
in our own back yard
down our own funny street
yes in our own neighborhood
and in all those back gardens
that once had plush lawns
and on all those front driveways
that once had hedges and gnomes....
where were all planting fruit trees
and some even plant nuts
cos the protein we need
cos old Tesco is fucked (BLEEP)
soon the trucks may stopped bringing
the food from abroad
so we'll grow all our own food now
and they can eat theirs
and the hammock Is strung up
between 2 apple trees
where your old granddad yawns
cos he's been planting veggies
just like the days of old
he remembers so much
oh the stories he tells
of the times in his youth
when they all pulled together
in the great Dig for Victory
in all kinds of weather
wearing patches on his knees
and its not so very long ago
just a stones throw away
they made their own shoes
he remembers it well
and if we listen carefully
we might even hear
our great grandmother speakin'
she's got wisdom to share
of how she made her medicines
and helped the babes get born
if were quiet we'll hear stories
of when time had it's dawn
and its not so very long ago
when we made our own clothes
and we made our own candles
and rag rugs and shoes
we made cider and butter
cheese, chutney and jam
and the making and the mending
was handed down from your Dad and your Mam
and when it was winter
we gathered wood from the shore
our kids had hand me down jumpers
wanted nothing more
and they learned the ancient skills
and had no need of clocks
they had built in resilience
to withstand the shocks
and the times come around
so rise up you people
look at your sacred land
and have a good look at your people
and look at your own hands
well are they strong and able
and fit for the job - and will ya
put your hand in your pocket
and invest just a few bob
a few people, a few seeds
a bit of land is all you need
and a share of the harvest
theres no need for greed
an allotment, a bit of garden
the scrub at the end of your street
and I guarantee you'll have some fun
with all the sweet people you meet
cos we're together on a mission
Yes there is no time to waste
you don't have to wait for permission
you can come together make haste
cos when your in with the vision
and you want to plant your green shoots
then on with the mission
and you'll find your own Land Roots
So get into Transition
just jump in and join the fun
we are all in The Great Turning
yes the New Age has come
and we love our mother Gaia
and her love is sweet and warm
'come in' she said 'I'll give ya
shelter from the storm''
come in' she said 'I'll give ya
shelter from the storm'
Friday, 20 February 2009
Garden Share scheme in Brighton & Hove
Since we started our garden share scheme in Brighton & Hove (which is called Grow Your Neighbour's Own) a number of people from around the country have contacted me to ask for advice on how we got going... so I thought I'd start a thread here to which people can reply with other questions and answers which can be shared with everyone...The details of how we set up our garden share scheme here in Brighton are pretty much laid out on this page on the Transition Town Totnes website: set up
This page sets out almost exactly what we did, mainly because I had a long conversation with Lou in Totnes before we did ours... I think she wrote the page afterwards so that she wouldn't have to keep repeating herself...! We also use Google Maps to keep track of where all the garden owners and gardeners live (just for our own use, the map is not publicly viewable).
There's only a couple more things to add to her page, namely that we found that setting up a website where people can email in their details proved very effective (see our website here: )but the website on its own is not enough, because the most important thing is matching up people with the same expectations from the scheme. There will be all levels of gardening experience amongst the gardeners, from beginner to experienced, and this needs matching with what the owners are expecting, as well as matching by location, times when access is available, how much time gardeners have available, etc.
As to legal/security issues: we meet all of the gardeners personally and check a personal reference for all of them. We don't ask for CRB checks, but if a garden owner requests this, many of the gardeners already have a CRB check, so we just match them with a gardener who has.
We've also taken out Public Liability Insurance for the gardeners in case of an accident/damage in an owner's garden (we've got a small grant). But generally we want to just pair people up and let them get on with it – we provide them with a list of guideline questions to discuss before they agree to the pairing...
There are other practicalities to think about if you are in a city like we are in Brighton and Hove: namely that the gardeners will generally be living in flats near the centre of town, and the garden owners on the outskirts... so you have to find out if some gardeners are willing to cycle/get the bus to get to gardens (we've tried to avoid people using cars, but we might change this sometime soon so that we can match more people up), and promote this by saying they get the pick of the gardens if they do...
I have a number of the documents that we use (and there are others on the Totnes garden share at the link above):
- an info sheet about the scheme,
- the guidelines I mentioned above,
- the certificate we ask the pairings to sign once they've agreed to be matched together,
- an example of the garden owner details sheet that we show potential gardeners when they are picking a scheme;
- as well as the procedures we follow when visiting garden owners or gardeners. If anyone would like copies of these please email me at grow_info*at*transitionbrightonandhove.org.uk
Community Supported Agriculture talks at the Friends Meeting House Nottingham: Thursday 19 Feb 2009
Kristin Glendinning of the Soil Association argues that it would indeed be possible to imagine a situation where 80% of our food is grown within Britain and 60% of it grown within a 100 miles of where it is consumed.Nottingham has a huge potential to contribute to this vision given that at least 50% of the city is made up by green space. One of the key vehicles of transition would be to set up Community Supported Agricultural Schemes (CSA’s). These aim to forge partnerships between producers and consumers where both the rewards and the risks are shared. Kirstin has been involved in a CSA project in Swillington (near Leeds) that has managed to get local people involved in a project that grows fruit and vegetables. Local people were invited to pay £600 (or £375 for a half share) up front for which they received a box from June through to March. The scheme has now expanding to include local people on low incomes with subsidised half shares. This was an important part of the project as many of the local people were from former mining communities. In the first year the project produced 35 boxes but they had now expanded to 50. There is also a similar project running in Hackney that supports a local organic box scheme, farmers market and runs a patchwork farm which is currently training local people on apprentice schemes in farming. Again this has attracted interest from low-income groups as 30% of the people involved in the box scheme describe themselves as living on a low income. Should anyone wish to find out more about CSA’s run by the Soil Association they should visit http://www.soilassociation.org/csa for further information.
Kirstin also talked at length about CSA’s run in Oregon (http://www.yourbackyardfarmer.com/) that have set up CSA’s in back gardens, and even in public parks in Belgium. The founding principles of CSA’s are that they are self-financing, can provide a livelihood for a farmer or grower, guarantee a market so there is no waste, and help develop resilient community networks. If anyone is thinking of setting up a CSA then the Soil Association offer free advice and should visit (http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/) to find out more.
The second speaker of evening was Mark Simmonds (mark.r.simmonds@cooperatives-uk.coop) from the Union of Co-operative Enterprises who talked about the legal structures that are necessary to forge an alliance between landowners, consumers and growers. Mark outlined a number of different corporate structures that anyone wishing to start a CSA, community shop or food co-op may like to consider. Mark is able to offer free legal advice.
This was a hugely enjoyable evening with lots of people talking about their own ventures and asking interesting questions to the two main speakers. Anyone new or old to the idea of transition towns or the politics of local food would have come away both encouraged with lots of practical information and detail.
Thursday, 19 February 2009
The farm that feeds its shareholders
Get involved in growing your own vegetables.One group of people in Stroud, Gloucestershire were so keen to grow-their-own they've created a whole farm. Around 200 members now pay into the not-for-profit Stroud Community Agriculture scheme
Do you know of a farm nearby which might like to get involved in this? If so, contact the food group of Transition WB and we shall see if we can make it happen.
For now we have schemes like the Shared Garden Project (http://www.sharedgarden.co.uk/) where a group of people work to gether on a number of allotments. Although there are no spaces left, You might be able to get a few friends together and work an allotment together, or join Jake Jackson's garden share project.
If you don't have the time or strength to have an allotment, container growing on the patio, balcony or back garden might still be an option. On 29th May, local gardeners will be giving away vegetable plants on Central Avenue for you to grow in containers at home as part of the Green Streets Initiative.
So no matter how small a space you have, there is virtually always a way to grow something tasty!
One of the founding members, Jade Bashford and farmer, Mark Harrison explain how it works. For more information about community supported agriculture schemes, visit the Soil Association website
The farm that feeds its shareholders(02.59)
New allotment takes root(01.52)
Vegetable drama with no plot(01.34)
Wednesday, 18 February 2009
Switch on to green electricity!
Many electricity companies are now offering a ‘green’ tariff, but which tariffs are best? How do they work? Do they lead to more electricity being generated from renewable sources? And how much do they cost?
GEM is a website that gives you details of the ‘green’ tariffs on offer to UK domestic customers. You may even find that green electricity will cost you less than you are paying now.
Signing up for a green tariff is easy. Just follow our simple three steps and you could start the switch to green electricity today!
Tuesday, 17 February 2009
JOIN THE ZERO CARBON CARAVAN
Come with us on a journey to save the planet. A Zero Carbon journey to show that we can live differently, travelling from all over the world to arrive in Copenhagen for the UN climate talks in December 2009.
You don't have to come all the way to Copenhagen, just come for a few days if you like.We will travel mainly by cycling and sailing, but any methods of travel are allowed, so long as they use no fossil fuels. We will hold conferences on the way, explaining the need to reduce our carbonemissions to zero, then discussing ways of doing just that, and Zero Carbon Concerts, using bicycle-generated electricity and audience participation – people power not fossil fuel power.We will demand a zero carbon world as fast as we can. The whole journey will have a high profile on internet media, so the politicians negotiating for a replacement for the Kyoto Protocol are aware of the pressure from public opinion.Cyclists, sailors, musicians, climate scientists, renewable energyexperts, organisers, media officers, we'd love you to join us!
This maybe our last hope. For more information or to receive our email newsletter (once every fewweeks) please contact Chris Keene chris.keene@zerocarboncaravan.net+44(0)1603 614535
You don't have to come all the way to Copenhagen, just come for a few days if you like.We will travel mainly by cycling and sailing, but any methods of travel are allowed, so long as they use no fossil fuels. We will hold conferences on the way, explaining the need to reduce our carbonemissions to zero, then discussing ways of doing just that, and Zero Carbon Concerts, using bicycle-generated electricity and audience participation – people power not fossil fuel power.We will demand a zero carbon world as fast as we can. The whole journey will have a high profile on internet media, so the politicians negotiating for a replacement for the Kyoto Protocol are aware of the pressure from public opinion.Cyclists, sailors, musicians, climate scientists, renewable energyexperts, organisers, media officers, we'd love you to join us!
This maybe our last hope. For more information or to receive our email newsletter (once every fewweeks) please contact Chris Keene chris.keene@zerocarboncaravan.net+44(0)1603 614535
Monday, 16 February 2009
Energy monitor on loan
Most of us would like to be more environmentally conscious but it isn't easy. This little device can help. Do you know how much energy your electric kettle uses? Or the greenhouse gas the power station gives off to make enough power for that cup of tea? Watch and be amazed.Simple to install, you just clip a sensor next to your electricity meter, the meter monitors your energy use and shows you, in big LCD numbers, on a portable display. It's a real eye-opener and will help you turn a few things off, so saving a serious amount of energy. Good for your pocket and the environment at the same time. Sally Collard is willing to lend you this monitor for a couple of weeks but if you would like to buy one afterwards you can buy it on line.
There are a few different monitors on the market, this Owl Wireless Energy Monitor is easy to install and can be bought from ethical superstore £34.95
Sunday, 15 February 2009
How to... insulate your loft with BBC Green
If your loft is home only to cardboard boxes and spiders, you could be wasting a huge amount of energy keeping it warm. Laying proper insulation can slash your carbon footprint and your heating bills – and you don’t have to be a DIY guru to do it.In this article
What are the benefits?
How much will it cost?
Payback time
What equipment do I need?
Step-by-step guide
What are the benefits?
Without loft insulation, you could be losing up to 20 per cent of your heating costs through your roof. It is a simple and effective way to reduce your heating bills, acting as a blanket by trapping heat rising from the house below. Not only that, it will keep your house cooler in the summer by blocking heat from the sun on your roof. For optimum efficiency you should also consider lagging your pipes and fitting an 80mm hot water cylinder jacket at the same time.
How much will it cost?
Nothing in the long term. Expect to spend around £250 if you do it yourself – it'll cost you twice that if you get the work done a by professional fitter. Check the Energy Saving Trust’s table below to find out how quickly you will make your money back.It’s also worth finding out if you're eligible for a grant to pay towards the cost of loft insulation.
Payback time
What equipment do I need?
Protective clothing, gloves and masks are essential items, especially if you are fitting mineral wool insulation.
A knife to cut the material to the right size.
Insulation material – this depends on the insulation you have already. If you have none then you’ll need 270mm thick roll-out material. You can choose from mainstream insulation, such as mineral wool, or more eco-friendly types, such as sheep’s wool or loose-fill recycled newspaper.
If you already have some form of loft insulation, top it up with rolled or loose-fill material.
Chipboard (optional) – you can add chipboard above your insulation for added protection and to allow you to walk on top.
Step-by-step guide
Mind that dodgy loft ladder!
Clean and dust the gaps between joists.
Start at the eaves and unroll the insulation material between the joists, towards the centre of the loft.
Tuck the end of the roll into the eaves but don’t block them completely.
Mind you don’t insulate below the cold water tank or cover any electric wiring.
At the centre of the loft cut the roll, then go to the other end of the loft and start again. Cut and butt the ends closely together where the lengths meet in the middle.
Repeat along the remaining joist spaces.
Cross-lay a second layer at right angles to the first, this time above the joists.
You won’t be able to see the joists now, so be careful where you step – lay down chipboard to walk on.
To insulate the hatch cut the right sized piece of material, tap nails in each corner and criss-cross string to keep it in place. Watch out this doesn’t catch on the latch.
You're all done – have a nice cup of tea!
Saturday, 14 February 2009
The Trainline.com
Save 39%* on train tickets Watch this video
Use Best Fare Finder, sign up for Ticket Alert & follow our simple tips to save money in 2009.
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Use Best Fare Finder, sign up for Ticket Alert & follow our simple tips to save money in 2009.
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We sell tickets from all train companies to all national destinations.
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If you would like to Bio dynamic Association to benefit at the same time as you save on buying you ticket click here
Monday, 9 February 2009
Foraging in and around West Bridgford
As part of our food group we are looking into setting up foraging walks in and around West Bridgford.If you know of any apple or other fruit and nuts trees that are fruiting in autumn and no one claims the fruit, or you would like to join in on these foraging walks, please contact: Julie on 9452556
For some specialist courses see: The Wild food School. For a free guide to download, they do a monthly e-mail newsletter to subscribe click here: Join the Newsletter E-mail list
Expecting to start sometime in March possibly coinciding with the Green Streets initiative on the last Friday of every month.
Wednesday, 4 February 2009
The Gardening Catalogues have arrived!
Whilst the snow is melting outside, I am looking through my Thompson and Morgan catalogue and came across some lovely fruit varieties that might be of interest to you to be(come) part of the grow your own movement in West Bridgford.To give you some ideas on what I have come across:
Strawberry Irrisistible 10 plants for £10.99 or 30 for £19.99
Blue berry Top Hat 3 for £17.98
Goji Berry 3 for £17.98
Peach Avalon Pride (resistant to leaf curl) £29.99
Hardy Kiwi £17.99
Aronia Berries £9.99
Honey Berry 3 plant for £9.99
Fulton's Rhubarb strawberry surprise £8.99
Blue berry Top Hat 3 for £17.98
Goji Berry 3 for £17.98
Peach Avalon Pride (resistant to leaf curl) £29.99
Hardy Kiwi £17.99
Aronia Berries £9.99
Honey Berry 3 plant for £9.99
Fulton's Rhubarb strawberry surprise £8.99
There are lots more interesting easy to grow fruits that might fit into your garden, containers and your budget.
Organic vegetable growing in your own garden
Kernewek Gardens, Nottingham is pleased to introduce a new scheme.Like to have fresh, healthy food from your own garden, but don't know how?...
We can establish and tend to food growing in your garden which in turn will mean no food miles, no packaging, grown using organic principles and cheaper than the shops.
Planting the seeds for a healthy future.
Well, its February already, the gardens are ready to burst into life and the frosts are breaking down the soil into a fine tilth.
The first seeds have been sown and should germinate anyday now. Broad Beans and Peas in their deep pots first, followed by Cauliflower and early nantes Carrots. The early crop Potatoes are going into their tyres ( yes, i'm using tyres to grow them in ) later this month. Ive constructed some poly-tunnels to get all my Sweet Peppers and Chili's off to a flyer too.
Remember, there's still time to sign up to our growing and maintenance schemes, with prices from just £ 40 per month
We have some turfing jobs on this month, as its an ideal time to lay a new lawn; and of course, seeding jobs can wait for another month as its too cold for the seed to germinate.
What are you waiting for?
Call Simon on 07808 808 091
or email to: organics@nicegarden.co.uk
all garden aspects covered see our website for more details
www.nicegarden.co.uk
Tuesday, 3 February 2009
Car2Share Initiative is now available!
A few weeks ago I mentioned a website for you to see what the true cost of running a car is.
www.thisismoney.co.uk/cost-of-your-car-calculator.
If this calculator made you decide that maybe it would be an idea to look at alternatives to your (second)car, we might have come up with an answer.
Enterprise rent-a-car, our local car hire company has very kindly come up with a brilliant deal for people in West Bridgford. It is simple to use, cost effective (for occasional use) and will contribute to clearer and safer roads in our Town.
They will come and pick you up, drop you off, give you a huge selection of cars available (depending on what you need it for that day/weekend/week etc Van, small car, large car, MPV)
Just click: Car2Share to go straigt to their site
www.thisismoney.co.uk/cost-of-your-car-calculator.
If this calculator made you decide that maybe it would be an idea to look at alternatives to your (second)car, we might have come up with an answer.
Enterprise rent-a-car, our local car hire company has very kindly come up with a brilliant deal for people in West Bridgford. It is simple to use, cost effective (for occasional use) and will contribute to clearer and safer roads in our Town.
They will come and pick you up, drop you off, give you a huge selection of cars available (depending on what you need it for that day/weekend/week etc Van, small car, large car, MPV)
Just click: Car2Share to go straigt to their site
News from Nottinghamshare - Lift sharing scheme
This has been an amazing year. Over 75,000 new members registered to the liftshare network in 2008, meaning more people than ever are likely to be travelling your way.And what better time to save some money and inject some friendly company into your journeys than over the Christmas break? As our cartoon observes, the economy is not in a good way right now, and we all need to save money in every way we can. Why not make it your new year's resolution to share as many journeys as possible?
Click here if you would like to join this Lift share scheme
With very best wishes for a happy, healthy and prosperous 2009,
the liftshare team
Rail and Coach Deals
Family & Friends Railcard 25% off code. This gets up to 4 adults & 4 kids 1/3 off adult and 60% off kids' train fares. A special code's available again cutting its price from £24 to £18. See the Deals Note: Rail and Coach Deals Related Guide: Cheap Train Fares
Thursday, 22 January 2009
Food Group update:
WB Transition Garden Share Project - led by Jake Jackson
Do you have an unused corner of garden that you would be happy to share with a grower? Why not use your unloved plot to grow cabbages, connections – even friends! The idea is to match and introduce committed, enthusiastic, and respectful growers (with limited space but time and energy) with local garden owners (but limited time,energy or knowledge) who want their gardens to be used more productively. Elswhere schemes have been based on sharing the produce between owner and grower, careful matching and signed agreements. Email us (TransitionWB@yahoo.co.uk) if you or someone you know might be interested or phone Jake on: 0115 9143922
Planning meeting to set up project 3rd Feb
Do you have an unused corner of garden that you would be happy to share with a grower? Why not use your unloved plot to grow cabbages, connections – even friends! The idea is to match and introduce committed, enthusiastic, and respectful growers (with limited space but time and energy) with local garden owners (but limited time,energy or knowledge) who want their gardens to be used more productively. Elswhere schemes have been based on sharing the produce between owner and grower, careful matching and signed agreements. Email us (TransitionWB@yahoo.co.uk) if you or someone you know might be interested or phone Jake on: 0115 9143922
Planning meeting to set up project 3rd Feb
Saturday, 3 January 2009
Transition on the BBC
Video - Energy Transitions
Film maker: BBC Inside Out East Midlands
Date: January 2009
Subject:
A look at how the East Midlands' towns and cities are dealing with future energy issues.
Everyone's feeling the pinch at home, in the supermarket, and in business. Even local government is struggling to meet its energy bills.
But, one group of people think they have a way forward - a blueprint to tackle the twin challenges of climate change and "peak oil".
It's called the Transition Network - and already Nottingham, Leicester and Market Harborough have joined more than 120 towns across the UK to sign up.
The transition network is a grassroots movement which aims to take us all back to basics.
Transition at the grass roots
The founder of the transition movement is Rob Hopkins.
His idea is that communities across the globe need to gear up for a profound shift in the way they operate because of dwindling supplies of cheap oil and increasing concern about carbon emissions.
Pump priming - transition could help.
The "transition" - as he sees it - will be from high energy lifestyles which are totally reliant on fossil fuels and very vulnerable to supply shocks, to more local, sustainable, low carbon and above all resilient clusters of population.
In contrast to those doomsayers who warn of bleak times ahead, "transitioners" are keen to stress their positive vision of the future.
They believe more emphasis on local food, skill sharing, cycling and even community energy schemes could reduce bills and bring communities back to life.
Pros and cons
Critics point out the transition network struggles to reflect diverse communities and its grassroots nature means it tends to be disorganised and rely on well meaning volunteers.
But the movement has already won the support of Nottingham City Council and Leicestershire County Council.
They see a community based response to climate change as essential if they are to meet their new targets to curb emissions.
Leicestershire County Council have voted unanimously to support their transition towns.
And Nottingham City Council became the first city to pass a "peak oil motion" in December 2008 committing councillors to taking a future of expensive oil into account in their planning and policy.
Watch now >
Film maker: BBC Inside Out East Midlands
Date: January 2009
Subject:
A look at how the East Midlands' towns and cities are dealing with future energy issues.
Everyone's feeling the pinch at home, in the supermarket, and in business. Even local government is struggling to meet its energy bills.
But, one group of people think they have a way forward - a blueprint to tackle the twin challenges of climate change and "peak oil".
It's called the Transition Network - and already Nottingham, Leicester and Market Harborough have joined more than 120 towns across the UK to sign up.
The transition network is a grassroots movement which aims to take us all back to basics.
Transition at the grass roots
The founder of the transition movement is Rob Hopkins.
His idea is that communities across the globe need to gear up for a profound shift in the way they operate because of dwindling supplies of cheap oil and increasing concern about carbon emissions.
Pump priming - transition could help.
The "transition" - as he sees it - will be from high energy lifestyles which are totally reliant on fossil fuels and very vulnerable to supply shocks, to more local, sustainable, low carbon and above all resilient clusters of population.
In contrast to those doomsayers who warn of bleak times ahead, "transitioners" are keen to stress their positive vision of the future.
They believe more emphasis on local food, skill sharing, cycling and even community energy schemes could reduce bills and bring communities back to life.
Pros and cons
Critics point out the transition network struggles to reflect diverse communities and its grassroots nature means it tends to be disorganised and rely on well meaning volunteers.
But the movement has already won the support of Nottingham City Council and Leicestershire County Council.
They see a community based response to climate change as essential if they are to meet their new targets to curb emissions.
Leicestershire County Council have voted unanimously to support their transition towns.
And Nottingham City Council became the first city to pass a "peak oil motion" in December 2008 committing councillors to taking a future of expensive oil into account in their planning and policy.
Watch now >
Tuesday, 16 December 2008
When will the oil run out?
George Monbiot puts the question to Fatih Birol, chief economist of the International Energy Agency - and is both astonished and alarmed by the answer
George Monbiot
The Guardian, Monday 15 December 2008
George Monbiot meets Fatih Birol, chief economist of the International Energy Agency Link to this video
George Monbiot
The Guardian, Monday 15 December 2008
George Monbiot meets Fatih Birol, chief economist of the International Energy Agency Link to this video
Tuesday, 2 December 2008
STOP PRESS: View video of Transition Cities Conference in Nottingham
Ed Collard’s edited video summary of last week’s inaugural Transition Cities Conference in Nottingham is already on the web. You can view it here.. video
Further information about the conference conclusions is expected within the next few days but most who attended said they found a truly inspiring and energising experience. There’s a lot to learn and an awful long way to go but the momentum for a grassroots change of direction is gathering pace.
Sally Collard
Further information about the conference conclusions is expected within the next few days but most who attended said they found a truly inspiring and energising experience. There’s a lot to learn and an awful long way to go but the momentum for a grassroots change of direction is gathering pace.
Sally Collard
Thursday, 27 November 2008
Fruit Tree planting has at last begun!
Transition West Bridgford's fruit tree planting has at last begun - thanks to Rachel Hemmings from the Arkwright Community Gardens for donating 20 Bramley and Newton Wonder apple trees -fruits of a grafting workshop with Sneinton nursery children 3 years ago.
Also friends who have donated damson trees and fruit bush cuttings.
Keith Laing, manager of Rushcliffe Country park has been brilliant - very open to the idea of planting trees around the park for people to find and forage from as they walk dogs, fly kites, push buggies etc.
On 26 November I delivered 10 apple trees, 10 damson and a dozen or so blank currants, red currants and gooseberries, which will be planted in the next few weeks.
Hopefully, I will be there with a camera (and spade!) to record the event.
Hopefully there will be news of planting on the next site (The Hook) before long.
If you would like to get involved in this project please contact me on 0115 9452556
Julie
Also friends who have donated damson trees and fruit bush cuttings.
Keith Laing, manager of Rushcliffe Country park has been brilliant - very open to the idea of planting trees around the park for people to find and forage from as they walk dogs, fly kites, push buggies etc.
On 26 November I delivered 10 apple trees, 10 damson and a dozen or so blank currants, red currants and gooseberries, which will be planted in the next few weeks.
Hopefully, I will be there with a camera (and spade!) to record the event.
Hopefully there will be news of planting on the next site (The Hook) before long.
If you would like to get involved in this project please contact me on 0115 9452556
Julie
Wednesday, 26 November 2008
Sign up and join the Landshare scheme
During the last Transition meeting, Jake Jackson mentioned that he would like to set up a 'match making scheme' for gardens and gardeners. He is currently looking into how to go about it in West Bridgford. Today on Channel 4 River Cottage Autumn edition some time was allocated to explain the Landshare scheme and they showed how 20 families in Totnes were matched up to do just that.With allotment waiting lists massively over-subscribed and people right across the country keener than ever to grow their own fruit and veg, the aim for Landshare is to become a UK wide initiative to make British land more productive and fresh local produce more accessible to all. But all of this depends on people like you registering their interest now.
Sign up to help us build the momentum we need to launch this exciting project in early 2009. In the meantime, via monthly updates, you'll get the chance to help shape the initiative and make sure you’re amongst the first to have the opportunity to be involved Landshare.
If this is something you would like to be part of this growing movement, sign up to the Landshare scheme or let Jake pjakejackson@googlemail.com know what best describes your interest:
* Grower (I want to grow my own food)
* Landowner (I have land I can make available for growing food)
* Land-spotter (I know of some land which may be useable)
* Facilitator (I'd like to support elderly/other Landsharers who need help locally)
Tuesday, 18 November 2008
New hourly train service between Leeds, Sheffield and Nottingham!
A NEW hourly train service between Leeds, Sheffield and Nottingham starts in mid December. This means that there will be a half hourly service Sheffield, Barnsley, Wakefield and Leeds AND a half hourly service from Sheffield to Nottingham. The good news for CYCLISTS continues because the NEW Leeds - Nottingham trains are run by Northern like the current fast Leeds service and BIKES go free and NO RESERVATIONS are needed.
And still more good news as the new Nottingham trains call at DRONFIELD almost every hour, as well as the other stations to Nott'm. East Midlands Trains' Liverpool - Norwich trains still run as now.With most trains to London becoming Meridians (very limited bike space) the new service to Nottingham offers an alternative to East Midland towns and St Pancras by going on Northern to Nottingham and then by EM Trains to St P. Most of the Nottingham - London trains will be High Speed Trains with better cycle accommodation. 5 past the hour to Nottingham, coming back at 11 mins past.More train times on Northern' website. http://www.northernrail.org/
Martin Bright & Simon Geller - Northern Rail Cycle Forum Secretariat
Friday, 7 November 2008
The Green Directory
We would like to compile the West Bridgford Green Food directory and wondered if you would be willing to help out by letting me know where you buy local, organic, not plastic packaged food and produce.
If you could send me a list with what, where and at what price you buy your items that would be a great start.
Also if you know of local suppliers of eggs, vegetables (allotment associations, farms, gardens etc ) who are willing to sell ,that would be greatly appreciated.
Are you a member of a food co-op, or are you willing to set one up in your area, all this knowledge pulled together could be very useful.
Hoping to hear from you soon
regards
Karina Wells 9147408
If you could send me a list with what, where and at what price you buy your items that would be a great start.
Also if you know of local suppliers of eggs, vegetables (allotment associations, farms, gardens etc ) who are willing to sell ,that would be greatly appreciated.
Are you a member of a food co-op, or are you willing to set one up in your area, all this knowledge pulled together could be very useful.
Hoping to hear from you soon
regards
Karina Wells 9147408
Wild food in urban areas
I have walked and cycled through West Bridgford and at most times during the year you will find Free food growing right under our noses. Many people however, don't know what is edible and what is not.Only last month I asked an owner of a gorgeous apple tree down the road, if they were using the apples and if not, we could help them clear the tree and share the produce. They were very happy with this arrangement as the dropping apples on the street had become a real mess.
Whilst doing this, the neighbours came to see what we were doing. They were totally none plussed when we said we were harvesting apples. They did not know that you could eat apples from the tree!
Apart from the great idea by Julie to start grafting apple trees for people to plant in their gardens, might it be an idea to log information about edible fruits and trees in West Bridgford. Where and when it is harvestable, contact details of the owners?
If you have those details and you would like to share it with the rest of the inhabitants, please leave a comment.
To give you an idea here is a video on urban harvesting.
Organic Milk in Glass Bottles delivered to your doorstep
I have just found out that you can have your organic milk delivered in glass bottles by Diary Crest on Meadow Lane 0115 9865352
Organic milk in glass bottles @73p and normal milk 57p.per pint.
Hopefully this is helpful to you, if you know of any other organic supplier of local goods, please let us know as we are writing a green directory at the moment.
Many thanks
Karina
Organic milk in glass bottles @73p and normal milk 57p.per pint.
Hopefully this is helpful to you, if you know of any other organic supplier of local goods, please let us know as we are writing a green directory at the moment.
Many thanks
Karina
Friday, 31 October 2008
Garden sharing
After our first meeting it struck me that there were a lot of people into gardening/allotments/growing. When we looked at the 12 step plan which requires a high-visibility success early on (ie plan it now).
Garden-Matching struck me as an idea which rings several of the bells at once: – front gardens are the first things you see when entering a community; - members of the community pass them every day. Appropriate modest but eye-catching signage in each ‘out-sourced’ garden would have on-going impact.
There is already a base of community-allotment workers to guide and help sub-standard examples.
It seems a direct score with the City Council’s “Garden-to-Plate” scheme, which might help fund it. Certainly they could encourage the Housing Dept to co-ordinate use of neglected (occupied or not) Council-Rented properties. Councils should encourage the Health aspects of the scheme too.
It will require lots of individual negotiations, which should “Build Better Communities” (!) and empower everyone involved.
Too many front gardens are scraggy lawns or gravelled-over from lack of imagination/inspiration – concrete gardens cause flooding(!! maybe we can also get the lovely Sneinton street-trees released from their tarmac prison!), grass monoculture is unattractive and unproductive and more difficult to get right than it first seems - lawnmowers are expensive and unreliable. Also, wouldn’t it be great to have a bee-hive every so often?!
The gardeners will come from Allotments Associations waiting-lists, Eco-Teams, good neighbours. etc. I’d love to go door-knocking down Sneinton Dale road offering free gardening and a share of the produce!
It will be different in each locale. Front gardens are rare in Sneinton but they are there in the main streets, and the many private rented properties will surely give support from landlords only too happy to exchange knotweed or old sofas for a public service at no cost. Many of Bridgford’s gardens are slabbed car-parking slots but there’d be room for pots or a fruit-tree. St.Ann’s has a lot of non-dedicated grassed area around maisonettes which is already security-fenced.
Well i’m not an Ad-man so my two titles are tentative. “Front Gardening” says what it does on the tin, and has a nuance of either Primacy or Brashness. “Companion Planting” is a jargon term sadly little understood except by Permaculturalists, and the pun is perhaps a bit misleadingly forward. i liked it anyway as an image of garden-matching :– the helpful poached-egg flower bringing beneficial insects to the wizened root-vegetable.
Looking forward to getting involved in Sneinton or Bridgford or both.
Glen
It seems a direct score with the City Council’s “Garden-to-Plate” scheme, which might help fund it. Certainly they could encourage the Housing Dept to co-ordinate use of neglected (occupied or not) Council-Rented properties. Councils should encourage the Health aspects of the scheme too.
It will require lots of individual negotiations, which should “Build Better Communities” (!) and empower everyone involved.
Too many front gardens are scraggy lawns or gravelled-over from lack of imagination/inspiration – concrete gardens cause flooding(!! maybe we can also get the lovely Sneinton street-trees released from their tarmac prison!), grass monoculture is unattractive and unproductive and more difficult to get right than it first seems - lawnmowers are expensive and unreliable. Also, wouldn’t it be great to have a bee-hive every so often?!
The gardeners will come from Allotments Associations waiting-lists, Eco-Teams, good neighbours. etc. I’d love to go door-knocking down Sneinton Dale road offering free gardening and a share of the produce!
It will be different in each locale. Front gardens are rare in Sneinton but they are there in the main streets, and the many private rented properties will surely give support from landlords only too happy to exchange knotweed or old sofas for a public service at no cost. Many of Bridgford’s gardens are slabbed car-parking slots but there’d be room for pots or a fruit-tree. St.Ann’s has a lot of non-dedicated grassed area around maisonettes which is already security-fenced.
Well i’m not an Ad-man so my two titles are tentative. “Front Gardening” says what it does on the tin, and has a nuance of either Primacy or Brashness. “Companion Planting” is a jargon term sadly little understood except by Permaculturalists, and the pun is perhaps a bit misleadingly forward. i liked it anyway as an image of garden-matching :– the helpful poached-egg flower bringing beneficial insects to the wizened root-vegetable.
Looking forward to getting involved in Sneinton or Bridgford or both.
Glen
Tuesday, 28 October 2008
Mini-Orchard trees and tips on how to grow soft fruit and fruit trees
I found this tree nursery 
fairly local to us (Lincolnshire) which seem to provide fruit at
fairly local to us (Lincolnshire) which seem to provide fruit atextremely good value for money if you think about it. According to Gardenbargains.com you can get deliciously fresh and less than 1p per lb for life!!
Have a look at their special offers. http://www.gardenbargains.com/
Shop bought, these luxury stoned Super-Fruits are often only eaten as an expensive treat so their incredible health giving properties are never really realised. But if you grown them yourself, they cost so little, you can enjoy mouthful after delicious mouthful as often as you like! Simply brimming with concentrated Vitamin C and anti-oxidants, all 3 fruits may help to protect against any number of illnesses and infections including Cancer, Heart Disease and Alzheimer’s. Apricots have the added benefit of being rich in essential minerals and Vitamin A too. All 3 varieties included in this Super-Food collection have been specially chosen for their ease of growing, abundant fruit and wonderful taste.
Supplied as 5’ high trees grafted on to dwarfing rootstocks so harvesting is easy, each Mini-Orchard tree is ‘self-pollinating’ and guaranteed to crop heavily from the first year of planting – in a pot, tub or garden.
Deliciously sweet Moorpark Sunburst CherryMasses of rich, dark, juicy fruits. Picked later than other varieties means they’re extra sweet thanks to the mid- August sun.
Victoria Plum Everyone’s favourite plum because of its plump, sweet and juicy fruits. Reliable heavy cropping in late July/ August only adds to its popularity.
Early Moorpark Apricot With its deliciously sweet, aromatic flesh it’s the most popular variety in the UK. Very hardy, grow in a sheltered spot for best results.
View Videos
Mini-Orchard
Contact Us
I was at Lidl the other day and for £3.99 you can get a variety of fruit trees. Why not try one and look forward to some delicious home grown food.
Have a look at their special offers. http://www.gardenbargains.com/
Shop bought, these luxury stoned Super-Fruits are often only eaten as an expensive treat so their incredible health giving properties are never really realised. But if you grown them yourself, they cost so little, you can enjoy mouthful after delicious mouthful as often as you like! Simply brimming with concentrated Vitamin C and anti-oxidants, all 3 fruits may help to protect against any number of illnesses and infections including Cancer, Heart Disease and Alzheimer’s. Apricots have the added benefit of being rich in essential minerals and Vitamin A too. All 3 varieties included in this Super-Food collection have been specially chosen for their ease of growing, abundant fruit and wonderful taste.
Supplied as 5’ high trees grafted on to dwarfing rootstocks so harvesting is easy, each Mini-Orchard tree is ‘self-pollinating’ and guaranteed to crop heavily from the first year of planting – in a pot, tub or garden.
Deliciously sweet Moorpark Sunburst CherryMasses of rich, dark, juicy fruits. Picked later than other varieties means they’re extra sweet thanks to the mid- August sun.
Victoria Plum Everyone’s favourite plum because of its plump, sweet and juicy fruits. Reliable heavy cropping in late July/ August only adds to its popularity.
Early Moorpark Apricot With its deliciously sweet, aromatic flesh it’s the most popular variety in the UK. Very hardy, grow in a sheltered spot for best results.
View Videos
Mini-Orchard
Contact Us
I was at Lidl the other day and for £3.99 you can get a variety of fruit trees. Why not try one and look forward to some delicious home grown food.
Wednesday, 22 October 2008
Bike Recycling and Unwanted Bikes Appeal
Perhaps Transition WB members would be interested in publicising the existence of this now expanding local bike recycling scheme, and helping respond to its appeal for unwanted bikes they can repair and make available to people unable to afford new ones. It is operated by the Framework Housing Association with the support of Ridewise and the Nottingham PCT Cycling for health project, and they now have larger premises to store and recycle bike.
Contact us: thebikeclub@frameworkha.org
See also: http://www.pedals.org.uk/bike_recycling
Thanks
Hugh McClintock
Contact us: thebikeclub@frameworkha.org
See also: http://www.pedals.org.uk/bike_recycling
Thanks
Hugh McClintock
Thursday, 16 October 2008
A Transition Nottingham Film by Kate Troy
Kate Troy is an artist and member of Transition West Bridgford.
She has been developing her work with the aim of increasing awareness of resource depletion issues and climate change on a community grassroots level.
Kate has developed a film from the Urban Harvest Festival that took place on 5th Oct 2008 at Green's Mill, Sneinton and hopes that this will inform and inspire people to get thinking about how they can be involved in the Transition movement in their area and do something to change the way we live our lives.
Any comments and feedback will be most appreciated on the You Tube page as Kate wants to know what you think about the state of the world today and how we can tackle these issues together.
Monday, 6 October 2008
Bulk buy of whole food available: Lembas
If you are interested in setting up a whole food co-op Lembas might be able to help you out.
Setting up an account is as painless as we can make it. Basically, we'll set things up to suit you.
Setting up an account is as painless as we can make it. Basically, we'll set things up to suit you.
- You can have one account, set up under TWB, and each delivery will be to an address as specified when you place your order.
- Each person can have their own account which we will link under the umbrella of TWB and deliveries will be to the specific address. The only thing to bear in mind is that for a delivery to go to an address the order must be at least up to our minimum order value.
Minimum order for free delivery is £100.00 [before VAT] and ideally, any order should be placed with us by 5.00pm Thursday afternoon for delivery the following week. We deliver to Nottingham on Tuesdays so will ring the day before with a rough delivery time. If you can't be about to receive the order we are happy to follow any plan B where you are sure the order will be safe and dry. Any queries or problems with the order should be brought to our attention as soon as possible.
Normally we ask for payment on delivery but if you aren't about for the delivery then you can leave your card details with us or send on a cheque later of course. We do not store card details once payment has been made. Orders can also be placed online through our website. You'll need a password and your customer number so if you'd like this setting up please choose your own password. They can be up to 13 characters long and are case sensitive.
Lembas Ltd
The Old Tannery
Unit 5
Whiting Street
Sheffield
S8 9QR
Tel: 0114 258 6056 / 0845 458 1585
Fax: 0114 255 2564 / 0845 458 1586
E-mail sales@lembas.co.uk
website http://www.lembas.co.uk/
Wednesday, 1 October 2008
New cheap train fare tools.
Find when to go to get the cheapest price.
Commercial train booking company TheTrainline* has launched a nifty new tool (a bit like the Flightchecker) for those with travel flexibility. Tell it where you want to go plus a range of dates and it tells you the cheapest day and time. There’s also a new ticket alert system, which emails the moment cheap advance tickets come on sale. Warning: While it's great for info, you can book more cheaply going direct to the train company.
Commercial train booking company TheTrainline* has launched a nifty new tool (a bit like the Flightchecker) for those with travel flexibility. Tell it where you want to go plus a range of dates and it tells you the cheapest day and time. There’s also a new ticket alert system, which emails the moment cheap advance tickets come on sale. Warning: While it's great for info, you can book more cheaply going direct to the train company.
At a time where money could be tight, it is worth reading the following tips:
Full info and much more in the Updated Article: Cheap Train Fares
Monday, 22 September 2008
Bikes on trains
People may be interested in supporting the following no 10 petition:
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/bikes-on-trains/
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to require the train operators to provide an integrated system for the carriage of bicycles and ensure there is adequate capacity available.
If you are a cyclist and would like to support this campaign, please sign this petition and let your cycling friends know about it.
many thanks
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/bikes-on-trains/
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to require the train operators to provide an integrated system for the carriage of bicycles and ensure there is adequate capacity available.
If you are a cyclist and would like to support this campaign, please sign this petition and let your cycling friends know about it.
many thanks
Sunday, 14 September 2008
Natural Insulations
Another extract from the Transition Town Lewis website:We are Natural Insulations a very small company selling natural insulations for the past 12 years. We have been involved in the environmental movement for more years than I care to remember! As yet we have been unable to start a transition town in our area but want to help people who have . The idea we have is to offer Warmcel 100 loft insulation made from recycled paper at a very discounted price to your group. Besides the obvious energy saving benefits the idea would have a community involvement because we are suggesting say we deliver one pallet load of 40 bags (which if people are topping up their existing insulation in a standard size house would be equivilent to 5/6 houses) which would be shared among your group. Or to encourage new members to your group you could offer the insulation to a part of Lewis or a few streets. There are many possibilities.
This is a new scheme and if you are interested in taking this idea further then please make contact.
Regards Rob Street Rob Street Natural Insulations
Credit Cards Taken by Phone
Tel/Fax 01920 821069
http://www.naturalinsulations.co.uk/
If anyone in our group would like to explore the possibilities to set this up for West Bridgford, please let me know via the comment box and I shall put you in contact with anyone else who might be interested. (please leave email or telephone details)
Thursday, 11 September 2008
Re - cycle: Eco Transport for West Bridgford
As part of Transition Initiative West Bridgford 18 bike trailers were handed out to local residents who had shown an interest promoting the bike as a reliable mode of transport rather than a leisure activity.
The hope is that many more residents will follow in their 'tyre tracks' and free up the roads, making it even safer and quicker to get into, and around town.
With fuel prices high (and set to get higher) a really good infrastructure and a relatively flat town centre, West Bridgfordians are in the enviable position of being able to leave their cars at home and use more sustainable modes of transport.
Plus, it helps you keep fit and healthy without having to spend time and money at he gym!
You don't need to cycle far: did you know that 75% of all journeys you take are less than 5 miles long and half of those are less than 2 miles.
It's been shown that with a little practice most people can comfortably ride these relatively short distances.
If you would like to give it a go, but have not been on a bike for a while and want to build up the confidence to ride a bike safely in today's traffic conditions, contact Ridewise (Nottinghamshire adult cycle training) http://www.ridewise.org.uk/
This month http://www.theecolist.co.uk/ will feature cycling and sustainable accessories, so keep an eye out for these products, or subscribe to the newsletter.
If you cycle you will be helping to improve the environment of West Bridgford in more ways than one as well as saving money. Happy pedaling!
This article first appeared in the August edition of JustNottingham
Sunday, 7 September 2008
A great little peak oil animation
Here's a real gem, courtesy of Adrienne Campbell from TT Lewes - "... came across it in the Daily Telegraph website of all places!" Thanks Adrienne, you continue to be an inspiration to us all and thanks to the rest of you, for helping take your communities on the journey beyond oil towards climate stability. It's a long road ahead, so let's remember to rest awhile, lest fatigue overburdens us. And I'm practicing what I'm preaching now, heading off for three weeks for a wedding (my own!) and a honeymoon in the mountains and gorges of Spain and France.Happy transitioning.
By Ben Brangwyn and all the rest of the gang at Transition Network
By Ben Brangwyn and all the rest of the gang at Transition Network
Introducing Transition Chat!
Transition Chat! is a new initiative co-ordinated by the Transition Network, which will provide a forum for people to share successes, failures, ideas, best practice and so on. Each session takes place on a Monday, between 2 and 3.30pm GMT (it can roll on if the conversation is particularly animated) and it is hosted in a web chat format. Pop them in your diary, the first one is Monday 8-Sept.
How to Chat
To participate, follow this link, type into the box the name you want to be known as online - ideally your own name so we know who are are speaking to (not cheekymonkey18 or bigbob), and then follow the instructions. Do let us know what you think of it.
By Ben Brangwyn and all the rest of the gang at Transition Network
How to Chat
To participate, follow this link, type into the box the name you want to be known as online - ideally your own name so we know who are are speaking to (not cheekymonkey18 or bigbob), and then follow the instructions. Do let us know what you think of it.
By Ben Brangwyn and all the rest of the gang at Transition Network
The 100 Monkey Story
In the Japanese myth, the hundredth monkey represents the point at which a learned behaviour spreads instantaneously from one group of monkeys to ALL related monkeys once a critical number is reached. So it's somehow fitting that the 100th official transition initiative was Fujino in Japan.For those at the conference earlier in the year, you may recall that we were at 50 in April. That means the number has doubled in less than 5 months - and the number of contacts on our database has just about doubled in that time too. The number of communities "mulling it over" has also pretty well doubled to nearly one thousand.And it's not just the number that's heartening, it's the reach. Eight more "officials" from Australia, four more from the US, one from Chile and obviously, Fujino. Meanwhile, while we're busy clucking away in English, the Hungarians have been busy! For those that don't have conversational Magyar, "A 12 Lépés az Átmenethez" means 12 Step of Transition.It's starting fast, reaching far, and there's still a long, long way to go...
By Ben Brangwyn and all the rest of the gang at Transition Network
If you too would like to become part of this initiative and would like to get stuck in, please subscribe to our newsletter and we can keep you up to date when and where the next meetings are.
By Ben Brangwyn and all the rest of the gang at Transition Network
If you too would like to become part of this initiative and would like to get stuck in, please subscribe to our newsletter and we can keep you up to date when and where the next meetings are.
Wednesday, 3 September 2008
Julie's vision: Every garden will have a fruit tree!
As part of the drive to become more self sufficient we are encouraging people to plant a fruit or nut tree in their gardens or back yard. We are also trying to work with the local authority to plant more edible fruit and nut trees in our parks or 'waste' land. If you feel this is a good idea and know of a place near you that might be good to plant a tree come and see me at the Kite Festival in Ruddington on 14th September.In the mean time you might like to have a look at some of the websites where you can buy fruit trees. Some so small you can plant them in containers, some even have 3 varieties on one tree! so no excuse even a small patio can give you fruit...have a look at the website below where a trio tree will cost £33 http://www.embleysnurseries.co.uk/10268/info.php?p=7&pno=0
If you have a small plot ballerina or pole trees may be the answer. They need no pruning and grow elegantly on one stem. From personal experience they are highly productive and I can recommend them to anyone. http://www.deaconsnurseryfruits.co.uk/ballerina/
here is a story from someone who has do before: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/13/garden/13orchyarding.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Tuesday, 2 September 2008
Abundance project Sheffield, if they can do it, why can't we?
Abundance is a project to harvest the seasonal glut of local fruit like apples, pear and plums. Each year hundreds of fruit trees go unpicked either because people don’t notice them, may not be physically able to harvest them or there are just too many fruits at one time.Abundance is a team of volunteers who have been helping harvest city fruit and redistributing the surplus to the community on a non-profit basis - to community cafes, nurseries, Surestarts and individuals. Abundance has been distributing free fresh fruit around the streets of central Sheffield and Meadowhall Shopping Centre from the custom designed mobile fruit unit. We have also juiced tonnes of fruit and made jams, pickles and preserves. Abundance contines through the seasonal cycle with planting and pruning workshops. Click here for info and pics on Abundance 07/08.
contact: abundance@growsheffield.com
If you this it is a project to set up in West Bridgford and you would like to be part of it, please contact us. . If you are interested in becoming an urban harvester or want to help with picking, distribution or processing please get in touch. Volunteers have the pleasure of eating fresh, ripe fruit from the tree, finding out more about urban food growing and working alongside enthusiastic people of all ages. Volunteers need to have some free time between August and the end of October. Please also contact us if you would like to receive fresh fruit for your group or neighbourhood.
Abundance 07/08 was made possible with funding from Arts Council (Yorkshire) and South Yorkshire Community Foundation.
Wednesday, 27 August 2008
West Bridgford's own carbon footprint challenge
For motivation and be a bit of fun, I would like to set a challenge to shave off a percentage of your current footprint, say within a year, and those of you who have made the greatest change gets a hamper of locally produced food. Starting 1 September 2008 until 31st August 2009.
The web site for the carbon footprint calculator is: http://actonco2.direct.gov.uk/index.html
Please email Kate TransitionWB@yahoo.co.uk with your readings by 1st September and then again next year (you will get a reminder from me closer to the time)
Have fun !
Kate
The web site for the carbon footprint calculator is: http://actonco2.direct.gov.uk/index.html
Please email Kate TransitionWB@yahoo.co.uk with your readings by 1st September and then again next year (you will get a reminder from me closer to the time)
Have fun !
Kate
Tuesday, 26 August 2008
Reduce your waste - join Real Cycle
We are blessed with a brilliant scheme called RealCycle Nottingham, where members post offers or wanted items on the web where others can respond and receive or get rid of their unwanted items for free.Although the scheme covers the whole of Nottingham, to reduce car miles we would like to seriously promote the scheme here in West Bridgford. Before you think of ordering a skip, put your stuff on Real Cycle, you will find that virtually everything will be of use to some one else, as their slogan says: One person's cast offs are anothers treasure.
Please join and let as many local people know about it.
http://www.nottingham.realcycle.co.uk/index.html
Friday, 15 August 2008
The Dawn of Urban Agriculture
‘Now, more than ever, we need to grow more food, closer to where we live, that is tasty, wholesome and nutritious, that enhances rather than destroys the environment we depend on, and that satisfies people’s need for a secure and trusted food supply…’
That’s the opening salvo of a paper published today called ‘Growing Round The Houses’, written by Ben Reynolds of Sustain and Christine Haigh of the Women’s Environmental Network. With rising food prices and increased interest in healthy food, more people are looking to grow their own and the paper explains how social housing providers and their tenants can work together on their estates to grow food. As well giving advice on how to set up a food growing project on their estate, it describes examples such as the Spitalfields Estate Community Garden, where residents worked together to build themselves a food growing space for vegetables and herbs popular with the local ethnic minority community.
With urban allotments like gold dust, housing estates, with wide, underused green spaces are coming into their own, turning over their lawns to food growing plots.
“There’s incredible interest in growing your own food.’ says Reyholds. ‘Vegetable seed is overtaking flower seed sales for the first time. We hope this work will be the catalyst for a new dawn for urban agriculture.”
Simon Donovan, community development manager at Tower Hamlets Community Housing says, “The food growing project on the Spitalfields estate is an inspiration. Residents are talking to their neighbours, taking charge of their own space and having a pride in it. As well as cheap healthy food, there are physical and mental health benefits from the outdoor activity involved.”
‘Growing Round The Houses’ is launched today at the Growing Food for London conference, the first time that the diverse urban agriculture communities – food growers, park keepers, architects etc – have been brought together in London. Download a copy at http://www.sustainweb.org/news.php?id=219
this is taken from the website: http://www.generous.org.uk/
Tuesday, 5 August 2008
Work party days with The Friends of Sharphill Wood group
Friend of Sharphill Wood will soon be delivering work party days to start in Sept, and we need more members of the local community to get involved. The group is still new (Jan 2008) and works along side Rushcliffe BC (who own the wood) and the Wildlife Trust (are paid by RBC to manage the wood).
Sharphill Wood should officially become a nature reserve by the end of the year, this is great news in terms of protection and it will allow the friends group to apply for funding to improve the wood and develop the habitat for wildlife in the future.
Sharphill Wood should officially become a nature reserve by the end of the year, this is great news in terms of protection and it will allow the friends group to apply for funding to improve the wood and develop the habitat for wildlife in the future.
We now have a new web site for Sharphill Wood Friends Group
To find out how to join the group, information about activities, meetings and events and where the wood is situated, please follow this link www.sharphillwood.org
To find out how to join the group, information about activities, meetings and events and where the wood is situated, please follow this link www.sharphillwood.org
For anyone who is interested in joining them, please leave a comment or contact Kate Troy.
Thursday, 3 July 2008
What happened at the meeting -
The group decided to split up into 3 smaller groups: the head, the heart and the hands group. They all spent about 15 minutes looking at the corresponding sections in "The Transition Handbook" by Rob Hopkins. Here is what they came up with:
Group 1 looked at “The Head” section of Rob’s book which examines the evidence for Peak Oil and Climate Change and makes the case for some joined up thinking about action to tackle these two inter-linked challenges. We focused on Peak oil particularly since this tends to be the area most people are less familiar with. Most of the group were aware of the concept (which is why they’d come along!) but agreed that family and friends has little idea of what we could be facing.
We passed around charts showing the widening gap between production and demand and talked about the growing evidence suggesting the early peakers may have got it right. We also looked at some quotes from Hirsch et al and passed around some newspaper clippings showing that peak oil is making the headlines if you look for it (particularly in the business sections and in the Financial Times). Interesting that few media outlets seem to have picked up on a quote from Energy secretary Malcolm Wicks in the Observer where he agreed Britain is facing an energy crisis and with doubling oil prices we’re in a completely new ball park.
There was general agreement that we’ve got an uphill battle on our hands both in raising awareness of the issues and in persuading people that localisation rather than building more nuclear power stations is the way forward. Inevitably we all got a bit doomy but we talked about how the reason why the transition movement seems to be grabbing the imagination of so many groups is because it offers a more positive picture of the possible upside of down.
Finally we took away a list of websites to pass on to others and to do further research – see below… in the blue section on the right hand side of this blog
I am still awaiting details from the 2nd group but the third group looked at the 3rd section which is entitled "The Hands" and is about the practical aspects of moving to a less oil-dependant way of life. We took each of the 12 Steps of Transition in turn (from "form a steering group" to "create an Energy Descent Action Plan") and each step sparked off ideas and discussions within the group. If you would like to see the 12 steps in detail see on the right pannel of this blog.
Here are just a few of the ideas considered:
- Step 3 and 7: We're lucky in West Bridgford to have some great examples to inspire us already. For example, we look forward to seeing the free bike trailers that Karina obtained and distributed whizzing around the place!
- Within the group there is enthusiasm for action at a range of scales. Some want to really "focus on action in their own patch" as individuals or in a small group. At the other end of the scale, some people are interested in tackling the issues that need to be approached on a community-wide scale.
- Step 5: There was talk of the kind of groups that might emerge (transport, energy, food and so on)
- Step 6: Jane told us about an "Open Space" workshop that she had been to that illustrated how this works to harness the collective wisdom of everyone who attends.
- Step 9: "build a bridge to local government" is already underway - with Paul Phillips of Rushcliffe Borough Council providing the venue and technical support, and Sheila Hood (energy adviser), and others in attendance.
This was a brief but very efficient way of getting people involved.
thank you Tina for organising this.
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