The Skills Exchange was set up a little over 2 years ago and has now welcomed its 100th member.
It has been heartwarming how many active, generous and wonderful people live within walking/cycling distance from eachother. Whether there is an emergency and you need help, a big or small job, a tasty treat, company or just a friendly chat. It is all there.
These pictures were taken at the Skills Exchange Christmas market.
Mike and I went to a conference a couple of week's ago where we showed others how to set up a skills exchange in their respective towns and villages. I believe the workshops were well received and wish all those taking the step to move the idea forward luck. It is very easy, not at all time consuming and very satisfying. If you would like to know more about the skills exchange why not have a look at the website
Supporting our local independent shops
We can reduce transport costs, stimulate employment and keep our money flowing in our community if we support our local independent shops.
A group of residents around the Melton Road have come together to organise a Christmas Fayre with a difference. It will be held on Sunday 5th December from noon until 4pm.
For more information on what will be happening on the day, please have a look at The Melton Road Shops website
Updates from the Great Green Garden
Kate has been working hard behind the scenes to get funding for this new and exciting project.
The Great Green Garden is now looking for volunteers and tools. If you would like to know more about this initiative, please follow the website and stay in touch with Kate
Ken Clarke visits Jenny's house, as an example of a PV installation
Jenny has been along to a few Eco House Group events and has recently installed photovoltaic panels (PV) on her roof. Tina Holt asked her a few questions:
When did you start considering putting PV panels on your roof?
I first considered putting PV panels on my roof when I heard about Rushcliffe Solar via Transition West Bridgford. I had considered solar panels for heating hot water previously but decided the amount of hot water I used did not make it worthwhile.
What was your main motive for installing PV?
My main motive was to lower my carbon footprint but also think it is a good investment as I will gain tax free income equivalent to any rate of interest available at the moment and it should increase the value of my bungalow if I need to sell.
How did you get the information that you needed? Who did you talk to, etc?
I received most of my information from the Rushcliffe Solar team.
What made you choose EvoEnergy?
EvoEnergy was one of the companies Rushcliffe Solar approached for a quotation for me. They seemed to offer the best value for money for the number of panels appropriate for my roof.
When was the install and how long did it take?
Monday 27 September - Scaffolding erected
Tuesday 28 Panels fitted to roof and main electrical work carried out
19th Nov 2010.Wednesday 29 Electrician returned for less than hour and put installation into commission and explained everything to me
Thursday 30 Scaffolding removed
How did you find it in terms of disruption etc?
There was no disruption to speak of. The only internal work was in my roofspace. The electrician ran cables from panels to inverter etc in the garage via the loft area so no cables visible from outside.
What would you say to someone else considering doing the same thing?
“Go for it” The initial outlay is high but I am hoping both the environmental and financial rewards will also be high.
For more information about the Eco House Group CLICK HERE
Talk by Rob Hopkins - Founder of the Transition Movement
Members of The Great Green Garden were lucky enough to attend a talk by Rob Hopkins, founder of the Transition Movement, in Derby on the 13th September 2010.
Below is a movie and slideshow of the presentation, which is very inspring and eye opening.
Rob explains about Peak Oil, Climate Change and why the Transition Movement exists.
Rob Hopkins in Derby
You can find out more about the Transition Movement by visiting their web site http://transitionculture.org/
A new way to create energy and deal with waste
Whilst trying to find out about the Merton Rule, I came across a fascinating document on how to create energy from waste on the Merton BC planning website.
With Rushcliffe having to build 14,000 new dwellings in the near future where is all the waste going to go? Although our Waste to energy plant (formerly the East Croft incinerator) provides heat for parts of the city, Environmental Power International (EPI)'s new plant could be a way forward.
With Rushcliffe having to build 14,000 new dwellings in the near future where is all the waste going to go? Although our Waste to energy plant (formerly the East Croft incinerator) provides heat for parts of the city, Environmental Power International (EPI)'s new plant could be a way forward.
Supporting our local independent shops
With the Skills Exchange going from strength to strengh it has been a great way to see and experience what happens if a currency stays in the community. It is much easier to find out in a closed financial community to track where the 'money' goes. See journey of a gem.
Having set up several local groups in the UK and abroad where a group of people come together and tap into eachother's skills, services and goods, it encouraged me to have a look at our local shopping street and try and do the same with them.
Unfortunately our high street is full of banks, building societies, charity shops, international coffee shop chains and large companies like, Iceland, Boots, M&S, the Co-op. All of which are good companies but are not local independent businesses, which means that your money spent there, will go to their head office and shareholders. Not much stays in our local community. May be a little if they employ West Bridgford staff (however,that is not always the case either).
Fortunately, we have another great shopping street on the Melton Road where there is a huge variety of shops as well as many local independent retailers. I feel,that this street could be perfect to show what would happen if we used it like a closed system. It would give us employment, if we are local suppliers ourselves and we have good quality goods, it gives us customers, we reduce our transport costs as we can walk to work, walk to the shops and only have short distances to cover to deliver our produce (if we are suppliers). The shops will pay their taxes to the local council, which again would be put back into the local economy, making it a more balanced way to run an economy. I know it can be tempting to go to a large supermarket and buy everything under one roof (and there is nothing wrong about that) but if we can try to reduce our dependence on the supermarket and buy from our local shops a little more. In the end it will benefit your social, financial and physical wellbeing. Give it a go and visit your local independent retails a little more regularly.
Having set up several local groups in the UK and abroad where a group of people come together and tap into eachother's skills, services and goods, it encouraged me to have a look at our local shopping street and try and do the same with them.
Unfortunately our high street is full of banks, building societies, charity shops, international coffee shop chains and large companies like, Iceland, Boots, M&S, the Co-op. All of which are good companies but are not local independent businesses, which means that your money spent there, will go to their head office and shareholders. Not much stays in our local community. May be a little if they employ West Bridgford staff (however,that is not always the case either).
Fortunately, we have another great shopping street on the Melton Road where there is a huge variety of shops as well as many local independent retailers. I feel,that this street could be perfect to show what would happen if we used it like a closed system. It would give us employment, if we are local suppliers ourselves and we have good quality goods, it gives us customers, we reduce our transport costs as we can walk to work, walk to the shops and only have short distances to cover to deliver our produce (if we are suppliers). The shops will pay their taxes to the local council, which again would be put back into the local economy, making it a more balanced way to run an economy. I know it can be tempting to go to a large supermarket and buy everything under one roof (and there is nothing wrong about that) but if we can try to reduce our dependence on the supermarket and buy from our local shops a little more. In the end it will benefit your social, financial and physical wellbeing. Give it a go and visit your local independent retails a little more regularly.
Down at the farm - The Great Green Garden
Farmer David Rose is busy constructing an eco building for educational purposes next to the Great Green Garden. We will be able to use the building for workshops, talks and events throughout the year and access facilities such as toilets and hot drinks.
As a community resource, this will be invaluable and will play a very important part of the communities experience.
The building is made from rammed earth and straw bails which will be rendered. The south facing aspect of the building will ensure that it will use as little energy as possible.
Rushcliffe Awards Scheme
Well done to Kinoulton for their Mayor's special award, for a Greening Campaign that managed to get 50% of the village involved, which is, apparently, a national record!
Pictured are: Tina Holt (WB Ecohouses), Karina Wells (Transition WB and other things), David Nicholson-Cole (Rushcliffe Solar), Mrs Marie Males (Mayor of Rushcliffe), Sheila Hood (Sustainability officer for Rushcliffe BC)
The Great Green Garden - a great green idea
The Great Green Garden (GGG) was set up in August 2010 by volunteers to provide fresh locally grown produce for local people within the area of South Nottinghamshire including Bingham, Radcliffe-on-Trent and West Bridgford.
We want to provide locally produced food for ourselves and our communities, reduce our carbon footprint and our impact on the environment, and increase food security and sustainability.
Along with fresh affordable food, we aim to provide information and guidance on healthy eating and develop educational workshops so that young people and adults can learn to grow food and watch as their efforts turn into tasty and nutritious food.
The Great Green Garden is a community-led not-for-profit organisation that is dependent on volunteers. We are looking for help and support and we hope you will feel inspired to help us build on our existing committed team of volunteers. You don't need any experience of food growing or volunteering to make a difference.
The GGG is based on the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model. A CSA is a partnership between farmers and the local community, providing mutual benefits and reconnecting people to the land where their food is grown.
If you would like more information on our community project or wish to get involved, please email Kate Troy at thegreatgreengarden[at]gmail.com
News and details of our membership and food prices will be available soon on our web site: and you can sign up for our newsletter too, we would love to hear from you.
We are also looking for people to donate tools and seeds so we can get growing in 2011. Please see the web site for details.
We hope to see you soon!
The Great Green Garden Team
We want to provide locally produced food for ourselves and our communities, reduce our carbon footprint and our impact on the environment, and increase food security and sustainability.
Along with fresh affordable food, we aim to provide information and guidance on healthy eating and develop educational workshops so that young people and adults can learn to grow food and watch as their efforts turn into tasty and nutritious food.
The Great Green Garden is a community-led not-for-profit organisation that is dependent on volunteers. We are looking for help and support and we hope you will feel inspired to help us build on our existing committed team of volunteers. You don't need any experience of food growing or volunteering to make a difference.
The GGG is based on the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model. A CSA is a partnership between farmers and the local community, providing mutual benefits and reconnecting people to the land where their food is grown.
If you would like more information on our community project or wish to get involved, please email Kate Troy at thegreatgreengarden[at]gmail.com
News and details of our membership and food prices will be available soon on our web site: and you can sign up for our newsletter too, we would love to hear from you.
We are also looking for people to donate tools and seeds so we can get growing in 2011. Please see the web site for details.
We hope to see you soon!
The Great Green Garden Team
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