Thursday 17 May 2012

May 2012 Taunton Transition Town Newsletter





Just one of the great videos using a thermal imaging camera that was produced recently to highlight the use of energy in our everyday live. If you cannot see it try this link.... http://vimeo.com/39061079

Events



Taunton Wildlife Week - from 24th May


A quick mention of Taunton Wildlife Week.... a fantastic week packed full of some great walks and talks about wildlife.... look out for the bat walk which is such an experience and the kids will love it!

Download the leaflet at - https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B4n4c73ZY0-wV25hZzhPMFF6SG8

Taunton Green Doors - 25th-27th May



15 open homes, gardens and events showcasing what people have done
to make their houses greener, warmer and cheaper to run.

From Solar PV to sun tubes, top notch insulation to biofuel heating, ground source heat pumps to compost loos, garden sharing to water conservation,
come and find out what people like you in homes like yours are doing to live more sustainably (and save money too).

  • Talk to householders about what it was like to have work done.
  • Get first hand info on how they have cut their bills - and what inspired them to make the changes they did.
  • Pick up hints and tips, a FREE handbook on living more sustainably, and info on FREE cavity and loft insulation for ALL Taunton Deane residents
    (available at all venues)

PLUS
  • Visit a back garden bakery and sample different sourdough breads.
  • See a chicken co-op in action.
  • Tour Priorswood allotments and a village smallholding.

And there is more.....

And on Saturday 26th, come to The Brewhouse Studio at 6pm to hear architect Keith Dicken talk about retrofitting his (amazing!) 1970s house.

Or come at 7.30pm to see “In Transition 2”, a film about green community initiatives from all over the world.  (Both events are by donation).


Download the map

Or pick up a hard copy from Taunton TIC, The Brewhouse or Sunseed.






We also have a big request for helpers on the day... anyone who could lend a hand would be welcomed.  No need for any expertise.  If you can spare a few hours over the weekend of 25th to 27th May please contact Chrissie Godfrey: T: 01823 321731 (chrissie@visionjuice.com)


Guerilla Gardening - Saturday 5th June

Meet up at the Brewhouse at 10.30 for a session of guerilla gardening and beautifying of the area along the Tone (wherever feasible).  









We will be:


  • Picking up litter (see further down for a past litter pick)
  • Improving neglected borders (if you know anywhere please let us know)
  • Planting edibles and improving the Childrens' Wood area
If you can spare some plants, seeds, time please come on down and join in...bring gloves and trowels, forks and spades.... 

Comeytrowe Neighbourhood Park - Saturday 9th June




 FRIENDS OF COMEYTROWE NEIGHBOURHOOD PARK
Your park needs your help and your park can help you


You may have noticed that the country is in recession!   This means that we are all more hard-up (some people much more than others) and our local Councils have had to slash budgets to avoid increasing our council taxes.   The budget for Parks and Open Spaces has been reduced considerably which means that we can expect to see a deterioration in the appearance of these spaces.  Now, we can all sit back and complain, or we can take action.


A few local residents would like to take responsibility for tidying up the Neighboughhood Park at the far end of College Way and Taunton Deane have agreed that we can clear some of the weeds, plant wild flowers, bluebells, primrose, daffodils, etc. to improve the appearance of this lovely wildlife area in our parish.  Local residents have already done something similar at Longrun Meadow in Taunton and indeed all over the country.


Now for the bonus.  The Deane has also agreed that we can create a large community vegetable/fruit patch at one end of the park and plant a few fruit trees.    This would be for the benefit of everyone.


If you think this is a good idea, all you have to do is join us for the first weed clearing session at 10.30 a.m. on Saturday 9 June – bring gloves and trowels if you have them (and a picnic if you like).  Make it a family outing.  Volunteers needed to start digging the vegetable area.  


Think how much we could achieve if 100 people turned up!

Jean Watson   Tel: 282413


Cycle Cinema - Friday 15th June

The Cycle Cinema is back in Taunton for a wonderful, family event.... yes you watch a movie but also you have to pedal to make it work! I heard it was great fun last year and look forward to working up a sweat whilst watching a great film.


To find out more about it and vote for a film.... go to - http://www.facebook.com/events/278740068886545/

If you don't have a Facebook account don't worry .... I will try and post the venue and movie closer to the time....


 Somerset's First Cider and Cheese Festival - Saturday 16th June


We at Taunton Transition Town like to promote local produce whenever we can... and what can come more local than cider and cheese. It sounds like it will be a great day of live music, local food and a (cough) cheeselympics.

Find out more here - www.somersetciderandcheesefestival.co.uk


The Sustainability Show - Sunday 17th June

Something for your calendars to book in now.  After the great success last year we are back at the Sustainability Show this June.

http://www.sustainabilityshow.org.uk    


The 2012 Transition Network Conference - 14th-16th September


 Another one for your calendars in the 2012 Transition Network conference
at the Battersea Arts Centre in London.  Having been to the 2011 conference I can thoroughly recommend it for great insights, a chance to really get involved and a chance to be amongst people who really care about change in society.
              


   News





Help Create a Cafe


The excellent Common Loaf people from the farmers market are setting up a cafe at Stentwood Farm to open 3 days a week.  They are a bit short of tables and chairs and have asked us if we knew or anyone who had any unwanted furniture.  They would be grateful for any donations!

Their contact details can be found on their website... http://www.commonloaf.com/about-us/contact-details.html.




Guerilla Gardening in Somerset Square!

A busy gardener has been in action in Somerset Square last month.... our one and only compost champion Bob Rawle has been planting up some wonderful edibles in a prime spot.  (You might have seen him in the Somerset County Gazette! or in This is Somerset).


During the meeting on the 19th April Bob offered to do some planting in Somerset Square in front of the Brewhouse. Cyril Rowe from Taunton Deane was happy in principal provided that we didn’t go over the top and took due concern on Health & Safety issues.
Bob has now planted up some surplus thyme plants and a rescued sage and rosemary bush to make a start on a community herb bed in one of the planters in Somerset Square.

Bob has since gained a feverfew plant and some garlic, parsley and chives.... they will be planted pretty soon.

"Ongoing I would like to do a bit more in the area. Perhaps covering some more general vegetables like beans courgettes, squashes and tomato’s.
Hopefully we will be able to identify some future site during our litter pick next week."
Bob Rawle

Litter Pick Along the River Tone


A grand bunch of helpers met up on the 5th May to take part in a litter pick along the River Tone....

The intrepid crew step forth
The idea was to identify sites for planting of wild flowers or edibles along the River Tone and at the same time take a little pride in the environment by picking up all that rubbish that appears along our river banks from the Brewhouse down to Childrens' Wood. This was the first of our forays this year in an attempt to bring some edibles to our environment transform some unwanted bits of land into places where people want to be.... the particular focus will be Childrens' Wood but maybe, just maybe this may kick start some other areas!

And this is just some of the rubbish we picked up!



Thanks to everybody who helped.... because it was not only worthwhile - it was strangely fun as well!



Inspiration

Inspiration comes from Portugal this month.... hear about the struggles and innovation that is happening in Portugal and how Transition is helping.  This is an interview that Rob Hopkins conducted with Filipa Pimentel who is co-ordinating the networking of the national Transition hubs.


Interview with Filipa Pimentel by Transition Culture

You can hear more about Portugal from Filipa and from other countries hit by the financial crisis in Rob Hopkins post - http://transitionculture.org/2012/04/27/a-report-on-peak-money-and-economic-resilience-a-transition-network-one-day-conversation/...

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