Tuesday 12 June 2012

June 2012 Taunton Transition Town Newsletter




bodies & buildings from biggerhouse film on Vimeo.

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/39041730


Events

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 - this year it is the Muppets.

To take part, simply turn up with your bicycle, lights and something to sit on at:
  • Vivary Park bandstand, Taunton – 8.30pm, Fri 15th June

You will then be taken on a short, guided cycle ride to the secret cinema location.


Unfortunately the weather forecast for Friday is looking a bit dodgy! There is a fair chance they might have to postpone the screenings.  If it looks really wet and miserable then you know it will definitely be postponed... Cycling Cinema will be leaving it until Friday morning to let us know... you can either find out on the facebook at - http://www.facebook.com/events/278740068886545/303568063070412/ or on Taunton Transition's website - http://tauntontransition.wordpress.com/


Making it Happen Locally - Saturday 16th June

A Conference on Environmental Sustainability in the lead-up to RIO+20 organised by the Diocese of Bath and Wells and the Justice and Peace Commission of the Diocese of Clifton

16 June 2012 9:30am – 3pm at The Forum, Bath

Just before the world conference in Rio, have a day of celebration and see different approaches to see  how we can make things happen. In most parts of the world, how we treat the environment and natural resources determines the quality of life and the life expectancy of local people.  The day, which is  open to all and is collaboration between the Diocese of Bath and Wells and the Justice and Peace Commission of the Diocese of Clifton, will give us an insight into several “locals” – the UK, Brazil and Zambia - where the Church is showing ways forward for the environment and development. As Dioceses they have a long term interest in both poverty eradication and the environmental crises. Come and be part of a day which includes focus on the Millennium Development Goals and we hope a live link with Brazil.

For bookings contact - sara.gunning@bathwells.anglican.org

The Sustainability Show - Sunday 17th June

After the great success last year we are back at the Sustainability Show this June - 10am-4pm

Out little theme this year is energy and growing... so find out what great deals in energy efficiency you can make, have fun with our thermal camera and see just how small a space you can grow things in. Plus you can  find out more about our guerilla-esque gardening adventures!

The Sustainability Show is the first event in the West Country dedicated to exhibiting the many ways in which every individual, family and organisation can contribute to making our lives greener. Over 100 exhibitors will be on the playing fields behind Queen’s College.

The show offers:
  • info on how to keep bees and make honey
  • fresh produce from their very own Farmers' Market
  • local farm cider
  • live music
  • special guest Michael Eavis
  • and my favourite a traditional brewery dray pulled by heavy horses


Guerilla Gardening - Saturday 7th July

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 
  • 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.... 

Guerilla Gardening in Comeytrowe Neighbourhood Park - Saturday 14th July

 Your park needs your help and your park can help you!

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.
Last Saturday we started with the weeding and the building of the first vegetable bed....  We thought we had dug a grave for a giant... you just have to go to Comeytrowe Neighbourhood Park to see it!


Anyway there will be more planting, probably more digging (sorry guys) and more making this local park bonny and beautiful.


Digging starts 10.30am


Meet-up at the park gates at the far end of College Way.

Bring gloves and trowels if you have them (and a picnic if you like).  Make it a family outing.  


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

Find out more from:  Jean Watson   Tel: 282413




Incredible Edible Somerset Summer Conference - Saturday 14th July

Unfortunately a clash of diaries here.....

Somerset Community Food will be celebrating the lessons & achievements of the Somerset Land & Food Project, which has taken place over the last three years and the day will be a chance to plan the next steps for Somerset.
Mary Clear - from the Incredible Edible Todmorden site
'If you eat, you're in'
Hear about the The Incredible Edible Revolution, when Mary Clear from Incredible Edible Todmorden share's her town's story that has inspired a worldwide movement in community food growing.

Take part in skillshares and discussions and enjoy a locally grown lunch as well as refreshments throughout the day.

Where: Paddington Farm, Glastonbury, Somerset, BA6 8JN.

When: Saturday 14th July 2012. Registration from 9.30am. Finishes at 5pm, with afterparty details to be announced.

Cost: £15. Concessionary places are available for £5 for individuals in receipt of state benefits such Job Seekers Allowance.

FFI contact Nicole - nicole.vosper@somersetcommunityfood.org.uk . All information will be confidential. The cost includes a delicious local lunch & refreshments throughout the day.

Book online here: http://www.somersetcommunityfood.org.uk/index.php?page=book-now

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


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.


A huge congratulations to everyone for making our first Green Doors weekend happen!  We are getting really positive feedback from visitors to our homes and other events.  Thank you to everyone for being up for this experiment.  Now we can all let the dust settle for a little while, and then collect together the stories of what happened.  Who came, how many, what were they interested in, were there any surprises, what was fun, was wasn't, what might we do the same, what might we do differently (if there is a next time!).

A special thank you to Cara Naden from Langport who worked really hard as part of our LEAF project back in Feb/March to get participants  for Green Doors and get all the info in the same place - and then volunteering to help out at venues where there were people on their own.  And another special thank you to Graham Farrington for also chumming someone for Sunday afternoon.  And a final special thank you to Keith Dicken (a sustainable architect before it was even trendy) who spent his birthday morning giving tours of his home, and his birthday evening giving a fantastic talk at The Brewhouse!
"I am left with a lovely memory of a couple who came to ours, keen to learn more and do more - and when we said maybe you could be in Green Doors yourselves next year, were really excited about it, that they might have achieved things to be proud enough of to want to show them off." 
Chrissie Godfrey 
For anyone who had a chance to Keith Dicken's retro-fitted 70s home or indeed did not get to see it - there will be plenty of opportunity to catch his work on TV with his "super retrofit" at Broadway which will be televised in the new year in a series called "Britain's Empty Homes".  I will keep you all informed closer to the date.

And remember you can still get information on FREE cavity and loft insulation for ALL Taunton Deane residents. Just download the form here and fill in.

Guerilla Gardening in Somerset Square and Beyond!

The second month of our guerilla gardening has been a great success....

We managed to plant more veg in Somerset Square - look out for things growing in the most unlikely places.  We have cucumber in planters, beans in the shubbery and tomatoes cropping up all over the place.

What is more we have been very lucky in kick-starting the gardening in Comeytrowe Neighbourhood Park.  Last Saturday some of us trekked out to dig, hoe, plant and weed a couple of sites... the great Jean Watson planted up a little area of woodland with some self-seeded foxgloves... they are going to look fabulous shortly.  Whilst a small band of guerilla gardeners built a huge vegetable bed for some precious veg and herbs.  The idea for the raised bed was based on a concept developed by Sepp Holzer where you bury some wood  in your raised bed which acts firstly for water retention (great for this climate at the moment where it is baking one minute and pouring the next) and secondly, as the wood breaks down, as a medium for fungi growth which is great for the soil.

Feel free to come along  and help out with this great community project.  Bring plants - vegetables, herbs, wild flowers, bring tools - watering cans, spades, trowels and hoes, but best of all bring yourself and your family.

Support the Steam Coast Trail

As some of you may know, there is a plan for a cycle path in West Somerset to link Minehead with Williton via Blue Anchor and Watchet. This is a Forum 21 project.

This plan needs public support if it is to be given the go-ahead.  If you agree that this would be a good thing for West Somerset, please register your support in one of three ways:
  •     On-line at www.westsomerset.gov.uk/online-applications/ The reference number of the application is 3/10/12/003 (enter this in the box then click Search or just search for Blue Anchor)  For Commentor type, choose Complainant and for Stance, choose Support.
  •    By Email to planningemail@westsomerset.gov.uk (put Steam Coast Trail as subject)
  •     By writing a letter to   Planning Services, West Somerset Council, Killick Way, Williton, Somerset   TA4 4QA
This is urgent because the decision will be made in June - hopefully there is time yet to support this fabulous plan.

News from the Centre for Sustainable Energy

CSE have just launched Somerset West Home Energy which is an exciting new scheme acting as a pilot for the forthcoming Green Deal.  The scheme is running in West Somerset, Sedgemoor and Taunton Deane Local Authority areas and aims to test some of the principles behind the Green Deal by offering free Energy Performance Certificates and using the results to work out package of Pay-As-You-Save loans and grants for the householders, with a particular focus on solid wall insulation.  The scheme's brochure explains options for solid wall insulation and includes a handy list of local contractors. See www.cse.org.uk/swhe for more information and to download the brochure.

Regenerative Agriculture

Now some of you might have heard about Permaculture (working with nature to make a better world for all - http://www.permaculture.org.uk/), well think bigger with Regenerative Agriculture - http://www.regenerativeagriculture.co.uk. The leading permaculturist Aranya is co-ordinating and is working towards farmscale permaculture.... this has huge potential for protecting the soils, improving animal and human welfare, productivity, water management with the aim to reduce oil demands.

Share A Car

Ever thought about sharing your car with someone else or maybe renting a car up your street well maybe we have found the scheme for you.

From the website www.whipcar.com you can find out if there is someone in your area from whom you could rent a car or for you to rent out your car.  Its such an obvious thing to do!  Good if you only use your car occasionally.

www.whipcar.com

Of course you could also just rent a car by the hour through our very own Co-Cars... conveniently situated by Taunton Deane offices it offers a good deal if you just use a car for the odd trip. www.co-cars.co.uk.



Inspiration

For anyone who missed the In Transition 2.0 Film here is a little taster so you can clamor for another showing! Truly inspirational!

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