Hi Everyone,
This Saturday, join Anna McIvor at Newnham Croft Primary School for a deep ecology workshop designed to give you the tools to rekindle your love affair with nature and find the energy to engage with current issues. "The Work that Reconnects" has been around a long time but it has an ever-increasing relevance in giving us the perspective we need for authentic and sustainable action. Join us on Saturday, and why not squeeze in some tree planting for wildlife with Jo Sinclair in Newnham from 11am too? Also, this Thursday don't miss what promises to be a hard-hitting third lecture in the series on climate change at Cambridge Climate Lecture Series, which can also be viewed online. This week will focus on the Paris Agreement's inclusion of the phrase "well below 2 degrees C and pursue 1.5 degrees", bringing a critical eye to the current angle that is being pursued on this target.
Of course from next Monday onwards the Cambridge Science Festival will be in full swing, bringing a whole host of informative and challenging events, including further critical views on climate change. Some of the best are picked out for you below.
In two weeks' time on Mon 20th, the Hub Meeting will continue in its new format at the Six Bells Pub with a networking/socialising add-on element. We'd also really appreciate any feedback you could offer in our Membership Survey, so we can get to know you a little better. There seems to be an awful lot going on and it's hard to squeeze two weeks' worth of events into one newsletter, so please read on below as I haven't had space to mention everything! Enjoy...
14:00-17:30, Newnham Croft Primary School, Cambridge CB3 9JF
This workshop will provide an introduction to "The Work that Reconnects", as formulated by Joanna Macy. We'll take some time to reconnect with what we love about our world, and to hear our concerns about how the world is changing. This can help us find the energy to engage with current issues, and to see more clearly what we can do to improve the situation. Whatever you're concerned about, be it climate change, refugees or the plight of the bees, "The Work that Reconnects" can help you find new perspectives on the problem, and hence new ways to act on it. This workshops will be facilitated by Anna McIvor. All welcome, no experience necessary. Suggested donation £10-£20 to cover room hire. We'll spend some time outdoors so bring warm clothes. Please book here.
19:00-21:00, Back room of Six Bells Pub, Covent Garden, Cambridge
Please join us for our next experimental new style Hub gathering, to catch up with projects and friends, meet new members and end with a bit of juicy networking over a drink! Come along for 7pm to meet other members, 7.30 -8.30pm: items for discussion:, 8.30pm onwards: Networking and chat. All welcome, new TC members and familiar faces alike!
20:00-21:30, Margaret's place, Oxford Road
The main topic will be solar panels - what have we learned from our experiences? Is it worth upgrading them? Is it worthwhile to add battery storage? What would you advise if someone asked if you thought they should get some? We will also catch up on the latest energy related news. All welcome. Ask Nicola for details of the venue. More details here.
10:00-13:00, Trumpington allotments
Grow Your Own sessions are back! Join Dave Fox on his Trumpington allotment plot. Novices and experienced growers all welcome - this is a mutual sharing, not a lesson:) Provisional agenda: plant potatoes, harvest broccoli, tidy up the forest garden, sow something in the polytunnel. Take some produce home with you (broccoli for sure, maybe rhubarb, salads, potatoes...) <a href="?n=TTFood.GrowYourOwnTrumpington">Join in here</a>. More details here.
We want to run enjoyable and effective meetings and activities, which is why we're running this survey to find out what our community wants from Transition. We'd really love to have your help, particularly if you've been reading the bulletin for a while but haven't made it to any events or activities - or if you've only come to one or two. The survey will be short and your answers anonymous and confidential. It should take just a few minutes to complete and you might even win £20 if you leave your email address at the end! Your opinion and experience matters - please join in!
19:30-19:30, Cambridge and Online
The new Cambridge Climate Lecture Series will bring world leading climate change experts to a global audience with an emphasis on finding positive solutions to the challenges we face. The series will be live-streamed with participation via social media using #CCLS2017. This year's theme 'Climate Numbers in Context' is a tribute to Professor Sir David MacKay and the central idea in his 2008 book Sustainable Energy without the Hot Air that whatever path we take 'we need a plan that adds up'. CCLS2017 consists of: 23rd February: Baroness Bryony Worthington - 'Climate change - a race between physics and politics' 2nd March: Anthony Hobley - '2C Roadmap based on financial analysis' 9th March: Professor Kevin Anderson - 'Paris, climate and surrealism: how numbers reveal an alternate reality' 16th March: Panel discussion with Sir Martin Rees, Bryony Worthington, Anthony Hobley and Kevin Anderson - 'COP21 to zero carbon emissions' Go to www.climateseries.com for more details including the live-streaming link and local live audience tickets.
11:00, Cock & Hens Tennis Club, Newnham
If you agree that the world needs more trees, please come along and help plant some! A grant from the Woodland Trust means we can plant their 'wildlife pack' of 420 mixed native species at the Cocks & Hens tennis club site on the edge of Cambridge. Find us from 11.00 a.m on Saturday 11 March. Please be aware you will need wellington boots for this! Directions: the club can be accessed from the back of the Rugby Club where there is a public footpath. By bike or car. Map here The access road can be found on Grantchester Road: from the Barton Road direction. Look for the residential speed limit / national speed limit road sign just beyond the houses. The organiser of the planting event is Jo Sinclair
14:30-17:00, The Fulbourn Centre, Home End, CB21 5BS
With spring on the way at last, come and join us to swap seed, buy plants, and have fun exploring a feast of local breads, cakes, pies, savouries, and the welcome arrival of the Cambridge Cheese Co! We'll have organic fruit and veg, Moonshine Brewery ale and other local produce; beautiful original prints, fine art, crafts and cards; affordable jewellery, crafted home, table and fabric gifts, home decorations, lamps and toys; natural health products, lotions and supplements; local wood-turned and carved articles; a Wildlife Trust stall and kid's activities; then relax and enjoy the WI Cafe. Further details: 01223 880616 or by email More details here.
09:00-09:00, various in and around Cambridge
The annual Science Festival is back, and the theme for this year is 'getting personal.' There are talks, films, tours, family-friendly sessions, hands-on practical science and more. Most events are free, though you need to book for some. Topics you may find interesting include climate change, circular economy, food, nature... and we've highlighted some events below. You can find more info and the programme here.
19:00-20:30, Webb Library, Jesus College, Jesus Lane CB5 8BL
As we see ever more clearly the consequences of climate change, whose responsibility is it to tackle it? A panel of experts from the University of Cambridge, the British Antarctic Survey and Friends of the Earth discuss whether it is down to individuals, companies, or nations - or all three. Prof Simon Redfern, Department of Earth Sciences and Jesus College; Craig Bennett, CEO of Friends of the Earth; and Dr Emily Shuckburgh, British Antarctic Survey, will discuss the issues in a panel event chaired by Dr Julian Huppert, Jesus College. A Science Festival event - free, more info and link for booking here
16:00-17:00, Lord Ashcroft Building LAB 107, Anglia Ruskin University
A seminar with a sustainable fashion designer, about a holistic approach to fashion, from materials to production, and why it's worth considering sustainability and social impact! This is a Science Festival event. More details here.
14:00-17:30, Newnham Croft Primary School, Cambridge CB3 9JF
Spring is a time of new beginnings. Do you have something new you'd like to start this year, such as a new Transition project or a sustainability-related business? Come along for a chance to spend time in nature clarifying your ideas and identifying your next steps. This workshop will be facilitated by Katherine Dixon and Anna McIvor. Bring warm outdoor clothes as we'll spend some time in Paradise Fen nature reserve. Suggested donation £10-20 to cover room hire. Book here.
16:00-18:00, David Attenborough Building, Pembroke St CB2 3QZ
What would give you hope for the future? This event is a collection of punchy presentations from some of the best presenters from the Cambridge Conservation Initiative, the Museum of Zoology and beyond - will show why it's not all doom and gloom for the planet and why we're celebrating #EarthOptimism on the 22nd April 2017. A Science Festival event - no need to book. More details here.
18:30-21:00, The Perse School Hills Road Cambridge CB2 8QF
The Federation of Cambridge Residents Associations (FeCRA) invite you to their AGM Event. One of Britain's most respected landscape and urban designers, Kim Wilkie, will give a talk on 'The Happy City': A Landscape for the 21st Century. This will be followed by a panel discussion. Wine & refreshments will be served. The event is free of charge and open to FeCRA members and non members alike. Please sign up using Eventbrite here.
13:00-14:00, Lord Ashcroft Building LAB 207, Anglia Ruskin University
This is an interactive seminar with Prof Aled Jones, Director of the Global Sustainability Institute, Anglia Ruskin University. Can you put a price on the value of absolutely anything? Can you put a value on yourself? Who decides the worth of a person, or an animal, or a river? We look at the different factors that determine worth, and how this links to the concept of Natural Capital and protection of the environment. Free, but you need to book - more info here
14:00-17:00, Sawston Free Church, High Street, Sawston CB22 3BG
Repair Cafes match experienced repairers with people who need stuff fixing. Sawston is holding its very first Repair Cafe. You can bring along the following to be repaired and maybe pick up a few repair skills at the same time: small household appliances and electrical items, computers, mobile phones, bicycles, clothes (clean clothes only please) and general bits and bobs. Please book your item in using the online form. Please tell us what the item is and what's wrong with it (if you know!). Turning up on the day is also an option. The repairers are experienced and can fix most things but there are no guarantees. This event is being organised by the group Green Groups in the Shelfords, Stapleford and Sawston (2G3S)and is a free event. However, donations to cover venue hire and other costs are very welcome. More details here.
18:00-20:00, Lord Ashcroft International Business School, ARU, East Rd, Cambridge. CB11PT
Do you wish politicians would listen to your views on the environment, climate change and sustainability? Not sure how (or whether) to vote in our newly devolved region's Mayoral Election in May 2017? Do you want cleaner air? Better, cheaper trains and busses? More energy efficient homes? More abundant nature? More action to prevent climate change? These are all questions on which the Mayor and the new combined authority will have a big say, because they will be responsible for housing and transport, and will have a big budget. Come to this free event and put your questions to the leading Mayoral candidates, with Dr Aled Jones in the chair to ensure fair play and a good debate. Booking via eventbrite More details here.
09:00-17:00, Cambridge Steiner School
Come and join us for a four-day course where we take you on a journey to the heart of Permaculture Design. The course will be led by Dr Wendy Seabrook, a world-renowned research ecologist, permaculturist and teacher. Only £225 per person if booked before 17 March 2017 (£275 per person after). For a booking form and payment information, please email the Cambridge Steiner School or ring on 01223 882727. More details here.
17:30-19:30, Anglia Ruskin University, LAB002
Dr Davind Weindorf, Associate Dean for Texas Tech University, USA is coming to Cambridge to screen his new documentary Between Earth and Sky. This feature-length, science-based film, directed by Paul Allen Hunton, is the first of its kind to explore global climate change through the lens of soil science. It presents the impact of global climate change through the perspective of arctic soils and ecosystems of Alaska. The film will be preceded by an introduction by Dr. Weindorf and following by a Q&A session. Doors open for registration at 5pm
19:30-21:30, The Wesley Methodist Church, Christ's Pieces, Cambridge, CB1 1LG
'The Extraordinary Story of Human Beings, Energy and Happiness' is an inspirational multimedia presentation from Paul Allen, key thinker from the Centre for Alternative Technology and author of the recent research report 'Zero Carbon Britain: Making it Happen'. Paul will be joined by composer pianist Lola Perrin performing her specially composed accompaniment to the Story. The stories that we tell about our lives and the world that we live in are bigger than the story of energy and happiness. First laid down 400 million years ago, fossil fuels have enabled human civilisation to transform fantastically but our overuse of them and the resultant climate change now conjures, for many, a dystopian ending to our relationship with coal, oil and gas. The Extraordinary Story of Human Beings, Energy and Happiness challenges us to radically rethink our story and to visualise what a climate positive future might look like. A free event. More details here.
19:00-21:30, Lord Ashcroft Building, ARU, East Rd, Cambridge. CB1 1PT
Currently the UK has no roadmap for meeting its carbon reduction targets nut the solutions, technology and vision are out there and captured - read 'Zero Carbon Britain: Making It Happen'. Author Paul Allen, from the Centre for Alternative Technology will join us in Cambridge to share its findings, and work with attendees to consider how the learning and case studies might be relevant to our city. CCF and Pivotal invite community and voluntary sector groups, as well as academics, professionals and students from the fields of psychology, geography, social sciences, politics, science, history, economics, arts and culture to listen and share their own expertise and ideas. Attendees will be asked to reflect on the report and think together in small multi-disciplinary groups. Key findings from the discussion groups will be captured and shared with the new Mayor, City Council, local universities and community groups. A Free event. Please book at the event link below. More details here.
Cambridge City Council has now completed a draft Community Centres Strategy, which proposes "a positive and ambitious vision for improved Council-owned community centres, based on evidence of need, across the city." Local residents and stakeholders (including Transition groups who use community centres for meetings and activities) have been invited to comment on draft proposals for the 8 community centres owned or managed by the City Council. Here is a link to the consultation, which runs until midday on 5 May 2017. Postal and phone responses are also possible, see the contact section in the link for details.
Have a great fortnight!
Hannah and the Transition Bulletin team
Transition Cambridge aims to help Cambridge make the transition to ways of life that are more resilient in the face of rising energy prices and a changing climate.