Transition Cambridge Good morning everyone!
Here's the latest compilation of Transition news and events, as well as lots of other events on related themes happening in and around Cambridge. We hope you can make it along to some of them!
CONTENTS Transition News, Events and Meetings
Related events coming up in October
Related news
8pm at the Fleur Pub (corner of Elizabeth Avenue and Humberstone Road, http://www.tfdl.co.uk/map.asp). Note change of venue.
The Food Group would like to invite you to a party at Martin's house on Hill's Road on Wednesday 21st October at 7.30pm. Please bring some food and drink to share. Everyone welcome! Please let Martin know if you might come so we have an idea of numbers (and so he can give you his address).
What is supporting you in Transition? What is hindering you? This is a new on-going group offering a one-hour 'sharing space' using these two questions for structure, followed by a bring-and-share dinner. For more information, contact Corrina. This week we will meet in Romsey at Jane's house from 6:15 to 9pm - please contact Jane for directions.
2-6pm, Impington Village College Transition Cambridge and the Renewable Energy group will have a stand at this show which is organised by HICCA and South Cambridgeshire Sustainable Parish Energy Partnership. The focus of the event is individual and community action to reduce our energy bills and carbon footprint, with professional installers as well as local people sharing experience and expertise. Do come along and take advantage of this opportunity to talk to lots of experts in one place. More info here (pdf file).
9.30-4.30pm, Methodist Church Hall, Chapel St, Ely, CB6 1AD. Everyone welcome. http://transitionely.wordpress.com/groups/food-group/harvest-festival-2009/ The conference will be opened by James Paice MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Agriculture. Speakers- Ben Reynolds of Sustain, the Alliance for Better Food and Farming, Mikey Tomkins-Food/ Urban Agriculture researcher, and Ken Kelso-local Organic Farmer. The afternoon will be an Open Space session. This event is aimed to speak to a wide cross-section of people, from beginning gardeners to experienced growers to farmers and policy makers; everyone is welcome!
By chance Downham Market are holding a local food day on the same day as Ely! More info here (pdf file)
"Sustainable Beccles" is holding an informal workshop/presentation with a presentation by Dr Neil Chadborn, who was responsible for setting up the Health and Wellbeing group as part of Transition Town Totnes. The workshop will start at 1 pm with lunch and is free although a donation would be appreciated. It will be held in the Quaker Hall, Smallgate, Beccles. More info here: page 1, page 2, page 3. Please let Netta know if you would like to come. If you would like to go with others from Cambridge, e-mail us and we will try to put you in touch with each other. And let us know if you would like to be part of forming a sustainable healthcare group in Cambridge!
This will be a chance to meet with people involved in Transition groups throughout East Anglia - more info here.
7pm, University Centre, Granta Place, Mill Lane, CB2 1RU Join Professor Peter Landshoff of the Cambridge Preservation Society and former Mayor John Durrant for a presentation and discussion on the future development of the city. Part of the Cambridge Festival of Ideas series, http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/whatson/ideasfestival/
This Saturday there will be lots of events around the world as part of the 350.org campaign. The events aim to raise awareness and to call governments to agree on a binding and fair climate treaty strong enough to bring atmospheric carbon dioxide levels down to 350 parts per million. Read all about it, get inspired, and pass it on!
In Cambridge, you might like to join Savrina from noon to 2pm on the Museum of Zoology lawns and on King's Parade. She says "Bring your banners, posters, props, fancy dress, musical instruments - we can bring a smile to faces while raising awareness of an important issue. E.g. dress up as anything symbolic of the things under threat from climate change, your imagination is the limit! Raise awareness - Sign the petition - Join the fun - Spread the word! For further details and to RSVP for this event see http://www.350.org/node/9532
Or you could join Yogaratna in the market square at 2pm, who'll be chanting "May all beings be well" in Pali 350 times while giving out information about local climate action groups http://www.350.org/node/5708.
For more events in Cambridge, see here. Or you could create your own event and post it on the 350.org web-site!
7:30-9:00pm, 253 Hills Road (offered by Cambridge Carbon Footprint) Interested in enhancing your home's energy efficiency, but wishing someone would show you how? This workshop will guide you through the process of making your home snug and carbon-friendly for the winter. Includes the practicalities of pipe-lagging, draught-stripping, lightbulbs etc in an actual home. Please email CCF if you plan to attend: Free but donations appreciated.
A public workshop on "Sustainable Green Housing," part of Cambridge University's Festival of Ideas, is being hosted by Anglia Ruskin University on Wednesday, 28th October at the Helmore Building in East Road, Cambridge, from 5pm - 7pm. Admission is free. Discussion will consider what new energy-efficient houses will look like and the benefits they bring. Speakers will include Lewis Herbert, Programme Director - Planning Skills, ARU; Carlos Jimenez Bescos, specialist in energy efficient buildings at the ARU; and sustainable architects Anne Cooper, director, and Margaret Reynolds, architect, from award winning practice, AC Architects Cambridge Ltd. More information from: http://www.cambridgefestivalofideas.org or http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/whatson/ideasfestival/programme.pdf
5:15pm, Buckingham House Lecture Theatre, Murray Edwards College. Part of the Environment on the Edge lecture series. Please register by e-mail Tim Jackson is Economics Commissioner at the Sustainable Development Commission - the UK government's independent, official sustainability advisor. His book 'Prosperity without Growth' tackles the biggest question facing humanity. Is economic growth a root cause of our environmental and economic crises, as well as unequal development? Tim Jackson argues that it is, and outlines a vision for achieving prosperity for all without economic growth. More info about the lecture series and about this lecture.
6:30-8:30pm, Friends Meeting House, Jesus Lane. Free (donations welcome). Martin Harper, RSPB's Head of Sustainable Development and chair of the Stop Climate Chaos coalition's planning group will brief & update us on the Copenhagen negotiations and their context, the policy issues (UK & global), and the range of demands being made by different groups. We'll explore how best to communicate, campaign & act on this. More info here
Related news
The End of the Line - Tues 20th Oct, 10pm. More 4 http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-end-of-the-line True Stories presents Rupert Murray's acclaimed film, which examines the consequences of unchecked, unregulated sea fishing across the globe
Last of the Honeybees (aired last week, now available online until 10th Nov) http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-last-of-the-honeybees/4od What's happening to all our bees? A new show looks at the causes and effects of colony collapse disorder (CCD). A prescient film about the plight affecting honeybees throughout the world. More info.
Thinking of moving away from using your car? A custom-built bike trailer might be just the thing you need! Andy Tompkins builds custom bike trailers, work bikes, and hand carts from scrap materials. Here are some pictures and details of what he's made so far: http://www.trailersfromtrash.com If you'd like one, get in touch with him
A new campaign group has formed, called "Save Our Herbs; the Campaign for the Protection of Herbal Medicine" to oppose changes to UK Medicine laws and proposals for the Government to regulate herbalists. The group is an alliance between several existing groups, and urges everyone to sign their petition, respond to the recent consultation document http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_103567, write to their MP's, join the supporter's forum and spread the word! See their website or contact them
So another bumper newsletter - hope you've found something to inspire! Thank you for continuing to send in all these news items, and as always, we'd love to hear from you if you'd like get more involved with transitioning Cambridge or surrounding villages to a more sustainable and resilient way of life!
Anna
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.
