Newsletters20100420

an interesting week, with the flight ban unexpectedly affecting the whole of Europe. See below for a graph showing that the emissions saved by the ban are greater than the volcanic emissions. (I mention this as it has been a point of conversation for some people this week.)

Transition News and Events

  • Wed 28th April: Election - Transition Cambridge Hustings
  • Fri 30th April: Deadline for story writing competition
  • Tues 4th May: First open meeting of Transition Permaculture group
  • Tues 18th May: Meal and showing of new Transition film "The Turning Point"
  • Wed 19th May: Transition Tales Quest
  • Bank Holiday Monday 31st May: Walk to Wendy Wood
  • Sat/Sun 12-14 June: Transition Conference

Related News and Events

  • Tues 20th April: Grow Your Own with Keith Jordan
  • Wed 21st April: Lecture on sustainable development cancelled
  • Mon 26th April: Communication Workshop with Shilpa Shah
  • Mon 17th May: Barriers to communication workshop
  • Sun 13th June: Foraged lunch
  • Sat/Sun 2/3 July: Cambridge Bioblitz
  • The flight ban: Compare carbon emissions from flights and volcanic eruptions!
  • Citizens' petition for more research into GM crops

Transition News and Events

  • Wed 28th April: Election: Transition Cambridge Hustings

8-9.30pm at Emmanuel URC church, 72 Trumpington Street, CB2 1RR

ELECTIONS - We need your help to convince Cambridge's Parliamentary candidates that the priorities of the Transition movement - resilience and low carbon - are not only our local action focus, but are also vital to take to Westminster. Please come along to Transition Cambridge's pre-election discussion/hustings focusing on sustainability in our economy and society. 4 MP candidates are slated to attend: Conservative, Green, Labour, and Liberal Democrat.

The URC can hold more than 300 people. The more seats we are able to fill, the stronger our message to candidates that there is a need to prioritize a holistic policy approach to a range of pressing issues: from peak oil, economic growth and energy policy to food security, climate change, global justice and biodiversity. (To help with planning, publicity (posters, leaflets, and listserves), or at the event, please contact Anne Lally.)

  • Fri 30th April: Deadline for story writing competition!

The closing date for the Transition Cambridge story writing competition is fast approaching - send in your stories by Friday 30 April! To enter, write a story set in Cambridge in 2050, including your vision of how you'd like Cambridge to be in a prosperous low-carbon future, where we've found ways of living that are not dependent on oil or other fossil fuels. More info here.

  • Tues 4th May: First open meeting of Transition Permaculture group

Tuesday 4th May, 7.30 to 9.30 at the Friends Meeting House, Jesus Lane, Cambridge. First OPEN Meeting of the Transition Cambridge Permaculture Group. A group for people interested in permaculture has newly formed following our first basic permaculture training workshop, which took place in Trumpington in February this year. All are welcome to come along to this meeting if you would like to:

- find out a bit more about permaculture
meet like-minded people who are travelling on the same journey as yourself towards greater understanding of permaculture
- get involved in permaculture projects in and around Cambridge.
- benefit from becoming an accredited group with the Permaculture Association
- if you are are already skilled and would like to share your knowledge

A donation of £1.50 to cover the cost of the room would be welcome. Bring snacks to share and we will provide tea's and home-made cake! Please contact Ceri and Dave or phone 01223 840602 if you are planning to be there.

Another permaculture group date for your diary - the group will be making a visit to the Green Backyard in Peterborough on Sunday the 9th May 2010 (watch this space!)

  • Tues 18th May: showing of new Transition film "the Turning Point"

6pm shared meal, 7:15pm film starts, followed by a chance to discuss how we can create a more resilient Cambridge. The church hall, Emmanuel United Reformed Church on Cherry Hinton Road (on the corner with Hartington Grove, near The Junction). Suggested donation £4.

  • Wed 19th May: Transition Tales Quest

The remarkable Steph Bradley, of the Transition Network down in Totnes, is walking around England for 6 months, collecting stories to write into a Transition Tales book, but also to raise awareness of the importance of walking, and of our green lanes, and the joy of slow travel. She will be in Cambridge on 19 May and will be introducing the new Transition Tales game and doing some storytelling at the Elm Tree pub, 7:30-9:30. She welcomes anyone who'd like to accompany her for short bursts along the way, sponsor her journey, put her up for a night, or to generally cheer her with messages of support. See here to read more about the walk or here if you'd like to sponsor her.

  • Bank Holiday Monday 31st May: walk to Wendy Wood

Following a lovely walk last year with Gareth and the well-being group, we thought we'd do another walk to see Gareth's wood, where he's planted hundreds of trees, built a shelter and even made a compost loo. All are welcome! It's about 15 miles and will take us most of the day. Please bring lunch, drinks, and suitable clothes for the weather (e.g. sunhats/sunscreen and/or waterproofs etc). We'll meet at 10am (please aim to be there by 9:45 as we'll start promptly) at the beginning of the Coton footpath at the junction between Adams Road and Wilberforce Road.

  • Sat/Sun 12-14 June: Transition Conference

After a few hiccups which resulted in changing the date, the 2010 Transition Network UK conference will now be held at Seale Hayne, an old agricultural college in Devon just outside Newton Abbott from 12-14 June. It'll start on Saturday morning 12 June and close at lunchtime on Monday 14 June. More info on the Transition Network Website. See here for the latest Transition Network newsletter.

Related News and Events

  • 20th April: Spring Gardeners Gathering with Keith Jordan

7:30-9:30pm (please note the date of this event has changed - previously 19 Apr).
Venue: Ross St Community Centre, Ross Street, CB1 3UZ.
Cost: Event is free with suggested contribution of £2-£3 towards costs.

This is an opportunity to discuss spring gardening tasks and problems. As daylight increases during April and the growing season is in full swing we will look at the variety of jobs that can help increase our range and yield of fruit and vegetables - from sowing hardy vegetables outdoors and tender crops indoors and keeping them growing healthily. Many other organisms love to eat our delicious fresh produce - from bacteria, fungi, nematodes, insects and snails to pigeons, rabbits and Muntjac deer! A variety of annual and perennial weeds also compete with our crops as well! We will identify some of the culprits and look at preventative methods to reduce damage, since 'prevention is always better than cure' when it comes to gardening.

Please bring along examples of any good produce you are harvesting now, or have in store, and ones that have been eaten or damaged by pests, plus any unidentified weeds that are causing you problems. To book a place, email or phone 01223 971353.

  • Wednesday 21st April: lecture on sustainable development cancelled

The lecture tomorrow at the Engineering Department as part of the series on Sustainable Development has been cancelled because the lecturer, Professor Richard Ashley, can't get back from San Francisco because of the flight ban. The lecture was called "Taming leviathan - dealing with (dis)integrated water management in England and Wales".

  • 26th April: Communication Workshop with Shilpa Shah

"Starting From Where We Are Now: values, identity and campaigning". Monday 26th April, 7.30-9.30pm, St Luke's Centre, Victoria Rd, Cambridge CB4 3ED

Both government and political campaigns often treat the public as 'cannon fodder'- people to take simple actions, write letters, or turn out as required. More effective ways of organising start with people's actual concerns - their views, their values, their needs. In this practical workshop we will explore how we can work effectively alongside groups to engage, empower and ensure their voices are heard by decision makers.

(Shilpa Shah founded CCF's Akashi project, currently works for FOE's Rights and Justice team and is a trainer and facilitator on diversity and climate change).

  • Mon 17th May: Barriers to communication workshop

7.30-9.30pm, Ross St Community Centre, Cambridge CB1 3UZ

"Breaking barriers - equality, inclusion and climate change" with Kirsty Wayland.

Climate change messages are frequently of the 'one-size fits all' variety. How does it feel if you don't fit the assumptions? How can we make sure we take account of everyone in the way we speak and the solutions we offer? Kirsty Wayland is a wheelchair user who is passionate about climate change. She is also Cambridge University's Disability Equality Training Officer and a facilitator of Carbon Conversations groups.

To book, email CCF or phone 01223 971353

  • Sun 13th June: Foraged lunch

11.30-1.30pm Sunday 13th June, cost £10 per person

Please contact Jacky at <a href=3D"wildfoodie@gmail.com">wildfoodie@gmail.com</a> to book a place and receive details of venue in central Cambridge. Spaces limited so book early to avoid disappointment. Suitable for adults only.

Wild food expert, forager and Transition Cambridge Food Group member Jacky Sutton-Adam demonstrates some simple but tasty recipes using wild food ingredients. Participants will prepare the food and share a communal lunch together. Spaces limited to 8 people so book early to avoid disappointment. Visit www.wildfoodie.com or email Jacky

  • Sat/Sun 2/3 July: Cambridge Bioblitz

The Cambridge BioBlitz (part of the National Bioblitz) will take place from Friday 2nd to Saturday 3rd July near the Cambridge Botanical Gardens. The event will be supported by the University, Cambridge Science Festival, and a host of other organisations.

The National BioBlitz is all about volunteers, scientists, naturalists, wildlife enthusiasts, school groups, students and members of the public working together to find as many different species as possible within the a natural area - all whilst racing against the clock! To find out more about it or register as a volunteer look at the BioBlitz website.

  • The flight ban: compare carbon emissions from flights and volcanic eruptions!

The flight ban is affecting food deliveries - a foretaste of what we can expect once oil runs out? A silver lining to the volcanic cloud is a cut in carbon emissions. You can compare carbon emissions from European flights and the Iceland volcano, as well as seeing how many tonnes of carbon are being saved by the flight ban here. Thanks to Nicola for this!

  • Citizens' petition for more research into GM crops

The EU has just authorized the growing of GM crops for the first time in 12 years. Avaaz is organising a petition to ask the EU to wait until more research has been done into the effects of GM crops before going ahead. Concerns about growing GM crops include: contamination of organic crops and the environment; their impact on climate due to the excessive need for pesticides; the destruction of biodiversity and local agriculture; and the effects of GM food on public health. See www.avaaz.org if you are interested.

Thanks as ever to all those who sent in items for inclusion. Hope to see you at the Transition Hustings - and don't forget to send in your stories by April 30th!

Bev

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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.

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