Newsletters20110201

Hi Everyone,

There are lots of exciting events over the next couple of weeks! If you've ever thought about installing solar panels, then the TC Renewable Energy group's "Solar electricity in the home" event next Monday is a great place to start. There are also some high profile speakers visiting Cambridge, such as the talk this Wednesday by Sir John Beddington, chief scientific advisor to the government (part of the Sustainable Development Lecture Series put on by the Dep't of Engineering). 

CONTENTS

Transition News and Events

- Tuesday 01 February: Film: 'In Transition' + web-editing session 
- Thursday 03 February: Seed-ball making session in the cafe
- Monday 07 February: Solar Electricity at Home\\ - Wednesday 09 February: Transition Knitting Circle
- Thursday 10 February: Carbon Conversations group  
- Calendar of events
- The Heart & Soul Group is relaunching!
- Bulletin editors wanted! 

Other News and Events

- Wednesday 02 February: Talk: Sustainability and the Perfect Storm 
- Wednesday 02 February: Introduction to Social Enterprise with Ashoka
- Friday 04 February: Recycling Champions open meeting
- Saturday 05 February: Birdbox Day at Wandlebury
- Saturday 05 February: FoodCycle in Cambridge - launch event
- Wednesday 09 February: Uncertain Climate: Risk in the Media
- Friday 11 February: Zero Carbon Britain 2030
- Saturday 12 February: Bottisham and District Gardening Club Seed Exchange
- Saturday 12 February: Film: "Gasland"
- Sunday 13 February: Creating a Food Forest - 2 day course
- Thursday 17 February: Love Food Hate Waste event
- Petition to save England's forests
- New Economic Foundation report - "The Great Transition"

Community News

- Grants for Love Food Hate Waste events 
- The Big Lunch is back! 
- Job vacancy with Streetcar 

Transition News and Events

Tuesday 01 February: Film: 'In Transition' + session on how to edit our web-site

17:00-19:00, Transition Office, 154 Cherry Hinton Road (in the church), Cambridge, CB1 7AJ

Come and see this great film about the transition movement. The film will start at 6, and will last for an hour. There'll be tea and biscuits, and a chance to meet others involved in Transition in Cambridge. There'll also a be a session on how to edit our web-site for people already involved in Transition, from 5 till 6 - please bring a laptop if you have one.

This is the 2nd in our new series of events at the Transition office (new opening hours 5-7pm on Tuesdays). Over the next few months, we'll be showing some of our favourite Transition films so that you can catch up on ones that you've missed, and inviting people along to talk informally about their favourite activities, such as long-distance cycling or eating wild food. You can also browse through our small library, or just come along for a chat about how to get more involved in Transition activities.

Thursday 03 February: Seed-ball making session in the cafe

19:30-22:00, 22 Jesus Lane

This week we'll be making seed balls out of clay and spare vegetable seeds from the seed swap. They're fun to make and are an easy way of planting seeds!

Monday 07 February: Solar Electricity at Home

19:30-21:00, St Lukes United Reform Church, Victoria Road CB4 3DZ

Come here for advice on solar PV panels for your home - find out what is involved and what you can earn from the feed in tariffs. Our panel will include experienced householders as well as suppliers of solar panels and Emma Davies from the City Council, who will speak about planning and sustainability issues. Entrance is free but donations to cover our costs will be welcome. More details here

Wednesday 09 February: Transition Knitting Circle

19:30-21:30, Lulu's house (off Coleridge Road, contact her for details)

Whether you're a seasoned knitter or just starting out, you'll be welcome at the Transition Knitting Circle, hosted by Lulu and Mae. Come along to learn how to knit and read patterns, find out about new techniques and yarns, and explore the joy of creating, customising and re-creating clothing. Beginners are requested to call ahead of sessions to make sure that someone will be available to teach and help them. All welcome. Suggested 50p contribution towards refreshments. Contact Lulu for her address (tel: 411350 / 07951 318116). Dates this term are 9th and 23rd Feb, 9th and 23rd March, 6th April, & 4th and 18th May.

Thursday 10 February: Carbon Conversations group for Transition Cambridge

Starting on February 10th, Liz Serocold and Bev Sedley will be running a 6-session Carbon Conversations group specially for Transition Cambridge (Carbon Conversations are organised by Cambridge Carbon Footprint). The group will run fortnightly on Thursday evenings for two hours and will cost £15 per person (to cover the cost of the materials). It's a great course, which helps people to reduce their carbon footprint in all areas - home energy, food, transport and other consumption/waste. And it will be good to participate with a group of like-minded Transitioners. Bev says ‘When I participated in a group three years ago, I thought I already knew quite a lot about living sustainably, but I was amazed at how much more I found out - I was able to halve my carbon footprint.’ If you don't know about Carbon Conversations, it's a combination of clear, up-to-date practical info with a focus on making changes in a supportive, non-judgmental way (the groups feel very safe, so we can discuss things freely). If you are interested in taking part, contact Bev. Carbon Conversations groups are run by Cambridge Carbon Footprint.

 Saturday 26 February: Visit to London City Farms 

London (meet at Cambridge train station at 9:10, back by 18:30)

What are city farms and how do they work? Come and find out with us on a visit to two London city farms: Freightliners Farm and Surrey Docks Farm. This is a joint event between the Cambridge City Farm initiative and TC Farming Group, and everyone is welcome to come along! Children are also welcome to come (accompanied by adults). Meet at 9:10am at Cambridge train station, we should get back by 6:30pm. Entrance to the city farms is free, but you'll need to buy your own train ticket and lunch in Freightliners cafe (or bring your own packed lunch). Please let Andrew know if you intend to come so that we can let you know any final up-dates.

The Heart & Soul Group is relaunching!

The environmental crisis demands practical, ‘outer’ changes in terms of adopting lower carbon lifestyles, but what kind of inner transition accompanies this process? What does this mean in terms of how we experience ourselves, relate to others and build communities? The Heart & Soul Group offers spaces to explore our emotional responses to climate change and to support ourselves and one another through the transition process.

Over the coming months, we will be offering a regular group which we hope will be a safe and supportive place to share our “heart & soul” responses. We will also offer a range of one-of events that take different approaches to explore these issues and also give us opportunities to look after our wellbeing and build our community. Some of these might include The Work that Reconnects, massage, sandplay, dancing, singing, films, talks…

If there is something you would like to see or something you would like to offer an event or workshop then we would love to hear from you. Or if this group appeals to you and you would like to chat or get involved then please do get in touch with us. We look forward to meeting you.

Bulletin editors wanted!

Are you an avid reader of our weekly bulletin? Could you spare a couple of hours every 4 to 6 weeks to put together our weekly bulletin? Please get in touch if you'd like to find out more!

Calendar of events

- Wednesday 16 February: Energy Group Meeting 

- Saturday 19 February: Transition Training (near Southwold) 

- Saturday 26 March: Permaculture Design Course near Downham Market 

- Monday 28 March: Talk by Rob Hopkins and Transition Cambridge 3rd Birthday party!

Related News and Events

Wednesday 02 February: Talk: Sustainability and the Perfect Storm, by Sir John Beddington

18:00-19:00, Cambridge University Engineering Department, Lecture Theatre 0

Professor Sir John Beddington succeeded Professor Sir David King as the Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government in January 2008. Sir John is a specialist in the economics and biology of sustainable management of renewable resources, and has previously advised UK ministers on scientific and environmental issues. He chairs the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ science advisory panel and the Defence Scientific Advisory Committee, and is a member of the Natural Environmental Research Council. He has also advised the European Commission and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation. This talk is part of the Sustainable Development Lecture Series 2011 series.

Wednesday 02 February: Introduction to Social Enterprise with Ashoka

19:30-21:00, Latimer Room, Clare College, Cambridge

'Social Entrepreneurs, the models they use, and you' - with Nick Sireau, Chairman of the AKU Society and Ashoka fellow, along with representatives of Ashoka. 

Want to find out what social enterprise is and what social entrepreneurs actually do? Ashoka is the global association of the world's leading social entrepreneurs. Since 1981, they have elected over 3000 leading social entrepreneurs as Ashoka Fellows, providing them with living stipends, professional support, and access to a global network of peers in more than 70 countries. You'll get the chance to meet them, find out what they do and learn how you can do it too. This event is co-hosted by Beyond Profit and the Cambridge Hub.

We are listing this here as there are lots of transition projects that could become social enterprises, allowing those running them to make a living while also benefiting the community. We hope that this event will help people understand how to achieve this. We also hope to organise an event specifically looking at how transition ideas can be turned into social enterprises - please get in touch if you'd be willing to help organise this.

Friday 04 February: Recycling Champions open meeting

10:30-12:00, East Barnwell Community Centre, Newmarket Road

The Abbey & Romsey Recycling Champions are having an open meeting to discuss the way ahead for when Mark Buckton leaves his post as City Council Recycling Advisory Officer. All are welcome as we need more recycling champions in the area. There will be refreshments & a competition.

Saturday 05 February: Birdbox Day at Wandlebury

11:00-16:00, Wandlebury Stable Rooms (Education Centre), CB22 3AE

From Cambridge Past Present and Future:

Celebrate National Nest Box Week (14th-21st February) at Wandlebury! Come along and make a bird box to take home, learn more about the birds which visit your garden and how to encourage them. All tools and materials supplied. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information contact us and to book a place phone: Cambridge Past, Present & Future, Head Ranger 07833598155. Cost: £7.50 per bird box taken home.

Saturday 05 February: FoodCycle in Cambridge - launch event

12:30-15:30, The Centre at St Paul's, Hills Road

FoodCycle is a national movement that brings together surplus food, idle kitchen space and enthusiastic volunteers to cook nutritious meal for people in the community affected by food poverty (www.foodcycle.org.uk). For the last three months a group of six students have been working to bring the FoodCycle concept to the Cambridge area and we are now pleased to announce that we are ready to launch.

Crucial to our success will be a strong base of volunteers from the both the student and non-student community, to get involved in all aspects of the project and make it a success at tackling food waste and food poverty in the Cambridge area. On Saturday 5th February we will be holding a launch lunch for all who are interested in finding out more about the project, how it will run and how you can get involved.

The event will be held at The Centre at St Paul's (Hills Road) from 12.30- 3.30pm. It will comprise a lunch cooked from reclaimed food by the FoodCycle team, a presentation of the project and a chance to ask any questions. If you are interested in attending, or if you would like any further information, please let us know.

Wednesday 09 February: Uncertain Climate: Risk in the Media

17:30-18:45, Coleridge Room, Jesus College

Talk and discussion with Roger Harrabin, BBC Chief environmental analyst. Harrabin’s reporting is dominated by risk issues, and he has, in the past been, critical of the Media’s approach to reporting risk. He states that often major risk issues fail to fit news criteria of novelty, drama, conflict, personality and pictures. This leads the media to have given the wrong level of prominence to a range of risks including MMR , dirty bombs, child abduction, nuclear power and genetic modification. He argues that the media should find new ways of exploring long-term risk issues like preventive health and security of water, food, energy and climate. More info here. Everyone is welcome. Directions to the Coleridge Room will be sign-posted from Jesus College porters lodge. Organised by Madeleine Geddes-Barton.

Friday 11 February: Zero Carbon Britain 2030

19:30-21:30, St Luke's Church Centre, Victoria Road, Cambridge, CB4 3DZ

From Cambridge Carbon Footprint:

We are delighted to be welcoming Professor Godfrey Boyle and Alex Randall from the Centre for Alternative Technology to talk about CAT's groundbreaking ZeroCarbonBritain2030 report in which a team of distinguished academics and researchers show how Britain could eliminate emissions from fossil fuels within 20 years and break our dependence on imported energy. Admission Free. Refreshments will be served. Retiring collection in aid of CAT charity. More details here: http://cambridgecarbonfootprint.org/.

Saturday 12 February: Bottisham and District Gardening Club Seed Exchange

14:00-16:00, Queens Court, Bottisham, CB25 9DD

This is our first seed exchange so we would appreciate lots of support! Please come along and donate or swap spare seeds. Entry is £1, children free. Teas, provided by Bottisham WI, will be available. A donation will be made to the Queens Court Comfort Fund. More details available on our website. Do come along and see what we are doing. Everyone welcome. More details here.

Saturday 12 February: Film: "Gasland"

19:30, Arts Picture House

The film raises awareness about gas drilling using a method called fracking, and the risks it poses to human and environmental health. The drilling has been going on in the US for about twenty years, and a week ago first such drilling had place in Blackpool.

Synopsis: When filmmaker Josh Fox is asked to lease his land for drilling, he embarks on a cross-country odyssey uncovering a trail of secrets, lies and contamination. A recently drilled nearby Pennsylvania town reports that residents are able to light their drinking water on fire. This is just one

of the many absurd and astonishing revelations of a new country called "Gasland". Part travelogue, part expose, part mystery, part bluegrass banjo meltdown, part showdown.

"Gasland" will be screening at the Cambridge Arts Picturehouse on 12th February. For more info on the film and a full list of the upcoming screenings, see here.

Sunday 13 February: Creating a Food Forest - 2 day course

 The Triangle Garden Hitchin is running a 2 day course on 'Creating a Food Forest' (aka forest gardening) on 13th and 20th Feb - consecutive Sundays. Suitable for beginners. For more info, see their website, and contact Vicky if interested. The Triangle Garden is a really interesting community garden project - it's about 10 minutes walk from Hitchin station; about 30 minutes by train from Cambridge.

Thursday 17 February: Love Food Hate Waste event

10:30-13:00, Arbury Community Centre, Campkin Road, Cambridge

The Recycling Champions are hosting a "Love Food, Hate Waste" event at Arbury Community Centre, Campkin Road, Cambridge on Thursday 17th Feb. 10.30 - 1.00pm. All Welcome. Sponsored by RECAP & WRAP.

Petition to save England's forests

The future of almost half of England’s ancient forests, many of which are in dire need of restoration, is threatened as the government decides whether to sell off 20,000 hectares of its forestry estate. Ancient woodland is our richest wildlife habitat and is totally irreplaceable, but covers only 2% of the UK. The Woodland Trust urgently needs support to help stop any further disappearance of this precious natural asset. If you agree that selling off our natural heritage in this way is unacceptable, The Woodland Trust have an online petition. There is also a slightly more assertive petition on the 38 degrees pressure group site.

New Economic Foundation report - "The Great Transition"

This report, by the New Economics Foundation, sketches out how, in the light of the challenges we face both nationally and globally – consuming beyond our planetary limits, untenable inequality, growing economic instability, and a breakdown in the relationship between ‘more’ and ‘better - things could ‘turn out right’ by 2050 through the process of a ‘Great Transition’. Whilst primarily focusing on the UK, many of the solutions proposed in the report apply globally. Initially presenting the case for change, the report goes on to discuss some of the steps required for such a transition, including a Great Revaluing, Redistribution, Rebalancing, Localisation, Reskilling, Economic Irrigation, and Great Interdependence. It concludes with a discussion of two big challenges that need to be addressed before such a transition can be achieved, but also sets out steps that can be taken straight away to start the journey. More info.

Community News

Grants for Love Food Hate Waste events

In partnership with RECAP, the Cambridgeshire Community Foundation is running the Love Food Hate Waste Community Action Fund. Grants of between £100 and £500 are available from the Love Food Hate Waste Community Action Scheme to voluntary and community groups in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. The grant can be used to pay for an event or activity (which must involve more than 12 people) which, by engaging with a target audience, tries to encourage people to reduce their household food waste. 

Applications are invited until 20 March 2011 - although the funding available will be allocated on a first come first serviced basis so late applicants may be unsuccessful. Applicants will be required to have attended an informal workshop which will provide participants with access to the information and support that RECAP can offer to grant funded projects. The next workshop is on 17 February, 10.30 - 1.00 at the Arbury Community Centre, Campkin Rd, Cambridge CB4 2LD. To book on the workshop e-mail us stating your name and the name of your group. If you have any questions about the Love Food Hate Waste Community Action Scheme please visit our website or call Florence on 01223 410535.</span>

The Big Lunch is back!

From the Big Lunch team:

The Big Lunch is back with a bang! This year's event is taking place on Sunday 5th June so now's the time to start planning. We're busily working away on a new website and some great new materials to help make your Big Lunch bigger and better this year (Free Organiser Packs are coming soon). You can sign up for organiser up-dates on our website and we'll let you know when the 2011 website goes live so that you can be the first to register your event and get a handy Organiser's Pack in the post. The packs will give you everything that you need to start planning your event, from invites and recipe ideas to badges and balloons. In the meantime, please email us or give us a call on 0845 850 8181 if you have any questions, or if you'd like to find out about opportunities to talk about your Big Lunch in the press.

If you intend to hold a big event with over 50 people and you'd like to apply for some funding to help make it possible, the Big Lottery Fund Awards for All scheme could be just what you need. Small grants are given out throughout the year to help people make a difference to their community. There are certain requirements that you have to meet in order to apply - you must be a community or not for profit group, a Parish or Town Council, a Health body or a school - and to get funding in time for your Big Lunch, you need to get your application in soon. It's best to look at the website for further details or call 08454 102030.

Job vacancy with Streetcar

Streetcar, the UK's largest car club, operates in Cambridge and we are looking for outgoing, enthusiastic people to join our local Events and Promotions team, as part-time and weekend marketing assistants (£8/hour). It's not a sales job, but we need people who can speak confidently and keenly about our car club! You will be promoting our service to the public through on-street campaigns, promotional events, and flyering. This is a flexible role; you will be working a mixture of weekday and weekend shifts with varying start times depending on our requirements. We are looking for applicants who are available to start work immediately. You must be fluent in English, well presented and confident approaching and speaking to strangers. Ideally you should have held a driving license for over a year, though this is not compulsory. Applicants must live in Cambridge with a short travel distance to the city centre. If you are interested in applying for this position, please send your CV and a brief covering letter to Joseph Seal-Driver (joseph.seal-driver [at] streetcar.co.uk). Please note that this job will require you to work outside for extended periods of time. Streetcar will provide you with warm clothing during Winter and sufficient breaks.

That's it for this week - maybe see you at some of these events!

Anna

Our Mission

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.

Sign up for our fortnightly newsletter

Share this page