Archived news 2015/2016

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Archived news 2016

Empty Common Community Garden Blog Post

As it's Christmas, here's a seasonal blog post from ECCG volunteer and blogger, Simone Castello. Enjoy!
Source: Transition Cambridge 19 Dec 2016

Try out some new Energy saving online tools

Cambridge City is a pilot in the development of a new set of online tools to help residents and public authorities in Cambridge save energy across the city. The online tools include an Awareness tool: enabling residents to upload their energy bill information and analyse their use over time, as well as hints and tips to save energy; a Best Practices tool, which will recommend more specific actions such as improvements in insulation based on your property; and a Renewable Energy simulation tool to calculate the cost of investment and return on investment. Sign up and have a go! More...
Source: Cambridgeshire County Council 29 Nov 2016

What happened at our AGM: views, news and ideas ( with cake)

A big thank you to everyone who came to our AGM last Monday, where we heard from some of our members about what they love about their involvement with Transition Cambridge. We did some creative idea sharing, where we thought about possible next steps we could take as a community. The appetite for practical and hands on is strong, with suggestions for a new Community Garden north of the river, more repair cafes aimed at the elderly, and news of a project to create a contemplation garden in the city over the coming months. Collaboration and dialogue with other organisational bodies such as the city council was also a strong theme, around issues that affect us all from the City Deal to moving towards a zero carbon city council. We look forward to bringing you more news of these and other ideas in the coming months!
Source: Transition Cambridge 08 Oct 2016

Annual Report Published

Hi all. We have published our annual report for 2015/2016. It is amazing what we have achieved in the year - do have a read. Download it here We do apologise for the large size of the file. (13 Mb).
Source: Ms 07 Oct 2016

Fruit Harvest Season: Spreading the Fruit Love!

Plums apples, pears, quince, walnuts... the main fruit harvest season is almost here, so it's time for another reminder of Transition resources for harvesters. We have an Apple Press and Scratter available for members to borrow, Full details here: Did you know you can advertise your fruity excess crops on the TC Facebook page? here:
Source: Transition Cambridge 20 Sep 2016

Borrow a veggie garden - CB4 area

Back in the early days of the Transition Cambridge Food Group we ran a Garden Share scheme, that matched would-be growers with under-used gardens. We have recently heard from one of these partnerships in the CB4 Arbury area that a well-tended veggie plot is in need of a new gardener. If you're interested in taking this over in 2017 to grow your own in return for light gardening duties and you live in the area, please contact Jacky to discuss.
Source: Transition Cambridge 12 Sep 2016

Experiments in Democracy -

The second event in our Experiments in Democracy series was a discussion around various topics, including: standing as an independent councillor; the role of the media in effecting or preventing change; governance for sustainability and climate change; transport and buses; being a change agent; decentralising power to local communities; how to build engagement and "voice" to be heard; and shared values in a diverse society (no notes for this topic). The notes generated during these discussions are shown https://www.transitioncambridge.org/thewiki/ttwiki/pmwiki.php?n=TTMisc.ExperimentsinDemocracy here. Thanks to everyone who contributed these ideas! This event was co-organised by Michelle Golder and Peter Daldorph from Pivotal - Cambridge Festival of Change; Chris Forman from 38 Degrees; Keith Garrett from the Reboot Democracy party; and Anna McIvor from Transition Cambridge. More...
16 Aug 2016

How to keep cool in summer - Energy group fact sheet

The energy group has a new fact sheet on keeping cool in summer Given the weather this is quite timely.
Source: Qeng Ho Ltd. 17 Jul 2016

Embodied energy and Circular economy info

What do you know about embodied energy in stuff - the energy used to make stuff, not just the energy when we use it? Also, what can we do to make sure that we re-use stuff rather than building from scratch and raw materials each time? The energy group have discussed these topics recently. Read what we have learnt on NIcola's website: embodied energy and circular economy.
Source: Energy group 20 Jun 2016

Rain garden installed in Romsey

After the heavy rain last week, asking questions and finding solutions to future climate change is on all our minds...

The new Transition Cambridge group 'Learning to Stay Dry' has installed a down spout rain garden to improve the local environment around Romsey Mill. Here's a photo.

A rain garden reduces surface water flooding by collecting the water off roofs and slowing the water flows, prior to dispersing the remaining water that has not evaporated or been used by the plants. You can read about other sustainable drainage techniques on the blog here and more info about the group here. And if this feature has inspired you, do get in touch to see where the next down spout rain garden will be installed.

This rain garden will be at Romsey Mill (on the corner of Hemingford Road and Mill Road, CB1 3BZ) till June 14th, as it's part of Chelsea Fringe.
Source: Transition Cambridge 06 Jun 2016

EU Referendum Conversation Cafe - shout-out for helpers!

We're looking for a few willing volunteers to make sure the cafe conversation runs smoothly - are you free? We need a couple of tea and cake helpers to assist people with the refreshments in the break and clear up afterwards; and a couple of people who'd like to act as facilitators for the discussion part of the event. There's a free training session for facilitation skills on Monday 6th June and there'll be other experienced facilitators alongside you. Please email Elena Moses if you can help, thanks!
Source: Transition Cambridge 23 May 2016

Learning to Stay Dry - Field trip to visit London projects

Following the February launch of the new "Learning to Stay Dry" Transition group, we hope to organise a field trip in spring/summer for interested people to visit solutions implemented in London. This will be a chance to meet with other local groups and to learn about their successes and failures. If you are interested in coming along, please get in touch with Dawn and she will coordinate dates.
Source: Transition Cambridge 20 May 2016

Experiments in Democracy - video and notes

Thanks to everyone who came to the two Experiments in Democracy events over the past couple of weeks! If you missed them, you can see the videos that Antony Carpen made during the speaker event, and here are the notes from the follow-up open space session. If you're interested in standing as an independent candidate in the forthcoming local elections, Marie-Louise Holland has offered to provide advice (she is currently the independent councillor for Castle Ward). And we hope that some of the other ideas that were discussed will also get taken forward!
Source: Transition Cambridge 14 Mar 2016

Exciting news from Positive Investment Cambridge

On Tuesday 2 February, around 300 Cambridge and Oxford academics released statements in favour of positive investment. The letters praised the University of Cambridge for its move to undertake a large­ scale investigation of ethical investment strategies for its endowment, and expressed support for evidence-­based adoption of positive investment strategies for institutional investors such as the two universities. This made the front page of The Independent: "Unprecedented alliance of leading intellectuals calls on universities to use their wealth to support green energy instead" (article here). And the news made various other national papers too. Full info and updates here.
02 Feb 2016

Volunteering opportunities with Transition Cambridge

We had a great day at the Volunteer for Cambridge Fair on Saturday, and we made a sheet of current volunteering opportunities with Transition Cambridge - so if you'd like to get more involved, have a look through and see if anything appeals! New ideas are also always welcome...
Source: Transition Cambridge 01 Feb 2016

Circular Cambridge

Last Monday saw the launch of a new Cambridge initiative from Cambridge Carbon Footprint, called "Circular Cambridge". How can we encourage Cambridge to adopt a circular economy, i.e. how can we keep resources in use for as long as possible, extract the maximum value from them whilst in use, and then recover and regenerate products and materials at the end of their useful life? (There's a nice definition and schematic on the WRAP website.) Circular Cambridge is a season of events that celebrates progressive ways to design, manufacture, access and reuse the things that we want and need in our lives. Their new website, circularcambridge.org, explains all, and they welcome everyone's involvement...
01 Feb 2016

CropShare 2016 Farm day dates announced

We have now announced the dates when you can come and join us on the farm in 2016, getting stuck into all sorts of jobs needed to help run a 65 acre organic veg and fruit farm. Check out this link for more info and hope to see you on the farm soon! More...
Source: Transition Cambridge 27 Jan 2016

Win a Transition T-shirt!

We have some of the original Transition Cambridge T-shirts to give away - there are various colours and sizes, with text reading "Changing because we want to, before we have to". All you have to do to win one is to send in your favourite photos of Transition activities or events from the last couple of years. (If they're too big to send by e-mail, get in touch and we can give you dropbox details or we can arrange an exchange by memory stick.) Even if you don't really want a T-shirt, we'd still love to receive your photos as they are the best way of documenting what we've been up to in Transition this last while, and they can inspire others to get involved. Send photos to transitioncambridge@gmail.com. Thanks!
Source: Transition Cambridge 25 Jan 2016

Cambridge Zoology Museum temporary art exhibition

Helpers are wanted for an exciting temporary exhibition in April/March in Cambridge city centre. This is a good opportunity for people interested in the intersection of fine art, science and environmental issues. Internationally renowned artists, Ackroyd & Harvey, are acclaimed for their unusual fusion of sculpture, photography, architecture, ecology and biology. In 2013, Ackroyd & Harvey were awarded a major public art commission by the University of Cambridge to celebrate the work undertaken in the new David Attenborough Building on the New Museum’s Site and its development as a new ‘conservation campus’. This exhibition will premier new artwork and ideas relating to conservation of biodiversity, museum collection and human ecologies, building links between biology, conservation and human needs. We are looking for keen individuals who are interested in supporting us achieve this ambitious exhibition. Qualities sought: A reliable team player with a friendly confident manner for this public facing opportunity who enjoys engaging with a diverse range of visitors. To register your interest, please reply via email to the exhibition space managers: Seana Wilson or Bridget Cusack.
Source: Seana Wilson 05 Jan 2016

Seedy Sunday poster and prizes needed for tombola

Our Seedy Sunday seed swap is coming up fast on 24 January and we now have a lovely poster. If you could send this poster round to anyone you know who might be interested, or print it out and display it where you think is suitable, we would be very grateful! Also we are appealing for small donations to the Tombola that day: unwanted gifts, garden produce, or whatever you can manage will be gratefully received. You can either bring it along to the Transition Food Group meeting on Tuesday 12 Jan at CB2 at 6.30pm in CB2 cafe (Norfolk Street, upstairs) or let Sue know and bring it along on the day. Thanks for your help, and hope you can make it along!
Source: Transition Cambridge 05 Jan 2016

Archived news 2015

Cambridge Climate Message needs your signature

James Smith has written a message from Cambridge residents to the Paris COP delegates asking for an 'ambitious and fair' agreement to mitigate the threat of climate change. Transition Cambridge has signed it already but please add your signature and ask your friends and organisations that you deal with to sign it to.

By the way there are lots of events that you can take part in to show your passion for this hugely important debate, starting with What is the climate summit about on Saturday 28th Nov. More...
Source: Transition Cambridge 20 Nov 2015

Cafe night ideas wanted!

If you have an idea for an event/film/talk as part of the Transition Cafe night series, then please get in touch! All topics are welcome providing they relate to local sustainability/Transition themes. Cafe nights are an essential part of what we do as Transition Cambridge, as they allow us to cover topics not covered by existing Transition groups, and to welcome newcomers. We'd also welcome one or two more cafe organizers (approx once/twice a month) - it's a great way to meet new people and get experience of organising small events. Let us know if you'd like to help!
Source: Transition Cambridge 02 Nov 2015

Buzz Tour film now available on-line (includes TC and CropShare!)

It’s out! You can now watch the Buzz Tour documentary on-line, which traces the journey of the Buzz Tour as Eve and her companions walk 1,300 miles around England to interview local communities about their work to protect the environment. Their journey took them through Totnes, Bristol, Cambridge, Norwich, Manchester, York and Berwick-upon-Tweed. The documentary is 1 hour long and is an inspiring insight into a whole range of different projects - highly recommended!
27 Oct 2015

Minutes of Transition Cambridge's Annual General Meeting

The minutes of our Annual General Meeting are now available online here. They include our annual accounts and some interesting ideas that were generated during the brainstorming part of the AGM. If you have any questions or corrections, please get in touch.
Source: Transition Cambridge 27 Oct 2015

Nine short films exploring successful permaculture projects

Permaculture Magazine has teamed up with Permaculture People to produce nine short films exploring successful permaculture projects across a range of topics, such as large-scale, regenerative agriculture, forest gardening, urban permaculture and natural building. Watch the films here. Topics include forest gardening, natural building, binding soil with regenerative agriculture, urban permaculture, no-dig gardening, animal-free farming, off-grid living, transformation through learning, and 21st century foraging.
25 Sep 2015

Love plants and urban spaces? Want to learn how to blog?

The Growing Spaces project is looking for additional blog writers for our website. You will get trained on how to use wordpress and on your options of writing styles, then simply drop by a space or event once a month and share. You are also welcome to write on gardening topics of your choice. If interested or if you would like more information, contact admin@growingspaces.org.
Source: Transition Cambridge 21 Sep 2015

Transition Blog: Running a Repair Cafe, with Chris Moller

Here's our latest post on the Transition Media Blog, with Nicola Terry interviewing Chris Moller about how to run Repair Cafes, and how he learnt to fix things. Did you know that hairdryers can cost as little as 20p to fix, and that toasters can likewise often be fixed for next to no cost? Read on for inspiring stories of things that he's fixed... http://transitioncambridgemedia.blogspot.co.uk/
Source: Transition Cambridge 29 Jul 2015

Streetlife - a great sharing web-site

Streetlife is a local social network that makes it easy to connect and share with people in your neighbourhood. There are quite a few people in Cambridge and a lot of traffic on the website, including advice on just about everything, the opportunity to lend and borrow, local groups, and more - definitely worth a look! https://www.streetlife.com/
20 Jul 2015

Next "Introduction to Permaculture" course in November

The Permaculture Group are starting to think about organising another "Introduction to Permaculture" weekend course in Cambridge, probably in November. We'd like to get an idea of the level of interest, so please let us know if you'd like to take part. We'd also love to hear from you if you might be able to help organise the course. Permaculture approaches aim to support the creation of sustainable, agriculturally productive, non-polluting and healthy settlements, by combining an ethical framework, an understanding of how nature works, and a design approach. Read more about Permaculture here.
Source: Transition Cambridge 20 Jul 2015

July Transition Network Newsletter

Here's this month's Transition Network Newsletter, including the Transitioners' Digest of the REconomy theme, a new job offer (Transition Network Communications Coordinator), and an update on the September Transition Network Conference (conference programme now available here.
Source: Transition Cambridge 06 Jul 2015

Job Opportunity with The Real Farming Trust

The Real Farming Trust are seeking a "Just Growth" Programme Manager to work part-time (3 days a week) fromJune 2015 to December 2016 (this is a paid position). "We are seeking a skilled and experienced Programme Manager who will enjoy the challenges and opportunities of setting up and running a pilot project, Just Growth, and is committed to supporting the development of new and innovative approaches to community finance for “real farming”. The project is part of Funding Enlightened Agriculture (FEA) which was launched in 2012 at the Oxford Real Farming Conference (also a project of The Real Farming Trust)." Full information is available on the Real Farming web-site here. Closing date for applications: May 4 2015. (Editor's note: we know that these job adverts are popular and can result in a lot of people applying - so if you are hiring, or see a "Transition-y" job advertised somewhere, please send it our way and we'll advertise it.)
14 Apr 2015

The Fruit Factory - Brighton Permaculture Trust - Crowdfunding Appeal

There are only 2 days left to help Brighton Permaculture Trust scale up the scrump and build THE FRUIT FACTORY in Stanmer Park. They're so close to their £12K target and every donation can make a big difference. Read more and donate here. Brighton Permaculture Trust’s Fruit Factory is all about local food. Across Sussex huge amounts of fruit is left unharvested and goes to waste. Turning unwanted fruit into jams, chutneys and juices, The Fruit Factory will create delicious produce. The Fruit Factory will also educate and share with all what seasonal and environmentally sound food looks (and tastes!) like. Help them scale up the scrump! Thank you.
30 Mar 2015

East of England Gleaning Coordinator needed

The Gleaning Network UK is looking for an East of England Gelaning Coordinator - full info here. There is more information on the Gleaning Network here and you can also read about this opportunity on facebook. The role is voluntary and part-time but with expenses paid. The deadline is 2nd February.
21 Jan 2015

Daily Bread Co-operative has a vacancy for a full-time prospective working member

Daily Bread Co-operative, packer & seller of ethically-sourced wholefoods, has a vacancy for a full-time prospective working member. This is an opportunity to learn about and be involved in running a successful independent Christian Worker's Co-operative. Please ring 01223 423177 or e-mail us to ask for an application pack. Closing date 6th February. More...
13 Jan 2015

BikeBus Explorer

For days out exploring the countryside on foot or bike, let the BikeBus Explorer help you on your way! See the website for guide maps, fares and more information about how to use the BikeBus Explorer. More...
09 Jan 2015

Online community resource for South Cambridge residents

A local Transition volunteer has compiled a new community website for the South area of Cambridge. This includes Trumpington (which extends far enough North to include the Centre for St Paul’s!), Queen Edith’s and Cherry Hinton. The aim is to inform residents about places to meet, groups, events in the area and also public consultations. The purpose is to avoid politics and support community projects. The website administrator is delighted to receive updates & events via website. No charge and no adverts. More...
07 Jan 2015

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