Downham and Villages in Transition Learning together how we live with the twin challenges of climate change and peak oil.

Minutes 20.7.10

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 19:02:19 +0100

Downham and Villages in Transition
General Meeting – Tuesday July 20th 2010

Agenda

Civic Voice Permaculture Film Night
Stowbridge OFOF Funding ideas
Street Festival Energy Group
Vegetables Transition Pattern Language
Downham Water Festival Sunday 25th July Event
Kings Lynn AGM Feedback Film Nights at Hop and Hog.

Civic Voice (National Charity for the Civic Movement)
Rachel briefed on role to date of Amenity Society in Downham and its aim of monitoring developments around the town over the last 40 years. 18 months ago there was a proposal that Amenity Soc.,Heritage Soc., and Downham by Design might evolve into one single society for the district combining functions. Amenity Soc not willing. Now Amenity Soc. is likely to wind up. Rachel has spoken to local representative for ‘Civic Voice’ and he is willing to come to talk about facilitating a group considering civic issues. An opportunity for involvement by Davit.
Rachel also commented on the likely meeting of local Parish Councils coming together to consider local issues. Rachel to monitor developments.

Stowbridge OFOF
Zillah has provided possible dates their village hall is available. (6th,13th and 20th November – all Saturdays) Hire of Stowbridge village hall is £10 per hour. Bernie to circulate dates. Ideally event will follow the Energy Groups’ Downham debut.
Bernie proposed going ahead with Stowbridge OFOF and supporting it.

Downham Street Festival
Ian Massingham is planning a Street Festival in Downham for the first weekend of September (4th/5th) with scope for a Transition stall and/ or something in the Town Hall Bar Room in support. Street behind Clock Tower will be closed to traffic – pedestrians only – with street music. John P suggested a ‘junk percussion’ band and invites volunteers to participate. John P to circulate email inviting auditions. Tony (Hop and Hog) is also hoping to stage an event. Further meetings may be needed once dates are secure. Musicians watch this space.

Vegetables

Nico reported on discussions with Ian M about possible expansion into community supported growing scheme. Both Ian M and Tony (Hop and Hog) are interested in such a community enterprise. Funding may exist to get something going and it would be a good Transition seed project leading to employment opportunities and skills development. Example of permaculture course discussion of tool for walnut crushing evolving into creation of market for walnut oil. Good chance to support Ian’s and Tony’s businesses and local resilience. Nico D to pursue.

Sunday 8th August Downham Water Festival

Stall space is booked. Three people are needed to commit to being there. (Anyone who can do a stint please email Bernie or Carroll C.) A good day with large crowd normally present. Good opportunity for Transition presence. We will be offering Freebay, and giving out ‘Go Local’ and ‘Davit’ information leaflets. All offers of help appreciated as this day clashes with next Permaculture course so Transition folk will be thinly spread.

Permaculture Film Night

27th July at Rachel’s – 6.30 for 7pm. General invite to view ‘Money is Debt too’ + other relevant films.

Funding ideas

John P interested in acquiring p.v.’s to power p.a system for music at events. Also the group still aspires to get a ‘Transition Caravan’ which would be great for taking to events – a ready made platform and publicity vehicle carrying all our stuff around the area. Anyone have any ideas? Please feed back to John Preston or the next Transition meeting.

Energy Group

Bernie introduced discussion on appropriate way to go forward. Positive examples of peoples own projects already exists within group. Need for progress. Support for idea of Energy Bus outside a Conversation Café event in Downham Town Hall Bar Room giving chance for publicity photos of local peoples energy projects. John C and Rachel to get dates when both these are available. Nico suggested open day for homes in cycling distance of Downham area with energy saving projects on view . John P suggests each of us doing something low tech to reduce energy usage. John P is holding rocket stove workshop in autumn. Carol H suggested Lili (Low Impact Living ) type workshops and practical projects for current and future financial situation. Suggestion of local support groups and circles for people wanting to reduce energy usage. Carroll and John C now trained up to facilitate ‘Carbon Conversations’ sessions with access to resources. These will be publicised for autumn.

Transition Pattern Language

At recent Transition conference Rob Hopkins introduced new ideas for appropriate ways of talking about Transition initiative – giving us an opportunity to consider what we are doing. (See Conference Handbook.) Transition East lists two items - Pattern Language and Economic issues.

Sunday 25th July Event – The Hollow Stoke Ferry
Carol H is offering an opportunity to meet together to discuss financial issues/ mainly a session presented to the Transition Conference by Nicole Foss on the economic situation. (Sunday 25th July) Rachel hopes it will be possible later for us to host a Regional gathering organised around these important topics.
On Sunday 25th July Carol H and John P will host a meeting for people wanting to hear and discuss Nicole Foss’s talk on the financial situation and its implications. The meeting will be at ‘The Hollow’ Stoke Ferry from 11am. People can bring and share food.

Kings Lynn AGM

Rachel attended and reported back. Following the AGM Kings Lynn Transition is evolving into a more loosely organised group concentrating on projects. On Sunday 1st August , Jonathon of ‘Nourish’ Café is hosting an open event at his home.
A good opportunity for photos for the energy group. More later.
Film Nights at the ‘ Hop and Hog’

Bernie is willing to organise some dates with Tony. Tony has already agreed to film nights in principal. Nico suggested a programme of films for the autumn with details going in the Hop and Hogs monthly events newssheet. Bernie to go ahead and book.

Next General Meeting

John and Carroll Cowin’ s – 43 Westgate Street Shouldham – Tuesday 17th August 7.30pm

Minutes 16.6.10

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 18:59:46 +0100

Downham and Villages in Transition
Monthly meeting - Tuesday, June 16, 2010

Agenda

• Transition Café
• Shouldham Fete
• Feedback from Energy group
• Transition Kings Lynn – AGM and the proposed incinerator
• Hilgay
• Local government
• Permaculture
• Bike routes

Upcoming Events

Transition Café - Downham Town Hall, Saturday 19th June – We will be serving tea/coffee and cakes/biscuits from 10 till 1. Leaflets and posters are being updated. We will have a book table and a Freebay stall.

Sue, Rachel and Bernie will be at the Town Hall from 9am onwards. John and Carol, Dyane, Pallavi and Nico will come for some of that time. Even if you can just pop in for a cuppa we would love to see you.

The FreeBay idea was a real success on our stall on the Howdale on the 31st May so we’re doing it again. Please bring along any good stuff that you want to get rid of and challenge the economic system in one fell swoop. Please consider lending us your “transition” type books for the book table for the day. I promise to look after them personally.

For those who want to find out more about talking to our community about climate change, COIN has a short document packed with usable tactics. It’s on the home page: (http://coinet.org.uk/)

Shouldham Village Fete, 26th June - We’ll have a stall on the Green –another FreeBay box and Information – an opportunity to chat to our neighbors.

Stoke Ferry Yard Sale, Sunday July 11th – do a Transition Yard Sale at John and Carol’s gaff (Freebay, plants, info etc.)

Energy Group

Power Downham - The Energy group met last week and brought a proposal to the main meeting: that we organize an energy event in Downham in the Autumn, which would be similar to the Our Food, Our Future events. Because energy use is such a huge issue that touches every aspect of personal and public life, choosing a focus for this event is difficult (do we include waste, transport etc?). Also, different people, in both the energy group and the main meeting, have different passions. However, we have narrowed it down to reducing energy use in the home through retrofitting or ecovation (http://ecovation.org.uk/) and also micro-generation. We will invite local, ethical companies who meet our criteria but it will not be a primarily commercial showcase. We will also consult and invite the Energy Saving Trust (http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/). All ideas and offers of help welcome – we are mighty, but we can’t do it all ourselves!

Transition Kings Lynn
• Wednesday 23rd June – 7.30-9.30pm - NORA Offices, Near Southgates Roundabout – Talk by Tarek Darwish – A Muslim Perspective on Climate Change
• Tuesday 29th June – 7.30m at Nourish Cafe, London Road – TKL Annual General Meeting. Downham folk to join them.
• This month also sees the launch of the Transition King’s Lynn Zero Waste Group. The motto of this group will be “Make Friends Not Waste!”. Check out their zero waste blog at http://makefriendsnotwaste.wordpress.com.
• Kings Lynn Without Incineration’s website is up and running – check it out at http://www.klwin.org/. Their first public meeting will be held at the NORA Offices, near the Southgates Roundabout on Tuesday 1st June at 7.30pm.
Hilgay

They sadly failed in their attempt to gain funds from the SIS bid, but maybe their energies can be channeled into Transition now. An OFOF is tentatively planned for later in the year. Watch this space.

Local Government

We discussed getting more actively involved in both Parish and Town Councils – probably as Councilors. Also, we want to hold local government to account when it comes to their implementing central govt. policy on energy, emissions etc. All this is very time-consuming, but necessary.
The Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnership - Improvement East
Renewables East
Inspire East
Government Office for the East of England (GOEast)
East of England Local Government Association
East of England Development Agency (EEDA)
East of England Business Group
Climate East

Permaculture Design Course

The next one is at Jim and Bernie’s in Shouldham on the 3rd / 4th July. Rachel and Bernie to get together to sort requirements. Hannah and family to park by the Cowins.

Cycling

Bike trip to Stow Gardens – Wed, the 30th of June. Meet on Shouldham Green at 10 am, ride to Stow Gardens, (approx 5 miles), entry to gardens £3 (normally £3.50); stop for a small picnic; tea/ coffee and bike parking facilities available; get back for about 1pm.

The Media group will work with Pallavi to advertise and write up the day’s experiences for an article in the Lynn News. We talked about inviting our new MP, Elizabeth Truss, to the next ride to generate more publicity around the need for safe bike routes
 
Bike Routes – Pallavi will canvas people at the Transition Café about cycling, with a view to presenting the information to the Town Council on the need for safe bike routes. Sustrans is the organization to work with. (http://www.sustrans.org.uk/). Is this the twinkle in the eye of an emerging Transport Group?

AOB

Amnesty on the following!
• The Power of Community (dvd)
• Energy without the hot air (book)

Next meeting: 20th July, 7:30pm at Pallavi’s, in Shouldham Warren

Call Bernie for any information on (01366) 247369

Energy group Minutes 8.6.10

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 18:55:43 +0100

DaViT Energy Group Meeting Tuesday, 8th June 2010

Present: Sue H, Bernie B, John C, David P
Apologies: Pallavi D

1. Proposed “Our Energy Our Future” Event
Favourite Date: End of October
Location: Town Hall?
Format: as OFOF but less grand
Invitations: Energy Saving Trust/Carbon Trust and similar
Local businesses in sustainable energy/buildings/products (to agree criterion for “local”)
County Council, incl. Trading Standards (accountable for reducing excess packaging - see www.norfolk.gov.uk/Business/trading_standards/groups/documents Ref. SAF 34
see also www.joswinson.org.uk/pages/excesspackaging (Action: Sue H gov. guidelines)
Emphasis: Low tech/passive solutions - but not necessarily exclusively
Props: Think about specific energy reduction tasks in household (use pizza food miles model?)
Finance: to identify sources
(Action: Proposal to June monthly meeting)

2. Carbon Conversation Cambridge - Induction Course 15th June.
(Action: DaViT contingent to go Carol C + ) apologies for monthly meeting

3. Sustainable Dwellings
Intrinsic to local resilience. Have to start where we are - a lot of poor housing stock therefore retrofitting has to be part of solution. Is there a case for demolition and rebuild sometimes - don’t know the figures but need to find out (Action: try Carb Con Camb 18/6)
DP unable to find an institute of ecological architects, but numerous private firms. ARK has excellent website. Emphasis on design/passive solutions/non-toxic materials/low embodied energy/natural ventilation/thermal mass/lifetime carbon efficiency see www.arkprojects.co.uk
(Action DP)

4. Climate Change
Discussion - different priority to peak oil, how do we achieve strategy and sell convincingly, do we need alliances with other orgs - Transitions can’t do everything
JC contact with local gov proved tough going
Need to brief ourselves on government requirements of local orgs/local gov.
Government’s UK Climate Change Programme 2006 - good anchor document, provides excellent overview and analysis, annual progress reports to parliament.
See www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_do/change_energy/tackling_clima/programme.
Hard copies would be helpful for ongoing reference - www.tsoshop.co.uk £23.00
(Action: Energy Group members)

Next Meeting: Month’s time date t.b.a.

Minutes 18.5.10

Thu, 27 May 2010 16:34:30 +0100

Downham and Villages in Transition
Monthly meeting - Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Agenda

• Upcoming Events
• Other ideas for summer and beyond
• Energy Group
• Transition Conference
• Gigs in the Autumn
• Money
• Amnesty for loaned books and DVDs.

Upcoming Events

Downham Festival, Saturday 29th May – There will be a youth focused event in town– would be good to have a presence. Bicycle powered smoothie maker would work a treat! Ask Adam Cakebread and Jim Ross if they would be interested in bodging one together (we have a bike and a blender offered and the instructions are on the web). We have one person who could actually be there, so any one want to step forward?

Downham Festival, Monday 31st May, on the Howdale – Last year, this was our first public event and we have come a long way. We do know that just standing there with a stall and leaflets isn’t very sexy, so how do we make an interesting impact? Ideas discussed – FreeBay Box (like freecycle – see our non-logo at the bottom), Free Seeds, Free Recipes (Ian’s recipes and our stock) plus info and chatting to folk. Who can commit on that day?

Downham Town Hall, Saturday 19th June – this will be a café event – set up at 9 and run till 2pm. Simple food such as rolls and cakes plus drinks– Carroll C. and Zillah happy to prepare some food ahead of time. Bernie can commit to the whole day. Another FreeBay Shop – will need donations. Books for browsing – please lend us your labeled books. Music – some busking would be nice – any offers? We will need at least 6 people; you can cook something, carry stuff in and out, do behind the scenes stuff or talk to people who come in.

Shouldham Village Fete , 26th June - We’ll have a stall on the Green –another FreeBay box and Information – an opportunity to chat to our neighbors. Shouldhamites to staff the stall – should be a fun one, the fete always is. (and the Lord spake unto the Shouldhamites “Lo, for ye shall have fun cutting your carbon emissions and eat much Victoria Sandwich”)

Stoke Ferry Yard Sale, Sunday July 11th – do a Transition Yard Sale at John and Carol’s gaff (Freebay, plants, info etc.) All welcome.

Other ideas for summer and beyond

We have been talking about having a public forum, cum conversation café idea for a couple of months and, allied to the need to keep on top of rapidly unfolding events, research, projects etc, we though to combine the two with a monthly film night at the Hop & Hog. This can be on a Friday night, a regular slot, with time to watch the film and discuss. We all thought this was brilliant and the proposal was agreed. I think Nico said he would ask Tony. What films do people have that we can use at these evenings?

We also discussed getting a second hand caravan for all outdoor public events – apparently you can get them free from a bloke John P knows. Has all sorts of positive benefits, not least of all the chance to have a cup of tea when doing outreach in the winter. Carol H talked about a seed share road show – lots and lots of possibilities.

Another Our Food, Our Future event in Stow Bridge – in the Autumn – Yay!

Monthly community music sessions in the church in Stoke Ferry starting in the Autumn (JPTB plus Skins & Strings) – opportunity for mutual support and good vibes all round.

Energy Group

Energy group – met last week – 4 people – lots of talking, from the technical side of things to the social/psychological changes needed. Next meeting scheduled at David’s in three weeks time. David, can you send out details to the list?

What is the way forward? Totnes now has an Energy Descent Action Plan. We can invite agencies and speakers to Downham. We can liaise with the Council re energy matters. We need to educate ourselves on the issues quickly. The Energy Trust is excellent and is keen to work with groups like ours and have excellent materials

The EDAP can form a framework for the energy group. Can someone from the energy group look at the Totnes plan and present it to the group as an outline? John Preston and Nico did this for the group last year – a half hour talk with pretty pictures to get us all up to speed..

We could have an Energy Event in Downham (bit like OFOF) with the Energy Trust and us. It would be a smaller event physically, in the small room at the Town Hall (Energy Café?).

Transition Conference

The 2010 Transition Network UK conference will be held at Seale Hayne, just outside Newton Abbott in Devon, over the weekend of 12 to 13-June. If anyone feels moved to go, do please feed back your experiences to DaViT.
http://www.transitionnetwork.org/conference-2010
Money

We approved payment for our insurance - done!

Stoke Ferry OFOF – there will be a bill from Dogwoof films on the way. We also need an invoice from Tony to pay him for the food he provided

Does anybody know where the petty cash is?!?!?!

AOB

Some books and DVDs have been lent out and will be need soonish for events. Can we have them back please?
• The Power of Community (dvd)
• Energy without the hot air (book)

We need to gen up on seed saving for this season.

Can John P ask Andy in Stoke Ferry to do a big Free-Bay sign based on the E-Bay logo?

Talk about the incinerator in Kings Lynn was well attended – Radio Norfolk was there and broadcast the fact that there is resistance to the project. There is now a website. Kings Lynn Transition is involved.

Another folk night at the Chequers in Wimbotsham – 2nd Friday of the Month – 8:30

Another way to cut carbon emissions !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hv6z4XhyJG0

Next meeting: 15th June at Bernie’s, 82 Westgate St, Shouldham (01366) 347369

Minutes 20.4.10

Sat, 8 May 2010 16:49:35 +0100

DaViT Meeting
Saturday, 08 May 2010

Agenda

• Feedback from social + Catch up
• Launching the WiKi and supporting other Transition Groups
• Energy group
• Watlington OFOF – Food events generally – leftovers from Stoke Ferry
• Conversation café
• Permaculture course
• Funding
• Coming events / info stalls

Feedback from social + Catch up

Bernie said it was good to meet and share thoughts, feelings etc. Carroll said that it was a beginning; she is doing a large amount of reading. Nico is snowed under with Green Party commitments due to the election – he is pulling out of the energy group for now but will continue to come to meetings. William is working on networking between left and green groups, as well as homeopathy issues. John C. enjoyed the social and, like Nico, finds himself immersed in green and community issues (Shouldham Allotments, U3A, Norfolk Credit). Rachel likes exploring ideas and thus enjoyed the evening – she would like this to extend and also to have a subgroup to support the people in DaViT. Jackie feels she is letting TKL down by spending more time with DaViT. She and William will be taking the phone off the hook and have a month off in May. Carol is also very busy and having to choose what she can do, enjoying the permaculture course and doing stuff. John is building like mad at the moment and having to pull out from the permaculture course. He would like to host the film “Manufacturing Consent” in the near future. David also enjoyed the evening and talked about some of his current projects.

Conversation café

Rachel has asked about hiring the Town Hall bar room – Saturday 19 June is possible – Rachel will book and we will plan the day at the next meeting.
Sue said that the OFOF evening in Downham was very good and could be carried forward.
Nico to send newsletter to folk club list.
Rachel – we have to do some homework for the permaculture course, this involves watching films so let’s watch them together, and get other people to join us. Rachel will email the short list and the permaculture list with details.

Bit of a debate about the balance between the urgency of the climate and resources crisis, what we can actually do, how to approach the issues. Lots of talk about inner vs outer work – avoiding activist burn-out.

Launching the WiKi

The Transition Website has a list of WiKis – we have undertaken to do this.

Carol to send email with info and password to Sue – Bernie and Sue to update this next week. Sue to email Martin in Ely for help/advice.

Energy group

Meeting took place last week, notes copied to participants and media. As a way of establishing a starting point, the group will calculate their carbon footprint. This can then expand. The energy agenda is so large that this first meeting was, of necessity, a bit rambling in its scope. Energy group to look at what other Transition groups are doing around energy.

Next meeting at Pallavi’s on 11th May. All welcome.

Watlington OFOF – Food events generally – leftovers from Stoke Ferry

The school in Watlington is engaged and participating. Food will be served (flapjacks and tea/coffee); a film corner (the power of community); a children’s corner and an information corner. Need to be there to set up from 1pm (sharp) to open for 2pm. Rachel to send reminder email.

We will have a CRB checked person in the hall at all times. No child or vulnerable adult should be left alone with an adult.

Food group – we haven’t taken this forward. Carol has already done some informal seed-swapping and wants to carry on.

Fincham, Stow Bridge and Hilgay – definite possibilities for OFOF events – to be continued.

Monies owed to Dogwoof Films and Tony from the Stoke Ferry OFOF.

Funding

Are we ready to make a grant application for energy projects? To be explored at next energy group meeting. Earth Day event at Burnham Deepdale – John and Carroll C will be going this Thursday.

Bernie is interested in skills for a low carbon future and brought this up within the funding conversation. Re-skilling can be very ad hoc and low budget (John P). William can pass on homeopathic first aid for folks.

Coming events / info stalls

Smoothie Bicycle – Howdale? Downham’s biggest festival – whole town.
Shouldham Fete – 26th June
Community Fair – Autumn

AOB

Transition conference – in Devon – 12/13/14 June.

Next Meeting – Tuesday, 18th May – 7 for 7pm
John and Carroll Cowin
43 Westgate Street, Shouldham
01366 347526

Minutes 16.3.10

Sat, 8 May 2010 16:42:42 +0100

DaVit Minutes 16/03/2010

There was a good turn out for the meeting and we covered quite a few topics from ideas for future events to questions about the impact we are having on our communities. What follows are some of the main points

Downham OfoF:

Very pleased with the evening. Lots of good discussion with a mix of people. We need to debrief on what we’ve learnt from these events for example how much food do we need? What to do with leftovers etc.

Stoke Ferry OfoF:

In spite of a relatively low turnout in terms of numbers from Stoke Ferry itself it was a very good evening and well worth doing. Good feedback received from a local councillor. We discussed the difficulty of how we reach people in our community.

Permaculture Course:

Brilliant. Second course happening today. 6 already signed up for next course. Venues might be changed as we now know a bit more about what we need in terms of space.

Conversation Café:

This item provoked a lot of discussion as we are not really certain about the way we wish to do this.. To start we will have the first gathering at Bernie’s on the 9 April from 6pm onwards. Please bring food etc to share

Hilgay Village Green Project:

Rachel is the link for us and it seems to be appreciated that we’ve made ourselves available to support them on this initiative

Watlington OfoF: (24 April 2 – 3.30)

Rachel to contact Dyane for planning meeting

Clay Plaster Workshops:

Four workshops booked one day each month starting Sunday 11 April. See newsletter for details and dates etc.

Hustings:

Churches together are doing this so Nico will contact them

National Conference:

Last weekend of May national transition conference in Forest Row. The theme is broadening. Anyone going please reply and maybe we can share lifts etc

Next Meeting:

Third Tuesday in April (20 April) at Rachel’s 28 Lynn Rd Wimbotsham

Minutes 16.2.10

Sat, 8 May 2010 16:37:44 +0100

Transition Monthly Meeting - Tuesday, 16 February 2010

Agenda
• Feedback from Shouldham OFOF
• Feedback from Media group
• Permaculture course – publicity
• OFOFfspring – Downham, Stoke, Watlington
• Energy Group
• Money
• Food Coops
• Transition Hustings
• Hilgay
• Public liability insurance

1.      Feedback from Shouldham OFOF
About 50 people came through the doors (including friends) – people stayed and talked – kids had fun – food and lunch time was good – Phil’s talk about his shared orchard and cider making was well received and very interesting. We have lots of seeds for the next event.

2.      Feedback from Media group
Discussion of Lynn News – all OK with current publishing regime (Ginger the columnist)
Meeting at the Hop & Hog – a monthly open and public evening to discuss issues for people new to transition, for further education, for reflection, for debate.
A forum on the website ? Transition East has a forum and lots of good stuff (ideas/projects/practical tips).
Where and when? Nico to ask Tony.

3.      Permaculture course – publicity
Sue has posters and flyers to go out. Charlie to chase people up for confirmation and payment.

4.      OFOFfspring – Downham, Stoke, Watlington
We have a leaflet about local food and local events, including the above, and these have been dropped into local shops. (good on ya Rachel).

Saturday 6th March – Downham Food Evening – something to stimulate discussion (film / speaker) followed by 3 course meal. They need 3 pans of soup and 3 of stew and puddings (seasonal and local please). They haven’t decided on a structure yet – one idea is that there is a host at each table and to introduce a topic and people move between courses – a quiz maybe? Becoming less and less formal and finishing with a toast. PLEASE reply to the invitation – bring friends.

Stoke Ferry OFOF – A film !! Food Inc. the new documentary – John & Carol have booked the film. (£100 phew!) - A speaker (Karen Kenny) and nice local food. 5 til 10:30 – tea and seed swapping, allotment info, screen the film, eat. Saturday 13th March. Media people to back up Stoke Ferry – discuss during permaculture weekend.
Saturday 24th April – Dyane has booked village hall – we all need to rally round. We are asking the East Anglia Food Coop person if she would like to speak – if Dyane is happy with that.

5.      Hilgay
Harvey Hillier has put in a bid for Lottery funding for the village to establish the Hilgay Village Green project which would encompass a community farm, eco-friendly artisan centre and cafe. The farm would be created on a disused Greenfield site and would produce a range of organic fruits and vegetables as well as breed livestock, including chickens, goats, pigs, sheep, ducks, and fish. This would generate employment and training opportunities in the village, where there is a shortage of skilled workers.

Hilgay has been shortlisted and they are putting together a business plan for early March. They will need to show links with other villages. Rachel has gone to some their meetings to show willing. They are having a public event in the– Rose & Crown Saturday 20th, 2pm to 4pm and we will have a table there – anyone want to join Rachel?

6.      Energy Group
First meeting postponed – new date and venue to be confirmed by John Cowin and sent out by email
Mention of new govt. policy on solar panels. - http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/
A rocket stove workshop to be held in Stoke Ferry later in the year.
Ecobuild – London – John C is planning to go and welcomes others to join him.
Warm air solar panels – can we investigate?

7.      Money
Payment is required for projector and kit, which has arrived. Payment also going to Charlie for permaculture course.
NB – all agreed purchases will be re-imbursed but you must have receipts in order to satisfy our funders.
Rachel needs to do the books for Norfolk Community Foundation (one of our grant givers)

8.      Food Coops
Charlie spoke to the woman from Food Coops Org – she said that if we were interested she could come and give a talk. We can invite her to Watlington OFOF and see if she can do the Downham one. Charlie to sound her out.

9.      Transition Hustings
There is an election looming – we are proposing to run a pre-election Hustings in Downham – for those not familiar with the process, the candidates sit on a platform and answer questions from the public about their policies. The intention is to:
• Find out what our local candidates think about environmental issues
• To let them know that their constituents are very concerned about these issue
• To stimulate debate and share information and concerns

We invite the candidates, we publicise the event. Nico to research and organise. People present at the meeting offered to help and we invite anyone interested to join us in organising this and/or helping on the night

10. Public liability insurance
We took out public liability insurance last May and we must renew soon. Rachel isn’t comfortable doing this on her own and would like support. It cost us £300.

Next meeting – 16th March at Ruth & Nico’s
Call Bernie on (01366) 347369 for info

Minutes 19.1.10

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 17:01:29 +0000

Downham & Villages in Transition
General Meeting – Tuesday 19 January 2010

AGENDA

Buying equipment
Denver Windmill
Shouldham Our Food, Our Future event (OFOF)
Other OFOFs
Beer Festival
Local Development Framework
Permaculture Course(s)

Buying equipment
Nico was not confident about buying a film kit (mainly a projector) as various people had responded in different ways to his various quotes. After a brief discussion we agreed to buy locally, rather than online, and to ensure it has enough projection power for a larger hall.

Denver Windmill
The meeting was held in the barn and was a good space with really nice cakes! Mark spoke to us about the problems he and his wife have encountered with their landlord and the financial commitment they have made to the Mill. He thanked us for our support. We do hope that the Mill will be a going concern in the near and foreseeable future as it is a model of old, non-polluting technology that can fulfill a needed function of providing local flour from local farms.

Shouldham Our Food, Our Future event (OFOF)
Sue expressed concern that the date we set was too soon and that the event would be under-prepared and under-attended. Bernie and John C. were in broad agreement. Discussion ensued and included: advertising a proper lunch / mulled cider / having some seeds AND pots of soil so that people do plant them when they get home/ Gardeners Question Time. After a discussion about seed sharing, we decided to see if we can carry the date over from the 30th January to the 13th February. John C. to ask Carroll to change the date with the Village Hall.

Other OFOFs
The Downham sub-group have booked the Methodist Church Hall for an evening event on the 6th March. This will be a simple event with snippets of films/food/ discussion “games”/ some displays & books/info. The hall is good for 40 people and we can invite supporters / friends / interested people. A flyer at the Hop & Hog and The Vegetable Shop would also be useful. It will be an alcohol free event.

Rachel is proposing to put a leaflet together that includes the rationale behind our OFOF events and a list of planned OFOFs. So far Shouldham, Downham, Stoke Ferry and Watlington. It would be excellent if we could take our model for an event (which is flexible and adaptable) and the “kit” to other villages. We can support people with all their planning, organisation and advertising of their local OFOF event.

Beer Festival
Tony (he of the Hop & Hog) wants to put on a Beer Festival in September to promote local microbreweries. Not surprisingly, we all though this a good idea and are happy to support this local business venture. We could have a stall at the Fest and help out – probably as individuals rather than the group. The carbon footprint of beer? Now there’s a thought!

Local Development Framework
The Borough Council’s Planning Authority has put it’s proposed planning policy on a website for comment/feedback. Downham by Design are having a meeting to look at it on the 15th February at 6:30 pm at Downham Town Hall.

This led to a discussion about DaViT being more closely involved with planning in general and the local Council in particular. This was something that was on the agenda about 9 months ago, but has since slipped down the list. The difficulty of liaising with West Norfolk was discussed, in part there being no consultation /community liaison structure within the Council.

Permaculture Course(s)

Charlie has liaised with Hanna (Permaculture trainer) who has offered to train 30 people on the introductory course. We felt that this was too large a number of participants for a quality event and that we split the group. The only problem with this is that the second 2-day course would have to take place on weekdays. This would mean a larger weekend course and a smaller second one, but would be more acceptable to everyone. The price remains the same. If this can be done, we can advertise for more participants – a flyer/leaflet and in Rachel’s food flyer.

Subgroup meeting at Charlie’s on the 25th Jan.

AOB
Hooray – land has been made available for 30 allotments for Downham. Still not enough, but a good start. (an opportunity for the media group methinks)

Minutes 6.1.10

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 16:50:31 +0000

Downham & Villages in Transition
Meeting – 6 January 2010-01-06
Agenda
1. Denver Mill
2. OFOF Shouldham
3. David’s proposal
4. Permaculture Courses / skills courses
5. Media group
6. Energy Group
7. Norwich Transition’s plans for 2010
8. General meeting
9. Garden share

Denver Mill
The mill is really what Transition is all about – local, low energy family business. They’ve had terrible problems with their landlord (Norfolk Historic Buildings Trust) The mill is not working because it has been condemned (within weeks of their moving in). The landlord is refusing to do work on the cottages, which will scupper their holiday cottage income over the summer. They have gone to the press to highlight their plight and to harness local support. They have a petition at the mill and they would like people to write Daniel Cox (leader of Norfolk CC). They have an e.petition up on their website. Peter said that the more organisations support the Mill the better. Andrew will draft a letter on behalf of DaVit and send it to the Press, leader of CC, Head of CPRE Norfolk. Pallavi to email the East Anglia transition folk for support.

Our Food, Our Future, Shouldham
Nico to ask Mahesh Pant if he can speak. Rachel has lots of stuff on her computer. Carroll Cowin to book Hall. All welcome to help. We need to prepare a kit list and a to do list. If you have anything lurking in your garage from the previous event, please let us know asap. Last minute proposal – we use some of the Food Money to buy a seed bank and take it to the OFOF. Meeting at Pallavi’s this Friday in Shouldham.

OfOffspring – Stoke Ferry: John is thinking of doing it around the Spring Equinox. We need to spend money very soon, so go ahead and book. So, if we want to book Watlington, then now’s a good time. If we do this, we can put a flyer out with all the dates and get the info out.

Proposal to hold a Food Evening in Downham - a bread and soup and film night – perhaps preceded by a Potato Day – Sue to contact Garden Organic in Ryton. Venue ? Date? Proposal to link the local to the global, using perhaps films, visual/graphic information. A sub-group will meet to see if it’s feasible. Ruth & Nico, Netty , Rachel and Charlie.(Sorry, but I didn’t note when you agreed to meet, but I think it was at Nico’s)

Hilgay Village Green – they are bidding for lottery money for the village – Rachel and Andrew are liaising with them.

David’s proposal
David sent an email round, requesting that we discuss the underlying causes of the crisis we face, but it was a complex document and we found it difficult to discuss in his absence. We would like to discuss it with him there and give it the due attention it deserves. We deferred this and propose that we spend an evening round the table with a bottle of wine and thrash it out.

Permaculture Courses
Charlie has taken on the organisation of this in Carol Hunter’s absence. He has a list of everyone who has signed up for the intro course. Sue can do the leaflet. Watch this space

Due to time constraints, we did not discuss skills in general, but we noted that Norwich is pushing forward on this, with people pledging to teach/learn transition skills in 2010.

Media group
We talked about getting our act together and form a media sub-group which could produce press releases, monthly bulletins and establish a relationship with the Lynn News. Proposal that the media group get together and see what they can do (website, email shots, printing, postage) Mary, Rachel, Bernie, Charlie, John Preston, Carroll Cowin will form the group.
Media group to meet at Charlie’s Wednesday 13 January – 7pm.
A quick discussion re the email list. Bernie to administer (but not edit)

Energy Group
We need one. We discussed having an energy event like OFOF. John, Pallavi, Nico, Pete, Charlie. Lots to discuss. The group needs to come up with a proposal. Local workshops. Take part in local shared local strategy framework for West Norfolk (Rachel)

Norwich Transition’s plans for 2010
Agreed that the Norwich group had plenty of ideas that we could pinch- each sub-group to liaise with the corresponding group in Norwich to share ideas etc

General meetings
Now that sub groups are forming and will be busy with projects etc, the general meetings will now be monthly. These to be agreed and put in the diary a long way ahead. Agreed that it would be the third Tuesday of every month. Proposal that the next one be held at Denver Mill. Peter to book.
Tuesday 19 Jan Denver Mill
Tuesday 16 Feb – venue to be arranged
Tuesday 16 March– venue to be arranged
Tuesday 20 April– venue to be arranged

Garden share
Amanda is interested in sharing her garden, opening her land out and sharing skills. Starting a Stoke Ferry garden share scheme was mooted. Amanda can have a stall at OFOF Stoke Ferry and talking to people. Maybe get the Stoke Ferry School on board

Accounts 2009

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 16:05:21 +0000