Transition Town Louth, Lincolnshire.

The Actions Page

Posted 17/03/09

I would really like to start a Seed Circle and thought that other members of the TTL group may be interested.
The idea is that members, say 5 people, of the seed circle all save seed from two vegetables that they enjoy growing and swap that seed with others in the group. That way each member gets 10 packets of seed but only needs save from the two.
As most seed would last 3 years, different crops could be saved from in the next 2 years so actually by the third year, 30 different varieties would be available.
The idea comes from The Real Seed Collection, who specialise in non hybrid seed and send out seed saving instructions with all their seed (including details on how to keep the strain pure and strong).

In terms of Transition I thought excess seed could be used as a resource in the community.
Packs could be make up and given to schools, or sold (given away for a donation) on TTL stalls. Gorilla seed bombs could be make for seeding public places, reward packets could be stuck to cyclists bikes, or people who us their own shopping bags, or for shop keepers supporting local produce, all of course with a message from TTL on the packets. These are just some ideas Sarah and the girls have come up with, I am sure with our collective genius we can be even more creative with this resource! Members of the Seed Circle could maybe be the start of a TTL food growing group.
I am willing to coordinate the group if required, so anyone interested or with any comments, get in touch.
Cheers, Nick.

Planning May the 9th

I mentioned that we had a quick meeting last week with regard to the 9th May and the possible options for raising awareness of the transition aims.

Below is a list of some of the working groups that we may eventually form to work towards an energy descent plan.

• Food
  Local Organic Growers Organisation / Allotment representatives/ East of England apples and orchard project. Why producing your own fruit & vegetables and using local suppliers makes sense.
• Energy
  ELDC energy saving advice, home insulation grants, Information on alternative sustainable energy supply
• Transport
  Promoting cycling, walking, public transport. AONB cycle routes, better provision for cyclists in town.“walking buses” for schoolchildren. Walking festival.Bus routes, sustainable taxis such as pedicabs, electric vehicles, Pony and trap.
• Education
  Developing the skills which will help the community to thrive without a dependance on fossil fuels. Representatives from sustainable schools project. Re-skilling projects.
• Waste
  ELDC recycling, composting advice. Trading Standards “Pack it in” campaign to reduce wasteful product packaging.
• Local Government
  Local council representatives, to identify ways in which local authorities can assist transistion.
• Economy
  Explanation of why trading locally is about making the community resilient to changes in the existing distribution of goods. The benefits of a Local currency, time banking.

We thought it might be useful to have an area set aside in the main church hall where each of these working groups could have a table with information relating to that specific area of the transition. This could illustrate how transition connects all of these areas of the community. To strengthen the message of why all these areas are important we could each take a working group topic as our own and explain the relevance of the initiative to visitors. This would require some study time from all involved to ensure that the information was accurate and clearly understood. It would also enable each one of us to gain feedback on how the transition aims could be met. There will be a Fairtrade stall and a Christian Aid stall in the Main Hall too. The suggestion was that we operated a tea/coffee/biscuits cafe in the second hall where invited community groups/local business could promote themselves. David suggested the event ran from 10-2pm based on previous experience.

As the next meeting is only a week away, I suggest that we could gain everyone's input on the possibilities and decide on a plan of action next Tuesday. Of course if anyone can't make the meeting then please give some email feedback.

James

Good work James, I agree with everything and think the ideas for the film showing are good and reflect Transition events staged by other groups around the country.

A couple of sections that might be worth thinking about adding which alot of other groups do include:

• General awareness raising about peak oil and climate change.
  This would be information about the current global thinking on peak oil and climate change so people who are not sure if either of them exist can get a chance to discuss them. Many people have an understanding of climate change but few people know what peak oil is or means for the future.
• Health and well-being (sometimes called 'heart and soul')
  The importance mental and physical health play in the Transition process.
• Building Community
  Considered essential in making a community more resilient to the problems peak oil can bring locally.

Anyone else any other ideas?

It may be the case that there is a lot of interest from the group for one topic but little for others. This shouldn't be a problem. As one of the Transittion steps says 'Let it go where it wants to'.

Nick

Fish and Chip Friday
See what this is on the Events list on the Home Page
If anyone has any further ideas of what we might provide at Holy Trinity, where the rooms are cheap to hire, please get in touch with your suggestions.
I am hoping to start a knitting group in 2009 for both adults and children and we are hoping to set up a junior embroidery group as well, probably as a Craft Saturday idea.
Anyone who would like to contact me about either can get in touch with on 01507 605803 or send an email to holytrinitylouth@btconnect.com.
Thanks, Jill Makinson-Sanders

Freecycle

There used to be a "Don't Dump That" Louth group but all net links to it now seem to lead nowhere. Maybe it's ceased to be? Meanwhile Freecycle is going strong but the nearest groups are Lincoln and Woodhall Spa. There seems a good case for starting a group for Louth. Maybe we could take the initiative?

Timebanking

We cold set up a Timebank. Find out more at Time Banking UK

Films and awareness raising.

The story of Stuff would be a good film to show maybe at the Methodist Church. It is suggested that it could be added to some powerpoint slides as to what a TT is and shown at the Methodist on the same day as National Climate March on the 6th of December.

Apple mapping

Mapping all the apple( and other fruit) trees in the area that are not being cropped or that people are willing to have managed and cropped for them. See Grow Sheffield
I think this is a great idea and we can learn alot about how to do it from the peeps in Sheffield. If anyone wants to work on this project, let the group know through the group email.
More fruit for thought from East of England Apples and Orchards Project

Landsharing

Louth directory

Specifically for local groups , producers, recycling outlets who are working within the realms of TTL, helping build resilience and community in Louth. Biff is to make a start through the website. Anyone wanting to help, get in touch with Biff.

Local Louth Lunch

An idea a bit like the Fife diet to encourage people to eat local food. As many food outlets in Louth produce one lunch item using 80% ingredients sourced from a 20 mile radius of Louth and advertise it as a 'Louth Lunch'. Businesses could buy louth Luncheon Vouchers, which could eventually be traded with local suppliers. Any of you food retailers interested in getting involved in this idea or something similar, let the group know.

Skill Exchange

Step 8 in the Transiton Process, the groups sees this as a key way of building resilience and reconnecting the community. How can we get this going? Anyone keen to get a sub group going, let everyone know.

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