TW AUTUMN NEWSLETTER 2016
“Exploring ways to feel empowered in a changing world”
Editorial by Glennie Kindred
What is a Transition Town? I am often asked and find it hard to define it in a few words……. The very best place to see what the Transition Town movement is all about is the website of the Transition Network https://transitionnetwork.org A visit there always fills me with hope and inspiration…..
This quote is from them: ‘In our vision of the future, people work together to find ways to live with a lot less reliance on fossil fuels and on over-exploitation of other planetary resources, much reduced carbon emissions, improved wellbeing for all and stronger local economies. The Transition movement is an ongoing social experiment, in which communities learn from each other and are part of a global and historic push towards a better future for ourselves, for future generations and for the planet.’
If this rings true for you, why not come and meet others of like-mind, for our up-and-coming Transition Town Community gathering at the Eco Centre Wirksworth. On Friday evening of November 4th we will have a meal together – to meet each other, old friends and new. Then on Saturday 5th we’ll meet for the day (and more delicious local food!) to share and explore what being a Transition town is all about, and to look at how we could become a more effective tool for change. Led by two experienced community-group facilitators, Helena and her partner Phil, who will keep the day moving and lively, it promises to be an interesting and inspirational day!
As with all Grassroots Wirksworth events, we are asking for a donation to pay for the food and a contribution towards the hire of the Eco Centre and the facilitators fees. If you want to join us, please ring Judith to book your place: 01629 825675 or email us at: wirksworthti@gmail.com
A reminder too that this Tuesday evening (11th October) we are showing the brilliant film The Age of Stupid, at the Northern light cinema at 7pm. Directed by Fanny Armstrong and featuring Pete Postlethwaite, it is well worth watching! Again, donations to help us cover costs.
NEWS FROM THE LOCAL ACTION GROUPS
“if not now, when; and if not me, who”?
THE CORE GROUP AND COMMUNICATIONS
The Core Group meets about every four weeks, to sit around the table, drink tea, eat cake, plot and plan Grassroots Wirksworth events and generally look for ways forward. Any supporter of Grassroots Wirksworth can join the core group. Contact us to find out more: wirksworthti@gmail.com
We are delighted to report that Grassroots Wirksworth has contributed to a project which plans to transform the flagging wirksworth.net website into an effective hub of information for residents and visitors. The Core Group agreed to make a donation of £500 to NOW (New Opportunities Wirksworth) to help fund a part-time worker, believing that a working community website is essential for developing Wirksworth’s sustainability and resilience. The £500 was matched by the Exton Trust (as were other donations from non-statutory groups) so our £500 became £1,000. Funds have also been provided by the Town Council and Ecclesbourne Valley Railway. Alice Munro has been appointed as facilitator for 10 hours a week. With business and social media experience, in addition to her English degree, Alice will be combining her skills to update Wirksworth’s web presence over the next few months. NEXT CORE GROUP MEETING: Thursday 17th Nov. 2.30 to 4.30 pm at 21 Pittywood Rd.
ACTIVISTS SUPPORT GROUP
Main Contact: Hilary Hebron: hilaryhebron@orange.net
TEL: 01629 258914 . We are an informal group who support each other, share email campaigns and meet when we feel we need to…. We are concentrating our efforts his year on action against fracking and on promoting divestment from fossil fuels.
FRACKING: Proposal to frack under the National Parks:
What can we do?
* http://www.cnp.org.uk/fracking
* https://speakout.38degrees.org.uk/campaigns/save-our-national-parks It would be good if you could complete the survey and, in the positive comments box, make a plug for the Peak District National park, including an anti-fracking comment if you are able.
DIVESTMENT: Waltham Forest Pension Fund has committed to divesting from fossil fuels. Not only does this mean that the fund will not be invested in stranded assets, but will be actively investing in cleaner, greener investments to the benefit of our community, borough, and environment.
Learn more: http://gofossilfree.org/uk/?akid=16599.2032832.tqJE1E
COMMUNITY GROWERS
Main Contact: Rosemary Blenkinsop: hernesrose@w3z.co.uk
The Community Garden is on Coldwell Street, opposite Wirksworth Railway Station.
Next Planning meet Thursday 3rd November 10-12 Above Freedom Flowers
Next garden days Thursday 13th October (Come and sow winter salad seeds in the polytunnel) Sunday 16th October , Sunday 6th November
To become a Grower, or a Friend of the Growers contact Rosie Rosie.shaw@btinternet.com
WORKDAYS
Workdays at the Community Garden are the1st Sunday of the month, from 11 a.m (and other Sundays and/or Thursdays as well.)
Contact Rosemary on 07904 783818 to check what needs doing if you want to go up there on your own. All are welcome!
ENERGY AND HOUSING GROUP
Main contact – Brian Hebron brian@bhebron.orangehome.co.uk
TEL: 01629 258914. We meet monthly
Next meeting: Monday 10th October
RUBBISH GROUP (WASTE AND RECYCLING)
Main Contacts: Judith Green 01629 825675 . Please ring to find out when the next meeting is and if you have any ideas for ways we can reduce waste and increase our recycling.
STONEY WOOD
Contact: Chris Bristow: chris@number37wirksworth.co.uk
If you want to hear about what’s happening in Stoney Wood – “like “ our Facebook page.
COMMUNITY ORCHARD – We had a very successful day on Saturday with our first Apple day down at the Farmers Market. A big welcome to four new members. We picked a lovely lot of fruit on Friday – damsons, Ribstons Pippin, Adams Pearmain, Kidds Orange reds and displayed them in baskets with labels. We had lots of visitors to the stall, lots of people tried fruit, discussed varieties, and ate apple cake. Lots of people brought apples for pressing, and took away bottles of juice – it was fun tasting all the different juices. We also have a gallon of Community Orchard cider – made mainly from Michelin apples, in process. We raised £65 for Stoneywood funds. A very BIG THANKYOU to John Bowie, Rosemary, Glennie and Hilary for helping, and to Simon Vaughan for giving us lots of under cover room near the kitchen.
LOCAL DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
OCTOBER 11th THE AGE OF STUPID Grassroots Wirksworth will be showing the film
in the Northern Light Cinema. Meet at 7pm for drinks and social and to ensure your seat! 7.30 start. Donations to cover costs.
NOVEMBER 4TH and 5TH – Transition Town Community Day At The Eco Centre
An opportunity to make new friends and spend time with other like-minded people, as we share and explore what being a Transition Town is all about and consider how we become a more effective tool for change
FRIDAY EVENING: 7pm – 9pm ~ Shared Meal and Social ~ Soup + baked potatoes and fillings provided but ** Please bring a Celebratory Pudding and drinks to share! **
SATURDAY: 10am – 4pm ~ A varied, lively and engaging day as we come together to share ideas, propose and examine our objectives and explore new ways forward. Facilitated by Dr Helena Kettleborough and Phil Barton, whose expertise lies in working with community groups. Promises to be a fun and inspiring day! Delicious locally-made lunch provided.
COST: DONATIONS for food and to pay the facilitators
Interested? Please contact Judith Green 01629 823818 or email wirksworthti@gmail.com
TRANSITION HOPE VALLEY – A series of free public speaker meetings with questions and discussion, on the theme of the environment, sustainability and climate change -First Monday of every month 7.45pm Loxley Hall, Hope
Monday 3 October – Soil Association (or Moors for the Future)
Monday 7 November – Peak Park, environment strategy
Monday 5 December – Kevin Anderson of Manchester University on climate change
ALL WELCOME Free entry with collection for speakers’ expenses.
OF INTEREST
CHECK OUT THE FACEBOOK PAGE: We Make It Wirksworth
For local makers of all good things made locally…. Wonderful stuff! Local producers who wish to join, get in touch with Beth Bowie: beth_bowie@yahoo.co.uk
Freedom Feed Em – Vegan Community Meal at the Memorial Hall. Wirksworth. Second Monday of every month in the evening. Find out more from their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FreedomFeedEm/?fref=nf
DERBYSHIRE OBSERVATORY – access the statistics that the council produce to guide them using information on the counties up-to-date situation in terms of statistics. The information deals with groupings from parishes upwards in great detail. I am now aware of the Derbyshire ‘quilt’, and that it is possible, by googling Derbyshire Observatory, to search for information relevant to your interests. More information by ringing the DDCVS on 812154. Mick Evans, Senior Policy and Research Analyst Policy and Research Division, Chief Executive’s Department, Derbyshire County Council, County Hall, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 3AG, Telephone: Direct dial: 01629 538474 Internal extension: 38474 Email: michael.evans@derbyshire.gov.uk
TRANSITON BUXTION – worth signing up to their newsletter – it’s very heartening to see all the things they are doing. I am also very impressed with their very informative website. www.transitionbuxton.co.uk
TRANSITION BELPER – Belper is our nearest active Transition Town – check in to their website to see what they are doing and to find out more local news, and to sign up for their newsletter http://transitionbelper.org/index.html
The Transition Network ~ is a grass roots world-wide movement, aiming to help increase local resilience and community initiatives in the transition from our dependency on fossil fuels. Subscribe to the inspiring and informative Transition Network Newsletter http://www.transitionnetwork.org
If you wish to add events to this newsletter that you think would be of interest to Grassroots Wirksworthers please email wirksworthti@gmail.com
The Transition Wirksworth E-Newsletter team meet in Mercier on the first Tuesday of the month 11.30 am –12.30pm. Do pop by for a chat and to bring any items for inclusion (or email them to glennie (glenniekindred@w3z.co.uk)
Hope to see you there!
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