Transition Free Press seeks backers!

 Transition Free Press, the new nationaal newspaper will be publishing its first issue on 1 February 2013 and
thanks to 40 Transition initiatives across the UK has a fully fledged distribution network in place. Now the editorial crew have launched a crowd-funding appeal which will go towards paying staff, contributors and printing costs.

The appeal needs to reach it £10,000 target (at least) by mid-February. Can you help get the presses rolling? Do check out the newspaper's dedicated site at BuzzBnk:

 https://www.buzzbnk.org/TransitionFreePress 

All subscriptions and backing will be very happily received!


Lost in Transition? New agony column needs your dilemmas

We don’t promise to solve every problem, like Marge, but we can give you directions when you are stuck. At the TFP a crew of seasoned Transitioners are set to offer their experience and advice on any difficulties you might be encountering on the bumpy road to sustainability.

Downshifting blues, group dynamics, living without heating, partner loves you, hates Transition? Bring it on. If we don’t have a solution up our sleeve we’ll do the Transition thing and ask someone in the network who does. Please send you problems to us and we will do the best to answer you in our column (and send you a paper too).

Please send your question to charlotteducann@transitionnetwork.org and it will be passed on to the team. Thank you!

Getting on message

We are also looking for advertisers for the first issue, so if you are looking for a good Transition audience this is the place to come. We have all sizes and prices available and a special marketplace section for Transition events. notices, sales, swaps etc.  As our  business manager, Jay Tompt  (here in action at the Conference) says:

We’ll be reaching thousands of Transitioners and Transitionistas, change makers and early adopters, activists and organizers, enthusiastic supporters of local, green, ethical, cooperative, social, and resilient enterprises. This network holds lots of potential.

You can get hold of any of us through this website and we are happy to answer questions about advertising or editorial  and give advice about creating a local news page.  This is a paper written, edited and published by people in Transition. So do get in touch. Charlotte Du Cann

Not heart of Transition Free Press? Check out our preview issue published last summer. 

.https://www.buzzbnk.org/TransitionFreePress

Grapes Hill Community Garden Update

Harvesting produce from the raised beds

As winter approaches we can look back over another successful year for Grapes Hill Community Garden. We have won several awards this year: A Green Flag Award and Group Award in the Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership Community Biodiversity Awards in July and Best Community Project in the Anglia In Bloom Awards in September.  We were also Highly Commended in the Norwich EcoAwards in March 2012. Thanks to all our supporters for all your help in winning these awards.

It has been a difficult year for growing vegetables but our raised bed tenants have managed to grow a good range of crops.

We are be renting out deep beds again in 2013 and, as before, we will give preference to people in the surrounding area who don't have their own growing space. If you're interested, complete an application form and send it to our Secretary by 1st December 2012. You'll also need to join the Gardening Group. Group members receive a regular newsletter and invites to members only events in the garden, such as barbecues. For more details, including forms and where to send them, see the Get Involved page on our website.

Soon we will be planning events for next year, including a joint opening with the Belvedere Centre Garden for charity through the National Gardens Scheme on Sunday 28th July 2013. Let us know if you have any ideas for events in the garden.

For more information on the garden see our website and Facebook page.  

Jeremy Bartlett

Photograph by Jeremy Bartlett

National Climate Change March against Fracking Today - 1 Dec

Organised by the Campaign Against Climate Change, this demonstration is against the use of destructive fracking techniques in mining for gas and oil. This year has seen the passing of an awesome milestone in the accelerating escalation of the climate crisis, as well as the introduction of fracking testing in the UK.

Several Transition groups in the UK have also been helping local campaigns in their challenge to this highly polluting technology.

The march is assembling in Grosvenor Square at 12.30 and laying the "Grosvenor Keystone Pipeline" at 1pm. The march to Parliament begins at 1.30pm and building a mock fracking rig at 3.30pm.

Join us at Grosvenor Square, London www.campaigncc.org

Biofuels petition please sign today!

STOP PRESS!!  Today is the last day to addyour signature to stop palm oil subsidies for biofuels.  Join us if you can in our submission to DECC tomorrow, Friday 30^th, 1:00pm.

Sign the petition here

In early 2013 the UK government is set to guarantee generous subsidies to burn vegetable oil (mostly palm oil) for hugely inefficient electricity power generation.  This could potentially double the total UK palm oil imports, posing a threat to rainforests, climate and forest-dependent communities and indigenous peoples who face losing their land and livelihoods to new oil palm plantations.

So far, biofuel company W4B has planning permission to build two large palm oil power stations in Bristol and Portland and another company, Edgeley Green Power, is seeking planning consent for a power station in Shoreham-on-Sea, also listing palm oil as a potential feedstock. 

In Indonesia alone, the Government is planning to see 20 million hectares – an area ten times the size of Wales, converted to new oil palm plantations to meet rising global demand with devastating impacts on endangered species such as the Orangutan.

Please join us in another push to let the government know that subsidies for biofuels are a scam, nothing more than a destructive give-away to industry masquerading as responsible action on climate change. 

Norwich FarmShare Workday - 25 November

Fancy a burst of natural exercise? Norwich FarmShare needs regular volunteer help on the farm every Wednesday (10.00-1.00 or 1.30-4.00, or stay all day- just turn up on the day, no need to let us know in advance) & also every Thursday morning to help with the harvest (starting promptly with a warm-up at 10.00am and working until 1.00pm- again just turn up) and at the Food Hub every Thursday afternoon (3.45pm-6.45pm. We have a rota for these shifts, so please email us to let us know you’re thinking of coming) to help with the distribution.
 
We hold monthly workdays throughout the spring, summer and autumn on the last Saturday of the month. All our members and supporters are welcome to come along (and bring their friends and families) for a fun day out on the farm.

We’ll give you any training and equipment you need on the day, all you need to bring are plenty to drink (it’s thirsty work this farming), something for lunch and good sturdy clothing and footwear. Getting stuck in to a good day’s planting or weeding alongside like-minded people is one of the best bits of Norwich FarmShare.

The next workday is Saturday 25 November 11.00 to 3.00, with a lunchbreak at 1.00pm. Do join us!
It’s best to arrive just before 11.00 to make sure you’re in time for the warm up and so we can show you how to do all the jobs safely. Let us look after you, as you’re looking after us!

Directions to the farm and advice on what to bring,

REPORT: "What's Happening in Transition Norwich"

The event held at Inner Space on 28 September was approximately split into three parts: 

• a workshop, 
• introductions to existing projects, 
• discussion and ideas for further projects.

The evening started with a workshop to get us thinking about the human needs that unite us. There are only a limited number of fundamental human needs, defined by Manfred Max-Neef as Subsistence, Protection, Recreation, Creation, Affection, Understanding, Participation, Identity and Freedom. These needs may be satisfied in various ways, including some ways which are actually destructive to our ability to satisfy other needs, the needs of other members of society, and the planet.

Following this, various projects were introduced by people in the room, which were then discussed in further detail over the meal in smaller groups.  We finished up with a short summary and feedback session, hoping to get an idea of further projects, but it was getting late, and although there was much talk on the subject of marketplaces and the use of empty land within the city, no distinct action emerged. If anyone feels that they would like to spearhead action on this front, though, email out to groups.google.com/group/norwich-in-transition.


The Projects:

Energy 4 All (www.energy4all.co.uk) - Co-operatively owned wind farms in Britain, including some new sites in Norfolk on land owned by Bernard Matthews. Paul Rea (paul.rea@energy4all.co.uk) is keen " contact people who are open to dialogue on wind turbine development and who would feel able to write to planning authorities in support of each scheme". The web address for the co-operative is www.bmwe.coop.

Visions for Change (visionsforchangenorwich.org.uk) - "Its purpose is to enhance communication between the many such groups in the area and to make it easy for anyone, whether already in a group or not, to be aware of and contribute to the Norwich and district progressive scene." Includes a monthly themed facilitated discussion (the next one is on "Work"). You can sign up to their mailing list on their website.

Norwich FarmShare (norwichfarmshare.co.uk) - "A community-owned farm growing delicious seasonal vegetables just outside Norwich. We deliver them fresh into Norwich every week for our members to share."

Norwich Community Bees (norwichcommunitybees.blogspot.co.uk) - "Norwich Community Bees is a community-supported, non-profit making cooperative [bee-keeping] venture, supported by the subscriptions, time and effort of its members."

The Poosh (thepoosh.org) - A website to facilitate connections between those who are planning a self-build sustainable building, and those who wish to volunteer to help build those buildings (rather like WWOOFing, but for building). Local contact is Jim Self (jim@thepoosh.org).

Norfolk Master Gardeners (www.norfolk.mastergardeners.org.uk) - A project managed by Garden Organic to provide advice and support (not actual gardening) to those wanting to grow their own food. Local co-ordinator Gabbie Joyce (gjoyce@gardenorganic.org.uk, 01362 869286). Also organise events about organic gardening.

Abundance Project (http://g.co/maps/m86ft) - Wild food mapping.

FoodCycle (www.facebook.com/foodcyclenorwich) - Makes use of surplus food produced within the city by providing free meals to the community each Friday, 7pm, at Friend's Meeting House, Upper Goat Lane, NR2 1EW. Staffed by volunteers.

Norwich Garden Share (www.facebook.com/groups/231291046985505) - For anyone in Norwich who would like to share some of their garden or Allotment space and for those people who are seeking access to gardening.

Carbon Conversations (carbonconversations.org) - A series of practical meetings to help you halve your carbon footprint. Contact in Norwich: info@innerspacenorwich.co.uk.

Magdalen-Augustine Celebration (magdalenstreet.blogspot.co.uk) - Yearly celebration of the Magdalen Street area. This year's, which took place last Saturday, was the third of these celebrations, and the first to include the St Augustines Street area.  Please sign up to their mailing list on their website, and volunteer to make sure next year's is just as much of a success.

UEA World Cafe - Termly events held at UEA to get ethical and environmental societies of the university talking to each other and collaborating.  The last one was held on the 9th October. For information about future World Cafe events, make sure you are on the mailing list The Lense.

The Lense - A weekly bulletin of events and information from the UEA's Union Ethical Officer (currently Rosie Rawle. Email: union.ethics@uea.ac.uk (I think this is the right email address!)). Please contact her to provide content, to be added to the list, or for more information.

David Medding's Upcycling (davidmeddingsdesign.co.uk) - Upcycling waste by making it into eco-furniture, gifts, signage and school projects. Looking for places to trade in Norwich, and suitable waste to be turned into other things.

The Common Room and Norwich Trade School (www.thecommonroom.so) - The Churches Conservation Trust is trying out a new concept to bring St Laurence’s church on St Benedict Street, Norwich into re-use as a new type of shared space, made and shaped collectively by the community, and run on the principles of collaboration, connection and resourcefulness. (This wasn't actually mentioned on the 28th Sept, but still a project worth following!)

Trade School at the Common Room -10 November

Exploring a way to bring St Laurence’s church back into use as a new type of shared space

Social Spaces and 00:/ are working in collaboration with the Churches Conservation Trust to try out a new concept to bring St Laurence’s church into re-use. It is a called The Common Room. We are introducing the idea to everyone by bringing it to life for a "prototype day" on Saturday 10 November - and we would love you to be part of it…

The Common Room could transform the church into a new type of shared space, made and shaped collectively by the community, and run on the principles of collaboration, connection and resourcefulness. More than a coffee shop, gallery, traditional community centre or office, the Common Room is a place where you can fix yourself a cup of tea, meet people and read your emails. Bring a dish and share a meal with others. Learn how to fix your bike, or the toaster. Or try and build your next big invention.

Great ideas, projects and enterprises seldom originate from a single person working in isolation. For stimulation, enthusiasm and collaboration we need to work in an environment full of people, ideas, learning, conversation....

+ Share your ideas for what you might like to do in the space if you were a member of The Common Room Co-operative.
+ Come to afternoon tea on the long table
+ Sign up for a Trade School class, or register to teach www.tradeschool.coop/norwich. Exchange food, items or advice for new knowledge - herbs for resilience to time skills to social media
+ Join a conversation on the long table – or offer to host one.
+ Join an activity– drop in to bake bread or build a web app.

The Common Room – prototype day. Saturday 10 November. 9am – 4pm St Laurence’s Church, Saint Benedict Street, Norwich NR2 4PG h Website: www.thecommonroom.so Email: thecommonroom.norwich@gmail.com.

Poster for event; Trade School class in USA

TN Bloggers meeting and Ceildh - 17 October

The Norwich bloggers are celebrating their third birthday this week. We have had another full-on year on This Low Carbon Life, reporting and reflecting on the multi-coloured strands of Transition, and on 17 October we're meeting to decide how to proceed in the next few months.

If you are connected with the blog in any way, past, present or future, or would like to join the crew, please join us for an informal meeting and celebratory drink at the Bicycle Cafe.

 Afterwards we're going to the Keir Hardie Hall for a resilient whirl (organised by regular blogger, John Heaser). Hope to see you there!

Bloggers meeting, upstairs at the Bicycle Cafe, St Benedict's Street at 6.30pm. Dancing from 8pm at Keir Hardie Hall. For more info contact Charlotte Du Cann theseakaleproject@hotmail.co.uk

Magdalen Street -St.Augustines Celebration 2012 - 13 October

The 2012 celebration, on Saturday October 13th, 10.00 - 5.00, is picking up a bigger beat this year!

Following the same multi-media format as previous years, it will feature over 20 live music slots in 3 locations, history tours, stuff for kids, a giant free doodle art session under the flyover, tandem rides, a recreation of a 'doll doctor', story-telling ( with tell-a joke-certificates), classical recitals in St.Augustines church through the afternoon, stalls by local charities and groups including Norwich Farmshare, workshops including thai boxing, tai chi, belly dancing, art and poetry.

Future Radio  (FM 107.8), who are supporting this year's celebration and running a live broadcast from Anglia Square, will also be featuring artists and organisers of the event through the week before.  Listen out for us on :  the Platform programme, Sunday 7th October 5 - 6 p.m., the Breakfast Show 10th October 8.40 a.m., and on Friday October 12th Community Chest programme 9.30 a.m. onward........

Check us out at :  www.magdalenstreet.blogspot or on Facebook to see the latest updates and schedule of events on the day.

What's Happening in Transition Norwich - 28 September

Join us to find out more and be part of this expanding, inspiring, creative and forward-looking movement at 7:45pm on Friday 28th September at Inner Space, Maude Gray Court, St Benedicts St, Norwich NR2 4PA

During this informal gathering of those who are passionate about environmental and social justice, we will be discussing how to expand, inspire, engage and create a lasting shift towards a better, low-carbon future in Norwich. We will be talking about success stories both locally and from further afield, ways we can collaborate across organisations and ways we can engage with larger audiences in the future.

Anyone is welcome, so whether your concern is inequality, environmental degradation, economic instability or the effects of the rising costs of oil, we'd love to see you and talk about what we can achieve together! You are invited to bring a handful of veg and/or herbs to add to a shared dinner.

For further details or directions please contact either:
Simeon Jackson (Tel: 07816 231009 Email: simeon [at] simeonjackson.co.uk)
Christine Way (Tel: 01603 614460)

Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dreamfish/3368619008/in/photostream/

Third Magdalen Street Celebration - 13 October

On Saturday October 13th, the 3rd annual Magdalen Street Celebration extends its festivities to next door’s St. Augustine Street neighbourhood.
 

Since the widely appreciated street scene improvements to St. Augustine's, the organisers for this successful daylong event are including new venues and locally-owned businesses for October’s revelry.

Stuart McLaren, Secretary to the St Augustine's Community Together Residents' Association, said: “Since modernisation works have been completed to St. Augustine's there is more openness in the local street scene, with interesting new shops and galleries opening and a growing sense of community. The area is ripe for more businesses to move in now”

Helen Simpson of the organising committee said “The goal of the day is to bring together neighbourhood residents, regulars and visitors to highlight Magdalen Street's role as a hub of creative, independently-owned, ethnically diverse and environmentally sustainable businesses.”

Norwich residents who would like to help support the renaissance of the Over the Water area are invited to join the organising group, to offer their help in whatever capacity. The call out to the community is for artists and craftspeople, traders and local groups, charities and voluntary groups, to come forward and be part of this great day. Chris Hull

To get involved: contact Lynn Howe magdalenstreet@gmail.com or telephone 07854 607 414. Meetings are held on the last Tuesday of every month (see calendar on right or Celebration website) at the new Stage community centre at 52 Augustine's St.

Transition Network UK Conference

The 2012 Conference held at the Battersea Arts Centre, London, was six days long, more of a "Festival of Transition" than a formal convergence. It included a two day Thrive Training, a REconomy Day, Youth Symposium and National Hubs days. Here is a video of clips from the main weekend event of workshops, gatherings, open space, caberet and Transition High Street group process.



Full reports can be found on the Transition Conference 2012 blog.

Transition Network UK Conference 2012 - 13-18 September

This year the Transition Conference will take place in London, hosted by the Battersea Arts Centre (BAC), and the conference aims to provide a weekend of events and workshops that explore the theme of "Building Resilience in Extraordinary Times".
The programme has 5 distinct elements, which can be attended as stand-alone events or in combination:

• Main Transition Conference: Friday 14^th September (6.00pm) to Sunday 16^th September (4.30pm)
• REconomy Project Day: Friday 14^th September (10.00am to 5.30pm)
• Youth Symposium: Friday 14^th September (10.00am to 5.30pm)
• National Transition Hubs gathering: Monday 17^th September (10.00am) to Tuesday 18^th September (1.00pm)
• Transition THRIVE training: 2 full days, Thursday 13^th (9.30am to 5.30pm) and Friday 14^th September (9.30am to 5.00pm)

Main Transition Conference
The main Conference gives you the chance to connect with people from all over the UK - and the world – who have taken the Transition approach into their hearts, lives and communities.

Whether new or experienced in Transition this will be an opportunity to plunge into a rich pool of ideas, inspiration and practical learning, refresh your energy and make new friendsThe theme this year will be explored through a wide variety of activities and processes including programmed workshops, an Open Space afternoon, walks and visits, and a great Saturday evening of entertainment, including an open mic slot. It will draw in elements of the REconomy and Young Transition conferences happening the previous day.

The full programme is now available.

Norwich Farmshare: Introduction to Permaculture Course -22 September

led by growers Brenna Powys and Tierney Woods
The course is open to anyone, members and non-members alike, so do tell any of your friends who might be interested. It’s a great chance to come and learn about the principles of permaculture – and how they can be applied in a whole host of situations; from the expected (your garden, farm or local park) to the unexpected (your work, community group or family).
Permaculture is at the heart of the Transition movement and, as FarmShare emerged from Transition Norwich where many involved were inspired by permaculture principles, we thought this would be a great course to run on the land at Postwick. In essence permaculture (from ‘permanent agriculture‘ and ‘permanent culture‘) is about “designing sustainable human communities by following nature’s patterns” and the weekend course will introduce the key guiding principles; from observation and reflection through the underpinning ethical framework to the practical design approach.
You’ll also get to meet other local permaculturalists and see examples of projects in the growing Norfolk Network!
The weekend can be regarded as a taster before embarking on the full design course but is also useful as a standalone introduction.
Dates: Saturday 15th in Norwich city centre venue Bicycle Links and Saturday 22nd at FarmShare site at Postwick
Cost: £50-£60 per person (depending on number of participants.). Concessions available.
For more information speak to or email Tierney
To find out more about permaculture visit the Permaculture Association’s website HERE