Early success for new group
The spring equinox brought new growth to North Northumberland in the form of Transition Alnwick and its first public event. The lovely spring sunshine and Saturday afternoon sport meant the group were concerned numbers would be low, but the event attracted over 40 people!
Transition Alnwick has been formed by local people in response to the twin challenges of peak oil and climate change. But this isn’t another campaigning organisation; rather it is a way of bringing local groups, organisations and individuals together to build resilience and find suitable local solutions to global issues. It is about finding answers that work for us on a local level and support our own economy. Most importantly it is about community involvement in a way that is both positive and fun. Transition Alnwick has chosen the strawberry to be its logo – Alnwick was renowned as a strawberry producing area and it is a plant that produces runners to create new growth. The group hope to emulate this concept!
The initial event included a screening of the film, “The Power of Community: How Cuba survived Peak Oil” followed by a short presentation and a wider discussion. Displays highlighting the activities of other transition groups across the UK provided inspiration, demonstrated what can be achieved and generated some ideas for the Alnwick area. Sarah Gray volunteered her time and skills as a singing teacher to provide an alternative activity for the children while their parents enjoyed the film. This was all washed down with home-made cakes and tea! There was also an opportunity to make a newspaper plant pot and plant a vegetable seed – demonstrating the potential for growth of this idea and giving participants a reminder of the day.
After the film, everyone was invited to feedback their ideas by writing on post-it notes and sticking them on giant strawberry posters.
People were really enthusiastic about the nature of the film. Comments included, “positive, interesting, accessible and clearly explained”, “good hope for the future” and “very empowering and positive - life with less oil can be done”. Transition Alnwick will make the DVD available for groups to hold their own showings, as there was a general consensus that people would find the film inspiring.A wide range of ideas came from attendees on what could work in Alnwick and included “growing food on all available spaces by organic means”, “walk-in access point for info”, “more cycle friendly routes”, “class on growing your own produce”, “driving a milk float and collecting kitchen waste!” ,“car sharing schemes”, and “local combined heat and power plant - biomass and solar”.
Transition Alnwick has been formed by local people in response to the twin challenges of peak oil and climate change. But this isn’t another campaigning organisation; rather it is a way of bringing local groups, organisations and individuals together to build resilience and find suitable local solutions to global issues. It is about finding answers that work for us on a local level and support our own economy. Most importantly it is about community involvement in a way that is both positive and fun. Transition Alnwick has chosen the strawberry to be its logo – Alnwick was renowned as a strawberry producing area and it is a plant that produces runners to create new growth. The group hope to emulate this concept!
The initial event included a screening of the film, “The Power of Community: How Cuba survived Peak Oil” followed by a short presentation and a wider discussion. Displays highlighting the activities of other transition groups across the UK provided inspiration, demonstrated what can be achieved and generated some ideas for the Alnwick area. Sarah Gray volunteered her time and skills as a singing teacher to provide an alternative activity for the children while their parents enjoyed the film. This was all washed down with home-made cakes and tea! There was also an opportunity to make a newspaper plant pot and plant a vegetable seed – demonstrating the potential for growth of this idea and giving participants a reminder of the day.
After the film, everyone was invited to feedback their ideas by writing on post-it notes and sticking them on giant strawberry posters.
People were really enthusiastic about the nature of the film. Comments included, “positive, interesting, accessible and clearly explained”, “good hope for the future” and “very empowering and positive - life with less oil can be done”. Transition Alnwick will make the DVD available for groups to hold their own showings, as there was a general consensus that people would find the film inspiring.A wide range of ideas came from attendees on what could work in Alnwick and included “growing food on all available spaces by organic means”, “walk-in access point for info”, “more cycle friendly routes”, “class on growing your own produce”, “driving a milk float and collecting kitchen waste!” ,“car sharing schemes”, and “local combined heat and power plant - biomass and solar”.
As a minimum, Transition Alnwick aims to hold an event to coincide with each solstice and equinox - the next date is scheduled for Saturday June 20th 2009 at St. James’s Church Centre, Pottergate. Keep the date free and look out for other events yet to be announced.
For further information or to borrow the DVD for film screenings contact transitionalnwick@googlegroups.com or call Rachael Roberts on 01665 605812
For further information or to borrow the DVD for film screenings contact transitionalnwick@googlegroups.com or call Rachael Roberts on 01665 605812
