Transition Alnwick

Next Meeting Wednesday 9th November

2011-11-07T15:17:00.000-08:00

Just a reminder that the next Transition Alnwick get together will be on Wednesday 9th November at 7.30pm - St. James's Church Centre, Pottergate, Alnwick.
Come along to join in the discussion and find out how you can get involved with having fun with a thermal imaging camera or turning Alnwick into an edible paradise!

Also share suggestions for how to make the Alnwick Neighbourhood Plan a sustainable way forward for future development. How can we engage with the consultation and offer something a bit different?

Next meeting Wednesday 12th October

2011-09-26T12:56:00.000-07:00

We discussed at the last meeting what might be fun and useful to do at our next meeting. We decided it would be good to focus in on the coming festive season and what we can do to cut the cost of it both to our pockets and the environment. So we are bringing ideas together for things like recipes using local ingredients, presents and wrapping using recycled materials and other novel ideas for a more meaningful festive season. I'll bring along a sample and recipe for a sugar and oil scrub which I learned to make recently and it was really good for the skin and very therapeutic - cheap and easy! So come along and bring your ideas/samples. We would love to gather together the ideas and circulate them to everybody on the transition Alnwick list and put them here on the blog so even if you can't make the meeting we would love your ideas to share! Email transitionalnwick@googlegroups.com

As ever we are welcoming any other ideas for activities and actions we can work on locally to make our communities stronger and more resilient. We are thinking of organising a trip to a permaculture co-operative soon to see how some people are working on meeting the challenges but we need you and/or your ideas so don't be shy!!!

news from our Elderberry Evening

2011-09-26T12:38:00.000-07:00

Well the thing is... the Elderberries weren't ripe so we couldn't make anything at that meeting. Anna and Jill brought lots of their stored potions and cordials for us to try and they were delicious (especially the ones with brandy) and full of variety depending on the recipe used. See below for some provided by Jill. I had prepared some rose hips to bring to the meeting because they were plentiful. I had destalked them, boiled them, crushed them, let simmer for 15 minutes and then sieved through muslin to produce a concentrate. We could have boiled them again with sugar to produce a syrup to keep away winter colds but Anna had heard of a novel recipe using the cordial, sugar and cornflower to make Rose Hip soup! So thats what we had and it was unusual and delicious.

Elderflower Recipes
Elderberry Cordial.

Ingredients: - Bucket of Elderberries, Granulated sugar, Cloves

Cut the Elderberries just below the stalks

Use a fork to remove the Elderberries from the stalks into a bowl.

Place the Elderberries in a saucepan with enough water to cover them.

Simmer for 20 minutes

Strain the Elderberry mixture through a muslin or straining bag, squeezing to make sure you get all the juice out.

For each pint of juice you get, add 1lb of granulated sugar and 12 cloves.

Boil the mixture for 10 minutes.

Allow the Elderberry mixture to cool and then bottle in sterilised glass bottles, making sure that the caps have a plastic seal.

Add an equal amount of the cloves to each bottle you make up.

The elderberry cordial syrup will last up to two years.

Elderberry Tincture

Elderberry tincture is easy. I buy cheap vodka. I fill a wine-making demijohn with elderberries stripped from their stalks, then top the whole thing up with vodka. I leave it for two, three or four months then strain it, throw the berries on the compost heap and bottle the liquid. At the first sign of a cough, cold or flue we take a teaspoonful diluted in water and do so four or five times a day over the next three days or so. Usually it will stop the cold from developing, but if it doesn't it cuts the duration and severity by a long way.

Wednesday 14th September - Elderberry Evening

2011-09-05T05:40:00.000-07:00

Our next Wednesday meeting follows on from our woodland walk when we decided that we would like to make something from a hedgrow harvest. On Wednesday 14th September we are making Elderberry cordial and you are all invited to come along, bring your Elderberries and join in.

Jill Schnabel will be helping us. Here is a link for information about picking and using Elderberries. Basically only pick Elderberries that are purple, not green and are hanging down. Uncooked Elderberries have cyanide in them so its not a good idea to eat them in that state(especially in quantities!).

So bring along any ripe Elderberries you can collect and a sterilized jar with a lid so you can take home some samples.

The meeting takes place at St James Church Centre in Alnwick at 7.30pm till 9.30pm. Looking forward to seeing you there.

Don't worry if you can't find enough ripe Elderberries. We will also be looking at making rosehip syrup.

Heritage Open Days - September 10th to 12th.

2011-08-31T10:23:00.000-07:00

It's that time again - three houses belonging to Transition Alnwick members will be open to the public. The purpose of this is to show members of the public what can be done to a 'normal' house in order to make it greener.

The three properties are all semi-detached and have had a variety of green initiatives take place within them. These include triple A rated appliances right the way through to Solar PV and solar thermal, using garden space to provide food and additional insulation.

Paul and Clare Mills house 24 The Dunterns, NE66 1AN is open on Thursday the 10^th and Saturday 12^th September.

David Farrar and Rachael Roberts’ house at 50 Swansfield Park Road is open on Friday the 11^th and Saturday the 12^th.

Karen and Martin Swinbank’s house is open on Sunday the 13^th.

All houses are open 10 until 4 and will the householders will be pleased to meet anyone who is interested in green initiatives in the home.

Appreciating Trees

2011-08-03T11:37:00.001-07:00

We had a great time during our July Wednesday meeting which was an evening Tree Walk through woods near Alnwick Garden. Anna Corbett was very knowledgeable and pitched the information at just the right level but we also had Gill a herbalist there and others pitched in what they knew so it was a great sharing event. We looked at lots of trees such as Beech, Birch, Elder, Alder, Elm, Hawthorn etc etc and also came across many other interesting plants. We were a bit stumped at the end with a mystery tree but Anna has asked me to report that the tree was in fact a Sweet Chestnut festooned with male flowers.

We talked a lot about the uses of the Elder such as using the flowers for Elderflower champagne, Elderflower cordial and even Elderflower fritters. We had a good time in the pub afterwards and we decided that we would like to do something with Elderberries at our next Wednesday meeting in September (the second Wed of the month). So our plan is to bring our collected berries and Gill will provide the expertise and help us make Elderberry cordial. Of course this assumes the berries will be ripe then and we are optimistic about that. I'll post more information about what equipment we will need to bring on the night and of course you don't need to have been on the tree walk to join in this activity. Just bring some Elderberries if you can and if not come along and learn for the future. IF anybody has any ideas for activities you would be interested in seeing or doing over the winter than please get in touch. Also if you have anything you would like to share or take a lead in then again that would be great and we would welcome that wholeheartedly.

I was excited to see this plant as I have never seen Burdock before!

Helen and Stephen's green adventure

2011-07-15T07:22:00.000-07:00

Hello

After a combination of being very busy moving house and bad weather, the growing was delayed somewhat! My partner and I had planned to grow many wonderful veggies, however we were just a bit too late for a lot of them. Not all was lost though, as there was still plenty we could grow. Towards the end of June we sowed beetroot, lettuce, carrots, french beans, tomatoes. We also obtained a young courgette plant ('Eight-Ball') and a butternut squash from the local garden centre, which were transplanted into grow bags.

Our garden is on the small side, and being a rented property, there is less scope for having things just the way we want. However there are still opportunities to grow your own, using pots and grow bags on the patio. Grow bags along a south-facing fence contain tomatoes, courgette and squash. Cut and come lettuces are doing really well in a somewhat high-tech 'self-watering' trough. A borrowed patch at the parents' house has been sown up with more veg!

We were a bit worried as our tomatoes developed some yellow-brown patches, which we feared were blight! However, there are many reasons for discoloration of leaves with plants like tomatoes. In this case, continual heavy showers had meant that the grow bag used to plant out the tomatoes was sodden for a long period. With no chance to feed them during the damp weather, the yellowing of the leaves was more likely due to a mineral deficiency. A liquid feed squeezed in between the showers has improved the plants' growth.

Best wishes

Helen and Stephen

Woodland Walk Wednesday July 20th, 7.30

2011-06-15T15:37:00.000-07:00

The latest Transition Alnwick event

Woodland Walk

with Anna Corbett

Wednesday July 20th 7.30 - 8.30 approx

A short walk in woodland beside the river Aln. Come and explore woodland plants, from under our feet to over our heads. Identify and name them, find out about their uses, as well as stories and other tradition s associated with them.

Bring suitable outdoor clothing and footwear - be prepared for weather!

All welcome, meet at the Denwick bridge at 7.30 which is north west of the garden on the B1340 road to Denwick.

There is no parking there so you should perhaps think about parking in Alnwick and walking. (its about 5 mins walk from the entrance to the garden)

We are hoping to finish the evening with a refreshing drink in a local tavern.

As you may know we are having regular monthly meetings on the second Wednesday of the month usually at the St James Church Centre in Alnwick. Next definate meeting will be Wednesday September 14th at 7.30pm. but watch this space for August event.

Fuel poverty and the Green deal

2011-03-09T08:26:00.000-08:00

an event organised by Alnwick Friends of the Earth

As well as Rt Hon Suralan Beith, we are pleased to welcome Newcastle University lecturers Rose Gilroy and Neveen Hamza who will talk about their research into the causes of fuel poverty and people's experience of it, especially older people. We'll be looking in a non-technical way, at the government's proposals to tackle fuel poverty and reduce emissions from people's homes through the Energy Bill. We'll also be looking at the particular issues around housing in Northumberland. If you or someone you know lives in a cold home, do come and warm your hands on the heated debate.

There'll be plenty of chance to ask questions, share experiences and challenge your elected representative on his position.

This will take place on 1st April at 7.30 at St James Church Centre, Pottergate, Alnwick.

Admission is £1 and refreshments will be provided.

Working with Willow Weekend, February 2011

2011-03-08T14:17:00.000-08:00

On a cold and foggy Sunday morning in February - just the day for snuggling up with the spring gardening catalogues - I dug out my secateurs, loppers and a sharp knife and set off for a day of Working with Willow. This event was the idea of organic gardener and designer, Anna Corbett, who contacted Transition Alnwick to drum up some willing folk curious to learn more about using willow and other trees and shrubs for garden structures - and help her harvest the willows in her garden.

Five souls had braved the equally drich weather on the previous day and apparently enjoyed their day pruning the bendy yellow withies and learning how to fashion them into useful supports for sweet peas or runner beans.

After some reviving coffee and chocolate cake and a browse through some catalogues tempting us with ideas both whimsical and down to earth, the Sunday contingent - just four of us including Anna - got stuck into lopping branches and sorting them into 3 groups by diameter, the largest about 2 cms.

We each opted for a simple conical "wigwam" design and set to work choosing branches - largest for the 8 uprights, thinner ones for weaving into garlands around the supports and skinny ones to bind the top garland and secure the point of convergence at the apex. Selecting my eight supports, with instructions from Anna I started gently bending each of the branches back and forth to make them flexible before digging them into Anna's lawn in a circle ready for action (scope maybe for a future course on remedial lawn care?) Apparently even the experts can't always avoid breaking the branches during the bending process, so I was prepared but disappointed when some of my carefully worked stems snapped on me. (Watch out you willowy fashion models!)

I then began making the first of my garlands, weaving eight slender branches in and out of alternate supports horizontally at three points the length of the structure to give stability. Finally, the top of the uprights were secured with the thinnest stems. I decided not to cut the lengths of willow garden and I can always trim them later. We were all pleased with our efforts and stood back to admire an enjoyable day's work (see photos). Anna warned us to dry to structures thoroughly preferably indoors or they would root themselves.

Now I look forward to planting some sweet peas around my graceful wigwam and watching them twine up the beautiful red and yellow stems of Anna's willows. A day well spent and much enjoyed. Thank you Anna.

PS There's a lovely traditional ballad called The Bitter Withy which I hope is not prophetic, the last verse of which goes:

Oh bitter withy, oh bitter withy

You've caused me to smart,

And the withy shall be the very first tree

To perish at the heart.

Elizabeth Anderson

Skill sharing ideas

2011-02-04T00:43:00.000-08:00

Following on from Paul's post we want to know how you'd like to be involved, what you'd like to learn or what skill you would like to improve to reduce your carbon emissions and reliance on oil.

Can you brew, harvest, reap, sew, mend, bake, knit, knot, build, design, generate, cook, preserve, grow, plant, reuse, repair, construct, sow, forage, paint, pot, weave, restore, dance, dig, pickle, sing, play, create etc?

Would you be willing to share that skill with others?

Activities could be for a few people in a kitchen, garden, garage, shed or workshop or we can organise a larger venue for a bigger group - they can be one off or regular activities.

Let us know what you'd like to learn or how you could get involved - add your ideas here - however big or small.

Transition Alnwick News

2011-01-31T05:24:00.000-08:00

Following the most recent couple of meetings of the steering group, we've all emerged blinking in the winter sunshine reinvigorated and inspired! We're aware that the blog has been a bit quiet lately, which is not to say that things have been quiet - far from it. Rachael is nearly there with the orchard lease (not strictly speaking a Transition Project, but one which we know people are following with interest), Ellie has been out saving dolphins, Barbara has been forging links at regional events, Paul has been installing photovoltaics & Anna has organised a working with willow course......and all this is by no means an exhaustive list!

And yet! There is more to come - we've decided to take a slightly different tack this year and try to raise awareness, have fun and continue on a path to carbon reduction for the area. We plan to do this by holding a rolling programme of events aimed at education and skilling - keep an eye on this blog and also your e-mails for details, which should be finalised in the next couple of weeks. In the meantime if you have a skill that you feel others may wish to learn about and that would contribute to carbon reduction in some way, then please let us know.

Energy Advice Day Success!

2010-10-12T01:23:00.000-07:00

As part of the 10:10:10 Global Day of Doing the Transition Alnwick Energy Advice Day was held at St James' Church, Alnwick. We had a number of advisors along with experts from Equinox Energy (Photovoltaics), Northumbria Renewables (Solar Thermal), Sustainable Heating Solutions (Biomass), Warmzone (Insulation) and the Energy Saving Trust. All the advisors and specialists were busy throughout the time we were open and anybody who completed a Home Energy Check for the EST received a computer power down device. members of the public described the day as "extremely useful" and others said "How lucky we are to have this right on our doorstep - Alnwick is a really forward-thinking town!"

Alnwick Green Advice Session

2010-09-17T13:20:00.000-07:00

Alnwick Green Advice Session

As part of the 10:10:10 Day of Action, Transition Alnwick are offering free green advice sessions. The sessions will be held on 10th October from 1 to 3pm at St James' Church Hall, Pottergate, Alnwick, preferably on an appointment basis so that individual advice can be guaranteed.

Experts in various fields will be available to give individual advice to anyone who wishes to book an appointment - there will be some spaces for drop-in opportunities too. Members of Transition Alnwick will be available to talk through general advice about what is achievable to 'green up' a house along with the possibility of discussing what they have don in their own homes.

In addition there will be experts on solar PV, solar thermal, heating through wood burning, insulation and more. There will also be representatives from Warmzone and the Energy Saving Trust.

This represents a unique opportunity to pick the brains of people with real experience in domestic green initiatives plus more specific expert advice on a wide range of topics. To book an appointment call Paul on 01665 604869 or e-mail paul.mills@equinox-energy.co.uk

Roots and Shoots

2010-09-14T13:41:00.000-07:00

Pete Edge, Alnwick Garden employee and Transition Alnwick member, provided a guide to the Roots and Shoots area of the Alnwick garden for the food group. Pete's enthusiasm made the tour extremely interesting and those who attended gleaned plenty of useful tips as well as enjoying a fascinating 'behind the scenes' tour. The Roots and Shoots area is geared for education - 10 local schools have their own patches for which they prepare the ground and seeds which they have selected. They then sow their seeds and tend to them as they grow, and in September their produce is harvested and cooked up for them by a Chef in the Alnwick garden.

The rest of the area is used to demonstrate different methods of growing plants (veg as well as flowers and fruit trees), composting and soon will house beehives. A good time was had by all and our thanks go to Pete for giving up his time to show us round.

Heritage Open Days

2010-08-12T02:34:00.000-07:00

Ever fancied seeing how an ordinary house can be made more sustainable? Ever fancied seeing what a solar thermal installation or a photovoltaic installation actually looks like? Maybe you've just had questions about how easy it is to get extra insulation into a house or where people get enough wood to keep their stoves going. A unique opportunity to nose around 3 fairly ordinary houses that have had various green living additions put into them will arise between the 9th and 12th september. As part of the Heritage Open Days initiative 62 Chapel Lands, 50 swansfield Park Road and 24 The Dunterns will be open at various times for people to see themselves how different technologies, installations and additions have reduced the householders carbon footprint and the cost of running their homes. No prior booking is required, but see here to find out which house you'd like to visit and for opening dates and times:
www.heritageopendays.org.uk/directory

The History Of Oil

2010-07-11T09:15:00.000-07:00

Our latest meeting at St james Church Hall on Thursday was to show the Rob Newman film 'The History Of Oil'. This is a thought provoking film presented in an entertaining half stand-up, half history lecture style. Rob challenges our understanding of recent history, especially with regards to the Middle Eastern oil-producing nations. The film succeeds in both it's aims of providing entertainment and information. Afterwards a discussion brought up a variety of issues concerning moving Transition Alnwick forwards and keeping Alnwick on the path of energy descent. Key issues brought up by the audience were planning constraints in conservation areas with regard to the installation of renewables, the use of the media to keep the Alnwick community informed about Transition Alnwick and the importance of remaining positive.

Next event: the relaunched Energy Group meeting on Thursday 16th July at 7.30 in St James Church Hall.

Food Group Meeting

2010-06-19T04:13:00.000-07:00

The next meeting of the Food Group will take place on Tuesday 29th June at 50 Swansfield Park Road, Alnwick - 7.30pm. Bring along food and drink to share, perhaps thinking about local and seasonal produce. We'll have a picnic on the field behind the house if the weather is good enough - so bring a rug or a chair to sit on. If the weather isn't so good we'll have our picnic in the house.

Everyone with an interest in Food issues welcome. Let us know if you plan to attend, just so that we have an idea of numbers.

We'll be planning future activities including Pete's offer of a tour of the Roots and Shoots project at Alnwick Garden.

Happy eating - I'm currently eating rhubarb, spinach, radish and lettuce leaves from the garden and am eagerly awaiting the peas, broad beans and strawberries!

Border Green Festival

2010-06-17T14:14:00.000-07:00

On the 4th July Berwick hosts the Border Green Festival which opens at 11o'clock at the Five Arches Playing Field, Tweedmouth. Transition Alnwick would like to make this an opportunity for us all to meet up and have a social gathering. We'll meet at the Transition table in the environment marquee at 12o'clock, or come and see Paul at the Equinox Energy stand or Ellie at the Time and Tide stand. Hope to see you there! For more information see www.bordergreenfestival.net

Date Change for Rob Newman film

2010-06-17T14:07:00.000-07:00

The showing of Rob Newman's 'The History Of Oil', which is being shown with Rob's personal blessing and good wishes, will now be on the Thursday the 8th July. The venue will still be St James' Church, Pottergate, Alnwick - doors open at 7.30 with refreshments available. The film will be free, but we'd appreciate donations. After the film there will be discussion followed by an invitation to join us at the Market Tavern for a refreshing drink or two.

It's Official!

2010-05-26T04:58:00.000-07:00

We've finally managed to get ourselves onto the official website of Transition thanks to some changes to the site to make it easier to update. We now have official 'Muller' status (as in we're mulling it over), but actually we're a lot further on than that and we're close to becoming an official Transition Town. If you'd like to help us get there, or just become involved in Transition Alnwick then send us a message via here or on Facebook or call Rachael. We've also got our next Film Screening of Rob Newman's 'The History Of Oil' on the 9th July, 7.30pm at St James' Church Hall, Pottergate, Alnwick.

Wild food walk and boiler

2010-05-12T14:33:00.001-07:00

We all had a fab time this evening on a guided wild food hunt at Lee Moor Farm (thanks to Ian for the loan of the farm and Anna for the guiding.) Anna gave us a short introduction and a cautionary tale about foraging for wild food - there are plants that look very similar to ones that are beneficial that can harm people, so there is a real need to be careful. If you are as knowledgeable as Anna, though, this is no problem and she shared her vast knowledge with us and even cooked some of it afterwards! We were all able to try some nettle soup made from ingredients entirely sourced in Northumberland - the nettles were picked during the walk.

While Anna cooked, the rest of us took a look at Ian's biomass boiler which heats both domestic and commercial property at Lee Moor. The wood for the fuel is also grown at the farm. Ian gave us a fascinating insight into the pros and cons of what is actually a very simple technology in it's basic form, vastly improved with the boiler at Lee Moor. Ian is in the process of tooling up for a factory to manufacture biomass boilers in the North East, so if you're in the market for one you know where to go!

10:10:10 DIY Day of Action

2010-05-09T14:08:00.000-07:00

The 10:10:10 campaign are having a DIY day - the idea is that we have been let down by the politicians at Copenhagan and we show that we are going to take action with or without them.

To that end, Transition Alnwick are planning to join in and do some climate change reduction work of our own. We are completely open to ideas - we could plant some trees, install some solar panels, insulate some lofts - we could do all these things! We'd love to hear ideas, especially if someone has some expertise in an area which could be used.

We're hoping to do something great, so watch this space!

The Plinth!

2010-05-02T02:45:00.000-07:00

Paul, Rachael and Imogen were on the Alnwick plinth yesterday (1st May) to talk about Transition Alnwick. We lured people over with the promise of free scones made with local ingredients (which I'd bought from Grannies the day before) to illustrate what we were all about. The scones enabled us to talk about food (obviously), waste, transport, energy and learning and tasted pretty good too (even though I say so myself). They were also a good ice-breaker for the few people who came over after we'd finished and took leaflets from us. A big thank-you to the organisers who are also putting up pictures here: www.alnwickmarkets.co.uk
Imogen did a great job of helping me make a board with the packet labels on and held it during the talk so people could see where the ingredients and electricity had come from.

Learning Sub Group

2010-04-22T13:25:00.000-07:00

Transition Alnwick is setting up another group based around learning.

This will look at learning in it's widest sense as learning of all different kinds will be crucial in making positive changes in ourselves and our communities to meet the coming challenges we face. We may need to learn new skills, relearn old ones, share ideas and explore different ways of relating to each other and the world around us.

Some of the ideas already on the table are the green skills course, a longer term practical project, making links with schools and different ways of running meetings.

The first meeting of this group will take place on Wednesday 28th April from 7pm - 9pm at the Dunstanburgh Castle Hotel in Embleton. We hope you can come along. You don't need any specialised knowledge just ideas and enthusiasm.

If you would like to contact us and express an interest or you feel there is something relevant we should know then we would love to hear from you. Contact Ellie on 01665 576237 or email transitionalnwick@googlegroups.com

2010-04-19T01:28:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday the 14th April the Transition Alnwick Food Group met for the first time. After a last minute change of location 13 enthusiastic people got together to discuss various food related issues.

Rachael welcomed everyone to the meeting and a few rules were accepted by everyone, namely that the chair will be changed for each meeting and that meetings would generally have no agenda. In addition, open discussion was to be allowed and encouraged.

Everyone then had a chance to introduce themselves and tell the group what their food-related interests were. There were a lot of common interests - not surprisingly everyone enjoyed eating food! Also, there were concerns about where our food came from, how far it had come, whether it was organic. More widely there was much discussion about the availability of land both for growing and for leisure. Biofuels were also discussed along with a large number of other concerns.

After the offer of another cup of tea/ glass of wine ideas started flowing which ranged from having a food stall at Alnwick Food Festival to educating both the group and a wider audience on growing, preserving and cooking food and a lot of other ideas in between.

Rather excitingly Anna Corbett has offered to guide a food scavenging walk for the next meeting on the 12th may at 1800. Ian Brown has generously offered to let us all roam across Lee Moor Farm (guided by Anna) in our quest to find wild food.

Potato Day Event

2010-02-28T11:05:00.000-08:00

Borders Organic Gardeners’ annual Potato Day, Kelso Showground on Sunday 7th March
11am – 3.30pm - £1

Annual Seed Potato Sale and Green Fair

"Tattie" refreshments and children's activities and talks by Alan Romans and John Marshall.

BOG's annual seed potato extravaganza and a selection of stalls selling crafts, food and gardening goodies. BOG will have their stand selling books and offering advice on organic gardening.

The Border Union Showground, Springwood Park, Kelso

Tel: 01289 388501 for more information.
http://www.bordersorganicgardeners.org.uk/potato+day+2010

'In Transition' film screening - Friday 5th March

2010-02-18T03:27:00.000-08:00

We are very excited about our screening of 'In Transition' - the film made to highlight what transition groups all over the UK and further afield are doing at grass roots level.

Invites are currently being emailed to local people who have community roles or who represent organisations - we want to make sure they know about it. If you think of someone who should attend - please invite them! Having said that, the film screening is open to everyone - so tell anyone you think may be interested.

After the film there will be opportunities for discussion before moving to the 'Market Tavern' pub where we have a room booked and sandwiches provided! The film will be screened at St James Church Centre, Pottergate, Alnwick at 7.30pm on Friday 5th March 2010.

Alan Beith MP is attending to find out more - we hope you will too!

Directions for St James - http://st-james-pottergate.notlong.com/[St James is on the right hand side of the road, despite what this map tells you]
Parking is available on a left turn from Pottergate, on the way up to St James or in Morrison's car park.

Knitting at Alnwick Library

2010-02-16T11:46:00.000-08:00

Alnwick Library is branching out. A new knitting group is meeting there every Tuesday at 11am. Whether you are an experienced knitter or starting out, take your wool and needles along and swap ideas, swap patterns, learn some new techniques or just meeting some kindred spirits.

For more information, contact the Library on 01665 602689

March 5th In transtion Film Event

2010-02-04T02:18:00.000-08:00

We are excited to hold another film evening on March 5th at 7.30 at St James Church Hall in Alnwick to show a new film called "In Transition". This film is an inspiring and welcome departure from the usual doom and gloom that can be conected with the environmental movement. It shows what ordinary people all over the world are doing through the Transition Movement to make changes both big and small in their communities for a more sustainable and satisfying future.

The evening will start with the film and then everybody will get a chance to discuss particular elements they are interested in such as energy, food, education etc in small groups. We are hoping this will allow us to translate the "feel good" factor of watching other people take action into action we can take.

We hope to carry on the discussions after 10pm in a more informal environment (the pub)

This event is free and all are welcome. Refreshments will be available.

New Energy Sub Group

2010-01-04T14:34:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year From Transition Alnwick!

We are very excited by the interest shown around energy when we put the call out for people to get involved with interest groups. We were due to have our first meeting on Wed 6th January. Unfortunately we have had to postpone this meeting due to Barbara breaking her arm (speedy recovery Barbara) and the bad weather. We will set anther date for this meeting asap. There was also a lot of interest around food and education so watch this space for further developments.

Alnwick Freecycle Group

2009-11-29T02:59:00.000-08:00

A forum to give stuff away that you no longer want and get things from others that you have a use for.....

I have been asked to let you know that the original Alnwick group has been taken out of Freecycle by the moderators (we don’t know why). It is still operating, but is in breach of copyright in doing so. There is a new Alnwick Freecycle Group (no longer operated via Yahoo) which you can join. It is looking for moderators - perhaps one of you with a particular interest in waste might be interested in doing this! Join the Alnwick Freecycle Group.

Anyone registered with the old group will need to join the new group.

If you are interested in being a moderator contact Cath Bryce at northeast@freecycle.org

In Transition - the film

2009-11-17T13:09:00.000-08:00

A still from the film showing some children creating a plastic sculpture

On Sunday the Transition Alnwick steering group travelled to Hexham to see a screening of the new film developed by the Transition Network. The event was organised by Transition Tynedale - so we got to meet some likeminded people and share ideas and anecdotes about what has been happening in our local area.

The film outlines the development of the Transition concept in the UK and gives examples of villages, towns, cities and islands that have embraced the idea. There are now communities following the Transition principles all over the world and the film demonstrated the diverse range of activities that people are engaged in.

We were so impressed with the film that we'll be ordering our own copy of' 'In Transition' very soon - we'll keep you posted about screenings.

Autumn Update

2009-10-22T11:56:00.001-07:00

Transition Alnwick is preparing for the next exciting phase of preparing for a post-oil world.
We would now like to know which direction you would like the group to move in. There are going to be distinct interest groups established which will look at how each area will be impacted by Peak Oil and how we as a community can prepare Alnwick area for that. What we would like to know is which group you are interested in.

We also have ideas that each group could decide to take forward as examples of what they could do – the ideas are not exhaustive or a “to-do” list – if you have your own ideas then these will be equally valid.

Energy
Community Renewable Projects
Energy Reduction
Smart Meter Installation
Area Energy Adaption Plan

Food
Examine Energy Inputs
Support Friends of The Earth Community Orchard
Start a community farm
local food diet
Garden share scheme
community gardens

Waste
Examine Energy Inputs
Support Friends of The Earth Community Orchard
Start a community farm
local food diet
Garden share scheme
community gardens

Transport
Bicycle Maintenance Classes
Car Share Scheme
Cycle Hire Scheme
Horse transport scheme – horse powered buses
Education
Re-learn old skills (eg clothes repair/manufacture; Preserving food without a freezer)
Be available to speak to groups
Lot of potential for crossover with the other groups

If you have any more ideas, are interested in getting involved either in a sub-group or on the steeting committee, then please contact us by email or why not start a conversation going on the forum.

Some images from our June Event

2009-06-25T14:48:00.001-07:00

Here are some images from our June event which shows the kinds of activities which took place.

There were demonstrations of cooking using local seasonal food.

Plants for sale including this young oak tree (which will be set free in the future)

Drummers making great music using junk

Making a dog lead out of recycled plastic bags.

As well as home brewing, making a greenhouse out of plastic water bottles and a programme of short films and talks, we were collecting information about what environmental and community actvities are already going on. If you can think of anything relevant we ought to know about then please email us at transitionalnwick@googlegroups.com.

We'll keep you posted about our follow on activities. We would welcome any comments or ideas you have so please get in touch.

Next Transition Alnwick Event

2009-05-15T15:30:00.001-07:00

The next TA event will be on the 20th June at St James Hall in Alnwick starting 2pm. It will be called the 'See Hear Do Day' and will comprise of short inspirational films, demonstrations on skills for reduction of oil dependancy and will include things to try your hand at. It is hoped that this will draw new people into the Transition Alnwick initiative whilst keeping those that have already expressed an interest plenty to be involved with too. We're already pretty excited about it and will be letting you know more about what will be going on as we get nearer the time.

2009-04-28T16:28:00.000-07:00

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”.

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