West Bridgford in Transition - Time for change

Green Technology

2012-01-10T15:42:00.003Z

10 Jan 2012: The need for the economy to make a transition to green technologies is eloquently explained in this Guardian article by Andrew Simms.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sustainable-business/green-economy-boost-2012
There's a story here of lost opportunities, governments going back on promises, ideals which get dumped if they are not 'good for business'.... The green movement needs to keep plugging away, it ain't going to come easy.

Green Roofs in Bridgford

2011-11-24T18:19:00.001Z

24 Nov 2011: DNC writes: It's good to see that West Bridgford will become a little centre of excellence for knowledge on Green Roof design and planting. South Notts college are due to start a course in the subject, which will become a formal qualification in the skill. See the Nottingham Post story about it:
http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/College-develop-course-roof-gardens-difference/story-13939000-detail/story.html
I went onto the website and added a comment to the effect that it would be just as useful to learn how to do Living Walls as part of the same course. There are a number of UK examples of these, including one in our very own West Bridgford, on Bridgford Road. There is just as much technology required to learn this. The choice of species probably matters more than with green roofs, because you can't just plant and forget, the elevation of the building becomes a living wall that can look bad if not irrigated or nurtured. See the Patrick Blanc website on Living Walls.

Eco Houses Under Construction - Event 5

2011-10-16T21:59:00.000+01:00

The 5th event in the series will take place on Saturday 12th November, 2-5pm.

This is a rare opportunity to visit the UK's first Zero Carbon Barn Conversion, just down the road in East Leake. The developer (and owner) of this home is David Hill, who previously developed the UK's first Code 6 new build Zero Carbon homes in Upton, Northampton. He is now director of Carbon Legacy Ltd.

Although not still "under construction", this house has the advantage of 3 years' energy data post completion, showing that the approach taken has worked.

For more information or to book your place on this free event, email Tina on info@wbecohouses.co.uk.

For the full article about this eco house, go to http://wbecohouses.blogspot.com/.

A busy time for Abundance West Bridgford

2011-10-06T08:21:00.004+01:00

All throughout August and September we have been harvesting apples, pears, tomatoes and plums.
It has been a bumper year for fruit so our stores are well stocked for the winter ahead.
Apart from that we have now got the Abundance community shop on Clumber Road. The Clumber Road Off-licence owners Bipin and Kiram very kindly gave us space to leave the fruit and vegetables for the community to come and pick up. It is all free but if people want to leave a donation so we can buy new pickers and equipment we are grateful for any contribution.

One of the main sources of apples were the ones from Abbey Road School, where a branch had come down during the storms mid September. We went home with 20 crates, which were turned into juice at the launch of Totally Locally West Bridgford There are also some pictures on the Melton Road Shops website

The weather has now turned autumnal, chilli but sunny, so I am off to harvest some more apples with 2 other members of the group. We only do 1 hour of picking, which seems to be enough to keep us happy doing the Abundance picking over a long stretch of time.

Totally Locally West Bridgford Launch

2011-10-06T08:12:00.002+01:00

After a few months of organising, we had the most amazing Totally Locally launch on Saturday 1st October on the Melton Road. The weather was hot and hundreds of people came to find out what it means to shop local rather than buying from a supermarket or online.

Transition West Bridgford had their stall as well promoting Rushcliffe Solar, The Eco house Group and a little bit further in the market the Abundance project and the Skills Exchange where members of the Skills exchange pressed 20 litres of apple juice for people to sample and bottles to buy. All the funds raised have gone back into the community.

There was a real buzz in the air and no doubt this initiative will benefit the whole of our community if people are willing to divert a fiver from their normal supermarket shop into the local independent businesses. See the Totally Locally website for pictures and information

September heatwave

2011-10-02T10:46:00.002+01:00

2 Oct 2011: DNC writes: The heat wave at the end of September 2011 produced 3 successive PV-Maximum days in a row. As it is after the Equinox, these averaged 13.5 kWh only per day on my east facing 4KW array, but it is still nice to have them. The lower daily harvest is due to lower sun angles and short hours of daylight. It's distressing how quickly it gets dark in the early evenings!
It says something about the summer we have had (a lot of cloudy bright conditions) that that last day that PV was close to a maximum was 14th June, and previous to that it was May 1st and 2nd!
For those who installed in early 2011, the good news is that 2011 has so far been sunnier than 2010, July and September being notably better.
dnicholsoncole@gmail.com

Solar Schools : get one started in WB

2011-09-28T11:54:00.002+01:00

28 Sept 2011: There is a new initiative, Solar Schools, to encourage parents and supporters to help fund Photovoltaic solar panels on Schools. There are many schools in Rushcliffe, some recently built, with large areas of flat or monopitch roof. You could add your children's school to the scheme, and attract contributions from all over the UK. See more details at: http://www.solarschools.org.uk/ .
Five Pounds from enough people will make enough to get started, and I am sure it will snowball as some schools get closer to their target. This will be good for education and the environment, but will also earn funds for the school through the Feed in Tariff.
It's a combined initiative from 10:10, Mumsnet, the Gulbenkian Foundation and Reading Council, although the scheme is national.

Local produce market at Stonebridge City Farm

2011-07-15T06:49:00.001+01:00

Stonebridge city farm is hosting a local produce market at the farms Open Day on the 24th July. The market will celebrate local food growers and producers, providing a welcoming array of stalls selling locally produced plants , produce , preserves jams within the car park. Stall holders will be selling an array of beautiful and tasty fresh produce which will inspire us to grow and prepare food within our community. We hope you will love it and demand that a regular market is hosted at the farm.

This looks to be our best Open Day yet and we look forward to seeing as many Green Streeters as possible there! I'd like to make a collage of inspiring photos to show new gardeners what they can achieve.
Doesn't matter if its a pot of herbs on your windowsill, a quirky container or a row of beans that you're particularly proud of - email me a photo and lets encourage even more people to get growing!

Best wishes
Audrey

--
Green Street@Stonebridge City Farm:

Healthy living, personal growth and spiritual well-being through pesticide-free, locally produced food...

Totally Locally

2011-07-14T16:48:00.003+01:00

On Tuesday 19th July we will be meeting Nigel from Totally Locally at 10am at Taste on Clumber Road. Together with Tony from Canterbury's, Cheryl from Slades, Ash from Signature, Katherine from Scotts, Paolo the fishmonger and Dave editor of Signature we hope to see if Totally locally could be an initiative for the Melton Road shops.

Totally Locally was created, and continues with passion, to celebrate the fantastic shops, businesses and people that we have in our local areas. These are the Hidden Gems in our towns that make the place that little bit different, that little bit more colourful, and that little bit better to live in. They are all there in every local area – it is just probably that we have forgotten them a little in our rushed lives and our obsession with the Supermarkets.

The first stage of Totally Locally was funded by Calderdale Council, which enabled us to start looking at how to get inside people’s psyches and help them to re think how they shop. They won an International Award from the Association of Town Centre Managers and a Yorkshire Government Award , both for Outstanding Response To The Economic Downturn. Both were judged on results. They created the whole campaign, which was adminstrated by Marketing Halifax.

Totally Locally is about reminding people of what the have around them and that if they want to continue to have these great and different things that they only need to make small changes to make a large difference.

If every adult in the UK spent £5 of their weekly spend in their local independent shops & businesses, instead of online or at a big supermarkets, our high street and towns would change dramatically. Examples so far on this site are that Calderdale would have £40 million into it’s local economy, and Helensburgh would have an extra £3.1 million. This means better towns, more jobs and a nice place for everyone to live. Makes you think doesn’t it?

Inspiring websites

2011-07-13T08:01:00.006+01:00

Over the last few years I have been following the 15ThousandFarmers in the US. A wonderful initiative to get residents to grow their own food in the front, back or community gardens and then meet up to share ideas, produce and friendship.

Another wonderful idea that would fit well into the Transition movement. Will be sending out an email to the group to see if this might be something for West Bridgford to embark on.

Looking at their interesting website, I came across a series of video's which might be of interest to you

Eco Houses Under Construction - July events

2011-07-05T16:17:00.003+01:00

The organisers of Transition West Bridgford’s Eco House Group have set up a new project called Eco Houses Under Construction so that interested professionals and members of the public can learn about and visit 2 new local eco houses at key stages of development as they are being created. Experts in different aspects of each project will be brought in to show and discuss the products and methods involved as the work progresses. The eco houses in question are a 1950’s house undergoing an eco-refurbishment and a timber frame new build.

Event 1 - Saturday 16th July at 12.30pm
This will give the architect’s perspective when designing an ultra-low energy refurbishment for a 1950’s brick house of solid wall construction. Anyone wishing to reserve a place and receive further details should email info@wbecohouses.co.uk. (These events are free)

Event 2 - Saturday 23rd July at 12.30pm
Architect Mike Siebert of Ecologic Homes Ltd. will talk about designing a low cost, high code new build using a timber frame construction. The frame arrives in early July and should be up by the date of the event! An expert from the building company, EcoFrames Ltd., will be on hand to demonstrate how this timber frame construction will provide insulation, air tightness and thermal mass while minimising cold bridging. The windows should also be in place and a representative of Benlowe Windows will talk about the properties of triple glazed windows suitable for use in Code 5+ homes. If the roof is on as well, there will be the chance to learn about wood fibre sarking boards and Sandtoft 20/20 sustainable tiles. To receive full details of this or any future event, email info@wbecohouses.co.uk.

The Eco Houses Under Construction project is supported by Groundwork East Midlands with funding from Communities and Local Government. It is the latest in a series of projects by Transition West Bridgford’s Eco House Group. For articles, case studies and information about previous events and open days, go to the website www.wbecohouses.co.uk.

Garden Share on melton Road

2011-07-01T10:41:00.005+01:00

After only a few months, an over grown garden at the back of the Melton Road shops, is turned into a little haven for people and wildlifealike.

This group of now 6 members come once a week to work in the garden, they have planted wild flowers, fruit and vegetables and already have they been able to enjoy some of the produce.
The garden is conveniently located around the corner where most of the group live.
A great social attraction too, a little patio with a table and chairs, perfect for an evening get to gether with a glass of something lovely.
Bridget grew wild flowers and can recommend Langar Wildflower Farm, well worth a visit! The people are very helpful, it's FREE a good day out with children and there are fantastic homemade cakes. Also, we have attracted lots of passerby interest and our flourishing tomatoes were donated by someone just walking his dog. We are all still learning but very satisfied with what we have achieved so far.

Bridget x

Free Solar Panels to try out

2011-06-29T09:05:00.004+01:00

I received an email today from Martin's Money Tips [MartinsMoneyTips@moneysavingexpert.com], It is well worth subscribing to this site as so often Martin comes up with amazing tips and financial wisdom.

Free solar panels or new 'try free then buy'
Solar panels can make you £10,000s, as you get paid to generate electricity, but should you buy?

Solar panels aren't just about group hugs and going green, they can save you £10,000s. As the industry's rapidly changing, we've fully re-written our Free Solar Panels guide (this is a brief summary). You roughly need a south-facing roof to put the panels on and thankfully they don't need sunshine to work, just daylight. You financially gain in two ways:

Electricity savings: typically c. £70/year. The Energy Saving Trust has cut its estimate of a typical home's annual savings to £70/year, as its research shows more electricity goes back to the grid than previously thought.
Feed-in tariff: typically c. £1,030/year. This is the doozy: sign up now and for the next 25 years the Govt promises to pay a high feed-in tariff rate. In other words, it pays you to generate energy at more than treble what you normally pay to buy it from the grid.
Consider these gains over 25 years, and you'll see it can be extremely lucrative. There are now three routes to gain:

http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
Buy panels for £8,000-£14,000. If you have cash, on top of electricity savings the Govt's feed-in tariff scheme could pay back double your spend. Eg, a £12,000 system could net £25,750 over 25 years (see How To Buy Solar Panels).

Free panels, but you don't keep 'feed-in' tariff. If you're in England, Wales or, in a few cases, Scotland, some companies fit panels for free, but they then keep the big-money feed-in gain. You just keep the £70 electricity saving, though prices are predicted to rise massively over 20 years, so the saving could jump.

Try free then buy. An interesting new option from E.on. You get free panels, but it lets you buy 'em out, you can do it at a reasonable price to gain the feed-in tariff.

Climate Sceptics, listen up!

2011-06-28T23:36:00.000+01:00

28 June 2011: It's unlikely that any of the current Transition West Bridgford members are climate change sceptics, but we are constantly coming up against people who are sceptics, and think of us as sentimental tree huggers. The American Meteorological Society (AMS) have published their report on 2010, and the story, summarised in the Huffington Post article makes alarming reading.
"The indicators show unequivocally that the world continues to warm," Thomas R. Karl, director of the National Climatic Data Center, said in releasing the annual State of the Climate report for 2010.
"There is a clear and unmistakable signal from the top of the atmosphere to the depths of the oceans," added Peter Thorne of the Cooperative Institute for Climate and Satellites, North Carolina State University.
Carbon dioxide increased by 2.60 parts per million in the atmosphere in 2010, which is more than the average annual increase seen from 1980-2010, Karl added. Carbon dioxide is the major greenhouse gas accumulating in the air that atmospheric scientists blame for warming the climate.
I find this article helpful (although the original is not yet on the AMS website), with some useful facts if you get into an argument with a climate change denier.

Fish farming in West Bridgford!

2011-06-20T15:17:00.002+01:00

20 June 2011: One of DNC's students in the Tall Building design module at Nottingham University has been doing a project on Vertical Farming. For his project he has developed a miniature ecosystem that can be repeated on a grand scale in his building.
  Now that the University term is over, we have brought this system back and have parked it with Mark and Karina Wells, who live in West Bridgford, and who seem keen to have a working model of an ecosystem in their conservatory.
  Currently there are 4 goldfish in the tank which is the right number for that size of tank and for that amount of hydroponic pebbles in a planting tray.

  This miniature fish farm would be enough for growing bean sprouts or lettuces.

The principles are explained in several websites, eg WikiHow . and in Backyard Aquaponics. In his building (designed for Singapore), fishfarms would alternate vertically with hydroponic vegetable farming (see here), through about 45 stories.
   Fish inhabit the water, and produce a certain amount of poo. Some of the water is trickled (with its rich nutrient from the fish) and feeds plants and fresh vegetables above or below in a base of volcanic pebbles. The water is thus purified and trickles on through to the next fish farm below. Algae is trapped in filters can can also be used productively.
   PV panels provide enough electrical power for the small amount of pumping required (a one minute trickle of water every few hours, and some aeration of the water) . The only external input is fishfood - which could be obtained from organic sources, or processed human food waste from supermarkets and the vast restaurant industry of Singapore.
  This method can produce a way of producing edible fish and edible vegetables in one ecosystem! There are other by-products if it's done on a large scale, such as algae farming. Rainwater harvesting in a rainy place like Singapore means that it never requires imported fresh water. Land in Singapore is very limited and very expensive, so everything that gets built now has to be considered vertically! An eco-designed fish farm in West Bridgford would not need to be 45 stories! :)
  As the Singapore building would be productive enough on a small footprint, the remainder of the building is high quality residential apartments, enough to finance the initial construction cost of the tower.

Waste heat utilisation for tropical Greenhouse and fishery

2011-06-20T13:49:00.012+01:00

A few years ago I came across this project in Switzerland that I would love to find some willing and able local businesses, engineers, financiers etc to undertake as a feasibility study and if possible implement. Just as Switzerland is land locked, so is Nottingham. We are far from the sea so fish has to come from quite a long way and tropical fruit is imported by plane.

Ruswil, like us happens to have a good train station adjacent to the power station, this could be good for tourism, getting employees to work, getting the produce into Nottingham without need of any more infrastructure.

The background for the project is a legislation that requires that 60% of the industrial waste heat must be reused to minimise environmental impacts. In 1997 the idea was born to use the waste heat from a gas compressing station in a greenhouse with tropical climate. The main reasons to choose a tropical climate are:

substitution of tropical fruit import to Switzerland
such greenhouses needs less space than conventional ones.
An aquaculture is also integrated.

It was also an aim to create and close nutrient and water cycles as much as possible within the greenhouse as well as on local level. Experiences show that the water need can be covered with rainwater which is collected from the greenhouse roof, except for some special few cases where tap water containing lime stone was needed. On the nutrient level, the only input into the greenhouse system is fish fodder. The fish water containing surplus nutrients from the fish basins is used to irrigate and fertilise the plants of the greenhouse.

Studies shows that the fruits produced in the greenhouse are more ecologically sound and better in taste then imported fruits. The business experiences shows that profitability is as high as with comparable farm products.

Project benefits

The project creates a win-win situation. For the gas compressing station it is a way to reuse the waste heat. The greenhouse generates income possibilities for the nearby farmers by producing ecologically beneficial tropical fruits and fishes (Tilapia) which have a great demand on the local market. The greenhouse also is a platform for public awareness on Ecological Engineering

Can you imagine that we could grow our own bananas, papaya, mango's guava's, lychee's, etc and breeding our own sturgeon all with waste heat from our powerstation in Radcliffe on Soar?

Another Swiss project is situated on the north side of the Lötschberg Base Tunnel which provides around 100 litres of warm mountain water at around 20° Celsius every second. It originates from the limestone layers of the Doldenhorn Decke, which is crossed by the tunnel below the Kander and the Gastern valleys. This amount of warm water cannot be simply diverted into the mountain streams such as the Kander, which require particular protection, as this would damage the ascent water and spawning grounds of the native lake trout. For this reason, an alternative option for cooling the mountain water was sought.

The innovative idea of using the mountain water for a sturgeon fish farm and for the production of tropical fruit originated from Dr. Peter Hufschmied, former engineer of the senior construction management of the Lötschberg Base Tunnel. It solved all the water cooling objectives in an ideal manner. In effect, with the fish farming, the fruit production and the expected visitors, the project will create major added value for the region. Thanks to the project, 10 to 20 workplaces have been created in Frutigen, and are also an alternative to the traditional agriculture. In addition, the project gives a major impulse to the regional economy, in that it adds a new attraction to the range of tourist activities.

For more information visit their website

Solar Day 18 June

2011-06-18T10:08:00.002+01:00

18 June.... well in the Northern Hemisphere anyway. http://www.solarday.com/ See the page to read more about the mission of Solar Day. (it is 18 November in the Southern Hemisphere). DNC writes:

Face it....

• we have perhaps 50 yrs of declining oil and gas....

• if it wasnt for the smoky emission and the destruction of open cast mining we also have a lot of coal remaining below - enough for perhaps a couple of hundred years...

• but shouldn't we consider that the life of the Sun is measured in billions of years? Enough sunshine lands on the earth every day to cover our entire needs many times over if only we can develop the technology to capture and distribute it.

All energy sources cost something to exploit, I would prefer to see the money spent on a field full of Solar panels than a field converted into an open cast coal mine. (yes, people of Castle Donington!)

Coming back to our own houses, what can we do? The upfront cost of a 4 kW PV array is only a fraction of the value of the house it goes onto, but will give a lifetime of cheap energy without emitting carbon, and an income for the first 25 years at least, more than enough to pay off the first cost.

If the German government can project that the growth of renewable energy may be enough to decommission their nuclear power stations in 20 years, then that's an encouragement to us to try harder!

Eco Houses Under Construction

2011-06-16T09:19:00.001+01:00

Saturday 16th July is Zero Carbon Britain Day and Transition West Bridgford’s Eco House Group is celebrating it with the launch of an exciting new project called Eco Houses Under Construction.
The project has been set up so that interested professionals and members of the public can learn about and visit 2 new local eco houses at key stages of development as they are being created. Experts in different aspects of each project will be brought in to show and discuss the products and methods involved as the work progresses.
The new build – a super-insulated timber frame house – is nearing the end of the groundworks. There is a block-work retaining wall already visible, and the timber frame will arrive in early July.
The refurbishment is now receiving the finishing touches to the detailed design – which we hope will come very close to the Passive House standard for existing buildings (known as EnerPHit).
The first event in a series of at least 8 free events will be:
Saturday 16th July, 12.30pm
West Bridgford, Nottingham
Talk by Steve Day, Fabric Architects
Steve is in charge of the eco-refurbishment design and will give an overview of the key aspects of this ultra-low energy refurbishment. His talk will include the “fabric first” approach and an introduction to the kind of work needed to achieve or move towards Passive House standard. From 1.30pm onwards there will be the opportunity to visit the house in its “pre-refurbishment” state for those who wish to do so. Email info@wbecohouses.co.uk to reserve your place and receive further details.
The second free event will be held the following weekend. Architect Mike Siebert of Ecologic Homes Ltd. will talk about achieving this low cost, high code new build using timber frame. The frame arrives in early July and should be up by the date of the event! To receive full details of this or any future event, email info@wbecohouses.co.uk.
For general information, see www.wbecohouses.co.uk. To see what other projects Transition West Bridgford has to offer, go to www.transitionwb.co.uk.
The Eco Houses Under Construction project is funded by Climate East Midlands, East Midlands Improvement and Efficiency Partnership and Communities and Local Government with a Growing Climate Friendly Communities grant. It is delivered by the charity Groundwork East Midlands.

The Transition Bag

2011-05-30T07:53:00.006+01:00

In an endeavour to reduce the use of plastic bags and offer local residents a trendy and fun alternative, the West Bridgford Skills Exchange had a workshop to show members how to turn a scarf into:

1. Large shopping bag (triangle)
2. Turn into handbag (twist the handle)
3. Turn into a purse (tie 3rd knot lower)
4. Turn into a back pack (undo 3rd knot and add extra strap)
5. Shopping basket bag
6. Pushchair bag
7. Book bag
8. 2 bottles
9. 1 bottle
10. wrap a present (Bento, Tiffin)

The aim is that every one who has been shown how to use these scarves will show their friends and encourages them to use it and show their friends again.

Have you been caught out whilst shopping and had forgotten to take a bag?

Get yourself a lovely 105cm square scarf. It will keep you warm in cold weather, can be an accessory to your coat, blouse or jacket, could be a belt, what ever you fancy.
Have this on you as part of your daily outfit and see what you can do with this

Here are a few pictures of what I used my scarf for earlier:

For those of you who have been to the workshop, I have added some videos to refresh your memory you tube video's
This will show you how to make: a bag to carry in 1 bottle, 2 bottles, books, a large handbag, a purse, how to wrap a present and a shopping bag

To make a back pack

Transition West Bridgford on Facebook

2011-05-27T01:03:00.001+01:00

Four of the attenders: Tina, Jane, Jake and Julie

26 May '11: Transition West Bridgford had an AGM at the Test Match pub last night.
There may be a fuller report later. One of the resolutions was to have a Facebook site, even though only two of the attenders at the meeting currently have FB accounts.
It was felt that it would be a good thing for the future and would be a good forum for younger members. Here is the address, please https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_207545082616920">join if you are a Facebook user:

15Thousand Farmers – Planting A Seed To Feed Ourselves

2011-05-24T17:05:00.000+01:00

Reading this inspiring article by Greg & Michelle Vittitow, Impact Dash March 11th, 2010
makes me wonder if this is something groups like the WB skills exchange and Transition WB would like to spearhead here in our Town. If it inspires you too and want to get the ball rolling let me know and I will send out an email to the group to see if there are others interested to join you.

The Vision:

15Thousand Farmers helps create, empower, and inspire 15,000 new, organic, neighborhood backyard/front yard farmers in Louisville, KY to feed their families and themselves and to give away! How? By using simple and easy instructions, checklists and materials and ongoing support provided through local organic growers and resources that will provide everything needed to start Easy Farms in our yards, on decks or in community gardens.

The cramped, dimly lit basement of Clifton Unitarian Church seems the last place a potential farming community would begin. But there we were, watching from the back of the room as people poured in on the morning of February 20 to learn more about 15Thousand Farmers, a grassroots, community movement forming in Louisville, KY.

Such movements are common in this city known for its passion and can-do attitude, but this event was exceptional. A seemingly endless stream of aspiring backyard farmers filled literally every empty space in the room, most standing.

Sitting in our highly coveted chairs, Gary Heine, a 15Thousand Farmers founding sponsor and co-owner of Louisville’s Heine Brothers’ Coffee, explained the vision of this new organization to create and support 15,000 organic backyard farmers in Louisville. It will provide everything necessary for anyone to start a simple, organic backyard garden – easy instructions, materials, support from volunteers and a website where farmers can connect and support each other.

“The problems of the world are so big, how could I possibly make a difference?” he asked, before explaining the benefits of a “kindergarten level” backyard garden. For the rest of the article click here:

For more information about the 15Thousand Farmers visit their href="http://www.15thousandfarmers.com/Home_Page.html">website
To download their square foot garden plan

Transition WB AGM Wedsnesday 25th May

2011-05-12T14:07:00.000+01:00

Transition West Bridgford will be holding it's AGM at the Test Match pub in Gordon Road on Wednesday 25th May at 7.30pm. The AGM is open to all those who are registered supporters of Transition WB ie on the email circulation list or otherwise registered with us. We have in the past opened the meeting up to those new to TWB. Please pass this information on to all who may NOT be on the email list which Kate Troy holds and will use to further circulate this notice.

We shall try to cover matters OF AN ANNUAL NATURE in the first part (1
hour) of the meeting. This will involve a look at the accounts (copies to be circulated in advance by email). ; the election or re-election of postholders ; BRIEF verbal reports from current projects (If project people could draw up written reports (max 1 page) for circulation in advance this would help ) - please email to me ) - Is there anyone who is covering the TWB website (apart from the blog) ?

Please let me have any other suggestions for agenda items for the AGM.

The second half of the meeting can cover others matters and forward plans for projects and activities and general chat as usual.

Jake Jackson

West Bridgford in Transition – the first 3 years

2011-05-08T06:36:00.002+01:00

Getting Started
Transition West Bridgford (TWB) was started by John Green and Karina Wells shortly after visits to the Transition Nottingham group by Rob Hopkins and Ben Brangwen of Transition Town Totnes.
John and Karina promoted the idea of Transition on a stall at the West Bridgford Summer Gathering in June 2008. The Transition stall included a display of the Shared Garden (families working a group of allotments together), the Skills Exchange and the concept of Transition.
As a result of this, 26 people showed up at the first Transition West Bridgford meeting on 18th June 2008 at Belle and Jerome’s café on Central Avenue. Jerome Baddley and John Green introduced the group to the concepts of Climate Change, Peak Oil and the idea of a positive transition to a life less dependent on oil.
During 2008, other gatherings followed and a steering group was created. Sally Collard led the organisation of a number of awareness raising events, showing films such as “The Power of Community” and “A Farm for the Future”, giving people the chance to talk about the issues raised. By January 2009, (and thanks to much hard work by Gregor Tanner) the constitution was written and signed off.
Joining other Transition groups in Nottingham
Members of TWB attended the national Transition Conference hosted by Transition Nottingham in November 2008.
Nottingham’s first Transition Training weekend took place in February 2009, organised by Tina Holt with members of other local Transition groups. Trainers from the Transition Network (Nick Osborne and Anne Lamot) led two remarkable, inspiring days – attended by over 20 people from Nottingham and further afield. Transition West Bridgford was the first group in the area to have a bank account, and therefore Jake Jackson (TWB Treasurer) played an important part in making the training weekend possible.

Practical Projects
Karina Wells set up the first practical project (The Skills Exchange) in July 2008, followed by others: Green Streets started in July 2009, Bike trailer give-aways in June 2008 and February 2010, Cars2share started in February 2009.

Julie O’lateju started a fruit tree planting project, obtaining fruit trees and getting them planted in suitable areas of public land locally. Jane Burd organised an Energy Expo in West Bridgford on the croquet lawn. Jake Jackson started the Garden Share Scheme in February
2009. Six of the group teamed up to form a Food Buyer’s Group, sharing deliveries of dried wholefoods (community produced, fair trade or organic) from Lembas.
In June 2009, the 1st birthday of TWB, the Summer Gathering was organised in its name. Maureen Harms led the Greening Campaign which started in November 2009, and was launched in March 2010. Anna Collins teamed up with 5 others to start the TWB allotment. Members of TWB including Karina Wells, Tina Holt, Tim Saunders and Sally Thornton organised the first local Eco House Open Day which took place in May 2010.

In June 2010, over 20 TWB members celebrated the 2nd birthday by getting together to chat and eat a cake at Belle and Jerome’s café. There was much interest in David Nicholson-Cole’s new Rushcliffe Solar project, and Kate Troy’s idea to create a Community Supported Agriculture project – now up and running, and named the Great Green Garden. Tina Holt announced her intention to set up the Eco House Group in response to the great interest in the recent Eco House Open Day.
As we now approach TWB’s 3rd birthday, the Eco House Group has run a series of information events and grown to 90 members, the Skills Exchange is thriving with over 100 members, Rushcliffe Solar has provided independent advice to about 280 home owners as to whether PV is suitable for their homes, and 80 people are on the Great Green Garden mailing list or involved in the other group gardening projects.
We’re getting ready for our Transition West Bridgford stall at the Summer Gathering on 14th May 2011, and the second Eco House Open Day on 15th May. The Eco House Group prepares to embark on its newest initiative - “Eco-Houses under construction” (led by Tina and Julie Lygo) and the Great Green Garden team’s planting programme is underway.

A few words about each project
1. Community resilience and skills
2. Growing projects
3. Energy projects
4. Transport projects

1. Community resilience and sustainability
West Bridgford Summer Gathering (www.wbsummergathering.co.uk)
This is where Transition West Bridgford was 'born'. This Gathering was set up to celebrate sustainable and community living and all local groups and companies who were engaging with this were invited to show what they do.
The local primary school started their maypole dancing tradition and gave a demonshttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
tration, new small businesses were given a chance to be more visible and over these years more than 5000 members of the public have attended and picked up ideas how to live more sustainable in our community.

West Bridgford Skills Exchange
When we started in 2008 with 16 members all living in West Bridgford, the aim was to create a close knit community where people could walk, cycle to help each other.
Now we have 106 members who have understood 'to give generously and receive gratefully'. An estimated 1000+ good deeds have resulted from this initiative and have led to great friendships and understanding that might not have happened otherwise. For more details see www.wbskills-exchange.co.ukhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Melton Road Market (www.meltonrdshops.co.uk)
Beginning in December 2010 a new initiative was set up on the Melton road to encourage local shopping. It started with a very successful Christmas market where the local independent retailers promoted their local suppliers and the businesses they use. We had local entertainers and musicians to add that little bit extra to the day. Most of the organisation was carried out by members of the Skills Exchange. Members of the community took a day to make greenery decorations to cheer up the road.
After this event the shop keepers asked if this could be done on a regular basis. Since then on every first Saturday in the month the independent retailers and businesses use this event to encourage local shopping to make our town more resilient and less dependent on oil. Each time there are local musicians, entertainers and crafts people adding to the experience.

The West Bridgford Greening Campaign
The Greening Campaign is a community-based campaign which encourages people to save money, reduce energy use and reduce their carbon footprint. It has run in many communities nationally and in early 2010, the Greening West Bridgford team organised an event which involved individuals, community groups and several of the local schools. On Saturdahttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gify 20th March 2010, 600 residents braved the weather to take part in and enjoy the educational displays, presentations, music, food and activities.
This event was hosted at the Beckett School and supported by a grant from Rushcliffe Borough Council.

2. Growing projects

The Great Green Garden (http://www.greatgreengarden.blogspot.com/)
The Great Green Garden (GGG) was set up in August 2010 by volunteers to provide fresh locally grown produce for local people within the area of South Nottinghamshire including Bingham, Radcliffe-on-Trent and West Bridgford. The Great Green Garden is a community-led not-for-profit organisation that is dependent on volunteers. It is based on the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model. A CSA is a partnership between farmers and the local community, providing mutual benefits and reconnecting people to the land where their food is grown.

Abundance Project
With a core group of 8 'pickers' the Abundance group set out in 2010 for the first time in search for local fruit and nut trees. We received calls from local people who had fruit going to waste. The picking team would come, pick the fruit (never more than 1 hour), give the owner as much as they wanted, then took the rest back to our houses to process.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif The fruit that was not good enough to eat was pressed there and then and shared between the members. We had hundreds of bottles of delicious apple, pear and grape juice that were shared by family and friends that would otherwise have gone to waste. We are preparing now for our second season and hope to get a few more pickers as there is too much fruit for the 8 if us to pick and process. www.wbinabundance.blogspot.com

The Transition West Bridgford Allotment
It is situated on the Kingston Road allotments in West Bridgford on a derelict piece of land. A group of 6 keen Transition members have taken it on and turned it into a good workable piece of land, with a shed and greenhouse. These members would never have grown their own food if it had not been for the Transition group.

Garden Sharing
One Victorian house had a long garden which was too much for the home owner to tend to. She was matched up with Rob who lives in walking distance and who tends the raised beds and the greenhouse rather than having to be on a long allotment waiting list. On the way home he drops in some veg to Thea and all are happy.
A shop on Melton Road had a large but overgrown garden and they had no use for it. Some Transition members who lived around the corner from the shop contacted the owners and asked if they could turn it into a vegetable patch. Although initially this project was just done by Jenny and Bridget, now the group has grown to include 4 other local residents. The shop is happy as well as the members of the Garden Share scheme.

Fruit tree project
This was the first food project, created by Julie O’lateju. She collected fruit trees of different types (apples, damsons etc.) and gave some to the Friary Drop-in Centre, some to individuals, planted some in Rushcliffe Country Park and other locations where they will be discovered.

3. Energy projects
Rushcliffe Solar (http://rushcliffesolar.blogspot.com/)
Rushcliffe Solar provides an independent, free appraisal of the photovoltaic potential for homes and other buildings. There are many buildings and entire streets with roofs which have a good view of the sun and could produce power for the grid and income for the occupants.
It started as a campaign to encourage greater use of Photovoltaic home power generation systems in Rushcliffe, with a financial contribution from Rushcliffe Borough Council that enabled 2 students from Nottingham University to survey properties in West Bridgford. Of these, 4500 were considered suitable for PV and 225 detailed reports were sent to interested households. During a number of Saturday morning advice surgeries on Central Avenue, David Nicholson-Cole, the students and Rushcliffe’s Community Energy officer raised awareness of the scheme and provided on-the-spot information to passers-by. RBC also instructed Rushcliffe Solar to provide surveys on 11 council buildings with a view to considering possible installation of PVs in the future.
Having achieved experience, David and the student team have expanded this service to all Boroughs of the Nottingham region: Broxtowe, Nottingham City, Erewash, Gedling, Newark. The project has support from Rushcliffe BC, Energy Saving Trust, Transition West Bridgford and University of Nottingham. Industrial sponsors contribute, to ensure that we continue.

Eco House Open Days
On 16th May 2010, 7 houses and one garden in West Bridgford opened their doors to the public for an Eco House Open Day. Each house had one or more eco features on display, and visitors had the opportunity to find out first-hand the experiences (good or bad!) of the home-owners who had installed them.
In all, we estimate there were about 70 visitors including friends and families of those who signed up, and many viewed more than one house, so it was a busy day for some home-owners.
The day was organised by members of Transition West Bridgford with help and support from Tim Saunders (Energy Saving Trust), Sheila Hood (Rushcliffe Borough Council), and a grant from Karrar Khan (local Lib Dem Councillor).
The second Eco House Open Day is on 15th May 2011, again linked to the Summer Gathering on the 14th May 2011.
Eco House Group
The Open Day in May 2010 was such a success that it was decided to organise a series of evening seminars on “eco” home improvements and everyone who took part in the open day was invited to attend. The local experts invited to speak or answer questions have included green architects, installers of insulation or renewable technologies and experts in topics such as low carbon build and retrofit, saving water and healthy and sustainable building materials.
Rushcliffe Borough Council supported the group by providing suitable contacts, helping to advertise the meetings and helping at some events with displays and energy advice. The evening seminars were each attended by up to 40 people and the group numbered over 90 in April 2011.
Many of the group had in fact already made substantial moves to reduce their carbon footprints both through energy-efficient habits and through improvements to their homes. This meant that the group could share experiences and add to what they had already done by talking to each other and the suppliers and independent experts present.
The Eco House Group website (www.wbecohouses.co.uk) is kept up to date by Tina and David, and the Rushcliffe Solar and Eco House Group projects complement each other.

4. Transport projects
Green Streets
A monthly celebration of sustainable transport, on the last Friday of the month, we asked the people of West Bridgford to leave the car and walk, cycle or use public transport. We organised guided bike rides, including a foraging ride along the river, to Ruddington Country Park, to Nottingham City Centre, to the Nottingham University Eco Houses, to Radcliffe-on-Trent via Holme Pierre Pont and to Beeston to name but a few. The idea was that if people have found a safe and pleasant route they might visit these places more frequently on their bikes.
We had a great response from the local schools and some local businesses particularly in the first year when we saw an estimated 1000 members of the public make an effort to get involved. However, this initiative has now stopped due to lack of engagement of the local community in the following years.

Wildlife Insect Hotel

2011-04-26T18:08:00.000+01:00

Insect Hotels! with Spring moving along and Summer in sight, most of us with gardens hope that there will be a nice lively ecosystem, with insects, worms, birds all balancing each other somehow. To help at the bottom rung of this ecosystem, we can build 'insect hotels' in the garden that become self sustaining, but provide a habitat. This can be built almost entirely from jumble, either old pallets, or waste wood and logs and bricks.
See this picture from Whitemoor Allotments, Nottingham

From: http://www.gapphotos.com

From: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/gardening-blog/
From: http://www.wiltshirewildlife.org/ReducingImpact/GreenGardening/BuildABugHotel
and this best one from Ulster Wildlife Trust.

Home brewing workshops at Stonebridge Farm - Saturday 30th April

2011-04-13T20:44:00.003+01:00

We will be hosting a series of seasonal workshops at Stonebridge in conjunction with the Home Brew network. The aim will be to show people what they can do with seasonal produce, details of the first two are attached. Places are limited to fifteen people and we will open the workshops for Green Street members first so if you are interested in attending please let me or Matt know asap.

HomeBrew Network is a cooperative brewery, urban vineyard and knowledge exchange network
powered by home-brewers.

WORKSHOPS
Nettle Beer
Saturday 30 April
10 – 4pm at Stonebridge City Farm, Sneinton
An introduction to home-brewing. Make delicious Nettle Beer to take home, where to find free ingredients, what you need to start brewing and how to join HomeBrew Network.

Experimental Brewing
Sunday 01 May
10 – 4pm at Stonebridge City Farm, Sneinton
This second day is for people who might want to try their hand at experimenting with different ingredients, we will invent a new drink based on what we can find on the farm and out in the city.
If you already brew or want to learn how, get in touch – places
are limited.
To sign up email info@homebrew-network.net or call/text Mat
on 0773 887 9173 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 0773 887 9173 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

You will need to bring an empty backpack
Twitter: @homebrewnetwork

Solar Panel cleaning

2011-04-08T16:42:00.002+01:00

Brian comes to the rescue!

I have been trying to find someone who could wash and clean my solar panels but to no avail.
Then yesterday it struck me that we have a fantastic steeple jack in our group. I asked him if he would be willing to give it a go. Armed with very long ladders, a HA-RA window washer and cleaning product (all totally Eco friendly) he set off to tackle a job no one else wanted to do.

Within an hour the job was done and the sun could shine again. The dirt that came off it was amazing and the difference between the panels washed and those that were not made me realize how important it was to do. Thank you so much Brian you have now got another string to your bow.

The best PV solar panel cleaner in town!

Call Brian at 07974550118

West Bridgford Summer Gathering 14th May

2011-04-03T19:19:00.003+01:00

This will be the 5th celebration of sustainable and community living in West Bridgford
It will be held on Bridgford Park where many of our Eco suppliers and advisors will be to inform you about their most up to date products.

Transition West Brigford will have a stall there too, as will the Eco House group.
The day after the Summer Gathering we shall have our 2nd Eco houses open day.

If you can spare some time to either help out on the Transition stall or on the day after at the Eco House open day, we look forward to hearing from you.

Melton Road Market 2nd April

2011-03-31T15:43:00.000+01:00

After the success of the Melton Road Christmas market, where we were promoting and supporting local businesses, services and resources. Members of Transition West Bridgford are helping the local independent shops with their monthly market. (1st Saturday of the month)

What we have noticed over the last few weeks is that since we had the 1st market, we were approached by several new local businesses to see if they could sell their ware at the market. Believe it or not but all were in walking distance from the Melton Road.

Ben, a 16 year old wanted to sell is organic dogbiscuits, which he produces on Taunton Road, Cupcakes made by 2 friends on Trevor Road, Home made chocolates from Selby Road, Jewellery from Haddon Road, the facepainters from Abbey Circus and Stamford Road to name but a few.
All small starter businesses with great visions and determination to make their businesses work.

In addition the local shops have gone out to look for new local suppliers, they ordered more locally produced vegetables, found and new brewery and starting to make home made chutneys and authentic Indian Food.

It shows that by giving ideas a go and believing that it will work, it WILL result in a lot of positive actions.

So if you have an idea, that will make living in West Bridgford more sustainable, please send us your stories.

In the meantime, come and support your local businesses on the Melton Road, they are open every day of the month, with special celebrations and emphasis on local food on the 1st Saturday of the Month. See you on the 2nd April!

Green Streets walk ride day Friday 24th March

2011-03-28T14:44:00.000+01:00

This is just to remind you that one of the Transition WB initiatives is the Green Streets walk ride day on the last Friday of the month.

This Friday, please leave your car at home, walk, cycle or use the bus and wear something green.

If you go to Taste on Clumber Road on that day,you will get a green streets badge with every order.

Sunday 15th May from 11-2pm plant swap

2011-02-28T13:49:00.004Z

On Sunday 15th May 2011 from 11-2pm members of the skills exchange are organising a vegetable plant swap in The Shared Garden on Kingston Road

Please grow one tray of a particular vegetable seed. Transplant into pots when large enough, look after them until the 15th and swap with other members in the Skills exchange.
When you hand your plants in, please put them in one of those blue mushroom baskets, as they are easy to label, stack and handle. For every pot you hand in you will get a token, which you can use to pay for any other pot you may like to have that was grown by your fellow Skills Exchange friend.

If you are interested in being part of this, fill your details in on the Shared Document.
www.wbskills-exchange.co.uk

More details closer to the time.
regards
Karina

Street Car

2011-02-27T12:57:00.008Z

Visiting my son in Cambridge yesterday, I was mightily impressed with the convenient location of the StreetCar carpark in front of his accommodation. A nice clean Golf was waiting to be used...
We went for a walk and 1/2 hour later, the car had gone.

What a brilliant idea, especially in built up towns like Cambrige where owning a car is a nightmare(not to mention costly), but using it occasionally would be a dream for all concerned.

West Bridgford has so many narrow victorian terraced streets with multiple car drivers, where a Streetcar scheme could be the answer. Wouldn't it would be wonderful if we could have a scheme like this?

I have contacted Ryan from StreetCar who informed me that if they had enough demand in an area they might consider setting up a new scheme. Please contact them at service@streetcar.co.uk
if you are interested and let them know that you would like to have a Streetcar in West Bridgford. That way they can get a feel how much demand there is from us here.

Just imagine what positive impact these clearer streets would have on the feel and the safety of our neighbourhoods.

Are you aware of the Free local bus link, Locallink L2 bus service?

2011-02-26T16:15:00.000Z

Today I was told about this free local bus link that goes through West Bridgford and runs every hour. Just enough time to do your shopping and go home!

Why not give it a try, please find route below.

Your local bus from Silverdale, Clifton, Ruddington, West Bridgford to Gamston.
Locallink L2

Locallink L2 Locallink L2 route - Via Silverdale, Monksway, Brookthorpe Way, Clifton Lane, Green Lane, Southchurch Drive, Swansdowne Drive, Farnborough Road, Clifton Road, Wilford Lane, Ruddington Green, Kirk Lane, Loughborough Road, Greythorne Drive, Rugby Road, Eton Road, Musters Road, Bridgford Road, West Bridgford Central Avenue, Davies Road, Abbey Road, Buckfast Way, Brockley Road, Davies Road, Radcliffe Road, Rutland Road, Lady Bay Road, Trent Boulevard, Regatta Way, Ambleside to Gamston Morrisons.

For more information visit the Nottingham City Council Website

Energy Expo -

2011-02-23T19:14:00.002Z

Reduce your energy bills and your carbon footprint. Technology, information and advice all in one place.

Transition West Bridgford and Transition Nottingham teamed up to present the Energy Expo. The Energy Expo was the next logical step in looking at our energy consumption and how we can reduce it.

The Energy Expo explored the various types of renewable and sustainable energy souces available to householders. Installers and manufacturers talked about what is best for you and there was also advice and information about the various grants that are available from different agencies. We aimed to enable you to make the right decision about what you can do to reduce your carbon footprint and your energy bill. All the companies at the Expo are local companies so you will also be helping the local economy.

Exhibitors

At the Energy Expo there we was information about:

Solar thermal energy, solar electricity, wind turbines, ground source heat pumps, insulation, advice, information, grants, combined heat and power boilers, technology, biomass and local installers.

Disenco

Disenco Energy Plc is close to final development of the first commercially viable micro Combined Heat and Power (m-CHP) appliances suitable for the domestic and commercial market. Currently the size of a washing machine, Disenco’s patented HomePowerPlant (“HPP”) is a highly efficient boiler at 92% efficiency which not only produces all of the heat and hot water to meet the home and small business demand but all the while generates electricity for end user consumption and for sale back to the national grid thereby saving enormous CO2 emissions.

Evoenergy

EvoEnergy helps people secure your energy future by designing and installing Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems. As a Nottingham based national company focusing solely on one technology across domestic, commercial and public sector we can bring national expertise to a local level. We pride ourselves as a customer focused business spending time with each client to determine the system that will perform best in their specific situation and deliver at affordable prices.

T4 Sustainability Ltd.

T4 Sustainability works with individuals, families, small and large businesses, and local government, to bring about sustainable development in the communities in which we live and work.

Our work focuses on installation, design, consultancy and technical advocacy. More

Sasie

Carbon Legacy

We are all concerned about our planet and what the future will hold for us and our children. If you are interested in doing something positive both for reasons of our Carbon Legacy and for POSITIVE financial reasons then please look through our web site to see how we can help.

MG Renewables

MG Renewables Ltd is an established renewable energy company offering a wide range of Renewable Energy saving products and services. We provide a full design, supply and installation service for domestic, commercial and public sector clients. Our company prides itself on providing our customers with quality products and superior levels of customer service. Products include Solar Thermal, Solar PV, Heat pumps, rainwater harvesting, and underfloor heating.

Also:

Marches Energy Agency
Energy Savings Trust
Rushcliffe Borough Council

West Bridgford Summer Gathering

2011-02-23T08:32:00.001Z

West Bridgford Summer Gathering returns

A popular West Bridgford event that focuses on sustainable living is organised for this coming Saturday.

The West Bridgford Summer Gathering is being staged for a fifth year on Saturday May 14th to encourage residents to ‘spoil themselves and their loved ones, not the earth’.

The event will feature free lifestyle, health and beauty advice, money-saving tips, all-day entertainment, and local food stalls, as well as an opportunity to discover more about sustainable living.

If you are interested in renewables, why not come to speak with the wide variety of local installers, go and visit the Energy Saving Trust Stall and sign up for the Eco House tour the day after, Sunday 15th May

Experts on energy saving, eco building, environmentally-friendly clothing and accessories, complementary therapies and green transport options will be on hand to share their expertise and offer tips.

Organiser Claudia Cole, who has run a stall at the previous three West Bridgford Summer Gathering events selling bags, said: “The West Bridgford Summer Gathering has become a firm favourite on the calendar since it was launched in 2007. It’s a real community event, and this year’s gathering looks like being just as popular.

“It’s the perfect place for people to find out more about how they can make little changes in their lives which could have a big impact on the environment, while at the same time celebrating the great strides that have been made locally in sustainable living.”

The West Bridgford Summer Gathering runs from 10am to 4pm in West Bridgford Park.

Activities on offer include drumming, sushi making for children, face painting, laser tagging for the whole family, maypole dancing, games and music and dance for the under 5s.

There will also be stalls dedicated to crafts, eco information, food, health and charities.

Visitors to the West Bridgford Summer Gathering are being encouraged to walk, cycle or use public transport.

For more information visit www.wbsummergathering.co.uk

East Midlands School for Social Entrepreneurs - what makes a Transition Town?

2011-02-23T08:00:00.000Z

Over the last 2 years an increased number of people in West Bridgford have started to get involved in local Transition activities. It is not always easy to explain what exactly a Transition town is. I came across this video and feel it might inform and inspire you.

If it does and you would like to see if the East Midlands School for Social Entrepreneurs can come and do a workshop here, please let us know.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

London’s Do-It-Yourself Approach to Safer Streets by Elizabeth Press on August 10,2010

2011-02-22T18:11:00.000Z

In the UK, the non-profit Sustrans is pioneering a community-based method to reclaim streets from high-speed traffic and make neighborhoods safer and more sociable places.

Called "DIY Streets," the program brings neighbours together to help them redesign their streets in a way that puts people, safety, and streetlife first. So far, individual streets have benefited from DIY redesigns in 11 communities in England and Wales. Recently Streetfilms got a walk through of one successful DIY project -- on Clapton Terrace in London. With the people who made it happen as our guides, we saw how planners and neighbors collaborated to transform a place where speeding used to rule into a local street with calm traffic and safe space to socialize.

Can the DIY model work in West Bridgford?

Lost Generation

2011-02-21T07:58:00.000Z

A palindrome reads the same backwards as forward. This video reads the exact opposite backwards as forward.

Not only does it read the opposite, the meaning is the exact opposite too.

This is only a 1 minute 44 second long video, but it is brilliant. Make sure you read as well as listen...forward and backward.

This is a video that was submitted in a contest by a 20 year old. The contest was titled "u @ 50" by AARP. This video won second place. When they showed it, everyone in the room was awe-struck and broke into spontaneous applause. So simple and yet so brilliant.

Take a minute and watch it.

Click here >>>>>>>> Lost Generation

Emergency Kit

2011-02-21T06:38:00.000Z

It was during the Eco House tour when I told our visitors that the reason for installing our PV, woodburning stove, having food in our front garden, being part of the Skills Exchange, keeping chickens and having a place of work on our 'doorstep' so that we can cycle to our daily destinations was mainly to prepare our selves for difficult times ahead. For several years now many politicians have been warning us but I have not seen too many people taking these warnings seriously.

Today I received an email with a link to a very interesting article about preparation and getting ones emergency kit ready. I have attached it here and hope you find the information useful and inspiring.

How many Brits believe in Climate Change?

2011-01-31T18:04:00.001Z

31 Jan '11: [DNC writes] Professor Joe Romm, once a white house staffer of the Clinton era maintains a very interesting blog http://climateprogress.org/, including this article about the British attitude to Climate Change. Despite the downmarket nature of our national tabloid media, we are fortunate not to have the Fox News effect, where a channel can ruthlessly propogate a poisoned philosophy, instead of the truthful news. It turns out that a good majority of the British public sampled understand the difference between Weather and Climate, and recognise that if the UK got colder in December 2010, this doesn't mean that 'global warming' isn't happening, because there has to be a global balance. Most of us are aware that Greenland and the Canadian Arctic had the warmest winter ever, despite the UK's cold weather.
  I have just discovered this blog, and intend to listen in regularly.
  It is possible to Subscribe, to have blog items sent to you as a feed, either through email, or through RSS, which makes it appear in another way. I have a useful App on my iPad called 'FlipBoard' which converts items from blogs into a beautifully laid out magazine format, making it easy to browse.
  There isn't a Subscribe button on this Transition blog, but I will try to get one added.

Without Hot Air: Mackay

2011-01-17T11:36:00.003Z

[DNC writes] David Mackay who wrote 'Sustainable Energy - Without Hot Air', has made it available free on the web - for some time it has been available as a large PDF or as a set of html pages readable on line. It is a very realistic look at all our sources of energy. While I can't agree with everything in the book (for example he is somewhat scathing of wind power) the overall message is clear - it is our Energy Guzzling habit that is the biggest problem. All the efforts to exploit new technologies like wind farms and heat pumps don't get away from the fact that as a society we use too much. Natural processes like vegetation cannot convert all the new CO2 that is caused by our energy consumption, especially if we are de-foresting as part of human activity. The inhabitants of the Los Angeles region drive the equivalent of 140 million miles every Day!

In particular he mentions that doing only a little, like not leaving mobile phone chargers plugged in will only achieve a little. Bigger gestures are required. Some need only to cost nothing. Turning down the thermostat by one degree could save 10% of annual heating costs. In everything he discusses, he is not polemically pro or anti anything specifically, fundamentally, he is pro-Arithmetic, and the logic that that carries with it. This is the opening quote from his statement to the House of Lords committee, Jan 2009:

The public discussion of energy options tends to be intensely emotional, polarized, mistrustful, and destructive.  Every option is strongly opposed: the public seem to be anti-wind, anti-coal, anti-waste-to-energy, anti-tidal-barrage, anti-fuel-duty, and anti-nuclear.

We can't be anti-everything! We need an energy plan that adds up. But there's a lack of numeracy in the public discussion of energy. Where people do use numbers, they select them to sound big, to make an impression, and to score points in arguments, rather than to aid thoughtful discussion.

Cutting our consumption is the priority, but what can governments do about generation? He concludes by discussing what is possible at the large scale, such as very large wind farms in the north and very large solar farms in sunny regions, with high capacity long distance cables.
Contents Page
Buying the Book
BBC article by D Mackay

2010-12-22T15:45:00.000Z

Merry Christmas from Evo Energy

Jonathan Porritt and the Scourge of Denialism

2010-12-20T18:18:00.005Z

12 Dec'10: DNC went to a lecture by Jonathan Porritt last week, and JP is always inspiring. The subject was 'The Scourge of Denialism', and the lecture was in the new Science Park buildings at Nottingham University.

We are mostly aware of the unfortunate consequences of the Republican wins in November 2010, and it is typified by this quote from Fred Upton, who is now the Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, which goes something like: "God created the world and its climate, and if God wants to end it by changing the climate, that is God's Plan. That's ALL you need to know about Climate Change.
... MORE

Melton Road Christmas Fair was the latest fun Transition Event in West Bridgford

2010-12-06T08:03:00.003Z

To see a little video click HERE

Invitation from Helen to be involved in a straw bale build.

2010-12-05T07:30:00.001Z

There is a straw bale ecobuild (a farm visitor centre, out at Screveton on the A46 past East Bridgford). You are invited to visit and I can show you round and tell you about the features of the build, with the owner’s permission (David Rose). There is a Farmeco Community Carefarm Facebook website which has some pictures of the build so far…

We shall be looking for volunteers for lime rendering, and/or providing low cost introductory lime rendering courses, once the weather becomes more appropriate, and those who are interested in knowing about that can email David (see Farmeco webpages or david.rose@farmshop.net) to be on a contact list. David is very interested in getting people from the local communities involved at all stages, and so far, local people have been involved in the rammed earth wall and the straw bale wall-raising.

Skills Exchange

2010-11-26T08:10:00.011Z

The Skills Exchange was set up a little over 2 years ago and has now welcomed its 100th member.
It has been heartwarming how many active, generous and wonderful people live within walking/cycling distance from eachother. Whether there is an emergency and you need help, a big or small job, a tasty treat, company or just a friendly chat. It is all there.

These pictures were taken at the Skills Exchange Christmas market.

Mike and I went to a conference a couple of week's ago where we showed others how to set up a skills exchange in their respective towns and villages. I believe the workshops were well received and wish all those taking the step to move the idea forward luck. It is very easy, not at all time consuming and very satisfying. If you would like to know more about the skills exchange why not have a look at the website

Supporting our local independent shops

2010-11-26T07:57:00.003Z

We can reduce transport costs, stimulate employment and keep our money flowing in our community if we support our local independent shops.

A group of residents around the Melton Road have come together to organise a Christmas Fayre with a difference. It will be held on Sunday 5th December from noon until 4pm.
For more information on what will be happening on the day, please have a look at The Melton Road Shops website

Updates from the Great Green Garden

2010-11-26T07:53:00.003Z

Kate has been working hard behind the scenes to get funding for this new and exciting project.
The Great Green Garden is now looking for volunteers and tools. If you would like to know more about this initiative, please follow the website and stay in touch with Kate

Ken Clarke visits Jenny's house, as an example of a PV installation

2010-11-26T07:43:00.005Z

Jenny has been along to a few Eco House Group events and has recently installed photovoltaic panels (PV) on her roof. Tina Holt asked her a few questions:

When did you start considering putting PV panels on your roof?
I first considered putting PV panels on my roof when I heard about Rushcliffe Solar via Transition West Bridgford. I had considered solar panels for heating hot water previously but decided the amount of hot water I used did not make it worthwhile.

What was your main motive for installing PV?
My main motive was to lower my carbon footprint but also think it is a good investment as I will gain tax free income equivalent to any rate of interest available at the moment and it should increase the value of my bungalow if I need to sell.

How did you get the information that you needed? Who did you talk to, etc?
I received most of my information from the Rushcliffe Solar team.

What made you choose EvoEnergy?
EvoEnergy was one of the companies Rushcliffe Solar approached for a quotation for me. They seemed to offer the best value for money for the number of panels appropriate for my roof.

When was the install and how long did it take?
Monday 27 September - Scaffolding erected
Tuesday 28 Panels fitted to roof and main electrical work carried out

19th Nov 2010.Wednesday 29 Electrician returned for less than hour and put installation into commission and explained everything to me
Thursday 30 Scaffolding removed

How did you find it in terms of disruption etc?
There was no disruption to speak of. The only internal work was in my roofspace. The electrician ran cables from panels to inverter etc in the garage via the loft area so no cables visible from outside.

What would you say to someone else considering doing the same thing?
“Go for it” The initial outlay is high but I am hoping both the environmental and financial rewards will also be high.

For more information about the Eco House Group CLICK HERE

Talk by Rob Hopkins - Founder of the Transition Movement

2010-11-24T11:33:00.004Z

Members of The Great Green Garden were lucky enough to attend a talk by Rob Hopkins, founder of the Transition Movement, in Derby on the 13th September 2010.

Below is a movie and slideshow of the presentation, which is very inspring and eye opening.

Rob explains about Peak Oil, Climate Change and why the Transition Movement exists.

Rob Hopkins in Derby

You can find out more about the Transition Movement by visiting their web site http://transitionculture.org/

A new way to create energy and deal with waste

2010-11-24T08:32:00.000Z

Whilst trying to find out about the Merton Rule, I came across a fascinating document on how to create energy from waste on the Merton BC planning website.

With Rushcliffe having to build 14,000 new dwellings in the near future where is all the waste going to go? Although our Waste to energy plant (formerly the East Croft incinerator) provides heat for parts of the city, Environmental Power International (EPI)'s new plant could be a way forward.

Supporting our local independent shops

2010-11-24T07:19:00.002Z

With the Skills Exchange going from strength to strengh it has been a great way to see and experience what happens if a currency stays in the community. It is much easier to find out in a closed financial community to track where the 'money' goes. See journey of a gem.

Having set up several local groups in the UK and abroad where a group of people come together and tap into eachother's skills, services and goods, it encouraged me to have a look at our local shopping street and try and do the same with them.

Unfortunately our high street is full of banks, building societies, charity shops, international coffee shop chains and large companies like, Iceland, Boots, M&S, the Co-op. All of which are good companies but are not local independent businesses, which means that your money spent there, will go to their head office and shareholders. Not much stays in our local community. May be a little if they employ West Bridgford staff (however,that is not always the case either).

Fortunately, we have another great shopping street on the Melton Road where there is a huge variety of shops as well as many local independent retailers. I feel,that this street could be perfect to show what would happen if we used it like a closed system. It would give us employment, if we are local suppliers ourselves and we have good quality goods, it gives us customers, we reduce our transport costs as we can walk to work, walk to the shops and only have short distances to cover to deliver our produce (if we are suppliers). The shops will pay their taxes to the local council, which again would be put back into the local economy, making it a more balanced way to run an economy. I know it can be tempting to go to a large supermarket and buy everything under one roof (and there is nothing wrong about that) but if we can try to reduce our dependence on the supermarket and buy from our local shops a little more. In the end it will benefit your social, financial and physical wellbeing. Give it a go and visit your local independent retails a little more regularly.

Down at the farm - The Great Green Garden

2010-11-23T17:27:00.006Z

Farmer David Rose is busy constructing an eco building for educational purposes next to the Great Green Garden. We will be able to use the building for workshops, talks and events throughout the year and access facilities such as toilets and hot drinks.

As a community resource, this will be invaluable and will play a very important part of the communities experience.

The building is made from rammed earth and straw bails which will be rendered. The south facing aspect of the building will ensure that it will use as little energy as possible.

Rushcliffe Awards Scheme

2010-11-15T22:22:00.000Z

11th Nov '10: Members of Transition West Bridgford attended the evening Rushcliffe community awards ceremony at Beckett School. We had a little bit of hope as we had some nominations - for example, for services to local business, or to the environment. But with so many things going on, and so many worthy volunteers deserving the prizes, we will have to wait another year.
Well done to Kinoulton for their Mayor's special award, for a Greening Campaign that managed to get 50% of the village involved, which is, apparently, a national record!
Pictured are: Tina Holt (WB Ecohouses), Karina Wells (Transition WB and other things), David Nicholson-Cole (Rushcliffe Solar), Mrs Marie Males (Mayor of Rushcliffe), Sheila Hood (Sustainability officer for Rushcliffe BC)

The Great Green Garden - a great green idea

2010-11-09T07:06:00.002Z

The Great Green Garden (GGG) was set up in August 2010 by volunteers to provide fresh locally grown produce for local people within the area of South Nottinghamshire including Bingham, Radcliffe-on-Trent and West Bridgford.

We want to provide locally produced food for ourselves and our communities, reduce our carbon footprint and our impact on the environment, and increase food security and sustainability.

Along with fresh affordable food, we aim to provide information and guidance on healthy eating and develop educational workshops so that young people and adults can learn to grow food and watch as their efforts turn into tasty and nutritious food.

The Great Green Garden is a community-led not-for-profit organisation that is dependent on volunteers. We are looking for help and support and we hope you will feel inspired to help us build on our existing committed team of volunteers. You don't need any experience of food growing or volunteering to make a difference.

The GGG is based on the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model. A CSA is a partnership between farmers and the local community, providing mutual benefits and reconnecting people to the land where their food is grown.

If you would like more information on our community project or wish to get involved, please email Kate Troy at thegreatgreengarden[at]gmail.com

News and details of our membership and food prices will be available soon on our web site: and you can sign up for our newsletter too, we would love to hear from you.

We are also looking for people to donate tools and seeds so we can get growing in 2011. Please see the web site for details.

We hope to see you soon!
The Great Green Garden Team

Climate Change Lecture

2010-10-30T11:32:00.002+01:00

28 Oct '10: David NC and Tina Holt and Julie Lygo went to a meeting arranged by Derby Climate Change Coalition, for an excellent lecture on 'Zero Carbon Britain 2030'. Peter Harper, senior researcher at CAT (Centre for Alternative Technologies) is a joint author of a major report on this title, addressing the question of whether Britain can meet its future obligations (Kyoto, Copenhagen etc) by reducing its CO2 emissions, or going even further, to be considered Carbon Zero - by reducing emissions, and balancing the remainder by using renewable energy generation, nationally.
A full copy of the Zero Carbon Britain 2030 book is available free as a PDF on line.

David NC writes: A more detailed report is on the WB Ecohouses Blog.

Update of Transition Allotment

2010-10-28T20:38:00.000+01:00

Our best results were the alliums and potatoes. The couch is an ongoing problem.
We lost all our pumpkins, sadly, as we didn't really know what to do with them. They started off so promisingly, too.

Diane
On behalf of TWB Allotment.

Tool and Seed Donation Drive for The Great Green Garden

2010-10-28T19:26:00.004+01:00

We have decided it would be a great idea to have a Tool and Seed Donation Drive so we can collect gardening tools and seeds for our project.

We are a community-led not-for-profit organisation so we thought it would be helpful to ask local people to donate a spare spade, digging fork, hoe or any sort of hand tool lying around in the shed collecting dust.

We also need packets of seeds to get us growing in 2011

Your donation would be most appreciated and the recycling of unused tools and seeds is always a good thing!

Items you can Donate

Spades
Digging Forks
Hand forks
Hand trowels
Hoes
Rakes
Pruners
Secateurs
Hose pipes
Kneeler Cushions
Wheel Barrows
Plastic Plant Pots
Seedling Trays
Tubs (for weeding)

Any kind of vegetable seed packets (in date for 2011 please)

We would appreciate it if people could donate items that are in reasonable condition.

Where do I drop them off?

You can donate your tools or seeds at the Stamford Rd Allotments in West Bridgford (bottom of Stamford Rd, past the Willow Tree Pub and on the left) on Sundays between 10am-12noon as the gates will be open then and somebody will be in attendance.

Drop off points for Bingham and Radcliffe on Trent will soon be available.

Please contact Kate Troy (079394 699 51 if you need any more information, all your donations will be greatly received.

Permaculture Design Course in Sheffield

2010-10-24T13:04:00.004+01:00

Leeds Permaculture Network will be holding a Permaculture Design Course in Sheffield

Design for sustainable living now, it is an important transition skill.

Permaculture is about turning problems into solutions that benefit the environment, find application in our own lives and spiral out to the wider community. Its constructive approach gave us a renewed sense of creative power over our own lives that so many of us felt we had lost. With an urban focus, this design course will give you the skills to move towards a more sustainable and resilient life.
Over seven full weekends that ran from December 2010 to June 2011 we look at permaculture philosophy and its principles of design, forest gardens, green economics, bioregionalism, transport and energy efficiency, zone and sector analysis, water, LETS, edge effects and much more. We will do design practicals to embed the skills you learn, including completing personal and group design projects.

Start date: 11th and 12th December 2010 and running over 1 weekend a month until June 2011.
Cost: sliding scale between £142 and £650

To find out more or book a place contact:
Suzi High 0113 2047726 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 0113 2047726 end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 0113 2047726 end_of_the_skype_highlighting (hm), 0777 6253743 (mb), email suzi_cherrytree@yahoo.com

Transition West Bridgford Allotment

2010-10-08T16:17:00.004+01:00

We took over the derelict allotment in March and managed to grow some crops this season including potatoes, several types of bean, carrots, courgette, leeks. We were lucky to obtain a shed and small greenhouse free as the original owners had no need for them. These have been re-constructed on an existing slab of concrete which was surprisingly uneven. The water butts and paving slabs were also re-used. Two raised beds have been made, one using second-hand 6' long scaffolding boards which are very solid. We still have a lot of digging to do, and removing broken glass etc, in the meantime most of the ground has been covered with old carpet to suppress the couch grass. You can see the plot from Loughborough Road through the gate - the TWB sign was made from old bottle tops strung together on a wire attached to a piece of hardboard.

Ian.

As it happens there is a garden on Melton Road that has come available, if you are interested in turning this into a little haven contact Transition West Bridgford and we can get you in touch with the owners

Bulb planting

2010-10-01T19:02:00.004+01:00

This autumn, the organisers of July’s Big Lunch are asking you to get your street together to plant bulbs in your community with the Big Bulb Plant.

It’s an opportunity for you to work together, have fun and plant spring bulbs with your neighbours whilst giving your surroundings a makeover. Simply choose a day between 01 September and 30 November to get your hands dirty and plant some bulbs! If everyone brings 10 bulbs each your area will be transformed in spring.

2010-10-01T10:21:00.003+01:00

The Great Green Garden

The Great Green Garden is a new community-led food growing initiative in south Nottingham (based at Screveton, Near Car Colston), set up in August 2010.

We are still in the process of forming as a group and we have a lot to do before the start of the next growing season!

We want to grow locally produced fresh food, develop educational and health workshops and encouraging active participation in all aspects of food growing and horticulture.

If you would like to volunteer, buy food or simply visit us, then you can!

There are many ways you can get involved, have fun and meet lots of enthusiastic members of your community who love to grow their own food!

Please email us at thegreatgreengarden[at]gmail.com or call Kate Troy on 07939469951

Many thanks from

The Great Green Garden Team

Please click on the leaflet to view or print

Nottingham Evening Post features Rushcliffe Solar

2010-09-28T10:46:00.003+01:00

28 Sept '10: DNC writes: Many thanks to the Nottingham Evening Post (and Jon Robinson) for a well written article on the Rushcliffe Solar project.

Quite often when you see something about you written in the media, you are grinding your teeth at the inaccuracies, but Jon is an experienced writer on environmental matters and has written it perfectly. I am glad to see that he got a comment there from a member of Rushcliffe BC.

So, congratulations to Jon on a good write up, and I have only one small addition which is to add that people wishing to get a free PV survey from Rushcliffe Solar should use the website and leave their details on the ENQUIRE Tab.
===davidnc
Rushcliffe Solar is a Photovoltaic campaign jointly initiated by Rushcliffe BC, Transition West Bridgford, Energy Saving Trust and University of Nottingham, with subsequent sponsorship by ten solar installers.

Rushcliffe will be a power generator!

2010-09-27T09:36:00.002+01:00

27 Sept '10: Councils can Create & Sell Electricity: when the Feed in Tariff came in, it was for householders, institutions and businesses, but somehow Local Authorities were not allowed to take part. This seemed anomalous as they have many many roofs in their ownership - the prime purpose of the legislation would seem to have been to reduce power generation transmission losses from distant fossil fuel power stations by local generating. So why where LAs not included?

Chris Huhne as part of the Coalition Government removed the ban - so that Councils are now able to generate electricity for sale to the grid.

In the light of this at the first available Council Meeting, Lib Dem Councillor Rod Jones proposed at a Council meeting on 23rd Sept: "in the light of the decision of the Secretary of State for Energy to remove the ban on Councils selling renewable energy, this Council recognising its scope from land and premises to produce energy from wind, solar, ground source and other sources, will review as soon as is practicable, the available options and the associated costs and income in the long term."

Well it is good news that this was approved!

Nottingham City investment in Solar power

2010-09-19T14:09:00.000+01:00

18 Sept '10: Nottingham Evening Post reports that Nottingham City Council is to make a major investment in Solar electricity by installing PV panels on hundreds of houses. See the link.
The power generated will go into the Grid, and will save the residents a large proportion of their fuel bills. There will be other extensions of their investments in district heating and green power, including getting power from food scraps and garden waste.
It is a ten year strategy. See their article for more detail.

Foraging on Tuesday 14th September at 6pm

2010-09-19T06:35:00.000+01:00

Join Rebecca Beinart and her mobile Field Kitchen for a ride along the river Trent, hunting for wild food on Tuesday 14 September at 6pm meet at the Suspension bridge on the West Bridgford side. We will be cooking foraged foods on a rocket stove.
This trip will involve a mixture of cycling and pauses to learn about edible plants and foraging.
Field Kitchen is a bespoke bicycle trailer that incorporates the necessary equipment to cook edible plants found on expeditions in urban wilds. The project examines what we can find in our immediate surroundings for sustenance, pleasure and well being – raising questions about our relationship with plants and food, our reliance on imported goods, and lost fields of knowledge.

The emphasis of this trip is less about cycling a long distance and more about exploring the area we meet at 6pm at the Suspension bridge on the WB side and the foraging will last about 2 hours. Contribution of £3

Best wishes,
Rebecca
07963 505429

Rob Hopkins Lecture

2010-09-16T22:52:00.002+01:00

13 Sept: Rob Hopkins leads the Transition movement by virtue of his guidebook, and he is a great motivational speaker. In his lecture at Derby, he started off with a quote from Moomin : 'Why do things always change?' and discussed the way we respond to Change. Discovering the theory of Peak Oil is what got him into Transition movement, and we do seem to be reaching the end - we have had 100 years of very low-cost abundant energy which cannot continue. See http://theoildrum.com/ for a long discussion of Peak Oil and other energy issues.

The news is that the UK's energy balance is back in deficit, and the wealth that flowed from it went into tax cuts and de-manufacturing redundancies - unlike in Norway where it was better invested. Global warming is happening - the weather and ice mass statistics prove it - the revealing of more dark sea and dark tundra will make it happen even quicker.

So, with Peak oil happening, and climate change happening, what do we do? We need to Plan - plan to Power Down (reduce our consumption), and plan to Power Up - find clean sources of power. We need to avoid anomalies like eating air freighted beans from Peru that could be grown in our own garden.

http://www.transitionnetwork.org/ is the starting point for the Transition network, and the movement has been viral, with many local areas joined, or waiting to join. Last year's annual conference had energy Secretary Ed Miliband present and listening. Transition is fun, its creative, it is necessary as part of the historic change process to a low energy future. It had become international, indeed global.

He ran through a number of key points worth remembering, and 12 of the most important ones are listed in the column of this blogsite:
• Tips on getting started (be inclusive, make it locally relevant)
• Transition training (for the group to run well, the key people should train)
• Run successful meetings (retain the talent, don't put people off)
• Foster Arts and Creativity (generate leaflets, posters etc)
• Form working sub groups (to address topics, eg Food, Power, Recycling)
• Visioning (have an eye to what the future could be like in low energy society if we get it right)
• Backcasting (evolve strategies for Now that could lead us to the best part of the vision)
• Financing (groups need funds to be effective, consider Pledgebank, events etc)
• Avoid Burnout (workers doing too much need emotional support)
• Celebrate Success, and take Failures philosophically (you get nowhere without taking a risk)
• Practical Manifestations matter (you need solid achievements like trees planted, or people insulating)
• The great Re-Skilling (we need to return to times when people can repair clothes, grow food etc)
• Work with Local businesses (you need their support and they benefit from yours)
• Unleashing (if starting a new group, make a splash with early events)
• Outreach (work together, share support, get community involved)
• Group Brainstorming (find out what people are concerned about locally and build on that)
• Oral history (older people have useful lessons to teach about living more simply)
• Engage young people (schools are a resource, and often children can teach their parents)
• Form networks and partnerships (we are all rowing boat in same direction, so cooperate!)
• Use Maps successfully (can be used to overlay information, eg schools, employment, brownland, routes)
• Adaptation - form an Energy Descent Plan - this is how Transition started
• Anticipate how the Energy Descent can be carried out
• Social Entrepreneurship (some of the subgroups may evolve into new forms of employment and activity, e.g. Sustrans)
• Consider the options for Community Energy companies (co-ops for wind turbines, water turbines etc)
• Plugging the Leaks (cant remember what this was about.... :)
• Exchange scheme (for example the Brixton Pound, Totnes pound, forming local currency for services etc)
• Strategic thinking (look at regional maps and see how things relate, eg food circles, power transmission distances etc)
• Strategic local infrastructure (what is needed locally?)
• Community Assets (e.g. retain buildings if more energy efficient to do so)
• Policies for Transition (if you have a descent plan, help the Local Authority to plan for post-Peak-oil)

So.... the big question is: Peak Oil is ending ... and what's on the other side?
As Moomin would say: 'The path ahead seems very twisted, but it may still be the quickest way home'
Notes taken by David Nicholson-Cole

Transition Derby and Rob Hopkins

2010-09-13T13:34:00.000+01:00

Initial briefing for the session

13 Sept: DNC writes: Tina Holt and DavidNC and Kate Troy and Julie Lygo from Transition West Bridgford took a short ride to Derby to take part in a Transition Derby meeting, with Rob Hopkins as a main speaker. There were delegates from all over the Midlands: Birmingham, Wirksworth, Lincoln, Nottingham, to name ones that I noticed.

The evening began with some audience participation exercises, such as talking to neighbours, and writing ideas onto post-it notes. I was most impressed at the effectiveness of this ice breaking process.

Sorting out the post-it notes
and selecting discussion topics.

The notes were all collected in and were organised into distinctive groupings, such as Power generation and conservation, Transport issues, Waste recycling, Social Skills, Group organisation etc. Volunteers were found to chair a 35 minute discussion group for each of the main topics, after which there was a reporting back. I am sure some of the ideas will appear on Transition Derby's website eventually. Then we had some vegetarian dinner and home made cakes.

The rest of the evening was a lecture from Rob Hopkins from Totnes who started the Transition movement in the UK (it is now becoming global). I took notes and will try to summarise his lecture in a later posting.

Prioritising your eco-refurbishment actions: Environmentally? Financially? Logically?

2010-09-08T08:15:00.001+01:00

Tuesday 14th September 2010
7.30-9.30pm
SNC Training, South Notts College
Mere Way, Ruddington Fields Business Park, NG11 6JZ

You are invited to a free evening seminar for an introduction to eco-refurbishment options small and large. What saves money straight away? What’s a good financial investment for the future? What are the most environmentally friendly options? How do you work out what to do now and what to do later?
Including

The likely future of energy costs
Home comfort in a future climate
A whole house approach to eco-refurbishment
Low-cost and no-cost options for saving cash and carbon

Speakers: Michael Siebert, Architect and Tim Saunders, Energy Saving Trust
Come along, invite your friends. All welcome.
If you can, please email info@wbecohouses.co.uk so we know how many to expect.

Directions: Follow Mere Way through Ruddington Fields Business Park. Pass the first SNC building on the left, and take the next turning to the second SNC Training building. It has a distinctive suspended curved wall with car parking beneath it. Park here or on the roadside.
Buses to Ruddington village: Ruddington Connection (Trent Barton) & No. 10 (Nott City Transport)

The Eco House Group is a project inspired by Transition West Bridgford. For more info, go to www.transitionwb.co.uk

Abundance Project is now up and running

2010-09-01T14:24:00.002+01:00

Members of the Skills exchange have set up the Abundance project.
Over the last month one group have been harvesting plums in various locations in West Bridgford these were then re-distributed and some of it turned into crumbles, cordials, jams and chutneys for the Abundance shop.

If you too have fruit or nut trees that you would like to have harvested, please feel free to contact us at abundance@wbskills-exchange.co.uk or if you want to get involved in either the harvesting or cooking we would love to hear from you.

For more details about the abundance shop click HERE

Metering is a way to save energy

2010-08-31T13:48:00.002+01:00

It is amazing how the simple act of storing your meter readings can save energy. Somehow, the competitive instinct kicks in, and you try harder to get a lower meter reading than the week or day before - result is that you save energy!
It is worth doing it for Electric, Gas, and even Water if that is on a meter. If you have a PV roof, it is essential so you can calculate your payback!

There is a more detailed article about this on the WB Ecohouses blogsite. See the Metering Page. It also contains tips on how to convert your Gas to kWh.

If you want an XLS file with the simple algorithm for calculating dates and times and day number, write to dnicholsoncole@gmail.com

WhipCar provides peer-to-peer car share opportunities within local areas.

2010-08-16T10:27:00.005+01:00

Do you want to help the environment and save money at the same time!

WhipCar which was launched in April, enables people to rent their unused car to others in their local vicinity, and drivers in need of a car can hire from locally situated car owners. Car owners can set their own rates and decide on the times that the car is available. Since its launch WhipCar has gone on to create one of the most diverse car fleets of the UK, and it is growing by the day.

WhipCar was created by co-founders Vinay Gupta and Tom Wright, who recognised that unused cars could be made use of in a greener and more cost-effective way. Owners can earn money from renting their vehicle. It is a modern and practical facility, stemming from the natural evolution of traditional car hire companies. By renting a car from a neighbour instead of owning one, the number of cars in circulation will decrease, which means a greener future for driving.

WhipCar’s founders are dedicated to providing the safest and best quality service possible. Consequently, every stage of the renting service is vetted to ensure complete security and legitimacy for both owner and driver. All cars are subject to rigorous safety checks and all drivers are screened, and the price and timing of rentals are put in complete control of the owner

With so many cars clogging up our roads in West Bridgford, car parking in the streets around Central Avenue mainly for residents, Is there anyone who feels passionate enough take this project on? For more details how it works see this video

Leave them a flower words and music by: Wally Whyton

2010-08-01T11:48:00.001+01:00

Leave Them A Flower

* (Wally Whyton)

Leave them a flower, some grass and a hedgerow
A hill and a valley, a view to the sea
These things are not yours to destroy as you want to
A gift given once for eternity

I speak on behalf of the next generation
My sons and daughters, their children to come
What will you leave them for their recreation
An oil slick, a pylon, an industrial slum

You plunder and pillage, you tear and you tunnel
Trees lying toppled, roots finger the sky
Building a land for machines and computers
In the name of progress the farms have to die

Fish in the ocean polluted and poisoned
The sand on the beaches stinking and black
And you with your tankers, your banks and investments
Say, Never worry, the birds will come back

When the last flower has dropped its last petal
When the last concrete is finally laid
The moon will shine cold on a nightmarish landscape
Your gift to your children, this world that you made

Eco House Open Day 23rd August

2010-07-31T19:20:00.003+01:00

There is an another Open Day on AUGUST 23 at Karina’s House. Visitors can call between 2 and 4pm. We would prefer people to come in half hour pulses, 1200, 1230, 1300, 1330 and 1400, if possible. So, if you arrive somewhere in between please wait until the next half hour slot.
The focus is on Photovoltaic (PV) systems, but Karina also has a solar thermal system linked to a wood-burning stove and gas boiler for hot water and central heating.

A much more low tech energy saving feature is the secondary glazing by Storm Windows.
Evo Energy will be on hand to provide technical information on PV, and Karina will be able to talk about her experience as the home-owner.
Please email info@wbecohouses so that we know how many to expect and so that we can give you the address details.
There will be further events on a wide range of eco-retrofit topics – keep your eyes on the blog or email us asking to be added to the Eco House Group list to receive invitations by email.

Opening celebration of Eco Center on 18th September

2010-07-30T22:10:00.009+01:00

The Derbyshire Eco Centre is a brand new adult community education centre, opening on 18 September 2010. Find out about the centre, the eco-friendly building, their courses, and where to find them. For more information and brochure click here

Contact the Derbyshire Eco Centre Manager for more information:

Cathy Cooke
Tel: 01629 824765
email: ecocentre@derbyshire.gov.uk

Foraging along the River Trent a big success

2010-07-30T20:53:00.009+01:00

As part of the Green Streets celebrations Rebecca Beinart came with her Field Kitchen to share her foraging knowledge.
13 of us met at the Suspension bridge and made our way along the river to the nature reserve at the side of the Wilford Toll bridge.
Armed with brown paper bags (for possible goodies on the way) we set off. Blackberries, mugwort, plantains, red and white clover, horse raddish, jack in the hedge, nettles, dead nettle, silver weed and dock were some of the herbs I can remember, more can be seen on Rebecca's website.

At the end of our trip we sat down next to the lake and tasted some wonderful nettle and sage bread, some freshly brewed mugwort tea with some blackberry bakewell cake.
The evening was cut short by a heavy rain shower but it did not dampen the wonderful experience.
I would like to take this opportunity to Thank Rebecca to sharing her expertise and give us her time.

Foraging on Friday 30th July

2010-07-29T20:43:00.003+01:00

Join Rebecca Beinart and her mobile Field Kitchen for a ride along the river Trent, hunting for wild food. This trip will involve a mixture of cycling and pauses to learn about edible plants and foraging. We will stop to sample some of the things we find, brewing up wild tea and tasting some foraged treats.

Field Kitchen is a bespoke bicycle trailer that incorporates the necessary equipment to cook edible plants found on expeditions in urban wilds. The project examines what we can find in our immediate surroundings for sustenance, pleasure and well being – raising questions about our relationship with plants and food, our reliance on imported goods, and lost fields of knowledge.

The emphasis of this trip is less about cycling a long distance and more about exploring the area we meet at 6pm at the Suspension bridge on the WB side and the foraging will last about 2 hours. Donations welcomed

Best wishes,
Rebecca

Second Outdoor Solar Surgery

2010-07-26T14:51:00.001+01:00

24 July: Saturday morning, we had the second outdoor Solar Surgery for Rushcliffe Solar on Central Avenue. We collected a lot of interest during the morning, including some who informed us they were definitely going ahead.
It was the day of Farmers' market and that is a major attraction, and brings many in to Bridgford. Oddly, we collected more addresses on the less crowded day of the Gardeners' market.
Pictured: Rain Luo giving advice to a passing lady shopper.

Eco House group

2010-07-08T12:43:00.002+01:00

An invite has been emailed out in July 2010 to everyone who has already joined the group. If you’d like to join too, just email me: tinaholt2004@yahoo.co.uk.
For more information see the website

Solar Rushcliffe

2010-07-05T16:29:00.000+01:00

This is an initiative to make Solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity more accessible to local residents, with support from Rushcliffe BC. The plan is to provide an online estimate of solar potential of your roof, info on loans, installers and funding. For more information, vistit the website, or contact David at rushcliffesolar@googlemail.com.

Have you got an hour or so a week to help out?

2010-07-01T16:34:00.003+01:00

Can you help out with any IT admin / website work / communications etc, please contact tinaholt2004@yahoo.co.uk.

Abundance project

2010-07-01T16:33:00.006+01:00

In the past two years a group of a handful of people went to our neighbours and friends to harvest surplus fruit. The fruit owners were pleased as their produce was picked for them and it was not rotting on the ground. The volunteers were pleased as they turned the abundance into jams, juices and apples and pears were stored. There is so much produce around us standing in our and our neighbours gardens that goes to waste

The project would be to map and contact people with fruit trees and provide volunteers to harvest for them. The owners take what they need and the volunteers take the rest for re-distribution. for more information contact info@transitionwb.co.uk

Green Streets West Bridgford

2010-07-01T16:33:00.005+01:00

This is a celebration of sustainable transport on the last Friday of every month. Would you like to join or help out with the activities on this day – organised walks, bike rides, info and activities for local groups? For more info, see website

Fruit tree planting

2010-07-01T16:32:00.003+01:00

This project, led by Julie O’lateju, matches fruit trees with suitable land. If you have trees to offer or land to suggest, or would like to help with fruit tree grafting, please email: info@transitionwb.co.uk

Funding for project

2010-07-01T16:31:00.006+01:00

Flora told us a little about European funding that is available, which we might be able to use to support individual projects, or even to create some sort of Transition Academy (which could provide training and on the job learning in areas like food growing, energy saving and renewables, and so on, a bit like the Kinsale College of further education . If you’d like to know more, email floramuir@mail.com

Lembas buyers’ group

2010-07-01T16:31:00.004+01:00

Every month or two, about 6 of us place our orders with Lembas (a vegetarian and wholefood wholesaler in Sheffield. To benefit from free delivery, we have our various orders delivered to one person’s house and we all collect from there. If you would like to know more or join us for the next order, email: tinaholt2004@yahoo.co.uk

Eco House Group

2010-07-01T16:30:00.002+01:00

After the Eco House Open Day in West Bridgford, there’s a new Eco House Group. This group is for anyone who is thinking of adding Eco features to their house (insulation, renewable energy, water saving devices etc), or who has already done this, or who is just interested in knowing more. For more information or to join the group, email tinaholt2004@yahoo.co.uk

Transition Allotment

2010-07-01T16:29:00.009+01:00

The Transition Allotment is taking shape, after much hard work clearing this rather neglected area. The potatoes are looking good. Would anyone like to join the team? Email anna.a.collins@gmail.com

I am waiting for an updated picture to see this transformed plot, now with shed and raised beds!
All this is a very short time span.

Food Co-op / Community Supported Agriculture scheme – Kate Troy

2010-07-01T16:28:00.002+01:00

Kate said a few words about her idea for getting people growing their own, or growing for the local community. If you want to know more, email kateftroy[at]yahoo.co.uk.

It would be fantastic if you could fill in her (very easy) survey – just go to the Rushcliffe Council Website and click on “Grow Your Own Veg – a survey”.

Food and Farming Community Scheme – David Rose

2010-07-01T16:26:00.007+01:00

David told us a little about his farm: FarmEco – community care farm, near Bingham. (There’s an educational building being built from straw and compressed earth, there’s a community orchard, they use a “no ploughing” approach, just to mention a few details).

David is inviting us and other individuals and communities to get involved, and he’s open to suggestions as to how we’d like to do that. For more info, see or facebook
If you know anyone who wants a job on a farm, do get in touch. The job is aimed primarily at 18-24 year olds who have been claiming job seekers allowance for at least six months, but it could be for anyone who has been out of work for 6 months.

Garden Share

2010-07-01T16:26:00.005+01:00

Jake gave a brief update. There is currently one garden share set up as a result of the Garden Share project. However, it now needs to grow and Jake is looking for others to help him recruit new gardeners and people with gardens. If you can help with spreading the word or would like to get involved yourself, please contact Jake for more info: pjakejackson@googlemail.com

The similarity in name of this scheme and the “Shared Garden” (a local group of allotments that have been shared by several families for the last 10 years) is causing confusion. As the Shared Garden is well established and has a very popular website, alternative names for the Garden Share project may be considered – watch this space!

Greening Campaign

2010-07-01T16:23:00.003+01:00

The West Bridgford Greening Campaign enters its second phase, and the team are surveying as many local residents as possible to find out which aspects of "being greener" people are most interested in getting advice or further information about. There is a list 9 items to put in order of preference. Have your say, email: Maureen_harms@yahoo.co.uk

Transition West Bridgford gathering to mark its 2nd Birthday

2010-07-01T16:07:00.001+01:00

More than 20 people gathered to celebrate TWB’s 2nd Birthday, and to catch up on what’s been going on and to find out about those projects that are ongoing or just starting up.

Making birthday cakes is not my area of expertise, but with a Skills Exchange token it’s easy to ask someone else to bake one. Many thanks to Mary for cooking us a delicious home-made carrot cake!

Here’s a very brief summary for those who couldn’t make it:

Greening Campaign
The West Bridgford Greening Campaign enters its second phase, and the team are surveying as many local residents as possible to find out which aspects of "being greener" people are most interested in getting advice or further information about. There is a list 9 items to put in order of preference. Have your say, email: Maureen_harms@yahoo.co.uk

Skills Exchange
After the success of the first group (75 members) we are setting up a second group in West Bridgford, Ruddington and Clifton
If you would like to join or read more about it, see the website: www.wbskills-exchange.co.uk

Garden Share
Jake gave a brief update. There is currently one garden share set up as a result of the Garden Share project. However, it now needs to grow and Jake is looking for others to help him recruit new gardeners and people with gardens. If you can help with spreading the word or would like to get involved yourself, please contact Jake for more info: pjakejackson@googlemail.com

The similarity in name of this scheme and the “Shared Garden” (a local group of allotments that have been shared by several families for the last 10 years) is causing confusion. As the Shared Garden is well established and has a very popular website, alternative names for the Garden Share project may be considered – watch this space!

Food and Farming Community Scheme – David Rose
David told us a little about his farm: FarmEco – community care farm, near Bingham. (There’s an educational building being built from straw and compressed earth, there’s a community orchard, they use a “no ploughing” approach, just to mention a few details).

David is inviting us and other individuals and communities to get involved, and he’s open to suggestions as to how we’d like to do that. For more info, see www.farmshop.net or http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=113825078645337&v=wall

P.S. If you know anyone who wants a job on a farm, do get in touch. The job is aimed primarily at 18-24 year olds who have been claiming job seekers allowance for at least six months, but it could be for anyone who has been out of work for 6 months.

Food Co-op / Community Supported Agriculture scheme – Kate Troy
Kate said a few words about her idea for getting people growing their own, or growing for the local community. If you want to know more, email kateftroy@yahoo.co.uk.

It would be fantastic if you could fill in her (very easy) survey – just go to the Rushcliffe Council Website and click on “Grow Your Own Veg – a survey”.

Transition Allotment
The Transition Allotment is taking shape, after much hard work clearing this rather neglected area. The potatoes are looking good. Would anyone like to join the team? Email anna.a.collins@gmail.com

Solar Rushcliffe
This is an initiative to make Solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity more accessible to local residents, with support from Rushcliffe BC. The plan is to provide an online estimate of solar potential of your roof, info on loans, installers and funding. For more information, see http://rushcliffesolar.blogspot.com/, or contact David at rushcliffesolar@googlemail.com.

Eco House Group
After the Eco House Open Day in West Bridgford, there’s a new Eco House Group. This group is for anyone who is thinking of adding Eco features to their house (insulation, renewable energy, water saving devices etc), or who has already done this, or who is just interested in knowing more. For more information or to join the group, email tinaholt2004@yahoo.co.uk

Funding for projects
Flora told us a little about European funding that is available, which we might be able to use to support individual projects, or even to create some sort of Transition Academy (which could provide training and on the job learning in areas like food growing, energy saving and renewables, and so on). If you’d like to know more, email floramuir@mail.com

Other ongoing project that we didn’t have time to cover:

Lembas buyers’ group
Every month or two, about 6 of us place our orders with Lembas (a vegetarian and wholefood wholesaler in Sheffield). To benefit from free delivery, we have our various orders delivered to one person’s house and we all collect from there. If you would like to know more or join us for the next order, email: tinaholt2004@yahoo.co.uk

Fruit tree planting
This project, led by Julie O’lateju, matches fruit trees with suitable land. If you have trees to offer or land to suggest, or would like to help with fruit tree grafting, please email: floramuir@mail.com

Abundance project
This is an idea looking for a champion and some volunteers! The project would be to map and contact people with fruit trees and provide volunteers to harvest for them. The owners take what they need and the volunteers take the rest for re-distribution. For more info see www.transitionwb.co.uk.

Green Streets West Bridgford
This is a celebration of sustainable transport on the last Friday of every month. Would you like to join or help out with the activities on this day – organised walks, bike rides, info and activities for local groups? For more info, see www.greenstreetswb.blogspot.com

Other info
The existing website has not been updated for many months. For the up to date view of recent activity, see the blog: http://www.transitionwb.co.uk/. If you can help out with any IT admin / website work / communications etc, please contact tinaholt2004@yahoo.co.uk.

Free solar panels advertised on Working lunch

2010-06-29T20:43:00.000+01:00

Today Working Lunch had a feature of a company A shade Greener which was installing thousands of solar panels without any cost to the home owner. I have contacted them to see if something could be arranged for Transition West Bridgford so here's hoping, keep fingers crossed.

For more details have a look at their website
to A Shade Greener. Providers of FREE Solar Panels

A Shade Greener is a Renewable Electricity Generator that is utilising the Government initiated FIT Scheme, which commenced on 1st April this year, in order to install solar panel systems onto domestic properties in parts* of Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Humberside. We were initially looking for only 2000 homes, however due to huge demand we are now looking for at least 6000 homes.

How can we do this? We don’t give the panels to the Homeowner, not initially (see FAQs). We simply install our panels on the Homeowner’s roof and let them use all the electricity that they generate for free, because under the FIT Scheme we will be paid a Generation Tariff for ALL the electricity that our panels generate whether that electricity is used, or not. This Tariff is guaranteed for 25 years. This means that we can let the Homeowner use this electricity entirely FREE OF CHARGE for 25 years too, as we will be paid for generating it.

Our own scheme is particularly suitable for people who want Solar PV, but who can’t afford it, or for those who CAN afford it but would rather spend their money on another home improvement.

* We will be installing onto roofs that fall within a 1hr travel zone from Junction 36 of the M1 motorway

Government plans 'green loans' to make homes more efficient

2010-06-23T14:36:00.000+01:00

I just read the following in the Independent. Hope it is of use to any of you.

By Emily Beament, Press Association

Tuesday, 2 March 2010

Plans for "green loans" to help householders make their homes more energy efficient by installing technology such as solar panels and insulation were announced by the Government today.

The scheme will see the loans tied to the house where the eco-measures are installed, so they can be paid back over a long enough period that the savings on energy bills outweigh the payback costs.

The Pay As You Save programme aims to overcome the financial barriers - such as upfront costs - people face in trying to make their homes greener and more energy efficient.

For more information see here:

Eco House Open Day

2010-06-21T10:54:00.001+01:00

On 16th May, 7 houses and one garden in West Bridgford opened their doors to the public for an Eco House Open Day. Each house had one or more eco features on display, and visitors had the opportunity to find out first hand the experiences (good or bad!) of the home-owners who had installed them.

The eco features on display included

□ Several different types of solar hot water system
□ Photo voltaic (PV) panels to generate electricity
□ Water-saving devices
□ Heat-exchange fan
□ Wood-burning stoves
□ Energy smart meters
□ Rainwater harvesting
□ Ground source heat pump
□ Surya Sunbox (a new invention, a world first!)
□ Sun tube
□ Biomass boiler
□ External wall insulation
□ Secondary glazing
□ Vegetable plot
□ Livestock

Several houses had vegetable gardens on display (one with chickens!), and an additional garden was open to visitors to demonstrate the Garden Share scheme. This scheme teams up someone who would like space to grow vegetables with someone who has spare space in their garden to do so. The crop is shared between them.

In all, we estimate there were about 70 visitors including friends or families of those who signed up for the visits. Many viewed more than one house, so it was a busy day for some home-owners.

Following the Open Day, there is now an Eco House Group for anyone who is considering installing Eco features in their homes, or who has already done so, or who is just interested in the subject. Contact tinaholt2004@yahoo.co.uk if you would like to know more.

Here’s a fast way for you to find out how solar panels work

2010-06-21T09:43:00.002+01:00

I received an email all the way from the US from Barbara who offered to write a bit about solar energy for our blog. I hope you find it useful and informative.

What is solar energy ?

Solar power is radiant energy which is produced by the sun. Every day the sun radiates, or sends out, an enormous quantity of energy. The sun radiates more energy in one second than people have used since the beginning of time!

The energy of the Sun derives from within the sun itself. Like other stars, the sun is known as a big ball of gases––mostly hydrogen and helium atoms.

The hydrogen atoms in the sun’s core combine to create helium and generate energy in a process called nuclear fusion.

During nuclear fusion, the sun’s extremely high pressure and temperature cause hydrogen atoms to come apart and their nuclei (the central cores of the atoms) to fuse or combine. Four hydrogen nuclei fuse to become one helium atom. However the helium atom contains less mass than the four hydrogen atoms that fused. Some matter is lost during nuclear fusion. The lost matter is emitted into space as radiant energy.

It takes countless years for the energy in the sun’s core to make its way to the solar surface, and just a little over eight minutes to travel the 93 million miles to earth. The solar energy travels to the earth at a speed of 186,000 miles per second, the velocity of light.

Simply a small portion of the power radiated by the sun into space strikes the earth, one part in two billion. Yet this quantity of energy is enormous. Every day enough energy strikes the united states to supply the nation’s energy needs for one and a half years!

Where does all of this energy go?

About 15 percent of the sun’s energy which hits our planet is reflected back to space. Another 30 percent is used to evaporate water, which, lifted into the atmosphere, produces rainfall. Solar energy is absorbed by plants, the land, and the oceans. The rest could be employed to supply our energy needs.

Who invented solar energy ?

Humans have harnessed solar power for years and years. As early as the 7th century B.C., people used simple magnifying glasses to concentrate the light of the sun into beams so hot they'd cause wood to catch fire. Over 100 years ago in France, a scientist used heat from a solar collector to produce steam to drive a steam engine. At first of this century, scientists and engineers began researching ways to use solar power in earnest. One important development was obviously a remarkably efficient solar boiler introduced by Charles Greeley Abbott, a united states astrophysicist, in 1936.

The solar water heater gained popularity at this time in Florida, California, and the Southwest. The industry started in the early 1920s and was in full swing right before The second world war. This growth lasted before mid-1950s when low-cost gas took over as primary fuel for heating American homes.

The public and world governments remained largely indifferent to the possibilities of solar energy before oil shortages of the1970s. Today, people use solar technology to heat buildings and water and to generate electricity.

How we use solar energy today ?

Solar power is used in a variety of ways, of course. There are 2 very basic forms of solar power:

* Solar thermal energy collects the sun's warmth through one of two means: in water or in an anti-freeze (glycol) mixture.

* Solar photovoltaic energy converts the sun's radiation to usable electricity.

Here are the five most practical and popular ways that solar power is employed:

1. Small portable solar photovoltaic systems. We see these used everywhere, from calculators to solar garden tools. Portable units can be utilised for everything from RV appliances while single panel systems can be used traffic signs and remote monitoring stations.

2. Solar pool heating. Running water in direct circulation systems via a solar collector is a very practical way to heat water for your pool or hot tub.

3. Thermal glycol energy to heat water. In this method (indirect circulation), glycol is heated by natural sunlight and the heat is then transferred to water in a warm water tank. This technique of collecting the sun's energy is more practical now than ever. In areas as far north as Edmonton, Alberta, solar thermal to heat water is economically sound. It can pay for itself in 3 years or less.

4. Integrating solar photovoltaic energy into your home or office power. In numerous parts on the planet, solar photovoltaics is an economically feasible way to supplement the power of your property. In Japan, photovoltaics are competitive with other types of power. In the USA, new incentive programs make this form of solar technology ever more viable in many states. A frequent and practical way of integrating solar energy into the power of your home or business is through the usage of building integrated solar photovoltaics.

5. Large independent photovoltaic systems. If you have enough sun power at your site, you might be able to go off grid. It's also possible to integrate or hybridize your solar power system with wind power or other forms of renewable energy to stay 'off the grid.'

How can Photovoltaic panels work ?

Silicon is mounted beneath non-reflective glass to create photovoltaic panels. These panels collect photons from the sun, converting them into DC electrical energy. The power created then flows into an inverter. The inverter transforms the energy into basic voltage and AC electrical energy.

Photovoltaic cells are prepared with particular materials called semiconductors like silicon, which is presently the most generally used. When light hits the Photovoltaic cell, a particular share of it is absorbed inside the semiconductor material. This means that the energy of the absorbed light is given to the semiconductor.

The power unfastens the electrons, permitting them to run freely. Solar power cells also have one or more electric fields that act to compel electrons unfastened by light absorption to flow in a specific direction. This flow of electrons is a current, and by introducing metal links on the top and bottom of the -Photovoltaic cell, the current can be drawn to use it externally.

Do you know the benefits and drawbacks of solar energy ?

Solar Pro Arguments

- Heating our homes with oil or propane or using electricity from power plants running with oil and coal is a reason behind global warming and climate disruption. Solar energy, on the contrary, is clean and environmentally-friendly.

- Solar hot-water heaters require little maintenance, and their initial investment may be recovered in just a relatively short time.

- Solar hot-water heaters can work in almost any climate, even just in very cold ones. Simply choose the best system for your climate: drainback, thermosyphon, batch-ICS, etc.

- Maintenance costs of solar powered systems are minimal and the warranties large.

- Financial incentives (USA, Canada, European states…) can aid in eliminating the price of the initial investment in solar technologies. The U.S. government, for instance, offers tax credits for solar systems certified by by the SRCC (Solar Rating and Certification Corporation), which amount to 30 percent of the investment (2009-2016 period).

Solar Cons Arguments

- The first investment in Solar Water heaters or in Photovoltaic Electric Systems is greater than that required by conventional electric and gas heaters systems.

- The payback period of solar PV-electric systems is high, as well as those of solar space heating or solar cooling (only the solar warm water heating payback is short or relatively short).

- Solar water heating do not support a direct combination with radiators (including baseboard ones).

- Some air cooling (solar space heating and the solar cooling systems) are very pricey, and rather untested technologies: solar air conditioning isn't, till now, a really economical option.

- The efficiency of solar powered systems is rather determined by sunlight resources. It's in colder climates, where heating or electricity needs are higher, that the efficiency is smaller.

About me - Barbara Young writes on camper solar panel kits in her personal hobby website 12voltsolarpanels.net. Her work is related to helping people save energy using solar power to lower CO2 emissions and energy dependency.

Nottingham's bid to become the greenest city in the UK

2010-06-11T12:26:00.000+01:00

This was in today's Nottingham Evening post.

A BID to turn Nottingham into the greenest city in the UK will begin today.

Nottingham City Council wants to cash in on the green energy revolution by attracting large-scale investment in environmental technology, which would cut residents' fuel bills and create hundreds of jobs.

The council's plans include:

A scheme to more than double the size of the city's district heating system, which is already the biggest in the country and provides cheap and secure green energy to thousands of city homes.

A large-scale photo-voltaic project which could mean solar panels going up on thousands of roofs across Nottingham, and also create "green jobs".

A cutting-edge "Energy Park" in Bulwell where new businesses will be powered by food scraps, garden trimmings and wood waste from across the city.

Eradicating landfill by making recycling more efficient and picking out more materials than ever for reuse – including the leftover ash from the city's incinerator for road aggregate.

Deputy city council leader Councillor Graham Chapman insisted : "It is not just some great big idealised approach that we want to be green.

"There is money in waste and there is money in energy.

"The whole aim is to be green in order to provide green energy to make us competitive.

"We are already the most energy self sufficient city in the UK and we want to maintain that lead and increase it and compete with European cities."

Steph is joining us in West Bridgford

2010-05-29T18:29:00.006+01:00

A few weeks ago we received an email from Mike Payne who is a member of
Transition Bingham and is a Transition Trainer,informing us that Steph Bradley who has walked up from Totnes and is visiting Transition Initiatives along the leafy lanes of England is coming to Nottingham via Leicester and Loughbrough, arriving 27th or 28th May depending how quickly her flip flops take her.

She was looking for somewhere to stay so after contacting members of the Skills Exchange 4 people came up trumps. Thea offered her the newly decorated spare room, invited some friends and visited other Transition members so that Steph could get a feel for what sort of things we are doing. At the end of day one she managed to fit in a hotstone treatment from one of the skills exchange members. She should now be refreshed and ready for the next leg of her walk around the country.

It was lovely to meet her and look forward to reading her Transition tales.

Steph Bradley
Transition Tales Gatherer
transitiontales@googlemail.com
mobile 07885 471363
blog

West Bridgford Summer Gathering 2010

2010-05-17T10:17:00.004+01:00

This year the Summer Gathering was a great success with over 3000 visitors it has been the biggest gathering since its inception 4 years ago. The weather was perfect and both the visitors and stall holders seem to have had a great day.

Transition West Bridgford had a stall where Julie, Maureen, Anna and Diane manned The Greening Campaign the 'what next' display and used this opportunity to find out how the local residents wanted to proceed for the next phase of the Greening Campaign.

Members of the Skills Exchange came to help and promote Transition West Bridgford talking about the Eco House tour of the following day, The Skills Exchange and Transition in general. They did a fabulous job as the next day a few dozen people visited the local Eco Houses.

Thank you to all who helped out to make this day a success

West Bridgord Summer Gathering celebrating sustainable and community living

2010-05-15T21:43:00.002+01:00

So many stall holders and members of the West Bridgford community pulled out the stops to make this day memorable, because of them over 3000 visitors enjoyed this celebration of sustainable and community living and had a chance to experience the warmth and passion our local stall holders and entertainers displayed during this lovely day.

Some fond memories of this year's Summer Gathering
Enjoy!