TBH newsletter – March 2008

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News

• A program of talks is being put together to raise public awareness of peak oil, climate change and related issues. We aim to have twin talks, with a nationally renowned speaker and a local speaker on each event, talking about related issues. The first one will be on April 17, with Jeremy Legget, author of Half Gone and Jim Watson from Sussex University (see Upcoming Events below).

• Members of the TBH hub are currently presenting talks about Transition Towns to community groups – to North Laines earlier in February, with others arranged for the Clifton Montpelier and Powis Community Association and Hove Community group. (If you would like a talk given to your community group, please contact talks*at*transitionbrightonandhove.org.uk)

• Links have been established with Sussex University. Doly (from TBH hub) has given two brief talks as a participant of events organized by the Sussex Uni Environmental Society and the Environmental Action Network, and John (also TBH hub) has been in touch with students interested in doing Transition-related research.

• Chris and Stephen from the TBH hub were interviewed about TBH on Radio Reverb, Brighton's community radio station: once for the Vision Shack show on 14 Feb (you can hear the interview here, in two parts). The other interview was for the One World Community show and will be broadcast on Sat 1 Mar at 2pm (One World Community site)

• Transition Shoreham-by-Sea has so far been part of Transition Brighton & Hove but is soon to launch as an independent Transition Town. TSbyS have held their first public meeting, you can read the notes here
Contact shoreham*at*transitionbrightonandhove.org.uk for more details.

• All the Transition Interest Groups have had their first meetings and started discussing their main goals.

General requests for help

• TBH summer gathering: plans are currently in motion to hold a Transition Brighton & Hove event in Preston Park on 8th June from 11am-7pm. Our vision for the event is a coming together of Transitioners and other groups and people within the city (and beyond?) to share ideas, unify the network and celebrate all that we have achieved so far. This is a fantastic opportunity to present our vision of the transition process to the rest of Brighton and Hove. The event will likely include talks, stalls, hands-on workshops, other entertainments, food and music. We currently have a very small group of people co-ordinating this event so could really use any help that can be offered. Jobs that need doing include applying for funding, publicity and help with organising key aspects of the event. Please contact tbhfestival*at*transitionbrightonandhove.org.uk

Transition Interest Groups news and requests for help

The various Transition Interest Groups all hold meetings to which anyone is welcome – a link to contact details for all groups can be found at the bottom of this newsletter. The Transition Interest Groups are organising a programme of day schools for adults: Transition Free Schools. Each will include a variety of different activities such as participatory workshops, films, practical demonstrations, talks and discussions. Based on popular education principles which aim to increase participation and break down the hierarchy between educator and learner, involving participants as much as possible and allowing them to reach their own conclusions. All these events will be free (donations very welcome). Keep an eye on the website for dates of both meetings and free schools.

• Food group: The Food Group is planning its first free school event - a day focused on raising awareness about food issues and learning practical skills such as seed planting. There will be talks, a film screening, seed planting demonstrations, info about local produce, activities for kids and hopefully a break for a local communal lunch. We would very much welcome help planning and publicizing this event, which is taking place on Saturday the 12th of April. Please come along to our next meeting on Tue 11 March at 7:30pm upstairs at the Earth and Stars pub. Please contact Ann on 07729 126772 or food*at*transitionbrightonandhove.org.uk for more info or if you'd like to be added to the Food Group mailing list.

• Business & Economics group: the group is making good progress, with diverse and imaginative participants helping to shape its course. We've been educating ourselves, having a good debate, sharing dreams, hatching plans and having a laugh or two. We have been sketching out some kind of mission statement, describing our principles, purpose and aims and thinking about the best ways to use our time and skills. Anyone can join in, whatever your experience, by coming along to our meetings, adding your thoughts on our group's forum page - or by talking to Martin at business*at*transitionbrightonandhove.org.uk / 07891 571739. Contact him to join the group email list. Next meeting is on Monday 3 March 7-9pm, at Brighton Media Centre, Suite 4, 68 MIddle St, Brighton, followed by a drink at the Hop Poles pub, almost opposite. Forum page

• Buildings and Construction group: Nicola who was coordinating the Buildings group has had to step down from coordinating the group. If anyone is interested in taking up this role, whether from the existing Buildings group or otherwise, please contact hub*at*transitionbrightonandhove.org.uk

• Waste & Recycling group: the next meeting will be at 6.30pm on Tue 4 March, upstairs at the King & Queen pub, Old Steine. All welcome. More info: waste*at*transitionbrightonandhove.org.uk.

• Heart and Soul group: This is a new group that will soon be starting up. Many believe that transforming our world will mean a deep change of heart and mind, as the transition to sustainability goes far beyond the immediate practical tasks. Themes covered by the Heart and Soul group in Totnes include: understanding the psychology of the industrial growth society; reconnecting with nature; expressing how it feels to be alive and engaged at such an uncertain and critical time; creating community celebrations, and many many more. To get involved with this group and an invitation to the first meeting please contact heartandsoul*at*transitionbrightonandhove.org.uk

Neighbourhood groups

TBH Neighbourhood groups are gradually forming, often as part of existing community groups. If you are interested in starting a Transition neighbourhood group in your area, or you are already part of a community group and would like a member of TBH to come talk to your group about transition towns, please contact hub*at*transitionbrightonandhove.org.uk

• Roundhill and Triangle group: this neighborhood group encompasses the Roundhill and Triangle areas with a view to also including The Level. The group will be working independently but with strong links to the residents' associations in those areas. The first meeting will be at 7pm on Thu 13th March in The Roundhill pub on Ditchling Road. All welcome. For further details please contact roundhill_triangle*at*transitionbrightonandhove.org.uk

Upcoming events

For Upcoming Events see the main page of the website.

General information

Joining Transition Interest Groups (Food, Transport, Energy, etc): either sign up in the Usergroups on the forum – how to do this here – or contact the group coordinators directly, see here.

Forum: please remember to add your news, opinions and suggestions to the discussions on the forum – this is the place where ideas for projects and collaborations can begin.

Brighton & Hove Green organisations index: the TBH website has a updated directory of green Brighton organisations, including campaign groups, awareness-raising literature and training, local produce suppliers, transport alternatives and lots more.

Contact details: contact emails for all hub members and group coordinators are available here.