The Work that Reconnects – a one day workshop based on the work of Joanna Macy. 'Transforming depair and apathy into collaborative action'. Facilitated by Mike Grenville and Liz Turkel
Sunday 30th Nov, 9.00am - 5.30 pm. Brighton Buddhist Centre, 17 Tichborne St, Brighton BN1 1UR (map)
Places limited – book early to avoid disappointment. Call Ian 07815 906502 or email lawtonian*at*btinternet.com
Sliding scale of fees: Concession price £10-£20 (OAP, benefits, full-time students), waged salary <15k £20-£30, waged salary <£20k £30-£40, salary >£20K and those able to pay £40+. It is our intention that no-one be excluded for financial reasons.
BRING A SANDWICH TO EAT IN SILENCE IN THE WORKSPACE FOR LUNCH – THERE WILL BE NO KITCHEN FACILITIES. TEA AND COFFEE PROVIDED.
The Transition to a sustainable future requires us to learn to see in new ways and experience for ourselves the powers that are essential to the healing of our world.
The Work That Reconnects is a pioneering form of group work that began in the 1970s. It demonstrates our interconnectedness in the web of life and our authority to take action on its behalf. It has helped many thousands around the globe find insight, solidarity, and courage to act, despite rapidly worsening conditions. Based on systems theory, spiritual teachings, and deep ecology, its methods are described in Coming Back to Life, the book Joanna Macy wrote with Molly Young Brown. It resonates very strongly with the Transition Movement.
Eco-philosopher Joanna Macy, Ph.D., is a scholar of Buddhism, general systems theory, and deep ecology. A respected voice in movements for peace, justice, and ecology, she interweaves her scholarship with four decades of activism. She has created a ground-breaking theoretical framework for personal and social change, as well as a powerful workshop methodology for its application.
Many thousands of people around the world have participated in Joanna's workshops and trainings. Her work helps people transform despair and apathy, in the face of overwhelming social and ecological crises, into constructive, collaborative action. It brings a new way of seeing the world, as our larger living body, freeing us from the assumptions and attitudes that now threaten the continuity of life on Earth
Mike Grenville is co-founder of Transition Forest Row, editor of the Transition Network newsletter and organised the 2008 Transition Camp. He has worked with Joanna Macy at Findhorn, is a long standing meditation teacher, an environmental activist, writer and naked cyclist.
Liz Turkel has trained with Joanna Macy, is an actor, director, storyteller and clown. She leads workshops on ensemble process and creativity & teaches at Emerson College. She performs and teaches with Clowns Without Borders, awakening joy and laughter in areas of crisis around the world.
Workshop: The Work That Reconnects – Sun 30 November
Farmer's Market, George Street, Hove - Sat 29 November
The George Street Farmer's Market in Hove (map) takes place from 9am-2pm on the fourth Saturday of every month. Fresh and baked produce from around Sussex, organic meat and vegetables, goose eggs, Japanese vegetables grown in Lewes, seasonal fruit and more. More info here.
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Transition Cities Conference 2008, Nottingham – Thu 27-Fri 28 November
The 2008 Inaugural Transition Cities Conference, exploring the practicalities of powering down our cities, takes place on Thu 27 and Fri 28 November, in Nottingham Arena, Nottingham NG1 1LA. This event is a gathering of those who have been testing the Transition model in the cities, an Open Space conference to draw together and share ideas and insights, tools and techniques, exploring what works and what doesn’t in urban Transition. For more info and a booking form, see here.
Talk: Strawbale Houses by Barbara Jones – Thu 27 November
A talk by Barbara Jones of amazonails strawbale innovations. Straw bales are carbon neutral, super-insulating, and cheap. Learn about the cutting edge of natural building from the Grand Designs featured builder of 2007. Two sessions: 12.30pm to 2.30pm and 7 to 9pm. All welcome: architects, planners, self-builders and general public. Minimum suggested donation £5. Organised by Home Ecovillage Project with support from Brighton Permaculture Trust and GreenSpeak.
Further information:
http://villagejourney.ning.com/
07766 093015
TBH newsletter – November 2008
If you wish to receive this newsletter as an email each month, please register on the forum – this will put you on our mailing list. Or email the website requesting that you be added to the list.
The next TBH Forum meeting is at 7.30pm on Wed 26 November at The Werks, 45 Church Street, Hove (map). TBHForummeetings are always held on the last Wednesday of each month - EVERYONEis welcome! (If you are completely new to Transition Brighton &Hove we also recommend you check out the Interest Groups first). A representative from each interest group should attend to report on theirgroup's progress. Dates of TBH meetings can always be found on the main page of the website.
TBH is about helping people initiate their own transition projects, and providing help to others with their projects. This could just as well be something that's part of an existing organisation as something completely new – TBH simply aims to be a network of everyone in the city who has the same goal of energy resilience and reduction. If you have an energy-reducing project that you need help with, if you have a pie-in-the-sky dream and you want to throw ideas around with other people, please bring them along to one of our meetings, or advertise them here (by replying to this email), and it will go out in the next newsletter.News
TBH - Who are we and what the hell are we doing anyway? - Mon 24 Nov
At the last 'forum meeting' it became clear that there was wide differing opinion on how TBH should be working. This meeting is called to address some of the issues that came up. If you are active within TBH you are invited - nay urged - to come along and share your feelings and ideas. Were you once a part of TBH but have recently found your energy or enthusiasm flagging? Here is a space to air your feelings and raise your own questions with the group.
7.30pm at Barnard Centre, St John's Mount, Mount Pleasant, Brighton, BN2 0JP (map).
***follow-up meeting to be held on 8 December - Transition B&H: 'Building a Collective Vision in a Diverse Community' - see details in Upcoming Events below***
Transition Talk: Leaving Oil before it leaves Us - Thu 4 Dec
This talk should prove to be unmissable for all of us wondering about how we might proactively seek alternatives to our oil dependence, for the survival of our communities and businesses. Talk led by Simon Snowden of Liverpool University, leading advisor and researcher on the impact of oil/resource depletion on our economy. Click here for more info.
7pm-10pm. Brighthelm Centre, North Road, Brighton BN1 1YD (map). Tickets £3 at door
Green Drinks Revival
Moves are afoot to restart Green Drinks - a regular social evening, to be held in a pub, where eco-minded Brightonians (& Hove-ites) can chat, mingle, and network. If you'd like to see this up and running again, please get in touch with victoria.imelda*at*btinternet.com
Grow Your Neighbour's Own garden share scheme
The Grow Your Neighbour's Own scheme aims to pair up residents of B&H who don't have gardens but would like to grow their own food, with the many other residents who have gardens but aren't able to grow food,whether for time, knowledge or mobility reasons. The pilot scheme has now paired it's first garden owner with a gardener, who is getting beds ready for spring in a garden in Brunswick. A number of people have volunteered to help run the scheme proper, and we'll be ready to take the details of those wishing to participate in a couple of weeks.Details of how to sign up in next month's newsletter, and more info about the scheme's progress here.Transition Interest Groups
Each Transition Interest Group now has a webpage where you can find updates and details of events. (See the left hand column of the TBH homepage). The regular meeting days of particular groups are as follows – check the group's page for location:
Transport: 3rd Monday of the month
Waste & Recycling: 2nd Tuesday of the month
Energy: 2nd Tuesday of the month
Food: 3rd Tuesday of the month
Energy group workshop: 4th Tuesday of the month
Business & Economics: 2nd Wednesday of the month
Health: 3rd Wednesday of the month
Heart & Soul: 2nd Thursday of the month
Food group
The next meeting is on Tuesday 16 Dec, please check the TBH website for location.
Our rescheduled Breadmaking Day is set for Sat 6Dec, see upcoming events below.
The Transition allotment continues to develop. Why not burn some calories enjoying beautiful views over the sea and downs at the Whitehawk Community Food Project, on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month**.Directions can be found here.
**Please note that because the Breadmaking Day falls on the first Saturday of the month, the next workday will be Saturday the29 Nov instead. Work days will return to their regular days thereafter that**
We’re planning to do much more around raising awareness in 2009 (not forgetting the importance of having fun). If you want to keep up with the food group join the mail list by emailing food*at*transitionbrightonandhove.org.uk.
Energy group
The energy group have been active in several ongoing projects and discussion groups.
Keep up with the latest Energy Group news here
Business & Economics - 'Livelihoods 2020'
The last Business & Economics Group meeting was fun and very productive. We have changed our group name to Livelihoods2020, to better reflect our general focus: 'How will we work and meet our needs in coming years, and what would the community's vision for a healthy vibrant and post-carbon economy look like?' We are now generating some excitement and movement on several project areas, but we need your input. Can you help us make this journey interesting, successful and enriching? Come to our next meeting on Wed 10th December, Brighton Media Centre, Suite 4 68 Middle St, Brighton BN1 1AL, 6.30 - 8.00pm, or share your thoughts by phone, email or by contributing on the group webforum pages, which are updated regularly with relevant information and progress updates. Martin - business*at*transitionbrightonandhove.org.uk 07891 571739
Textiles
The Textiles group had a lot of success earlier this year with its Swap-o-rama-rama events... something that's since proving to be derigeur with swapshops popping up everywhere, from the BBC to charityswap events all-over the country. If your interested in spearheading the TBH group for people interested in making, repairing, updating, customizing, and swapping clothes please contact martin*at*greenspeak.org.uk to discuss in the first instance, but better still come along to a forum meeting.
Publicity group
We are launching a new Publication & Communications group, to gather and harness the talent in our community to help us get better at producing leaflets, posters, press releases or any other promotional material or tools. Do you have graphic design, web, cartoon, film, desktop publishing, editorial or communication skills or just opinions onthe subject? Can you help advise groups to make sure we are attracting and inspiring our audience? Contact martin*at*greenspeak.org.uk / 07891 571739.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.
Transition Library: there is a category on the forum when people can offer to lend, and borrow, books on transition-related subjects. If you have books on climate change, peak oil and other relevant subjects and think others will benefit from reading them, please offer to lend them out. Lending/borrowing arrangements at the top of the forum
Contact details: contact emails for all hub members and group coordinators are available here.
Notes from TBH Forum meeting – Wed 26 November
Notes by John Bristow
Present: 8 - John Kapp, Jim Adams, Ann Baldridge, Stephen Whitehead, Doly Garcia, William Learmonth, Jo Nean and John Bristow
Stephen and William were newcomers: Stephen is doing our newsletter and William is interested in joining the food group and linking us to the Global Dialogue in which Rob Hopkins takes part with George Monbiot, Noel Chomsky and others
We did not have enough people (following the special meeting 2 days before) to make decisions, but some proposals were made:
Structure and Use of Forum Meetings :
We need to look at how we use the Forum
Reporting back from work groups (Transition Interest Groups, Project Groups, Finance group, Neighbourhood Group Support network) needs to be addressing just key questions – What are we up to? What are our plans? What help or support or feedback do we need? The help sought could be about how we run work group meetings as well as projects and plans (e.g. two email lists – one for notes of meetings and the other for discussion). Big picture rather than details. Use an egg timer!
This could be in the last part of the meeting rather than the start.- otherwise it can dominate the meeting and take up too much time.
The finance group has met and has some proposals to present to the Forum.
The other part of the meeting would be key decisions that need to be made, with some opportunity for an open agenda.
It was suggested that work groups send proposals for key decisions for the Forum a week before the next meeting (last Wednesday of every month) by email to the person who has agreed to co-ordinate proposals that month (email forum*at*transitionbrightonandhove.org.uk - to be set up) who will collate them and send them out to all work group co-ordinators. We will then be more prepared to decide on our agenda at the start of the Forum meeting. We need to try this out and improve it as we go. The representatives from work groups would then go back with feedback from the Forum meeting to the work group. This encourages the two-way process between Forum and Work Group.
Most of us want to be able to make decisions by consensus where we need to have agreement, and the Forum or a Special meeting is where this can happen. We have then a two-level organisation in which everyone can be in both levels – rotating the role of work group representative and taking turns to be in the Forum (key principle). This helps with managing the polarity of group alignment and individual group initiatives, encourages shared ownership and responsibility for key decisions and activities, and above all builds and maintains trust and mutual respect. We need to agree how this will work though, as some of us feel that this will constrain groups taking initiative. How the Forum works with work groups in a two way process and how work groups connect with each other are key here. Most of us have past experiences or assumptions about organising that we bring with us and can follow these or be trying to do things differently.
Our key hot issue at the moment is about how decisions are made – in the Forum or a Special Meeting and by consensus (as far as possible) rather than one group being seen to be going off and doing their own thing in the name of TBH on something that is central to what we are about or affects us all. The living example of this is starting the EDRAP in June. It was agreed in a May 19th Hub meeting with two key members absent (Jo and Stephen) that we would do initial research and preparatory work. When our EDRAP project team co-ordinator (Doly) consulted the co-ordinators most did not reply and but two said they thought it too early. Doly went ahead with a meeting with experts to start the initial research and preparatory work. Others then felt excluded and that decisions were being made by a few individuals dominating a key activity, and assuming they knew how to go about it. Those taking this initiative felt the urgency of our situation, saw other groups in Brighton doing projects relevant to the EDRAP and felt that others were holding them back. Those feeling excluded and not wanting to start EDRAP continued not to be involved or turn up to subsequent meetings which have been open to all. We risk having a split in our group – but this crisis can be an opportunity to learn how to make decisions together, to restore trust and to respect and use our differences, especially when they involve principles dear to us.
Some proposals were made about this:
We need to show we understand each other’s perceptions, needs, motives and feelings
Acknowledge and learn from what has happened
Start again in creating together a plan of how to go about the EDRAP here in Brighton and Hove – a “process map” (We are not Kinsale or Totnes).and what to start when. Respect and use our differences creatively to find the best way forward.
Having agreed, to hold an Open Space for all who want to come on our aims, vision and EDRAP.
If we are to start it now – what are we starting when we have done so little engagement with the people of B &H, so few education workshops etc (being too busy?)? Can we start with just 50 or 60 of us – update our aims, create a first version of our vision for 2020, agree the aims and principles governing the EDRAP – and then spread this out involving other groups and people in our city? The EDRAP will be evolving, continuously updated. This make is possible to start with a few of us and then involve others as much and as quickly as we can. This links to increasing our awareness raising, engagement and educational activities – a key line of work that the Forum needs to keep an eye on. How much can we do with the people we have?
This links to another issue – talking with people in business and government (ie including them) but only working with people and organisations where their aims and values are sufficiently aligned with ours. This needs to be discussed after the decision making and EDRAP issues.
The EDRAP team want to make it an open, inclusive process, with each work group involved following an overall framework agreed in the Forum and with members of the EDRAP team meeting with work groups to clarify and agree with them how their aims, plans and projects fit in. Representatives from work groups can also attend EDRAP team meetings (the principle of overlapping membership).
How we run our Meetings: Work Groups and Forum
These basic principles carry across to all our meetings:
Rotating roles of co-ordinator, representative etc to encourage shared ownership. The co-ordinator may keep the role for a 6 month period to maintain some continuity.
Work group and Forum meeting will remain open for anyone to attend – though newcomers will be encouraged to go to an introductory evening as well.
Work out how to use email lists (e.g. meetings list, discussion list) and include those not on email.
Nest Steps on Decision Making and EDRAP and other Issues from November Special Meeting
We need to discuss this taking into account the proposals from this Forum meeting.
We have a meeting on 8th December on how to go about creating our vision. This may be an opportunity to include how we go about the EDRAP.
Party
Many of us want a Christmas party but we are still waiting for 2 or 3 people to organise it!
Next Forum Meeting
It won’t be the last Wednesday of December – Christmas eve. The last Wednesday in January – 28th January at the Werks, 7.30 – 9.30. We might need a special meeting before then to progress these issues.
Transition Brighton and Hove - Who are we and what the hell are we doing anyway? - Mon 24th Nov, 7:30pm
At the last 'forum meeting' it became clear that not everyone who is involved with TBH has the same ideas about how we should be working. A meeting is being called to address some of the issues that came up...
What is the role of TBH? * What exactly are our aims and priciples? * Do we share the same visions as one another? * Who is making decisions and how - and how can more people make them together? * Why are people dropping out, and why are some people reluctant to get involved at all? * Do businesses and the council make up part of the community, or only individual people? * Should we work with everyone in order to be inclusive, or are some businesses and institutions simply too corrupt? * Is it too early to start planning the EDRAP or is it better to get started on as much of it as possible?
If you are active within TBH you are invited - nay urged - to come along and share your feelings and ideas. Were you once a part of TBH but have recently found your energy or enthusiasm flagging? Here is a space to air your feelings and raise your own questions with the group.
Can't make the meeting? Add your thoughts to the discussion -->here<--
An attempt to gather together all those who are feeling a little lost, confused, disillusioned or out of touch with TBH and to create some real shared visions of what we can do and how to best go about achieving our aims.
Barnard Centre
St John's Mount
Mount Pleasant
Brighton BN2 0JP
Map.
Email heartandsoul(at)transitionbrightonandhove.org.uk with any questions.
Food group meeting – Tue 18 November
The next food group meeting is on Tue 18 November from 7:30-9:30 at Basement flat, 6 Park Crescent across from the Salvation Army Hall at the North end of the level (Shumaisa's house). Food group meetings always take place on the 3rd Tuesday of each month, 7:30-9:30pm. All welcome.
As ever, please bring a dish to share (veggie and vegan only please – cakes welcome!).
For more information, email Ann at food*at*transitionbrightonandhove.org.uk
Be The Change Symposium, Lewes – Sat 15 November
What is the change you wish to see in the world, and what can you do about it? The Be The Change Symposium gathers a community to address these and the following questions: where are we? how did we get here? what's emerging? where do we go from here? 10am–5pm at Pelham House, St Andrew's Lane, Lewes BN7 1UW (map). £25/15 including lunch.
For more information and booking form, download PDF, or contact Oliver van Heel on 07803 207100 or oliver.vanheel*at*livingvalues.co.uk.
Business & Economics - next meet Wed 12 Nov 08
6.30-8.00pm at Brighton Media Centre, Suite 4, 68 Middle St, Brighton (opp Hop Poles pub), followed by drinks after nearby.
With global turmoil leaving ordinary people wondering what will happen to their savings and pensions, whether they will still have a roof over their head in a year's time, food for the family, or money left to pay soaring heating bills, this group is trying to work with others to help us all get through this...and to imagine what life might be like in coming years beyond fossil fuels.
To see what this group stands for, see our introduction here
Do you think you could help make this inclusive, educational and successful, while putting the fun into fundamental change? Please come along, whatever your background, or if you can't make the meetings then add your suggestions to our forum page or by contacting Martin - 07891 571739 / business*AT*transitionbrightonandhove*DOT*org*DOTuk (join our mailing list). A diverse range of opinions is welcomed.
To see general discussion (please join in) see our forum pages here
Click here for notes from last meeting, suggestions for our agenda or direction and
general project suggestions and ideas
We will now be meeting on the second Wednesday of every month (10 Dec, 14 Jan).
What do you think?
How to Retrofit Your House: free event – Tue 11 November
Finding your way around all the green options for your home can be difficult and confusing.What would work for you? How cost-effective might ‘greening' be? Who can supply, or advise you? How much money could you save? Whatever type of house you live in, come along to a FREE evening. You will be able to get the help you need from local professionals, manufacturers and suppliers. Presented by the Low Carbon Trust. 6–8pm at the Thistle Hotel, Kings Road, Brighton (map)
Exhibition 6.00-8.00pm
Speakers and question time 6.30-8.00pm
The evening event is FREE entry - all are welcome. More info here.
Marie Harder inaugural lecture: 'Recycling the world one heart at a time' – Tue 11 November
Marie Harder, Professor of Sustainable Waste Management at the University of Brighton, delievers her inaugural lecture: 'Recycling the World One Heart at a Time: Science and technology involving the community'. 6.30pm on Tue 11 November at Lecture Theatre 1, Cockcroft Building, University of Brighton BN2 4GL (map).
For more information, see here, and if you would like to attend, please RSVP to events*at*brighton.ac.uk
Greenspeak: Credit Crunch & Climate Crisis - The Way Forward, Mon 10 Nov 08
A GREEN NEW DEAL
7.30 - 9.30pm £free/donation. At Calvary Church Hall (Map) 72 Viaduct Rd, Preston Circus, Brighton, BN1 4ND
Speakers
Caroline Lucas MEP Parliamentary candidate for Brighton Pavilion Ward and Leader of the Green Party, Ann Pettifor Campaign Director, Operation Noah and former head of Jubliee 2000 debt relief campaign, Larry Elliott Economics Editor, The Guardian, Colin Hines Co-Director, Finance For the Future Chaired by Councillor Bill Randall
[Not a Transition event]
This month's Greenspeak event is organised in association with Brighton & Hove Green Party and The Green New Deal Group (click here to see summary or download report from NEF website), which is a collaboration between leading thinkers, including all of this event's speakers.
The local and global economy is facing a combination of a credit-fuelled financial crisis, accelerating climate change and soaring energy prices underpinned by encroaching peak oil. The group, drawing inspiration from the tone of President Roosevelt’s comprehensive response to the Great Depression, propose a modernised version, a ‘Green New Deal’, joined up policies designed to power a renewables revolution, create thousands of green-collar jobs and rein in the distorting power of the finance sector while making more low-cost capital available for pressing priorities.
Bill Randall and Caroline Lucas are calling for Brighton to become a hub for ‘eco-businesses’ to create thousands of new jobs in the city. Dr Lucas says "We need a Green New Deal between government, business and ordinary families based on the ideas of ending our dependence on oil, cutting climate change emissions, creating thousands of new 'green' jobs and re-regulating the banking and fuel multi-nationals. Government should spend serious money helping those who need it most - the 37 per cent of central Brighton children living in poverty, for example, or the thousands of the frail and elderly facing a choice between heating their homes and eating nutritious food this winter - not the fat-cat bankers who got us in to the mess in the first place."
What do you think? See you there?
We regret that there will not be food & drinks available at this event and please note the change of venue. Contact us for mailing list - monthly announcements with community news, links and further reading. martin*AT*greenspeak*DOT*org*DOTuk / 07891 571739 or visit the Greenspeak website or Facebook Group
Brighton & Hove Farmers Market – Sun 2 November
The Brighton and Hove Farmer's Market (map) takes place from 9am-2pm on the first Sunday of every month, at Ralli Hall, Denmark Villas, round the corner from Hove station.
Organic seasonal fruit & veg, chilli peppers, flavoured vinegars, cakes, authentic curries made from local produce, freshly baked breads, fruit smoothies, sauces, mustards and relishes, honey and preserves, goats and sheep cheeses and locally made Parmesan etc. Enjoy sitting on the benches eating hot bajis drinking fair trade latte and taking in the unique atmosphere of one of the biggest markets in the South. Inside the Health Zone you will find free nutritional advice, hemp products, natural skin products plus head and back massages. More info here.
TBH Food group allotment workday – Sat 1 November
The next allotment work day will be Sat 1 November from 11-3 – allotment workdays are now on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month. If you have some spare time please do come up and help! No experience needed, and it’s a good opportunity to learn a little bit more about growing. The plot is right next to the Whitehawk Community Food Project (map). For more information contact Ann at food*at*transitionbrightonandhove.org.uk
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Meeting for the Energy Descent and Resilience Action Plan – Sat 1 November
The next meeting of the Energy Descent and Resilience Action Plan will be on Saturday 1st November, in The Werks, 45 Church Street, Hove. It will be a morning meeting, starting at 10:00 and ending at 1:00
The agenda for the meeting will be:
1. Introductions
2. Review of the output of the One Planet Living workshops (can be seen in
http://www.bioregional.com/programme_projects/opl_prog/uk/brightonopl/oplbrighton.htm) and of the comments of our interest groups about them
3. Review of the structure of the Plan. How does this input fit into the current skeleton, or do we need to change it?
4. Review of the current available data on Brighton & Hove's situation, and discussion of where we need to be by 2020.
5. How do we move forward?
