This is a new section of the newsletter, where readers can put forward their ideas for living a bit more sustainably - and to ask for people to get involved. If you are interested in getting involved, make contact and see where it leads! If you want to propose an idea for a future newsletter, please
email us.
Promoting local transport to walkers and tourists
What is the idea?
To promote exploring the Five Valleys and the local beautiful countryside by buses (and trains)
How would it work?
Research would be undertaken to establish what already is available, what, if anything, needs updating and what new routes need to be written. The outcome would be self – guided trail leaflets with photo’s that would be made available through SDC, local Tourist Information Centre and other local outlets. Volunteers will be needed to ‘recky’ routes, make detailed notes, take pictures and research features of interest. Funding could be sought from a range of public and private bodies. Also needed are graphic design skills. The project is expected to take 9 to 12 months
What should you do if interested?
Please email Paul Flinn or phone 07534 967425
Paul contributed to Green Walks Guide in east Cheshire and to SVP designated multi-landscape bus-walk
The Transition Streets programme
What is the idea?
Transition Streets was developed by the Transition Network to hepl neighbourhood save money, and cut energy use. We want to see how we can try this initiative out in Stroud.
We will get together as a group to go through the Transition Streets modules to see if they could be trialled in Stroud with our friends or neighbours. There are five modules that will help implement practical lifestyle changes: “Spending less on energyâ€; “Spend less on waterâ€; “Spend less/eat wellâ€; “Wasting away†and “Getting aroundâ€.
How would it work?
The group could meet about every 2-4 weeks for 2 hours, and people in the groups might take turns to host this at their home. We would each download the modules and after an initial meeting, go through a module each time we meet. We would review the quality of the materials with a view to seeing if/how they could piloted in Stroud.
What should you do if interested?
Have a look at the materials here.
If you are interested in coming to an initial meeting on the project please email Erik Wilkinson
The CO2 Game
What is the idea?
Organise a big game, open to everyone, where each action in favour of the environment or reducing your CO2 emissions gives you points. The aim is to win as many points as possible. Points could also be awarded for actions that raise money for a climate-change charity, or something similar
The game is on for a set period of time (a few months) during which tips are shared to help everyone get new ideas to save energy in daily life.
How does it work?
Example for points: 1 mile walked instead of driven = 10 points; £1 off your energy bill compared to previous year=1 point; …. all to be determined.
It can be organised for individual homes/families, or for teams. After a period of advertising there will be a general meeting to start the game, and at least one big meeting at the end to celebrate and reward winners. Possible intermediate meetings in teams or with everyone to share info and ideas and exchange on how it is going.
Rewards could be vouchers/products from local shops and companies.
What should you do if interested?
Rules need to be written and the whole thing to be organised. If you are interested to be part of it, email Laura. This idea links into the Transition Streets initiative above, and those modules will be a useful resource for ideas.
Gateway Gardening
What is the idea?
To develop a pop-up wheel barrow/handcart dislay on “How to sow/grow/care for plants for food†at community gateways such as schools, parks, health centres, supermarkets etc. The aim is to demonstrate and give information about simply growing chemical free food plants so that people can gain confidence to have a go.
How would it work?
We would gather together a wheel barrow, seeds, cuttings, pots/seed trays, water containers etc. - all of which might be sourced from the Stroud Freegle website or neighbours and friends for free. Between early Spring and Autumn of 2017 we would visit community gateways and offer information hand outs on topics such as seed sowing and collection, transplanting, watering, feeding, taking cuttings, harvesting and ways of storing and processing produce. The information hand outs are already available through previous work done in community teaching and experience in community supported agriculture. The project would also promote Transition Stroud and the Invitation Menu.
What should you do if interested?
I f you have the time and enthusiasm for this project then please email Yvonne Dignon
Living Without Plastic
What is the idea?
Plastic is a substance that the earth cannot digest. Recycling is now often referred to as ‘downcycling’ as plastic is not compostable. This has created an environmental disaster for our marine environment, the scale of which is becoming clear now through research studies and the media.
Our household has recently embarked on an experiment to see whether it is possible to shop, eat, clean, wash and clothe ourselves without creating any plastic waste. We want to see to what extent we can avoid buying any new plastic and to find alternatives, ideally locally sourced. Through our experiment we also wish to reduce the amount of curbside recycling we produce.
In order to share our experience and engage with like-minded people, I have started writing a blog and connected it to social media. The blog is like an informal and practical journal where I share what we do and what seems to work, where to get things, recipes, good research, practical guides and videos.
How would it work?
Through engaging with each other on the blog, we can spread awareness and information about plastic and offer practical alternatives. On a local level we can connect suppliers, makers and artisans who offer non-plastic alternatives with people who would like to buy and/or learn from them.
What should you do?
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Have a look at the blog and our facebook page and share your own ideas and experiences with us.
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Contact us if you have any advice or would like us to feature something on the blog.
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Adopt some of the ideas for your own life and let us know how it goes
Claudia Williams
Stroudwater Pedal - Trows
What is the idea?
To explore the idea of buying or making Pedalo’s for use on the Stroud canal. Pedalo’s are small human powered watercraft propelled by the action of pedals turning a paddle wheel. A two seated pedalo has two sets of pedals side by side, designed to be used together. The pedalo can be easily lifted in and out of the canal - encouraging people to get out on the water and explore the channel up to Brimscombe and down to Ebley and Eastington.
How would it work
Research would be undertaken on pedalos and their suitability for canals. After research there is the option of a stylish, propeller driven, prototype being built and displayed with a view to developing a manufacture and boat hire business. Alternatively funding could be sought to fund a pedalo.
What should you do if interested?
Please email Jim Pentney or phone 07870 293042 for a conversation.
Stroud in 2027
(and a look back on 10 years of Transition Stroud)
What is the idea?
A project that could form a report, book and/or online space, together with appealing visual summaries. As well as looking back via a 'scrapbook' of Transition Stroud achievements, visuals and interviews, the book would look forward to what it would mean to make Stroud sustainable and resilient over the next 10 years.
How would it work?
This would involve employing one or two people as editor(s), who would write, commission and collate the project. The 2017-2027 section might take the form of new research or provide a summary, update and collation of existing work by Transition Stroud (on the scope for local food and energy production, for instance), Local Authorities and other organisations. It would also involve assessing the role Stroud District could play in national plans, such as the Centre for Alternative Technology's Zero Carbon Britain report. Accompanying visual material could include mapping of Transition Stroud's and Partners' initiatives.
What should you do if interested?
Please email James Beecher or phone 07734 058789 for a conversation.
Transition Stroud Evening Class
What is the idea?
Transition Stroud's Film & Discussion events, accompanying Book Group, and SkillsGain workshops are some of the most well-received parts of our work. This idea is about formalising these events into something closer to an evening class - with a clear structure and aim, reading material and other handouts, and homework(!). An 'Introduction to Transition (Stroud)' course would cover theoretical and practical information on the topics Transition Stroud is working on - climate change, resources and energy, and alternative economics - with the aim of assisting people towards a shared understanding of essential context, and the approach of the Transition Network in general and Transition Stroud's work in particular. This would help us to build on the training of our 'Ambassadors'.
How would it work?
Locally, the Introduction to Permaculture Design course - which runs as a weekly series of evening classes together with special visits, has also been popular - including among those who support Transition Stroud. A small team would be required to put together a course outline along something like these lines, to produce teaching materials and plans for each of a series of classes, and to research potential guest speakers and/or visits.
What should you do if interested?
Please email James Beecher or phone 07734 058789 for a conversation.
