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Welcome to Transition Tavistock’s Newsletter: April 2014

1. Green Drinks – come and have a natter each month!

April Green Drinks – come and join our Green Drinks on Tuesday 8th April 2014 (19:30 till 21:30) at the Union Inn, King Street, Tavistock.

 2. New and improved Transition Tavistock website

We’ve got a fresh new website. We hope you like it! If you have any ideas or suggestions please let us know. It’s always challenging to keep it up to date. If you’d like to help us please get in touch.

We’re also very pleased to have your stories, ideas, links etc. to add to the site. Email: transitiontavistock@gmail.com.

Many thanks to West Country Websites for their help and support!

If you’d like to help out with editing let us know.

3. Transition Tavistock AGM 2014

Moving forward into 2014/2015 was our theme for this year’s AGM held at the Tavistock Enterprise Hub on Thursday evening, the 27th February at 7.30 pm.

The formal stuff was duly reported upon (see website for details). Two committee members stood down and we have an additional three members.

The 2014 Committee:

Coordinator          Kate Royston

Treasurer              Mike Dennis

Secretary              Tim Barnard

Other                     Graham Reed

Al Head

We would like to thank Rebecca Garland and Mozza Brewer for their hard work.

Rebecca has been our Secretary for the last couple of years and has made a huge difference to the organisation. They will both be sorely missed as Committee Members but they plan to stay involved with the organisation.

The evening was well attended and provided a welcome opportunity to run through our various activities from the past year and … importantly our plans going forward.

A highlight was the short talk from Joddy Chapman, from South Brent Community Energy Society, of their journey to seek and secure planning permission, raise over £430,000 from the community via a community share offer, and secure and install a 225kw wind turbine. This is now generating electricity and returns into a Community Fund which will contribute to improving the energy efficiency of S. Brent’s community buildings.

The time lapse slides of the wind turbine’s erection were fascinating. Thanks Joddy!

There was an interesting discussion around transport. Al Head asked us to remember how valuable the bus services are in Tavistock and how much better the town is now served with the additional service to Plymouth. We will endeavour to promote these more often.

There was also discussion about the potential reintroduction of a rail service from Plymouth to Exeter via Bere Alston, Tavistock and Okehampton. Serious consideration is being given to this as an alternative and supporting route to Dawlish. It was suggested that there should be an opportunity for wider discussion on the pros and cons of rail services in Tavistock. Peter Evans offered to help facilitate this.

We presented our work in the areas of food and energy in particular (see section 5 below) and welcomed the discussion. Community composting was a topic that came up. If anyone is interested in doing anything locally let us know.

We received positive feedback that it was helpful to have the chance to understand more about what we’re doing! The presentation is available on the website if you’d like to have a look.

Thanks also to Rachel from Tamar Grow Local/Tamar Valley Food Hubs; and to the Tavistock Enterprise Hub for hosting and for their continued support.

4. Energy Savers Events – Open Homes and Eco Fair

We ran on Open Homes weekend on the 18th and 19th January. Fifteen householders across the area threw open their doors for others to see what measures they had taken to conserve energy and reduce their usage. Information on all the homes is available on the website.

The Eco Fair was held on Saturday 25th January at Tavistock College. We were supported by 20 exhibitors as well as our own local initiatives … and attracted over 200 visitors. Feedback from both exhibitors and visitors has been very positive. We’ll be taking careful note of your advice on how to make our next Eco Fair even better.

We’ve just heard that we’ve been awarded some funding to run our next Open Homes and Eco Fair in September 2014. Further details next month.

5.  Horrabridge Energy Savers

A series of free workshops will run in Horrabridge during April and May to give information and support on lowering your energy bills while making your home warmer and more comfortable to live in.  300 homes in the village have received an invitation to the workshops, which will be held in the Village Hall and Horrabridge Community Primary School.The four workshops will cover topics ranging from energy saving behaviours, DIY draught-proofing and insulation, and treatment of traditional buildings.

Horrabridge Energy Savers will focus on free or inexpensive ways to tackle energy use at home and will be delivered by trained volunteers from Transition Tavistock (a local community organisation).  Don’t worry if your house isn’t selected to take part initially – it is hoped to expand the project to cover other parts of the village later in the year.Workshops coming up in the next weekHorrabridge residents have a chance to undertake a self-assessment of their homes to see how energy efficient they are, and what steps could be taken to improve them. These could include no cost and low cost measures.Come along to a free event at Horrabridge Primary School on Monday 7th April at 18:30 or Saturday 12th April at 10:00 to find out more. Trained local volunteers from Transition Tavistock will be available to help.   On Thursday evening (10th April, 18:00, Horrabridge Village Hall) and Saturday afternoon (12th April, 13:00, Horrabridge Primary School) there will be a number of specialist sessions. Are you living in an older more traditionally built property? Join us at 18:00 on Thursday or 13:00 on Saturday and learn more about making your older home more energy efficient. Have you ever considered external wall insulation or would you like to know more about it? Come and hear Jack Penfound from Greenhus explain the options at 19:15 on Thursday or 14:15 on Saturday. Jack’s a great speaker and is sure to entertain as well as inform! Would you like to know more about the range of options for renewable energy in the home? We’ll be looking at solar, wind, wood, heat pumps and hydro in a domestic setting at 20:30 on Thursday and 15:30 on Saturday. Refreshments and cake will be available. We’re organising a drawing competition for children on Saturday 12th if you want to bring them with you. For more information come and talk to us at the Horrabridge Village Market on Saturday morning (5th April) at the Youth Club, call Kate on 07969-569-444, email Horrabridge.es@transitiontavistock.org.uk  or check out www.transitiontavistock.org.uk.

6.  Food and Energy Group News

We continue to make good progress with a number of different projects and initiatives including Roots to Transition, Horrabridge Energy Savers and setting up the Energy Cooperative.

The date of our general food and energy meeting is to be confirmed. If you’re not on the circulation list for this group and would like to learn more, please contact Kate at info@transitiontavistock.org.uk.

Food and Growing Initiatives

Roots to Transition  

With the cooperation of Tavistock Town Council, we are transforming the Rose Walk into a fine example of a Potager (that’s the intention anyway!)Latest progress …The polytunnel is on its way … but has been delayed.We’ve had to distribute our seeds for propagation far and wide …We are hoping that Tavistock ladies Gardening Club can help us out with the flower seeds   The vegetable seeds are being looked after by three of our group. If you have any space and could host some of our seeds / seedlings please get in touch (Sue). The fruit trees are in and most of the herb plants. We’re about to do our second dig of the wider bed on the right hand side if you’re looking towards the canal. The bindweed is still struggling for survival!

We’re waiting to hear if we have some funding from Devon Co.Co’s locality budget to help with the cost and provide some compost bins.

If you’re walking past and like what you see do let us know.

Volunteers are also welcome … if you’d like to help with this transformational project do get in touch … please contact Sue Hepworth.:

Garden Share Scheme

We’d like to breathe new life into the Garden Share scheme this Spring and are looking for additional coordinators.

If you have a few minutes to spend each week and enjoy meeting and talking to people … get in touch … we need to add some additional people to our Garden Share scheme to help identify potential garden owners and gardeners …and match them up.And please let us know if you have a garden to share with others or would you love to grow your own fruit and veg, but need some space.Email: info@transitiontavistock.org.uk

Energy Initiatives

Tavistock Renewable Energy Network (TREN)/ Tamar and Tavistock Energy Network/ Tamar Energy Community

Substantial progress has been made over the past couple of weeks and we hope to have the energy coop legally constituted by the end of April 2014.

We’ll have more news next month of how you can get involved. In the meantime if democratising energy for local people rather than for the Big 6 energy companies is important to you and/or you have specialised knowledge, or you could provide help on the legal side, communications, finances, events, renewable energy, educational and skills development etc. please get in touch. We’d love to have you on board as we embark further on this journey.

Naming our Energy Co-op

After much deliberation we think that Tamar Energy Communityis a name that is dynamic and describes what we’re trying to achieve. Let us know what you think.

South West Devon Community Energy Partnership (SWD CEP)

Our key focus remains on developing ways to help householders in particular reduce the amount of power and heat needed in their homes.

Our Energy Savers programme (also known as Community Action for Retrofit Delivery) is rolling out across Horrabridge (Transition Tavistock), Harbertonford (Transition Town Totnes), South Brent (Sustainable South Brent), Newton and Noss (Newton and Noss Environment Group) and Moretonhampstead/Cheriton Bishop (Moretonhampstead Development Trust).

See above (Horrabridge Energy Savers) for details of the workshops.

If you’d like to help support this programme and be a local Energy Champion do get in touch.

7.  The Old House Eco Course – A fantastic opportunity!

The Old House Eco Course presented by Marianne Suhr and Roger Hunt, with the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings is taking place on Saturday 10th May (9.30am – 5.30pm) at Dartmoor National Park, Parke, Bovey Tracey,The course describes how to make your home – whether it is medieval and timber-framed, Georgian, Victorian or Edwardian, detached or terrace – energy efficient and low carbon without devaluing the future sustainability or character of the building.Compatibility between traditional buildings and modern technologies and materials can be mistakenly ignored. The course will explain how to avoid potential problems and will consider an holistic approach to retrofitting, while presenting a background to the latest building science with practical advice and examples of best practice.   This event is aimed primarily at homeowners with period properties (pre-1919), and professionals wishing to advise them. Priority will be given to those with buildings on Dartmoor and the adjoining market towns/villages until 7th April, after which bookings will be open to all. Further details can be found at www.dartmoor.gov.uk/spabcourse  or https://www.transitiontavistock.org.uk/events/the-old-house-eco-course-a-fantastic-opportunity/. There will also be an event on Friday 9th May. This is more technical and aimed predominantly at building/energy specialists and will include the results of SPABs recent research into the performance of retrofit measures on some historic properties, with a condensed version of the Old House Eco Course in the afternoon. This event is by invitation only. If this is of interest to you contact Kate Royston at kate.royston@robbeesmole.com.

8.  Renewable Energy Marketplace – Tues 8th April

1 week to go until Renewable Energy Marketplace 8 April10-4, Westpoint, Exeter 8 AprilA RegenSW event.Click here to download the full show guide (low-res)   A printed copy of the 84 page guide to the show, the exhibitors and installing renewable technologies is included in your ticket. www.renewableenergymarketplace.co.uk Attend exhibition and talks for only £15 + VAT  BOOK HERE Attend the leading conference with individual session prices starting at £45 +VAT BOOK HERE Everything you need to know about renewable energy, energy efficiency measures and generation. •              Meet over 100 installers and suppliers showcasing the latest products •              Attend conference covering latest on FiT, RHI, CfDs, Planning, Grid, and more •              Hear directly from DECC roadshow on the domestic RHI •              Test drive & view Green Cars including BMW, Tesla and Toyota •              Find out the best ways to reduce energy costs •              See live demonstrations of installations and technologies •              Learn how to engage your community in energy issues BOOK ONLINE or call 01392 494399

9.  Inner Transition

If you’re interested in participating in an Inner Transition group could you contact Al Head .

The purpose of the group would be to support its members and other people active in the transition movement, and to provide opportunities for ourselves and others, to explore and to experience inner processes that lead to outer change. The ‘outer’ work that is being done in Tavistock is going really well, but to bring more people on board, and to really envision the future we want to create, Al thinks it is important that we take time to look at the inner things that can block and restrict our capacities to see what is happening in the world, and to work to change things.

10. Tavistock College – Solar School

Tavistock College’s SOLAR SCHOOL’s campaign was launched on Thursday 23rd January. There was a focus on renewable energy during the day’s curriculum and the school concourse was buzzing with activity through the lunch break. The cycled powered smoothie maker was a great hit, along with the yellow cakes and wrist bands.There will be a programme of events throughout the year to raise the £20,000 target for solar PV panels to help power the school’s activities and help reduce fuel bills.The logo’s been designed by students as part of a competition!

The campaign is supported by 10:10 who provide marketing materials and the fundraising website.Contribute £5 (or more) and buy a ‘virtual’ tile from www.solarschools.org.uk/tavistockcollegeand help the College towards its target and a reduction of its energy costs. You can even customise your tile with your own message!Fund raising events in the pipeline include:PTA Fashion Show –  26th AprilCar boot sale – Sunday 18th May (tbc)Evening walk – Friday 20th June (tbc)   Quiz at Halfway House – 13th July Music night at the Wharf – date tbc Other ideas include an athletics meet and a duck race as well as other student activities. A poster to promote the events can be downloaded here. If you have any ideas or would like to help get in touch with Linda Coe (l.coe@tavistockcollege.devon.sch.uk). An important part of the campaign will be a drive to increase energy awareness and a reduction in energy use across the College. This is being supported by Tavistock College’s participation in the Dartmoor Schoolsinitiative funded by the Dartmoor Sustainable Development Fund. This is bringing expertise from Okehampton College (said to be one of the college leaders in energy efficiency in Europe –  and DARE (Devon Action for Renewable Energy) to support staff and students efforts to reduce energy use.

11. Tavistock and District – Local Economic Blueprint

We gave a presentation of our planned work to develop a Local Economic Blueprint to the Business Breakfast at the Bedford Hotel, on Thursday 23rd January. There was a lot of interest, particularly in the importance of the local multiplier effect i.e. if you spend money in a local independent business it is much more likely to be re-spent on multiple occasions on local goods and services (£10 can yield £50+) than if you spend money with businesses from outside the area (e.g. regional and national multiples) (£10 may only yield £12.50). The blueprint exercise will help us better understand how we can convert those essential costs (food, drink, energy for powering and heating our homes) we all have to make into more local benefit including jobs.

We have applied for funding to help us progress this work and are waiting to hear if we’re successful.

If you’d like to help or know of any organisations who might like to contribute please call Kate 07969-569-444).

Totnes undertook a similar exercise in 2012/13 (http://www.transitiontowntotnes.org/groups/reconomybusinessnetwork/economic-blueprint/) and are supporting our work.

12. News from Tavistock: Chamber of Commerce, Tavistock Enterprise Hub, and the Town Team

Tavistock Chamber of Commerce

There are a couple of new members to the Tavistock Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee – voted in at the AGM in February 2014.

• Louise Jackman from TJ’s & LJ’s Fish and Chips is now the Vice Chair
• Terence Kelly from Whitchurch PO & Stores is the Secretary

The Chamber is working with Tavistock BID and others, including Transition Tavistock Roots to Transition team to ensure a spectacular Tavistock in Bloom for 2014.

Tavistock Enterprise Hub

The Hub is under new management as Adam Fleet decided to take a step back.

If you need some space for a meeting, a hot desk from time to time … or even a permanent desk or office check out http://tavistockenterprisehub.co.uk/. If you haven’t had a chance to see it get in touch with the team and drop by for a coffee (hub@tavistockenterprisehub.co.uk).

Tavistock Town Team

The Town Team is continuing its work. Current initiatives include looking at options for ongoing support of Tavistock Totally Locally. This could be via a Town Shop which could incorporate an Energy Shop and advice centre. If you have any thoughts on this get in touch (info@transitiontavistock.org.uk).

13. Tavistock Car Club

Unfortunately usage of our Eco-Car was too low to maintain the vehicle and its telematics system and it is now being used in Totnes as part of their car club.

There are alternative, lower cost options which could be explored using Moor Car (http://www.moorcar.co.uk.

If you’re interested in looking at alternative options and are prepared to be part of a working group and an initial user base please let us know (info@transitiontavistock.org.uk).

We would like to thank Tavistock Town Council, West Devon Borough Council and the Tavistock Enterprise Hub for their help and support during the Car Club’s year of operation.

14. Tamar Grow Local and Tamar Valley Food Hub

Tamar Grow Local’s AGM in February 2014 was well attended and a good opportunity to catch up with latest developments.

Tamar Valley Food Hubs (http://www.tamarvalleyfoodhubs.org.uk/)

The Tamar Valley Food Hub is an exciting new way to shop for local and seasonal food and drink. To find out more check out the website.

Friday collection points have been expanded:

2.30 – 3.00 The Quaker’s Meeting House Tavistock

3.30 – 5.30 Bere Alston Post Office

3.45 – 4.30 Tamar Grow Local HQ Unit 7-9 Pannier Market Callington

3.30 – 4.00 The Bread & Roses Ebrington Street Plymouth

4.15 – 4.45 Devonport Guildhall Bakery Plymouth

4.45 – 5.15 The Tamar Valley Centre Albaston

5.11 Calstock Train Staiton

5.24 Gunnislake Train Station

Home delivery is also available (http://www.tamarvalleyfoodhubs.org.uk/delivery.html).

And remember … orders need to be in by midnight on a Tuesday!

Sign up to Twitter for the latest news on produce available each week: @tamarfoodhubs

15. The Valley Newsletter Out Now

The latest issue of The Valley newsletter was published in February 2014 and is available to collect from public outlets throughout the Tamar Valley.

The Valley contains news, progress on projects and information on how to get involved and enjoy the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Pick up your free copy from local outlets in and around the Tamar Valley, including the Tamar Valley Centre at Drakewalls, near Gunnislake, or view your copy online at www.tamarvalley.org.uk. It’s a great read!

Suggestions for future articles, or new outlets you think might like to receive our newsletter, is always greatly appreciated. Also, if you are interested in advertising in the summer issue, please do get in touch – Charlotte Dancer, Information & Communications Officer for the AONB team – 01822 835030, cdancer@tamarvalley.org.uk

For latest events across the Valley check out: http://www.tamarvalley.org.uk/explore/events/.

16. Tavistock Townscape Heritage project

Work continues to progress the application for the next stage of funding to the Heritage Lottery Fund for the renovations of the Guildhall.

More details next month.

17. Dartmoor Electric Bicycles on Facebook

One of Dartmoor Electric Bike’s New Year’s resolutions was to get more active with social media, so we are working to get our Facebook page up and running. If you are on Facebook, would you please do us a favour and Like our page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dartmoor-Electric-Bicycles/517036745043905

… and maybe even Share it with your Friends on Facebook. This page will have all the latest news of our activities. If you go there now, you’ll find out about one of the rides we’re planning for the spring — by which time it WILL have stopped raining!

Dartmoor Electric Bikes is a project jointly hosted by:

www.highdart.co.uk

www.dartmoorwalksthisway.co.uk

Inga Page 07914184220

Rebecca Giraud 07795999754

You can follow us on Twitter @highdart and/or on Facebook

18. Skills Share

There continues to be full and interesting programme of Skills Share offered from Totnes (http://www.transitiontowntotnes.org/groups/skillshares/).

If anyone would like to coordinate a Tamar based skills share … or has a skills share opportunity please get in touch – info@transitiontavistock.org.uk.

19. The Third Annual ISSR Sustainability Research Event 2014

Friday 2 May 2014 | 09:30 – 15:30 | Roland Levinsky Building, Plymouth UniversityBook now! www.surveymonkey.com/s/ISSRevent2014CHALLENGE ACCEPTED! CREATING SOLUTIONS FOR HORIZON 2020

Are you interested in finding out what’s new in sustainability at Plymouth University?

Would you like to find out about funding opportunities and hear an update about the

European funding stream Horizon 2020?

Would you like to hear from external partners about their sustainability activity and how universities can help?

Are you keen to develop links and partnerships with other researchers and external partners on sustainability to allow for future collaboration?

If we are going to experience more extreme weather, how prepared are we and what could the impacts mean for residents and local businesses?

The 2013 event was eye opening to see the extent of work being done at Plymouth University and the linkages with other stakeholders across the South West and beyond.

Not to be missed!

For more information seehttp://www1.plymouth.ac.uk/research/issr/Pages/The-Third-Annual-ISSR-Sustainability-Research-Event-2014.aspx

20. Edible Perennial Gardening: Growing Successful Polycultures in Small Spaces by Anni Kelsey

Do you dream of a low maintenance perennial garden? One that is full to the brim of perennial vegetables that you don’t have to keep replanting, but only have a small space?Do you struggle with too little time for gardening or controlling the pests and diseases that eat your crops? Do you want to grow unusual vegetable varieties? You can do all of this with Edible Perennial Gardening. Anni Kelsey has meticulously researched the little known subject of edible perennials and selected her favourite, tasty varieties. She explains how to source and propagate different vegetables, which plants work well together in a polycultures, and what you can plant in small, shady or semi-shady beds as well as in sunny areas. It includes:• Getting started and basic principles• Permaculture, forest gardening and natural farming• Growing in polycultures• How to chose suitable leafy greens, onions, roots, tubers and herbs   • Site selection and preparation • Building fertility

• Low maintenance management strategies

If you long for a forest garden but simply don’t have the space for tree crops, or want to grow a low maintenance edible polyculture, this book will explain everything you need to know to get started on a new gardening adventure that will provide you with beauty, food for your household and save you money.

For more details: http://permanentpublications.co.uk/port/edible-perennial-gardening-by-anni-kelsey/

21. Christine Lagarde: A New Multilateralism for the 21st Century

Christine Lagarde, the first woman to head the International Monetary Fund, delivered the 2014 Richard Dimbleby Lecture. Charismatic and plain speaking, Lagarde explained her thinking on the challenges facing the global economy.

Highly recommended, enlightening and thought provoking.

You can read the transcript here: https://www.imf.org/external/np/speeches/2014/020314.htm

22. Local news and links

Check out www.tavistock.2day.ws for Tavistock’s Umbrella Local Events Calendar and links to local organisations.

23. Forthcoming Dates

April 2014           Green Drinks                                       Tues April 8thFood and Energy Group                    tbc – see website

May 2014Green Drinks                                       Tues May 13thFood and Energy Group                    tbc – see websiteTavistock Garden Festival                25th and 26th

24. And Finally …

Your newsletter editor is leaving the Transition Tavistock committee to concentrate on other projects – all good wishes to the future editor, whoever he or she may be!  Best wishes to all from Rebecca Garland.

www.TransitionTavistock.org.uk info@transitiontavistock.org.uk Tel: 07969-569-444

@TransitionTaviTransition Tavistock

December 2013

1. Green Drinks – come and have a natter each month!

January Green Drinks – come and join our Green Drinks on Tuesday 14th January 2014 (19:30 till 21:30) at our new venue the Union Inn, King Street, Tavistock.
2. Transition Tavistock AGM 2014
The Annual General Meeting will take place on Thursday 27th February 2014 (this is later than last year due to other events earlier in the month). Venue to be confirmed next month, but please put this date in your diaries. The committee will be looking for a secretary – main duties are to compile the newsletter and take notes at the very occasional committee meeting. If you would like to be considered for this position, please contact us via the usual email address (end of newsletter).
We would also be delighted to further strengthen the committee with new members. Let us know if you’re interested.
Do you have a particular theme you’d like us to explore at the AGM? We’ve been considering ‘Peak Soil’ as a topic (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03cmt4t).
3. Energy Savers Events
Energy Savers at Home
Open Homes Weekend – Sat and Sun 17 and 18th

Various householders across Tavistock and its villages will be opening their doors … to explain how they’ve made their homes more energy efficient and/or are generating their own!
Homes will include new build, older property renovations, renewable energy and biomass installations …and more!
Sat and Sun 18th and 19th January (10:00 to 16:00).
If you’d like to see a number of different homes … and have someone else do the driving … sign up for the bus tours available both days.
For details of homes to visit and their opening times see www.transitiontavistock.org.uk. For questions contact Kate Royston ( 07969-569-444).

Energy Savers Eco Fair at Tavistock College
Saturday 25th January – 10:00 to 16:00
Come along and chat to local businesses and organisations specialised in making our homes more energy efficient and renewable energy installers and experts. Exhibitors will include: New Generation Energy, Devon Action for Renewable Energy, Mike Wye and Associates and Green Hus.
There will be a number of talks, demonstrations and workshops through the day including ‘Getting to grips with your energy bill and heating controls’, ‘DIY draught busting and secondary glazing’, ‘Treatment of listed and historic buildings’, Micro renewables’, ‘Getting through planning’ and from Mike Wye: ‘Applying thermal render for retrofit’.
Children are welcome. There will be an energy awareness and activity corner to keep them occupied!
We will also be celebrating the launch of Tavistock College’s Solar Schools campaign.
Refreshments will be available and we look forward to seeing you there.
For details of exhibitors and the programme for the day go to www.transitiontavistock.org.uk. For questions contact Kate Royston (; 07969-569-444).
4. Tavistock Car Club
Don’t just keep thinking about joining the car club, just go to the website (www.e-cocars.co.uk) and sign up! …

Do you own a car?
Is it parked a lot of the time?
Costing you more than you’d like?
All good reasons to join a car club, and best yet – it can save you money!
A car when you need it. All tax, insurance, repairs etc. paid.
For drivers aged at least 20. No upper age limit.
£3.95 an hour and 15p per mile petrol.
Special weekend rate – £20 per day*

The car – a Toyota Aygo – is parked in the Bedford car park within easy reach of the town centre and the bus station..
Tavistock car club is operated by e-cocars.com.
Once you join, you can book a car for as little as 1 hour or for a couple of days.
Reserve online or by phone.
Collect and return 24/7 using your E-cocars smartcard.

To join#, or for more information go to www.e-cocars.com or phone John on 01822-618960 to find out more!

*for a weekend booking (midnight on or Saturday to 11:59pm the next day) excluding mileage.
# £25 membership fee – special December offer – membership free waived for next 3 members to sign up
5. Food and Energy Group News
The Food and Energy group have had a busy couple of months. We’ve had Community Energy Advisor training and we’ve been working with the Energy Savings Trust to develop our Energy Savers programmes (Open Homes/Eco Fair) and Community Action for Retrofit Delivery.
Progress continues with our community growing project, the woodlands group have had a visit and the Energy Co-operative formation is progressing!

The date of our next meeting is to be confirmed. If you’re not on the circulation list for this group and would like to learn more, please contact Kate.

Food and Growing Initiatives
Roots to Transition

We have finally got our teeth into a Tavistock garden project! Several months ago, with the cooperation of Tavistock Town Council, we started on the transformation of the Rose Walk into a fine example of a Potager (that’s the intention anyway!)
We have had some invaluable help from the Devon Drug Service especially Nick who is there whatever the weather every Thursday using his RHS training to lick it into shape. We continue to have tremendous support from a core of people who have been responsible for the rapid finishing of stage one.

Stage one was the digging of the overgrown beds and removal of bindweed, brambles and unwanted shrubs. Included in that was the uncovering of the little shed, a lick of paint and now Mr McGregor would be proud of it!

Stage two hopefully will see us with a few specimen espaliered apple trees to train against the tennis court fencing, some herbs to underplant said trees and, hopefully, a greenhouse so that we can grow on our seeds to fill the beds next spring. Our idea is to start a small area with trees that hopefully will produce apples in 2014 so that folks will get a good impression of what the rest could look like in years to come.

If you’d like to get involved or can provide any support please contact Sue Hepworth.:

Garden Share Scheme
Do you have a garden to share with others or would you love to grow your own fruit and veg, but need some space? If the answer is yes, our Garden Share Scheme may be just the ticket. Do get in touch (transitiontavistock@gmail.com).

Energy Initiatives
Tavistock Renewable Energy Network (TREN)
We’ve had our initial meeting with an advisor from the Cooperative Enterprise Hub. Our application for further support has now been accepted and we’re looking forward to moving to the next stage in January or February.
If you’d like to be one of the founder members and help shape a local energy future for Tavistock – if democratising energy for local people rather than for the Big 6 energy companies is important to you and/or you have specialised knowledge, or you could provide help on the legal side, communications, finances, events, renewable energy, educational and skills development etc. please get in touch. We’d love to have you on board as we embark further on this journey.
Come and find at more about it at the Energy Savers Eco Fair at Tavistock College – 25th January.
Naming our Energy Co-op
We still need to confirm the name for the Energy Co-operative. One of the leading suggestions is Tamar/Tavi Energy Network –TEN. Let us know if you have any ideas or suggestions.

South West Devon Community Energy Partnership (SWD CEP)
Our key focus remains on developing ways to help householders in particular reduce the amount of power and heat needed in their homes.
A number of us have participated in Community Energy Advisor training from CSE in Bristol. It was an extremely useful day.
A series of workshops are being developed (funded by Dartmoor Sustainable Development Fund) which we can deliver locally. These should be ready towards the end of January. They’ll be included as part of the programme at the Energy Savers Eco Fair on Saturday January 25th.
With funding support from the Energy Savings Trust we are also kicking off a project with five communities across West Devon, S. Hams and Dartmoor National Park to raise energy awareness, encourage households to undertake an energy self-assessment, participate in the practical workshops where these are of interest, and consider what measures could be implemented to reduce their bills. The workshops will include:
– Energy Saving Behaviours
– Understanding your energy bills and heating controls
– DIY Draught Busting and secondary glazing
– DIY Loft Insulation, hot cylinder and pipes lagging
– Lighting
– Treatment of listed and historic buildings
In West Devon we are looking forward to working with residents in Horrabridge, and we’ll be getting in touch with local groups and residents in January. If you’d like to help support this programme and be a local Energy Champion do get in touch.

6. Tavistock College – Solar School
The date of the Tavistock College Solar School campaign launch has now been announced – Thursday 23th January. A programme of events and fundraising activities for the day and the rest of the academic year is being organised.
The steering group, led by College Governor Nigel Larcombe-Williams includes students, staff, governors, parents and local organisations (including Transition Tavistock), will help drive the campaign to its target of £25,000.
Assistance will also be provided by the 10:10 Solar Schools campaign (http://www.solarschools.org.uk/), and everyone is looking forward to working with the local community to raise the funds to raise money to install solar panels to help power the college!!

An important part of the campaign will be a drive to increase energy awareness and a reduction in energy use across the College. This is being supported by Tavistock College’s participation in the Dartmoor Schools initiative funded by the Dartmoor Sustainable Development Fund. This is bringing expertise from Okehampton College (said to be one of the college leaders in energy efficiency in Europe – and DARE (Devon Action for Renewable Energy) to support staff and students efforts to reduce energy use.
7. Tavistock Christmas Tree Festival 2013
The annual Christmas Tree Festival run by the Friends of St. Eustachius was bigger and better than ever and attracted visitors from far and wide.
Our theme this year was Energy Saving … demonstrated by decorations with energy sxaving messages – and a chance to pedal away to light the second set of LED lights.
We have also developed an Energy Saving Top Ten Tips leaflet which you can download from Sunday (22nd Dec) at www.transitiontavistock.org.uk /Our Energy. For example:
Careful in the kitchen
You can save over £55 a year just by being careful how you use your kitchen appliances e.g.
• Set your washing machine to wash at 30o
• Use a bowl to wash up – rather than leave the hot tap running
• Don’t fill your kettle up every time – just boil the amount of water you need

8. Inner Transition – from Al Head
I would like to restart the inner transition group, which has fizzled out over the last few months after a promising start last year. The purpose of the group would be to support its members and other people active in the transition movement, and to provide opportunities for ourselves and others, to explore and to experience inner processes that lead to outer change. The ‘outer’ work that is being done in Tavistock is going really well, but to bring more people on board, and to really envision the future we want to create, I think it is important that we take time to look at the inner things that can block and restrict our capacities to see what is happening in the world, and to work to change things.

My latest idea is to have a small group that meets regularly to support each other and to plan larger activities, maybe one every couple of months, that would be open to the larger transition group, and the public, and would cover a range of ‘inner’ things.

If you are interested in this, please contact Al on 01822 XXXXXX

9. Tamar Grow Local and Tamar Valley Food Hub
Local markets for your diary:
Tamar Grow Local (http://tamargrowlocal.org/local-markets)
Crocadon Christmas Market, Sat 21st Dec: Our last market date for the year will be at Crocadon on the 21st December. Pop along and see us for Christmas hampers, great foody stocking fillers, local veg and the first of the daffs! 2014 dates to follow on in the new year!
If you would like to supply our mixed produce stall or have a stall of your own at these events, please contact rachaelforster@tamargrowlocal.org for further details.

Tamar Grow Local have won a number of awards recently. More on this next month!

Tamar Valley Food Hubs (http://www.tamarvalleyfoodhubs.org.uk/)
The Tamar Valley Food Hub is an exciting new way to shop for local and seasonal food and drink. To find out more check out the website.
And remember … orders need to be in by midnight on a Tuesday!
Sign up to Twitter for the latest news on produce available each week: @tamarfoodhubs

10. Tavistock and District – Local Economic Blueprint
Our project to develop a Local Economic Blueprint will be launching at the end of January. We’ll be presenting at the Business Breakfast, Bedford Hotel, on Thursday 23rd January – 07:30 if you want to come along.
What is It?
• An executable roadmap identifying how the economy of Tavistock and District can be protected and enhanced
• Building on its unique strengths and skills
o Focused on key sectors for development
• Demonstrating, through evidence based research, the worth to be gained through:
o developing more demand for local products and services
o delivered by local independent businesses
o using a supply chain closer to home
Check out the work Totnes have done: (http://www.transitiontowntotnes.org/groups/reconomybusinessnetwork/economic-blueprint/). They are mentoring us through the process.

11. News from Tavistock: Chamber of Commerce, Tavistock Enterprise Hub, Town Team, Totally Locally and Meadows Makeover

Tavistock Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber have developed a new information pack for prospective new members with support from Tim Roberts at Fat Calf Media. See http://www.tavichamber.co.uk/join/intro to join.
Chamber members were pleased that Dickensian evening went well again this year.

A number of Chamber members also braved a walk across hot coals in a very windy Bedford Square last night – 20th December – to raise money for ROC. The Fire Walk was sponsored by Tavistock Pannier Market

Tavistock Enterprise Hub
The six new offices are now finished at the Hub and the first users have moved in. The first floor space has been transformed and is now even more inviting!

If you need some space for a meeting, a hot desk from time to time … or even a permanent desk or office check out http://tavistockenterprisehub.co.uk/. If you haven’t had a chance to see it get in touch with Adam Fleet and drop by for a coffee (adam@tavistockenterprisehub.co.uk).

Tavistock Town Team
Tavistock Car Club has benefitted from a small grant from the Town Team to help with promotion. A grant will also support the launch of the Tavistock and District Local Economic Blueprint.
A number of options are currently under discussion for a Town Shop to being together the Tourist Information Centre, Totally Locally and an Energy Shop. If you have any thoughts on this, or would like to help us develop the business case, please get in touch

12. A Local Initiative: The Rucksack Project
Please Support The Rucksack Project in Tavistock!
The Rucksack Project is a grass-roots movement born out of a simple idea to help those sleeping rough on the streets during the freezing winter months.

Local heart-warming people at The Adventure Centre have taken on the organisation of this event locally. This is the kind of thing you can organise in your lunch hour or with a look through your cupboards at the weekend.

Donate: Rucksacks / Sleeping Bags / Hats / Gloves / Socks / Fleeces / Boxer Shorts / Flasks / Tinned Soup (ring pull) / Spoons / Anything else you think would be useful!
The Adventure Centre will be collecting over the Christmas period and into January. If possible please bring your items to The Adventure Centre, Parkwood Rd, Tavistock (Next door to Kelly College) during office hours. We are closed for Christmas 21st Dec – 1st Jan. Keep your ears to the ground about a supermarket collection in the near future as well…

Helpful Facebook links:
https://www.facebook.com/events/454036071368171
https://www.facebook.com/rucksackproject
13. Community Orchard
New for 2014 !
NATIONAL TRUST LYDFORD GORGE COMMUNITY ORCHARD
Keep fit, learn new skills and make all the cider you can drink! Work days will include: tree pruning, wildflower meadow management, apple day and caring for your apple trees.
For full details email the heading community orchard to stuart.mathieson@nationaltrust.org.uk
14. Crowds flock to Tavistock Townscape Exhibition
More than 150 people visited a two day exhibition in Tavistock’s Pannier Market to find out more about a £2 million project to rejuvenate the historic heart of the town.
The event on Dickensian Evening (Friday, November 29) and Saturday, November 30 was a chance to bring residents up to date on the progress of the Tavistock Townscape Heritage Initiative.
Visitors were able to find out more about the project including plans to re-roof the Pannier Market and Butcher’s Hall along with renovation for the Guildhall and Foulston’s House – among many other proposals.
The exhibition saw the launch of a consultation on revisions to Tavistock’s Character Appraisal and Management Plan.
John Taylor, Chairman of the Tavistock Townscape Heritage Partnership, said: I’m delighted so many people took the time to come along to the exhibition.
“We really want to hear the views of local people and find out what they think of our proposals which could give Tavistock’s historic heart a new lease of life.”

Residents were also able to view a series of artist’s impressions showing the options being considered to improve Tavistock’s public open spaces and key town centre streets.
These include the possible redesign of the space outside the Guildhall and at Bank Square along with the pedestrianisation of the lower half of Market Street.

Mayor of Tavistock, Cllr Harry Smith, said: “The proposals for Tavistock’s public spaces generated the most interest and comment.
“People care passionately about the look of our historic town and their views will prove helpful in finding the best possible option.”

The Tavistock Townscape Heritage Partnership includes West Devon Borough Council, Tavistock Town Council, Devon County Council, community organisations and local businesses.
The aim is to use Heritage Lottery Fund investment to transform the commercial heart of the town addressing the needs of local businesses, owners of historical properties and the local community.

The Townscape exhibition continues at Tavistock Library on Plymouth Road until January 17 when the consultation closes.

You can also have your say online with an online questionnaire available at: https://www.westdevon.gov.uk/article/5517/Tavistock-Townscape-Heritage-Initiative-Survey. There are a number of supporting documents at the same link.

15. Meadows Makeover

Meadows Makeover is a grassroots community campaign working with Tavistock Town Council to improve the provision of children’s play equipment in the Meadows.

Totally Locally and Transition Tavistock supported a table top sale in the Methodist Church at the end of November.
For more information see https://www.facebook.com/groups/687145217967044/?fref=ts.
The next event is coming up on Monday.

16. Devon Waste Plan
Devon Waste Plan: Pre-submission Consultation will be available for you to view and comment on between the following dates:

Start date: 02/12/13 09:00
End date: 24/02/14 17:00

Please select the following link to view this event:

http://devoncc-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/devon_waste_plan

17. Devon and Cornwall Food Association – an introduction
The Devon and Cornwall Food Association is a charitable organisation run by volunteers with one part-time member of staff and an apprentice working in Plymouth, hubs in Plymouth and Exeter and a new hub in development in Cornwall. Our aim is simple: to stop good quality, in date, edible food from going to waste and to make sure it is given to those who need it most.

DCFA ensures that usable, in-date food does not go to landfill or incineration but is shared within the locality, thus reducing CO2 emissions, saving vital landfill space and ensuring that those in need within our communities can access healthy food and improve their lifestyles. We endeavour to obtain surplus, short-date or end-of-line stocks – food that would otherwise be destroyed. This alleviates Food Poverty and Food Waste and saves suppliers Landfill Tax too!

We are not a Foodbank and seek to source food from Producers and Manufacturers, as well as some Retailers; re-distributing it only through community organisations and local charities (such as Foodbanks, Community Centres and Housing Projects) across Cornwall and Devon.

Having been operating in Plymouth for over 3 years, we are now also working from our depot at 171 Sidwell Street in Exeter and are able to collect or deliver free food to other organisations. A new ‘hub’ is also being developed in Cornwall.

Here are some recent headlines:
• To date DCFA has redistributed over 100 tonnes of food, saving over £185,000 in doing so and reducing the impact on the environment by over 45 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
• We temporarily store ambient, chilled and frozen foods in crates and more than a dozen fridges and freezers at 171 Sidwell Street in Exeter. Plymouth’s hub, which is based at The Ship in Stonehouse, operates a similar ‘store and sort’ facility.
• In Exeter we have twelve volunteers who collect and distribute food from this base to community organisations in Exeter and across Devon. Exeter’s hub works with 19 regular suppliers who provide us with excess food including soups, fish cakes, pastries and fresh fruit, as well as occasional personal donations. Plymouth’s suppliers include local fishmongers as well as those helping with seasonal donations.
• In Exeter we distribute food to 20 recipient groups such as Soup Kitchens, Homelessness projects, Foodbanks, Hospices, Community Centres, Schools and Hostels. Plymouth’s hub works with over 40 community organisations.
• Since Spring 2013 Exeter’s hub has rescued over 5,000 cubic litres of food saving in excess of £12,000 to local charities and several tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions
• We do not operate as a food bank supplying food directly to individuals
• Our ‘supplies’ cover the basics such as pasta, milk and tinned goods but, occasionally we have treats too…such as biscuits, turkeys and even pheasants !

Spare Food is Share Food!
http://www.devonandcornwallfoodassociation.org/
18. Future Learn
A few people have flagged up to us the new Future Learn initiative from the Open University: ‘At FutureLearn, we want to inspire learning for life. We offer a diverse selection of free, high quality online courses from some of the world’s leading universities and other outstanding cultural institutions.’

Peter Brown and Mozza Brewer have alerted us to Exeter University’s first course: Climate change: challenges and solutions. This course looks as though it could be excellent. It aims to explain the science of climate change, the risks it poses and the solutions available to reduce those risks. Starting on 13th January, it will need about 3 hours’ work a week
Peter says, ” I suspect deniers may not wish learning facts that might risk toppling them out of their comfort zone, but it might be worth encouraging any you know to join in.”
Here’s the link: http://www.exeter.ac.uk/climatechangecourse/?utm_source=exeter.ac.uk&utm_medium=billboard&utm_campaign=CCC

The University of Nottingham are offering: Sustainability, society and you. ‘Join us for an introduction to the major global issue of sustainability and discover how you can have a real impact on our future’. This curse gets underway on January 6th: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/sustainability-society-and-you.
19. A Seasonal Message from Martyn Goss of the Diocese of Exeter
Thanks to Mike Dennis for sending this.
We might like to think we are environmentally friendly but what does it mean when we say we are ‘green’? In reality we probably mean different things which can be seen as a spectrum of colour… So what might this mean if applied to thinking about a low carbon Christmas?
Being Light Green is what might be termed acting in enlightened self-interest by taking small actions that are generally beneficial. For instance, changing to energy efficient light bulbs, turning down the thermostat or heating valves, recycling, wildlife conservation, saving water all help to reduce impact on the environment in small ways. But they are also an advantage to us by cutting our costs and feeling we are doing our bit. In effect these are all necessary but not sufficient if we are going to really reverse the ecological damage humans are causing.
So a light green Christmas might be when wrapping paper is recycled and a turkey bought from a local farm.
Mid-Green goes slightly further by making us question our convenient lifestyles. So we may take the bus or train rather than drive. We give away our unwanted goods, we rescue food from going to waste, we switch to renewable energy supplies, we buy locally, or we change our diets. All such activities are again laudable and effective, and they begin to inconvenience us. Our comfort is challenged!
A mid-green Christmas could be marked by replanting the Christmas tree and walking to church…
If we are Deep-Green, we begin to think and act much more radically. This really begins to reverse our destructiveness and reduce our footprints. For example, we choose not to travel at all but refrain from making all but necessary journeys except on foot. We sacrifice air travel or purchasing energy-consuming equipment. We re-think how we spend and save money (in local Credit Unions or in community shops). We reassess our values and show a deeper respect for all non-human life, as well as for others.
If you want to be deep green at Christmas, you might eat a nut roast and share only home-made or ethically-sourced gifts, including Fairtrade products.
Finally, we can strive to become Rainbow people. These are those who live more hopefully and more alternatively. Sharing rather than competing – homes, gardens, cars, time. Becoming more gracious and grateful and recognising boundaries such as limits to personal acquisitiveness. Re-connecting with the Earth, with one another, and with God. Setting our goals and living now with future generations in mind and rediscovering personal relationships and friendships that transcend both nations and generations.
No television, no plastic decorations and maybe you share your food with neighbours or a food poverty project if you celebrate a Rainbow Christmas-tide. You give away that which you don’t need.
To some extent these colours may be caricatures but there is a big difference in tweaking our lives and transforming them. Maybe we all should become chameleons starting with a light hue of green and progressing to that rainbow which is the symbol of living together forever.
So what colour will your Christmas be?
20. Local news and links
Check out www.tavistock.2day.ws for Tavistock’s Umbrella Local Events Calendar and links to local organisations.
21. Forthcoming Dates
January 2014 
Green Drinks Tuesday January 14th – Union Inn, Tavistock
Food and Energy Group tbc – see website
Energy Savers Open Homes Sat and Sun 18th/19th January
Energy Savers Eco Fair Sat 25th Jan (10:00-16:00 – Tavistock College)
Solar Schools Launch Thu. 23rd Jan, Tavistock College. See website for details …

February 2014
Green Drinks Tuesday February 11th – Union Inn, Tavistock
Food and Energy Group tbc – see website
AGM February 27th
22. And Finally …

A Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our readers!

www.TransitionTavistock.org.uk
transitiontavistock@gmail.com
Tel: 01822-835819

@TransitionTavi
Transition Tavistock

Welcome to Transition Tavistock’s Newsletter
October 2013

1. Green Drinks – come and have a natter each month!

November Green Drinks – come and join our Green Drinks on Tuesday 12th November (19:30 till 21:30) at our new venue the Union Inn, King Street, Tavistock.

2. @TransitionTavi
Our Twitter address is @TransitionTavi if you’d like to follow us.
Many thanks to Bryonie for setting this up for us. We wish her all the very best as she recovers from a car accident in Derriford.

3. Food and Energy Group News
The Food and Energy group met on the 17th October at Tavistock Enterprise Hub … with one member joining in via Skype video which worked really well.
The Community Garden is taking off, we have a fledgling Woodlands Group, and the Energy Co-op has taken another step forward.
The date of our next meeting is to be confirmed. If you’re not on the circulation list for this group and would like to learn more, please contact Kate.

Food and Growing Initiatives
Roots to Transition
You should soon be able to see some activity along the rose walk in the Meadows as our community growing partnership with Tavistock Town Council and local volunteers kicks into action.
If you’d like to get involved in managing the Rose Walk and its flowerbeds, and breathing new life into the garden areas between the canal and the tennis courts please let us know. You can contact Sue Hepworth.:

Garden Share Scheme
Do you have a garden to share with others or would you love to grow your own fruit and veg, but need some space.? If the answer is yes, our Garden Share Scheme may be just the ticket. Do get in touch (transitiontavistock@gmail.com).

Energy Initiatives
Tavistock Renewable Energy Network (TREN)
Our application to the Co-operative Enterprise Hub has been accepted and we should be meeting with an advisor in the first week of November.
If you’d like to be one of the founder members and help shape a local energy future for Tavistock – if democratising energy for local people rather than for the Big 6 energy companies is important to you and/or you have specialised knowledge, or you could provide help on the legal side, communications, finances, events, renewable energy, educational and skills development etc. please get in touch. We’d love to have you on board as we embark further on this journey.
Naming our Energy Co-op
The forerunner at the moment seems to be Tamar/Tavi Energy Network –TEN.
Let us know if you have any ideas or suggestions.

South West Devon Community Energy Partnership (SWD CEP)
With rising energy bills SWD CEP’s key focus at the moment is on retrofit – helping householders in particular reduce the amount of power and heat needed in their homes.
We’ve been awarded some money from the Dartmoor Sustainable Development Fund (DSDF) to develop and deliver a number of workshops locally which will include:
– Energy Saving Behaviours
– How to read your meter
– Draught Busting
– DIY secondary glazing
– DIY Loft Insulation (Skills sharing)
– Hot cylinder and pipes lagging
– Lighting
– Heating Controls
– Treatment of listed and historic buildings

We’ll be starting to roll out the workshops in Q1, 2014
If you’d like to help support this programme and be a local Energy Champion do get in touch. We’ll be providing training in return for supporting your community. If this is of interest call or email – kate.royston (07969-569-444)
4. Open Homes and Eco Fair – Jan / Feb 2014
We’ll be hosting an Open Homes weekend followed by an Eco Fair at the end of January/ beginning of February.
If you have installed energy saving measures in your home … and are prepared to share these with others … to help them do the same … please get in touch.
The Eco Fair will be an opportunity to talk to local installers and providers and get local advice on energy saving and energy generation. If you’d like to exhibit please also get in touch.
Call or email – kate.royston (07969-569-444)
5. Tavistock Christmas Tree Festival 2013
The annual Christmas Tree Festival will be held by the Friends of St Eustachius’ from 29th November to the 8th December 2013.
We’ll be promoting energy saving measure in the home. If you’d like to help us prepare the tree please call or email – kate.royston (07969-569-444).

6. Inner Transition
For details of Inner Transition, contact Al

7. Tavistock Community Day
Tavistock Community Day was very well attended this year. We had a lot of visitors and the rain largely held off until the end when we had a downpour. Held on the first Saturday in September it’s a great chance to learn more about local community organisations.

8. Tavistock Woodlands Group
The first meeting of the Tavistock Woodlands Group was held on the 1st October. Its bringing together people who’d like to get more involved in looking after a community supported woodland – helping improve biodiversity; learning more about the species; and/or preparing your own fire wood or pea sticks etc.?
Adrian Hepworth is co-ordinating the group, and is in the process of arranging a site visit to a local wood we may be able to help manage.
If you’d like to learn more or get involved contact Adrian Hepworth:
9. Tavistock Car Club
Don’t just keep thinking about joining the car club, just go to the website (www.e-cocars.co.uk) and sign up!
Want to avoid the cost and hassle of ownership? Only have a car when you need one …
Try …Tavistock Car Club
A shared car for members parked in Guildhall carpark
Book online … or via your smart phone. £3.95 per hour, 15p per mile
Want to know more? Want to see the car?
Give John a call on 01822-XXXXXX or visit www.e-cocars.com

10. Tavistock and District – Local Economic Blueprint
Our project to develop a Local Economic Blueprint is continuing to take shape – and we should have more news next month. Check out the work Totnes have done: (http://www.transitiontowntotnes.org/groups/reconomybusinessnetwork/economic-blueprint/). They are mentoring us through the process.

What is It?
• An executable roadmap identifying how the economy of Tavistock and District can be protected and enhanced
• Building on its unique strengths and skills
o Focused on key sectors for development
• Demonstrating, through evidence based research, the worth to be gained through:
o developing more demand for local products and services
o delivered by local independent businesses
o using a supply chain closer to home
If you’d like to be involved or be kept in touch call or email – kate.royston(07969-569-444).

11. Tavistock College – Solar School
Tavistock College is now a Solar School and work is underway to set up the fundraising web site and arrange a programme of events.
The College is looking forward to working with the community, with the help of the 10:10 Solar Schools campaign, to raise money to install solar panels to help power the college!!
http://www.solarschools.org.uk/.
The Steering Group is being led by College Governor Nigel Larcombe-Williams. If you have any ideas or would like to provide support contact transitiontavistock@gmail.com and we’ll put you in touch.

The College is also participating in the Dartmoor Schools initiative funded by the Dartmoor Sustainable Development Fund, bringing expertise from Okehampton College and DARE (Devon Action for Renewable Energy) to support staff and students efforts to reduce energy use.

12. Tamar Grow Local and Tamar Valley Food Hub

Local markets for your diary:
Tamar Grow Local (http://tamargrowlocal.org/local-markets)
October
26th Tamar Trails Open Day
December
15th Harrowbarrow & Metherell Christmas Fair

If you would like to supply our mixed produce stall or have a stall of your own at these events, please contact rachaelforster@tamargrowlocal.org for further details.

Tamar Valley Food Hubs (http://www.tamarvalleyfoodhubs.org.uk/)
The Tamar Valley Food Hub is an exciting new way to shop for local and seasonal food and drink. To find out more check out the website.
And remember … orders need to be in by midnight on a Tuesday!

13. Another chance to help shape Tavistock’s Townscape
People are being given another chance to get involved with a project which aims to give a facelift to the public open spaces in the historic heart of Tavistock.
It follows the success of the first Tavistock Townscape Heritage Partnership (THP) workshop held last month at the Town Hall.

A second workshop takes place on Wednesday, November 6 between 2pm and 5pm at the Parish Centre next to the Bedford Hotel in Plymouth Road.

In April this year, the Tavistock THP, which includes West Devon Borough Council, Tavistock Town Council, Devon County Council, community organisations and local businesses, won an initial Heritage Lottery Grant of £36,000 to kick-start the project.
The scheme aims to transform the commercial heart of Tavistock to help address the needs of local businesses, owners of historic properties and the local community in and around the town centre.
It includes public spaces such as Bank Square, Guildhall Square and the area round the Pannier Market.
The first workshop was aimed at gathering as many views as possible about what Tavistock’s streets, pavements and squares should look like with a particular focus on ideas for improving such spaces.

Workshop hosts, LDA-design of Exeter, have developed some of the ideas generated and hope to build on them at the next event.
Sophie Thompson from LDA said: “The aim of this second workshop is to recap on the key findings from the September event and then to discuss the emerging vision and preliminary design options for priority locations such as Guildhall Square, Bank Square and the area around the Pannier Market.”

The results will be used to help prepare a second stage lottery bid on behalf of the Tavistock Townscape Heritage Partnership.
If successful, the second bid will unlock another grant taking the total Lottery funding to a £1million with hopes of a further £1million from investment by local organizations and businesses by 2019.

Workshop places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
To book a place at the workshop or have your say if you are unable to attend, contact Christopher Pancheri : christopher.pancheri@tavistock.gov.uk.

14. News from Tavistock Town Council, Chamber of Commerce, Tavistock Enterprise Hub and Tavistock Town Team

Tavistock Chamber of Commerce
In October we were joined by Simon Chamberlain -0 the new chairman of the Dartmoor Partnership. Simon emphasised the importance of Tavistock and District as a gateway into Dartmoor and the need for us all to work together to support the Partnership (http://www.dartmoor.co.uk/).

Tavistock Enterprise Hub
At Tavistock Enterprise Hub they are busy converting some of the open space into six individual offices to support the growing demand.
If you need some space for a meeting, a hot desk from time to time … or even a permanent desk or office check out http://tavistockenterprisehub.co.uk/. If you haven’t had a chance to see it get in touch with Adam Fleet and drop by for a coffee (adam@tavistockenterprisehub.co.uk).

Tavistock Town Team
The Town Team are in the process of allocating funds to projects which can benefit the Town Centre. These include the Ambassadors programme, Totally Locally, The Local Economic Blueprint and a small contribution to support the Car Club.

15. Tavistock a pilot for Devon CCs Locality Lead Project
DCC is piloting their Locality Lead Project in 4 communities in Devon: Tavistock, Okehampton, Totnes and Cullumpton. The primary function of the role is to appoint a senior manager within Devon County Council to work alongside local partners; voluntary, statutory and community, as well as, DCC colleagues to identify opportunities for more creative and innovative partnership working and service delivery. DCC are considering these roles as development opportunities both for the individuals appointed and for the organisation as a whole. A key aim will be to develop a stronger understanding of what communities want and how we can work together. The roles will be responsive to local circumstances and as such are likely to have different emphasis in different towns, but a commonality across all four appointments will be that these officers will look for opportunities to deliver services and manage assets in a different way.

The Locality Lead for Tavistock is Simon Kitchen who is the Head of Strategy, Policy and Organisational Change. Simon was appointed in early September and will fulfil this work alongside his existing responsibilities. Simon will be supported by Sonia Burgess.
Simon is currently meeting with local partners to discuss the role and beginning to scope the best way of working in the town.
Contact Sonia Burgess sonia.burgess@devon.gov.uk for more information.

16. Totally Locally Tavistock
The Totally Locally Tavistock volunteers will be working with local traders to roll out a campaign in the run up to Christmas.
Tavistock is the latest of many towns across the UK to take up the Totally Locally campaign. This free initiative supports Tavistock’s traders to show the value of local shopping and its benefits for the local economy (http://www.totallylocallytavistock.co.uk/).

17. Meadows Makeover
Meadows Makeover is a grassroots community campaign working with Tavistock Town Council to improve the provision of children’s play equipment in the Meadows.
Following a successful event recently in Bedford Square a second fund raiser is being held at Tavistock Methodist Church on 30th November 2013 (10:00 to 14:00). There will be lots of stalls and things to entertain the children. Totally Locally and Transition Tavistock will also be there to support the event.
For more information see https://www.facebook.com/groups/687145217967044/?fref=ts.
18. Half-Term Events
Half-term is coming up – here’s a selection of local events that may interest you!

This season’s Tamar Trail Festival, offering over 30 activities & events throughout the Tamar Valley, will run from Saturday 26th October – Thursday 31st October. Places are filling up fast on many events. Make sure you book onto your favourites soon, to avoid disappointment. More details at http://www.tamarvalley.org.uk.
Wild About Woods offers great free, family activities across green spaces in Plymouth. See separate flyer for more details.
There’s also a Blue Sound Beach Ranger half-term programme at Devil’s Point and Kinterbury Creek. Explore local beaches and estuaries and discover the amazing marine world surrounding the city! Come along at 11am to 3pm and get involved with Beach Rangers for FREE!
Wednesday 30th October: An early Seashore Safari and afternoon Beach Clean and Beach Art at Devil’s Point Beach (Firestone Bay). Thursday 31st October: Join us in Kinterbury Creek (Mudcott) for a day enjoying and learning more about nature.
If you have any questions call 07943 241928 or email rebhou@mba.ac.uk. Find out more and join our facebook group on www.bluesound.org.

And finally, see the Woodland Trust website at www.woodlandtrust.org.uk for more good ideas for getting out of doors at half-term.
19. Tamar Valley AONB Draft Plan Consultation
The Tamar Valley AONB team invites you to share your thoughts & ideas, as we move towards the next 5 years in conserving & enhancing this special landscape.

Meet the team at one of the following venues

Saturday 26th October, 9am – 12noon
Tavistock Library

Saturday 2nd November, 9am – 12noon
Stoke Climsland Village Market, The Old School

Saturday 9th November, 12:30pm – 5pm
The Long Gallery Café Bar, St Germans

Saturday 16th November, 9am – 12noon
Tamar Valley Centre, Drakewalls, nr Gunnislake

Sunday 24th November, 8am – 12:30pm
Bere Ferrers Parish Hall foyer, Bere Alston

Hard copies of the Plan will also be available to view from 19th October – 15th December at parish/town councils, One Stop Shops and libraries throughout the Tamar Valley.

Let us know what you think about the Draft Plan for your chance to win one of 2 great prizes – Basket of Local Produce from Tamar Grow Local (worth over £35), or a Cream Tea for 4 at the National Trust’s Cotehele.
20. Shale Gas Fracking
Transition Plymouth are interested in booking Paul Mobbs for a workshop/talk about shale gas. Even though it is not a local issue for us in the South West, since there has been talk of some transition initiatives coming out in support of it, we thought it was important to hear from an expert in the field.
Have a look at Paul’s web site here: http://www.fraw.org.uk/mei/musings/2013/20130725-behind_every_picture_lies_a_story.html
Paul is doing a tour just now and details of it are here: http://www.fraw.org.uk/2013tour/index.shtml#programme
If anyone is interested in helping to share expenses which are fairly modest, i.e., “…costs of train travel plus a ‘donation’ (commensurate with the economic well-being of those attending the meeting).” please let us know, and/or pass it on to anyone else who may be interested, as we’d like to get things moving.
Pat Bushell for Transition Plymouth plymouthtransition@nature-mail.com
21. Setting Up a Community Garden
The Federation of City Farms & Community Gardens (FCFCG) is holding a specialist ‘Setting up a Community Garden’ training course, which will be delivered one day a week over four weeks from November 6th 2013 at Tamar Valley Centre, near Gunnislake (PL18 9FE). If you want the confidence to set up a thriving new community growing project – or are involved in setting up or managing an existing community growing space and need more training – then this new course is for you! You can book a single day or any combination of days, or book for the whole course.
The course will be delivered as part of the Lottery-funded Growing Food and Composting Project (a partnership between Cornwall Neighbourhoods for Change and Federation of City Farms & Community Gardens), it’s partly subsidised and offered at a discounted rate. You can find out more about the project at www.facebook.com/GrowingFoodandComposting
Training Days on offer:
Day 1 ( 6th November): Getting Started- Exploring different models of community growing and ways of community engagement as well as looking at setting up a governance structure for your group
Day 2 (13th November): Managing your site and land issues. Looking at finding the right site for your project including types of agreements with landowners and legal issues to consider
Day 3 (20th November): Recruiting and Managing Volunteers. This will include induction and training; legislation and policies; managing and getting the best from your volunteers
Day 4 (27th November): Sustaining and Financing your community garden. Exploring how to fund your garden from day one and how to ensure your project are around in years to come.
The course will be run from 10am-4pm every day with lunch and all materials included . You can sign up for individual days or any combination to suit your needs.

Costs
Day Rate:
£20 for Volunteers of community gardens
£40 for staff of community gardens or small charities.
£100 for Local Authorities and other organisations.

Whole Course Rate:
Book for all four days for £75/£150/£350

For more information contact Sara at sara@farmgarden.org.uk
Sara Melendro
South West Office
Federation of City Farms & Community Gardens
Phone 01392 243 233
www.farmgarden.org.uk
22. Devon Biosphere Presentation
On Wednesday 30th October at 8.15pm, Octagon Theatre, Okehampton College you are invited to attend a presentation on the future of sustainable grasslands in the South West.
The presenter, Dr Phil Murray is Head of the North Wyke Campus and Associate Head of the Sustainable Soils and Grassland Systems Department of Rothamsted Research. North Wyke is the foremost grassland research station in England and is the home of the North Wyke Farm Platform, a major investment in research infrastructure by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council that aims to better understand and develop sustainable grassland systems. In his talk Phil will explore the future of culm grasslands and how the underpinning research is helping us to develop sustainable grasslands in the South West.

Please let Keith Webber at the College know if you would like to attend – there is no charge. kwebb@okehamptoncollege.devon.sch.uk Please also see this link http://www.northdevonb10.org.uk/b10-lecture-series.html
23. Soap Nuts
Mike and Jenny Dennis came across soap nuts in the energy advice shop in Camelford recently. They have acquired some and will be testing them. Anyone else using them on a regular basis?
The Soap Nut Eco-Revolution
Indian Soap Nuts are the berries of the sapindus mukorossi (soap nut tree) that predominantly grow in the Himalayan mountains of India and Nepal. The sapindus mukorossi grows a small fruit surrounded by a firm outer shell, much like a lychee, rambutan or berry. The outer shell is rich in natural saponins – a protection against fungus and bacteria. Saponin also happens to be a natural surfactant (detergent).
The fruit is harvested from September to February and dried in the sun, the natural way, without adding/using any chemicals. In fact, the whole process uses no fossil fuels either, except in the transportation of the product to the market or to the end user.
The presence of saponin in a shell is not that unusual, a little research will show you that many trees give some (the horse chestnut for one). It is just that the Sapindus family has more than most.
Native families in South Asian countries have used Soap Nuts for centuries to wash their own clothes. They put 2-3 shells in to a small cotton bag or in any other piece of cloth and work it in with their laundry. The Soapnuts absorb water and release their saponins, which circulate as a natural surfactant in the wash water, reducing the surface tension of the water and freeing dirt, grime and soil from the clothing. When the clothes are rinsed the Soapnut’s saponins are washed downstream where they remain harmless to the environment. No synthetic chemicals, no fragrance chemicals, no foaming agents, nor bleaching agents or other toxins. Just natural Soap nuts as grown by Mother Nature!

24. Check these out … Peak Soil + Importance of trees and particulate matter pollution
Two programmes on the BBC recently worth checking out:
• Radio 4 – Shared Planet: Soil science – Listen to the dangers of peak soil: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03cmt4t
• BBC 2 – Trust me I’m a Doctor – A programme packed with information we should all be aware of – and in particular – the danger of particulate pollution whilst driving … and the amazing job that Silver Birch can do in mopping up particulates: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b03fglhb/Trust_Me_Im_A_Doctor_Episode_3/

25. Local news and links
Check out www.tavistock.2day.ws.
26. Forthcoming Dates
October 2013
Food and Energy Group to be confirmed
November 2013
Green Drinks Tuesday November 12th – Union Inn, Tavistock
Food and Energy Group tbc
Christmas Tree Festival Nov 29th to Dec 8th
Meadows Makeover Fundraiser Saturday November 30th (10:00 to 14:00)
27. And Finally …
The Little Book of Honey
Ever wondered what honey made from the nectar of ivy flowers would taste like? Wanted to make your own honey ice-cream? The Little Book of Honey offers the flavours of honey from thistle, viper’s bugloss and coriander, amongst many others. It explains how to replace sugar with honey in baking and includes recipes for breads, cakes, puddings, drinks and dressings, all drenched, drizzled or delicately flavoured with nature’s most versatile sweetener. The Little Book of Honeyis the perfect indulgence for the bee-friendly gardener, the gourmet, the sweet of tooth, those looking for inspiration in eating local, and anyone happy to make life an extended honeymoon. This is a feast for the eyes and for the stomach, available for £6 + P&P from www.thelittlebookofhoney.co.uk

www.TransitionTavistock.org.uk
transitiontavistock@gmail.com
Tel: 01822-835819

Welcome to Transition Tavistock’s Newsletter
August 2013
1. Green Drinks – come and have a natter each month!

September Green Drinks – come and join our Green Drinks on Tuesday 10th September (19:30 till 21:30) at the Market Inn, corner of Whitchurch Road and Pixon Lane in Tavistock.

2. Food and Energy Group News
The Food and Energy group met on the 25th July at Tavistock Enterprise Hub. We’re making good progress with a Community Garden area in the Meadows; and Tavistock Renewable Energy Network has taken another step forward.
Our next meeting is at the Hub on Thursday August 29th – 19:30 to 21:30. Do come and join us if you’re interested.

Food and Growing Initiatives
Buying food and drink locally has received a boost from the Totally Locally campaign; and Tamar Valley Food Hubs is progressing well (see below).

Community growing in the Meadows
We’re working with another local organisation to co-manage the Rose Walk and its flowerbeds with Tavistock Town Council; and to breathe new life into the garden areas between the canal and the tennis courts. If you’d like to get involved please let us know.
We’re also looking for a volunteer to work with a group of people helping out with the gardening a couple of Wednesday afternoons a month starting in September. If this is of interest please give Kate a call on 07969-569-444 or email transitiontavistock@gmail.com.

Garden Share Scheme
Do you have a garden to share with others or would you love to grow your own fruit and veg, but need some space.? If the answer is yes, our Garden Share Scheme may be just the ticket. Do get in touch (transitiontavistock@gmail.com).

Energy Initiatives

Tavistock Renewable Energy Network (TREN)
We’re making an application to Co-operatives UK this month for support to establish TREN as a co-operative for community benefit. If you want to get an idea of what’s possible for Tavistock check out www.wren.uk.com.
If you’d like to become one of the founder members and help shape a local energy future for Tavistock – if democratising energy for local people rather than for the Big 6 energy companies is important to you and/or you have specialised knowledge, or you could provide help on the legal side, communications, finances etc. please get in touch. We’d love to have you on board as we embark further on this journey.
Call or email – kate.royston(07969-569-444)
Look out for more news during Community Energy Fortnight

South West Devon Community Energy Partnership (SWD CEP)
The SWD CEP’s Energy Study for W. Devon, S. Hams and DNPA has now been released and is available to download at http://www.swdcep.org.uk/. The study was undertaken by the University of Exeter.

Here’s the Press Release:
With rising energy bills, more households in fuel poverty, the Green Deal making headlines and local authorities receiving a greater number of enquiries and applications for renewable energy installations, one local partnership is approaching the cost of energy head on.
The South West Devon Community Energy Partnership is a unique network of local authorities, including Devon County Council, with community energy and environmental groups throughout the South Hams, West Devon and Dartmoor National Park [including Transition Tavistock]. The partnership has been supported through the SEACS project, match funded by Devon County Council and the EU Interreg IVa programme.
“The SWD CEP quickly realised that in order to influence policy and guidance within our area we needed to establish a robust evidence base. Therefore, to focus our future working we commissioned the University of Exeter to provide a study of South West Devon. This is an independent assessment of current energy consumption and opportunities for energy efficiency and renewable energy generation across the area.” said Kate Royston, Chair of the SWD CEP.
The study has provided some surprising results which have impacts for the South West Devon area and the future potential for energy resilience for all sectors. Current energy consumption is divided in, approximately, equal thirds between the transport, domestic and non-domestic sectors. This energy consumption results in approximately £0.4 billion being spent on energy in SW Devon – equivalent to about a fifth of the economic output of the area or about 15,000 full time jobs. Effectively each person is spending £2,600 each year on energy within this area.
Overall, energy demand could fall by 13% by 2022 as a result of government policy, despite population growth. But the study highlights that the implementation of government policy requires significant action at a local level. In spite of this, it is estimated that the benefits of reductions in energy demand could be more than offset by rises in energy prices, meaning that overall over this period total spending on energy is likely to increase if no further action is taken.
Sixty per cent of the non-domestic electricity consumption in the study area is used by just 2% of the meters, meaning that across South West Devon there are relatively few large business consumers of energy (perhaps up to 280) which can be helped to reduce their energy costs.
The University of Exeter also examined the potential for renewable energy generation across the area looking at the opportunity to meet our energy requirements through a mix of technologies including hydropower, wind, geothermal, marine, biofuels, solar, biomass and heatpumps. This indicates that although a huge step-change in delivery would be required, South West Devon has the natural resources to meet a high proportion of its demand for energy, especially once energy demand is reduced through efficiency measures.
Transport is responsible for 38% of the energy consumption and over half the area’s spend. This is due to the rural nature of the area, the high percentage of single car occupancy and the lack of availability of public transport.
The study indicates that the greatest opportunities in the domestic sector are from solid wall insulation, encouraging further behavioural changes and installing micro-generation renewables.
The study was presented to local councillors and officers from South Hams, West Devon, Devon County and Dartmoor National Park in June.
“Understanding all the dynamics, costs and impacts of how we use and create energy in our communities is essential for the future, and this study will help us to do that. We must now look carefully at the evidence and the implications for our residents.” said Councillor Oxborough.
The study is being used by the SWD CEP to discuss what the energy objectives for the area should be, what would be achievable, and what projects should be prioritised for maximum effect.
In parallel the SWD CEP is developing a number of initiatives across the area including community training, events and impartial advice on energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainable transport, together with stakeholder engagement and consultation on policies.

We’ll keep you posted as these initiatives are rolled out!
3. Celebrating Summer with GrowTavi at Freed Range Farm
Grow Tavi is a community forum to discuss all aspects of local food production, supply and consumption and is a joint initiative from TaVi, Transition Tavistock and Tamar Grow Local.

On Saturday 6th July GrowTavi was hosted by Liz and Nick Whitwell at Freed Range Farm, Mill Hill. It was a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the weather, exchange views and experiences on local food, and have a good look around the Farm. Liz and Nick explained the different aspects of their hen, sheep and pig husbandry; and the importance of being able to sell into a local market.
Liz: “It was a really great day to be able to share our thoughts and practical experiences on low impact food production”

The farm visit was rounded off with a discussion about local projects; the plight of the bee population; the merits of fermented food (more soon); and a barbecue with Freed Range slow roasted shoulder of pork and sausages!

If you’d like to know more about Freed Range Farm check out http://www.freedrange.co.uk/.

Our next GrowTavi will be celebrating the Harvest. More details shortly.

4. Inner Transition
For details of Inner Transition, contact Al on 01822 XXXXXX or email seaalbatross@btinternet.com

5. Totally Locally Tavistock
Saturday July 13th saw the launch of Totally Locally Tavistock. Tavistock is the latest of many towns across the UK to take up the Totally Locally campaign. This free initiative supports Tavistock’s traders to show the value of local shopping and its benefits for the local economy. The key message is Invest in your Town, Invest in your Future.
.
“This is a chance for locals to discover Tavistock’s great shops and businesses, and the real difference they make to our town,” said local resident Rachel Harrison-French.
The Totally Locally team is passionate about living locally and believes that the future of our towns is in their shops and businesses, their owners and the communities that build around them when they thrive. They believe the benefits to the environment from living a Totally Locally lifestyle are huge and necessary to create a sustainable future for Britain. They practice what they preach.
The Totally Locally team invested a huge amount of effort in preparing for the event – with the support of many others across the town. Transition Tavistock offers our continuing support and congratulations on their impact so far!
The Launch was celebrated by a Fiver Fest campaign where more than sixty businesses across the town offered good value purchases for £5. The Fiver Fest message is that if every adult in Tavistock was to spend £5 in the town’s independent stores on a regular basis it would give the economy a real boost!

6. Tavistock and District – Local Economic Blueprint
We’re talking to stakeholders in Tavistock and across the district about an important initiative we’d like to kick off in the next couple of months – the Tavistock Local Economic Blueprint. Totnes have undertaken a similar exercise (http://www.transitiontowntotnes.org/groups/reconomybusinessnetwork/economic-blueprint/) and they would like to mentor us through the process.

What is It?
• An executable roadmap identifying how the economy of Tavistock and District can be protected and enhanced
• Building on its unique strengths and skills
o Focused on key sectors for development
• Demonstrating, through evidence based research, the worth to be gained through:
o developing more demand for local products and services
o delivered by local independent businesses
o using a supply chain closer to home

More on this next month …

7. Tavistock College is now a Solar School
Tavistock College have successfully won the chance to become a Solar School in 2013/2014. We’ve helped get the initiative off the ground and wil be behind the College all the way.
It’s an opportunity to work with the community, with the help of the 10:10 Solar Schools campaign, to raise money to install solar panels to help power the college!!
http://www.solarschools.org.uk/

8. Tamar Grow Local and Tamar Valley Food Hub
Tamar Grow Local (http://tamargrowlocal.org/local-markets)
Tamar Grow Local’s local markets over the coming month can be found here:
Look out for our tent at Cotehele Quay, Calstock, Royal William Yard in Plymouth and at other local events in the Tamar Valley area
On sale you’ll find locally made mustards, crisps, flour, apple juice and honey and a great selection of seasonal fruits, vegetables and flowers throughout the year. You’ll also be able to sign up for local food projects such as bee-keeping courses and community supported agriculture (CSA) schemes including half-a-pig and a box-of-beef.
Where possible produce will be delivered along the river by SailTrade’s Shamrock, a tradition Yealm crabber built in the 1890s. SailTrade are looking to develop a viable, low carbon transport network linking food producers and markets around the Tamar Valley so we are very proud to have them involved.
2013 Market Dates
If you’d like to be kept updated, please join us on Facebook follow us on Twitter or revisit this page as we will be adding more events throughout the year
August
17th & 18th Calstock Regatta
31st Cotehele Quay
September
1st Royal William Yard – Plymouth
7th – Calstock
28th Cotehele Quay
October
5th Calstock
6th Royal William Yard – Plymouth
26th Tamar Trails Open Day
December
15th Harrowbarrow & Metherell Christmas Fair

If you would like to supply our mixed produce stall or have stall of your own at these events, please contact Rachael Forster for further details.

Tamar Valley Food Hubs (http://www.tamarvalleyfoodhubs.org.uk/)
… continues to flourish.
The Tamar Valley Food Hub is an exciting new way to shop for local and seasonal food and drink.
To find out more check out the website.
And remember … orders need to be in by midnight on a Tuesday!

9. News from Tavistock Town Council, Chamber of Commerce, Tavistock Enterprise Hub and Tavistock Town Team

Tavistock Chamber of Commerce
There has been much discussion over the last couple of months on the merits of Tesco occupying the old Focus site. A vote was taken at an extraordinary general meeting and 70% of those who voted opposed the idea of Tesco moving onto the site.

There’s no doubt that their presence could have a negative impact on a number of businesses in the Town Centre; and we would clearly prefer to see the site occupied by an independent business(es) of some sort! However, whilst the possibility remains that the site could be available for a supermarket, the site’s lease costs may well only be affordable by a few large organisations with deep pockets!

Tavistock Enterprise Hub
Tavistock Enterprise Hub is going from strength to strength. Over the last few weeks there has been a chance to draw breath … and a number of touches have been appearing such as smart signs on office doors. The large meeting room has also been refurbished and can accommodate a good number of people Board Room or Conference style.

If you need some space for a meeting, a hot desk from time to time … or even a permanent desk or office check out http://tavistockenterprisehub.co.uk/. If you haven’t had a chance to see it get in touch with Adam Fleet and drop by for a coffee (adam@tavistockenterprisehub.co.uk).

Tavistock Town Team
The Town Team have completed their analysis of the Town’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats and a number of priorities have been agreed, including Tavistock’s importance as a destination for good local food and drink.
A number of projects are being considered for support by the Town Team including Totally Locally Tavistock. More news next month …

10. Tavistock Garden Festival and Tavistock Community Day
Tavistock Garden Festival was great fun. We had lots of visitors to our stands and particular thanks to Endsleigh Nursery and The Edible Flower Company for their support with plants, trees and edible flowers to decorate the stand.
The weather was kind as well … at least until Monday lunch time.

Tavistock Community Day
Saturday 7th September (10-13:30) will see us
(Transition Tavistock) at the Community Day event in Bedford Square. We’ll be celebrating Community Energy Fortnight and look forward to seeing you there.

If you’d like to come and help on the stall or just come along and chat about what we’re doing, we’d love to see you.
11. Tavistock Car Club

Tavistock Car Club hit the streets of Tavistock during the annual Carnival on Saturday 20th July.
Don’t just keep thinking about joining the car club, just go to the website (www.e-cocars.co.uk) and sign up!
Want to avoid the cost and hassle of car ownership?
Only have a car when you need one …
Try …Tavistock Car Club
A shared car for members parked in Guildhall carpark
Book online … or via your smart phone
£3.95 per hour, 15p per mile
Want to know more? Want to see the car?
Give John a call on 01822-XXXXXX or visit www.e-cocars.com

12. Renewable energy planning
Transition Tavistock and the SW Devon Community Energy Partnership have submitted a response to support West Devon’s guidance documents on renewable energy.
The documents are available on http://www.westdevon.gov.uk/article/4769/Interim-Renewable-Energy-Guidance.

13. Community Supported Woodlands
It’s taken us a bit of time to organise a meeting, but invites have just gone out to those people who have expressed an interest in getting together to help support and manage an area of local woodland.
If you haven’t heard about a get together but are interested … please get in touch … contact kate.royston@robbeesmole.com.

As part of the Cordiale project a number of tools and guidance documents have been developed. These will be available soon …
14. Electric Bikes in Devon – from Kit Harbottle
Electric Bikes are rapidly becoming the new solution to short distance, eco-friendly, fast and hassle free travel. Almost 200 million of them have been sold worldwide already, and they’re beginning to become very popular in Europe too, particularly on the continent. Electric bicycles (often called e-Bikes) are here to stay – they’re becoming part of our future sustainable transport system.
Petrol prices aren’t going down. The cost of filling your car weekly now sits at around £70. Add to the expense of fuel the car insurance, services and MOT, car tax, wear and tear, depreciation, parking and repairs.
Cycling is hard work too! There are some who relish the challenge, but for the average commuter anything is better than arriving at work dripping wet!
The vast majority of our journeys on the whole cover short distances. Perhaps you’re driving across town to go to the shops, or taking the time to visit friends and family, but do we really need to jump into a car, which usually weigh over a tonne, and drive such a short distance?
The concept of an electric bike is totally new to most. The industry is new and emerging, and there is a general lack of accessible high-quality information, and quite often the public are wary of new technology. Yet the advantages of e-bikes include staying fitter, no licence required, easy re-fuelling, use on roads and cycle paths, less exertion and help on Devon’s hills.
Electric bikes can also mean more time to do what you want, more money spare to do what you want, the chance to get from A to B and enjoy the scenery en route – and of course help to reduce carbon emissions and their effect on the planet.
The Diocese of Exeter and Devon Churches Green Action will be arranging a series a test ride opportunities with Powerpedals from South Molton for anyone who would like to try an electric bike, including at Exeter Green Fair on Cathedral Green on Saturday 7th September. Please contact Martyn Goss at the Old Deanery, Exeter for further details: martyn.goss@exeter.anglican.org (01392-294940)

Dartmoor National Park have also had good news – £4.4m investment from Government to help improve the area’s cycling infrastructure.
15. Reader scheme at Tavistock Library
READING TOGETHER IN DEVON
Devon Libraries and The Reader Organisation work in partnership to deliver 12 facilitated shared reading groups across Devon. We have 5 Library Memory groups for those with dementia and their carers, and 7 Feel Better with a Book groups for people who want a mood lift, something positive to try out, or to meet new people.

TAVISTOCK Feel Better With a Book Group:
Relax and listen to great stories and poems read aloud. Share responses over a cup of tea.

Tavistock Library – Wednesdays from 2-3.30pm

Opportunities to get involved.
If you like the sound of shared reading groups, please go along and join in on a Wednesday afternoon. The facilitator is Caroline. Let us know what you think.

If you are passionate about books, there are also opportunities for volunteering as group assistants or to be trained by the Reader Organisation to facilitate community groups. Check out the website www.thereader.org.uk and give me a call : Sarah 01364 653994
16. Update from South Brent

SBCES’s AGM will be on the 14th September

See www.sbces.org.uk for more details. One Turbine – 100% Community.
“We’re expecting our wind turbine will be installed 3rd week in August and that it will be commissioned during Community Energy Fortnight, which runs from 24th August to 8th September. Click on the logo for information about visits and events during the Fortnight:”

17. Skills Share – Tavistock and area
Totnes have an active skills share network providing an opportunity to share skills. The schedule of events can be found here: http://www.transitiontowntotnes.org/groups/skillshares/.
If anyone is interested in facilitating a skills share network here locally, or is interested in sharing skills please get in touch.
There is also a chance to hold a skill share on fermenting techniques. Let us know if this is something you’d be interested in attending.
Kate has recently been on a Scything course. It was great fun. This is another option if there is interest.
18. Local news and links
Check out www.tavistock.2day.ws.
19. Forthcoming Dates
August 2013
Food and Energy Group Thursday August 29th

September 2013
Community Day Saturday September 7th
Green Drinks Tuesday September 10th
Food and Energy Group Thursday September 26th
20. And Finally …
Dear Transitioners,
Samuel Alexander here, from Transition Coburg, in Australia. Hope you’re all well. I’m writing today because I’ve spent the last year writing a book, called Entropia: Life Beyond Industrial Civilisation, in which I try to envision a society where the Transition Movement has succeeded – a world where people are living simply and cooperatively, building resilience, and running their local economies on renewable energy.
Richard Heinberg, author of The End of Growth, has praised the book as follows: ‘Overflowing with insight and beautifully written, Entropia unveils the radical implications of moving beyond fossil fuels. This book may come to define what sustainability really means.’
Paul Gilding, author of The Great Disruption, has described this book as ‘a masterful work of the imagination…. a literary manifesto that will inspire, challenge, and give hope.’
If you are interested in reading more, please see http://www.bookofentropia.com/ and I’d be grateful if you’d share the link with your networks. If anyone would like to review the book, please let me know and I’ll send a review copy of the e-book.
Best wishes – keep on pushing!
Samuel Alexander
Transition Coburg

www.TransitionTavistock.org.uk
transitiontavistock@gmail.com
Tel: 01822-835819

Welcome to Transition Tavistock’s Newsletter May 2013
1. Green Drinks – come and have a natter each month!
June Green Drinks – come and join our Green Drinks on Tuesday 11th June (19:30 till 21:30) at the Market Inn, corner of Whitchurch Road and Pixon Lane in Tavistock.

2. Food and Energy Group News
The Food and Energy group met on the 25th April at Bush Park hosted by Sue and Adrian Hepworth. We discussed the success of Incredible Edible Todmorden (see TEDx later) and how we might encourage it in Tavistock. The community garden area seems to be a good place to start. Come and join us at the Garden Festival on Sunday May 26th when we are hoping to show the short TedX talk and discuss opportunities in Tavistock!

Food Initiatives
There’s a lot going on in and around Tavistock at the moment with local food. Tamar Grow Local seems to be going from strength to strength – and with the support of Tavistock College, Tamar Valley Food Hubs (www.tamarvalleyfoodhubs.org.uk) has just been launched to provide a sustainable outlet for local producers.
Garden Share Scheme
Now that spring is in the air please let us know if you have garden to share with others or would love to grow your own fruit and veg, but need some space (transitiontavistock@gmail.com).
Energy Initiatives
Tavistock Renewable Energy Network (TREN)
TREN is getting closer to realisation as the business case is developed. If you’re interested in helping shape a local energy future for Tavistock – it’s your passion, you have specialised knowledge, or you could provide help on the legal side, communications, finances etc. please get in touch.
South West Devon Community Energy Partnership (SWD CEP)
The SWD CEP – (a partnership of energy related Community Groups and the local authorities across West Devon, South Hams and Dartmoor National Park) is looking forward to releasing the high level energy study for the area which has been put together by University of Exeter. This should be released at the beginning of June.
The study shows that Transport is a major concern for the area with a third of energy used related to transport … and fifty percent of the total cost of energy.
We also see that there is significant fuel poverty which needs to be addressed through support in reducing the heat load of properties and providing other tactics and tools to reduce usage. More next month …
We’re also designing a pop-up stand for use in the Summer. If you’re organising a local fete/event in July or August and would like to include information on energy reduction and local generation please let us know and we’ll see if we can come along …

3. GrowTavi
Grow Tavi is a community forum to discuss all aspects of local food production, supply and consumption and is a joint initiative from TaVi, Transition Tavistock and Tamar Grow Local.
Our Spring GrowTavi was hosted by Jenny Tunley Price at Maristow Walled Gardens on Thurs. 11th April. There were twenty of us … included several newcomers who were very welcome! We kicked off at 17:30 with a cup of tea and a chance to introduce ourselves and share our news … and a welcome cup of soup.
The rain and wind lashed down and around as everyone was arriving … but then things settled down and we had a wonderful early evening.
Jenny has been able to make fantastic progress at Maristow. It was a good opportunity to see the changes since our last visit 18 months ago. There is now a ‘Friends’ group. If you are interested in volunteering then do get in touch with Jenny (0780 151 7257).
Following the tour we shared some wonderful cake and shared news from our various projects.
Simon Platten was able to announce the arrival of Tamar Valley Food Hubs and the info. meeting held at Tavistock College a couple of weeks later. Everyone was particularly interested to hear that a wide range of producers would be able to come on board … and that excess crops from smallholders could also be considered! The last couple of places on the TGL beekeeping course being held at Maristow were also held up.
Transition Tavistock shared our latest news on Community Growing in Tavistock and gave a quick update on a number of energy initiatives.
Lucy from Buckland Food Growers shared their plans for this next season; and Liz Whitwell briefed everyone on plans afoot at Freed Range Farm.
We also celebrated Colin and Wendy’s acquisition of Ashgrove Farm and we look forward to giving them our support in coming weeks.
The one downside of the evening was that the tide was unusually high that evening and a number of Grow Taviers returned to the boathouse to a session of baling out!!!
GrowTavi is a great way to share experiences and ideas. One of the topics discussed was how to deal with Japanese knotweed which has made a much earlier appearance at Maristow this year.

Summer GrowTavi is likely to be in early July hosted by Liz and Nick Whitwell at Freed Range Farm (www.freedrange.co.uk). More on this soon!
4. Inner Transition – from Al Head
Our last meeting was on April 17th led by Al. Al talked about ‘Listening Projects’ which is an idea developed by Re-evaluation Co-counselling. Listening Projects are when a group of people go to a public place with a question (such as what do you think about peak oil, how do you feel about climate change) and listen (usually one to one) as people stop and talk about it. The theory is that if people are listened to with respect and attention, and encouraged to explore what they feel about a subject, they will find their own way to what they think about it, and, eventually, to what to do about it. We live in a society where people are told what to think all the time, and very rarely asked what THEY think
We had some practise at listening to each other, and talked about questions and about where this might happen. The stall at Community Day later in the year was mentioned as a possibility. The group is interested in exploring this further.
For details of the next meeting, contact Al on 01822 XXXXXX or email seaalbatross@btinternet.com

5. Tamar Grow local and Tamar Valley Food Hubs 
Tamar Grow Local’s produce markets through May and June can be found at :
May 25th: Cotehele Quay
June 1st: Calstock; 2nd : Royal William Yard – Plymouth; 15th & 16th: Saltash Regatta; 22nd & 23rd: Duchy College Summer Food Festival; 29th & 30th: Cotehele Quay – Wet Weekend Festival.
For more information about the products on sale check out: http://tamargrowlocal.org/local-markets.
Also check out the Tamar Valley Sowing Chart for vegetables. You can download it here: http://tamargrowlocal.org/files/vegetable-planting-planner.pdf

Tamar Valley Food Hubs is open … 1st Delivery / Collection date: Friday 24th May
Tamar Valley Food Hubs is an online shop bringing together the best of Tamar Valley produce in one place.
Order your weekly shop through the website and on Friday your shopping will be delivered to your door or be ready for collection with no minimum order requirements and in some areas, no delivery charge.
VEGGIES:
Supplied by Dawn Hunn in St. Dominick, Joe Cradick from Callington and Harrowbarrow’s Red Leaf Farm. We’ll be adding on more local veg as it becomes available.
FRUIT:
Look out for Tamar Valley strawberries from Dawn’s nursery, Ben’s blueberries and lots more!
MEAT:
Jeremy at Trehill Farm supplies our fantastic range of frozen meats from his Hereford herd and small group of pigs. We’ve also got boxes of beef and lamb from Will and Jess at Bohetherick Farm.

FISH:
Fresh off the Plymouth boats, crabs, catch of the day and lots more from lovely local chap Sam Bagshore.
DAIRY:
We’re thrilled to be stocking Cornish gouda from Lanreath as well as Trewithen Dairy milk, cream and butter supplied by Mills Milk from Botus Fleming.
BREAD & CAKES:
Gorgeous fresh loaves and baguettes from Bere Alston and amazing cakes and scones from Lucy-Ann cakes in Metherell – look out for new additions to this range over the next few weeks.
Visit www.tamarvalleyfoodhubs.org.uk. We’re taking orders now!
This project has been generously funded by the Tamar Valley Cordiale Project

6. News from Tavistock Town Council, Chamber of Commerce, Tavistock Enterprise Hub and Tavistock Town Team 
Tavistock Town Council
We’d like to thank Tavistock Town Council for their support of Tavistock Car Club (see below).
Tavistock Chamber of Commerce
April’s meeting was focused on the supermarket discussion. It was very well attended by local traders from the Town Centre and Plymouth Road. The meeting was reported in detail in the Tavistock Times on the 11th April.
Tavistock Enterprise Hub
Tavistock Enterprise Hub is a great place if you need some space for a meeting, a hot desk from time to time … or even a permanent desk or office. Check out http://tavistockenterprisehub.co.uk/. We also understand some great ideas are being developed by the businesses based there. If you haven’t had a chance to see it get in touch with Adam Fleet and drop by for a coffee (adam@tavistockenterprisehub.co.uk).
Tavistock Town Team
Building on the vision a very positive discussion is taking place around our views on Tavistock’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. Got any views yourself? Let us know on transitiontavistock@gmail.com
Our vision is for our town centre to be “the beating heart of Tavistock; a vibrant place for all people to meet, relax, have fun, do business and live; a place that drives the local economy, is a focus for community activity and enhances Tavistock as a unique gateway and destination”.

7. Tavistock Garden Festival
Tavistock Garden Festival 2013 will take place on the Spring Bank Holiday weekend, on Sunday & Monday, 26th & 27th May 2013.
This annual event, now in its ninth year, sets out to celebrate the best of gardens, countryside and local food on Sunday 26th and Monday 27th May, 10am – 4pm, in and around Tavistock’s historical Pannier Market and Town Hall.
To find out more see: http://www.tavistock.gov.uk/index.php?page=garden-festival
Transition Tavistock will be there with a stall on both days. You can find us outside the Pannier Market near the main gates. Do drop by if you’d like to find out more about what we’re doing … and we’ll be giving a talk on ‘Developing an Incredible Edible Tavistock’ on Sunday 26th at 13:00. If you have any spare time and would like to help us on the stand please let us know.
We’ll also have the latest copies of Transition Free Press (Free from corporate influence), available for £1 and full of very interesting articles.
8. Tavistock Car Club
Tavistock Car Club (TCC) is a great opportunity for anyone who would like occasional use of a car without having to own one.
Having this facility in Tavistock has been made possible through the contributions and support of Moor Cars, Greater Dartmoor Leaf and Tavistock Town Council among others. We are delighted that Tavistock Town Council has now agreed to provide a parking place in the Guildhall car park for a further six months at a reduced rate. This is greatly appreciated!
If you think the car club would be useful for you and you’d like to find out more and or sign up go to www.e-cocars.com or come and see us at Tavistock Garden Festival on Sunday 26th and Monday 27th May.

9. TEDx – and Tavistock Totally Locally – from Rebecca Garland
A few weeks ago I attended a TEDx Conference in Exeter. For those of you not familiar with the TED concept, it all started in the USA in 1984 with a conference that shared ideas from the fields of Technology, Entertainment and Design. Since then – and especially since the rise of the Internet – TED has gone from strength to strength, and widened its remit from the original three topics to include inspiring talks on just about any subject. TEDx conferences are locally-run forums based on the TED ideals. All TED events are run to strict guidelines : they are non-profit making, no speaker receives a fee, no talk or presentation lasts longer than 18 minutes and all material must be made available for free viewing on the Internet.
From the TED Website:
The TED mission: Spreading ideas.
We believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and ultimately, the world. So we’re building here a clearinghouse that offers free knowledge and inspiration from the world’s most inspired thinkers, and also a community of curious souls to engage with ideas and each other.
On TED.com, we make the best talks and performances from TED and partners available to the world, for free. More than 1400 TED Talks are now available, with more added each week. All of the talks are subtitled in English, and many are subtitled in various languages. These videos are released under a Creative Commons BY-NC-ND license, so they can be freely shared and reposted.
Find out more from: www.ted.com and www.tedxexeter.com.
One of the most inspiring talks for me at Exeter was given by Pam Warhurst from Incredible Edible Todmorden. The idea has been to transform the town and people’s attitudes to growing and local food by using as many available places as possible for planting. There are flowers, fruit and vegetable beds planted all around Todmorden for everyone to share.
Their work helped to inspire the Totally Locally brand name and Totally Locally Todmorden – so imagine my delight when, just a few days later, I found out that there were plans afoot to start Totally Locally Tavistock!
From the Totally Locally website (www.totally-locally.co.uk):
Totally Locally is about opening your eyes to the great independent shops and businesses in your town. It’s here to encourage you to turn into the door of that shop you walk past every day. Go on, give it a try – there’s a good chance you’ll want to go back. It’s about supporting your local growers, producers and services: be it furniture makers, farmers, accountants or bakers. Totally Locally is about people. Great people. People who care about what they do, what they grow, what they make. And people like you who care about what they buy and where they shop. It’s about a collective responsibility to support our local businesses. Because when we do our towns thrive.
As an avid user of social media, I am delighted to see the speed at which Tavistock Totally Locally is taking off on Facebook, and there is also an excellent article about them in the Tavistock Times dated April 25th 2013. TTL hopes to launch formally in July, at the beginning of Carnival week. More news as it happens!
We’ll provide further insights into Tedx Exeter in forthcoming issues …

10. Community Supported Woodlands
A group of people Interested in getting together to form a small group(s) to look after small woodlands in the area will be getting together in June (date to be agreed). Motives include securing some woodfuel for heating … and enjoying the chance to be working in the woods? If you’d like to know more contact kate.royston@robbeesmole.com.

11. Hedgehog rescue and release
Have you seen a hedgehog in the last year and if so where?
Plymouth based Hedgehog Rescue Centre is looking for suitable sites to release poorly or injured hedgehogs once they have been nursed back to health. The prickly creatures must be released in an area known to already have a hedgehog population so we are keen to know of any hedgehog sightings. The animal’s natural habitat is undisturbed undergrowth, herbaceous borders and hedgerows with opportunity to roam safely. So ideally we are looking for suitable gardens that back on to each other or bordered with hedgerows, meadows or woodland, and where it can be offered food and water for a few days whilst it explores its new territory and builds its own nest.
We are hoping to gather a network of animal lovers who will help us with our release programme in the spring
If you think you can help please call Linda on 07585230527
12. The Green Book Club
The Green Book Club, which will meet quarterly in Plymouth, is for people who know a little or a lot about the topics covered in the books, selected from suggestions made, and who wish to deepen their knowledge and understanding.
The first book is called “What Has Nature Ever Done For Us? by Tony Juniper
When? Thursday 13th June
Where? Room 404 of Plymouth University’s Babbage building
What time? 6.30 to 8.00 pm
From: Pat Bushell for Transition Plymouth.
13. Postcode Lottery Green Challenge 
The Postcode Lottery Green Challenge is a contest that rewards inventions that successfully combine sustainability, entrepreneurship and creativity. The jury looks for products and services that contribute to an eco-friendly lifestyle, directly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and score highly on convenience, quality and design.
The competition aims to elicit promising, creative ideas that will encourage and aid the invention of great new green products and services and combat CO2 emissions and can be put on the market within two years. Since its inception, the programme has helped to reduce more than 10 million kilograms, (10,000 tonnes) of carbon emissions in the UK.
The first prize is for more than £440,000 (€500,000). It will be presented to the entrant with the best idea to execute his or her business plan. A further £175,000 (€200,000) will be available to one or two runners up.
The prizes, together with assistance from leading professionals, will enable the winners to develop their inventions and present them to the world within the next two years.
Would-be entrepreneurs aged 18 years or older with a well-thought-out idea are invited to participate in the Green Challenge, which is open worldwide.
Each entrant must submit his or her business plan in one of the following five categories:
Energy ; Lifestyle ; IT ; Design; Mobility
The 2013 deadline for receipt of applications is 17 July 2013.
http://www.greenchallenge.info/
14. Update from South Brent
One Turbine – 100% Community.
The good folks from South Brent Community Energy Society (SBCES) are making good progress with their turbine.
The groundworks are completed and the foundation has been backfilled.
Now awaiting arrival of the turbine itself!
See www.sbces.org.uk for more details.

15. Training Opportunity … from Greenpeace
Greenpeace is developing its Political Lobbying network, and to help support that work, we would like to invite you to attend a free training event in Plymouth on the 8th June from 10:30-5pm at the Unitarian Church.
This is a fantastic training opportunity for anyone who wants to learn the skills of talking to and influencing politicians. Our network is focused on mobilising individual constituents (i.e. you) to lobby a wide range of decision makers (for example your MP) by email, by letter and on occasion face to face. We are looking for serious, reliable people who are committed to Greenpeace’s vision of a green and peaceful world. For further information, or if you are interested in attending the free training event, please register here: http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/lobbying
16. The Bread and Roses Project
Bread and Roses is an exciting new project opening in Ebrington Street, Plymouth. We aim to revive the beautiful building that was once the Trafalgar Inn and add to the vibrancy and vitality of one of the most interesting streets in Plymouth. We are a not-for-profit community owned company formed by people who live and work in the Ebrington Street and St Judes area.
Our idea is to re-open the pub as a community hub focusing on arts and music, promoting events that will add to the cultural life of the neighbourhood and wider city. This will include a wide range of live music, visual arts, comedy, film and poetry.
We will also provide a space for community groups and artists to promote their work and display some of their creativity.
We will be focusing on local food and drink from the Plymouth area as well as the rest of Devon and Cornwall. We aim to support local, organic and fair-trade suppliers where at all possible.
If you are an artist, musician, food and drink supplier or local community organiser please get in touch with us at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bread-and-Roses/176385795842395
Phone 07952666073
email info@breadandrosesplymouth.co.uk
web address: www.breadandrosesplymouth.co.uk
17. Co-operative Event – part of Plymouth History Month
As part of the Plymouth History Month celebrations please see below an invitation to attend the special screening of The Rochdale Pioneers, a film about how, with a little determination, we are all capable of changing the world. Booking is essential if you would like to attend, so please reserve your place online atwww.s.coop/swevents or email us on membership.sw@co-operative.coop or phone up on 01884 266 892.
Date: Wednesday 29 May
Venue: The Holiday Inn, Plymouth
Time: 18:30
The evening will start with a guided walk across to The Co-operative Revolution Street Gallery on Armada Way. You will look around the gallery and then walk back to The Holiday Inn for refreshments from our Fairtrade wine range followed by an introduction and screening of the film.
18. The Transition Plymouth Education group …
has its own website now!
Barbara Hampson, our dedicated manager of Transition Plymouth website, is working on her own – helpers welcome! We have gathered some resources that hopefully are useful to you, but please let us know any suggestions.
Here: http://transitionplymouth-education.weebly.com/
19. Revolutionary Green Car Battery is Off-Grid and Heading for the Road
And happening here in Tavistock ….
‘A ground-breaking green car battery that requires no mains recharging is being fine-tuned ahead of a showcase road-trip which will culminate at Westminster.
Tavistock-based engineer Trevor Jackson and colleague George Adams say that bench tests indicate their Metalectrique battery is capable of distances of between 1,400 and 4,000 miles without stopping off to re-power (Western Morning News, April 4th 2013).’
Metalectrique are now based in Pitts Cleave.
For the full story see http://www.thisisdevon.co.uk/Revolutionary-green-car-battery-Grid-heading-road/story-18605605-detail/story.html#axzz2TorQzCnc.

20. Local news and links
Check out www.tavistock.2day.ws.
21. Forthcoming Dates
May 2013
Food and Energy Group Weds May 29th
Tavistock Garden Festival Sun, Mon May 26th and 27th
June 2013
Green Drinks Tuesday June 11th
Food and Energy Group Weds June 26th (tbc)

22. And Finally … 
Check out this locally-based website! Lots of interesting green and sustainability news. http://www.dotbydot.co.uk.
Fancy a pleasant walk as the weather (hopefully…) continues to improve? Check out: http://www.tamarvalley.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/WfH-TV-Walks-Prog-Apr-June-2013-leaflet.pdf for details of the Tamar Valley Walk and Talk scheme!

Welcome to Transition Tavistock’s Newsletter April 2013
1. Green Drinks – come and have a natter each month!
April Green Drinks – come and join our Green Drinks on Tuesday 9th April (19:30 till 21:30) at the Market Inn, corner of Whitchurch Road and Pixon Lane in Tavistock.

2. Food and Energy Group News
The Food and Energy group met on the 27th March. We discussed progress with the Community Growing Area (see below). Potentially a great space and we’d love more of you to get involved.
We also decided to have a Spring push to progress development of Tavistock Renewable Energy Network (TREN) … kicking off with a series of short and sharp weekly workshops beginning Thursday 4th April (17:00 – Robertson’s) If you’re interested in being involved please get in touch.
Next general Food and Energy Group meeting on Thursday April 25th at 19:30 (contact Kate on 07969-569-444 for venue).

South West Devon Community Energy Partnership (SWD CEP)
The SWD CEP – (a partnership of energy related Community Groups and the local authorities across West Devon, South Hams and Dartmoor National Park) is making good progress. We had a successful launch summit– Local Energy for Local Economic Benefit – on the 4th March at Coaver Hall in Exeter, which brought together over seventy stakeholders from all across the area. There were a series of inspirational and very informative presentations from Prof. Stephen Frankel (WREN), Ian Hutchcroft (Energy Savings Trust), Merlin Hyman (Regen SW) and Tony Norton & Dan Lash from University of Exeter who introduced some highlights from the Energy Study they are undertaking for the partnership (more on this next month). We also heard from Keith Webber from Okehampton College (50% reduction in their energy costs), Frances from Transition Town Totnes on Transition Streets and Joddy Chapman on South Brent’s community wind turbine progress (see below). The presentations will be available on the partnership’s new website (www.swdcep.org.uk) shortly. There has been local support from Fat Calf Media (Tim Roberts) who designed the logo and West County Websites (Alysia Maciejowska) who set up the domain and website environment (both businesses are located in Tavistock Enterprise Hub).
More news next month on results from the study.
We’ll shortly be posting our first fact sheets on the Green Deal on the website; and are aiming to be able to offer advice and support by the autumn at the latest. We also need to encourage local plumbers, builders, electricians and others who may be interested in providing Green Deal services to check out the support available from RegenSW.
Garden Share Scheme
Now that spring is in the air please let us know if you have garden to share with others or would love to grow your own fruit and veg, but need some space (transitiontavistock@gmail.com).
Community Garden Area in Meadows
Our design team are making good progress. If you’d like to get involved please get in touch.
More next month … transitiontavistock@gmail.com.

3. GrowTavi
Grow Tavi is a community forum to discuss all aspects of local food production, supply and consumption and is a joint initiative from TaVi, Transition Tavistock and Tamar Grow Local.

Jenny Tunley Price is hosting Spring Grow Tavi
o Maristow Walled Gardens.
o Thurs. 11th April : come along from 17.30
o Soup, bread and cakes available
Get together, exchange news and views on sowing, growing, producing and consuming our local food … from our own gardens, on a bigger scale or as a consumer!
o Come and see Jenny’s progress at Maristow.
o Join a discussion on training fruit trees … and other topics
o Mini flyer and directions attached (or see www.transitiontavistock.org.uk)
Plants or seeds you’d like to swop? Bring them along.
Jenny has … lots of grazing ryecorn and Broad Bean ‘Witkiem Manita’. Also lots of perpetual spinach seedlings and Swiss chard seedlings; and a few Sempervivums in about 8 varieties. She may also have some Oca and Skirret later in the month; and potentially some Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’, some Stipa gigantea plus some snowdrops (variety unknown but a little bit taller than the average).
Jenny wants … any prunings of apples (pretty much any variety) that she could use as scion material for the 80 rootstocks she’s got. Surplus raspberry canes/strawberry runners/cuttings from soft fruits/chunks of rhubarb crowns would be very welcome too, as would hops and vine cuttings. Jenny would also like to build a collection of figs so if anyone’s got varieties other than ‘Brown Turkey’ she could have cuttings of, she would love you forever.
Any ornamentals (as plants/seeds/cuttings) unless they’re boring or invasive would be nice. Spare annual seeds would be useful to fill gaps in newly dug ground while she gets perennials established. In other words, pretty much anything will find a home at Maristow Walled Gardens one way or another (except for Alchemilla mollis and Hemerocallis fulva)!
kate.royston@transitiontavistock.org.uk (07969-569-444) or simon@tamargrowlocal.org (07887-983-143)

4. Inner Transition – from Ian Daniels
The Inner Transition meeting held in March discussed a number of issues. It started with a few positive environmental stories or experiences that had caught our attention. for instance; The Isle of Wight eco Island initiative going on tour, the increase in the number of pet horses being kept, the first edition of Transition Free Press, how particular communities are a positive place to live and the wolf cull in Sweden being cancelled. We went on to discuss what motivated us to commit to an activity and how these experiences can help us help others to make their own environmental and social transitions. It was concluded that listening to people is a good place to start and that we may organise a listening event in different locations and at different times to engage with a broad range of Tavistock residents.

5. News from Tamar Grow Local
Tamar Grow Local has some dates for its 2013 mini produce market showcasing the best of Tamar Valley food and drink. Look out for their tent at Cotehele Quay, Calstock, Royal William Yard in Plymouth and at other local events in the Tamar Valley area.
On sale you’ll find locally made mustards, crisps, flour, apple juice and honey and a great selection of seasonal fruits, vegetables and flowers throughout the year. You’ll also be able to sign up for local food projects such as bee-keeping courses and community supported agriculture (CSA) schemes including half-a-pig and a box-of-beef.
Where possible produce will be delivered along the river by SailTrade’s Shamrock, a traditional Yealm crabber built in the 1890s. SailTrade are looking to develop a viable, low carbon transport network linking food producers and markets around the Tamar Valley so we are very proud to have them involved.
For more information see www.tamargrowlocal.org.uk.

6. News from Tavistock Town Council, Chamber of Commerce, Tavistock Enterprise Hub and Tavistock Town Team
Tavistock Town Council
Have a view on where you’d like to see a Community Noticeboard? Drop us a line … transitiontavistock@gmail.com
Tavistock Chamber of Commerce
Discussions around the pro’s and con’s of further supermarkets continued to be a hot topic at March’s Chamber meeting.
Tavistock Enterprise Hub
The Hub has had a good month. Officially opened on the 4th March, they were then host to a national Microsoft ‘Anywhere Working’ roadshow event. If you need some space for a meeting, a hot desk from time to time … or even a permanent desk or office the Hub may be the answer. Check out http://tavistockenterprisehub.co.uk/.
Tavistock Town Team
Building on the vision a very positive discussion is taking place around our views on Tavistock’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. Got any views yourself? Let us know on transitiontavistock@gmail.com
Our vision is for our town centre to be “the beating heart of Tavistock; a vibrant place for all people to meet, relax, have fun, do business and live; a place that drives the local economy, is a focus for community activity and enhances Tavistock as a unique gateway and destination”.

7. Tavi Car Club
Tavi Car Club is 3 months old! We’re not sure whether the car share car from e-cocars will be able to stay in the Guildhall car park. We understand the Town Council will require car parking charges which the scheme can’t afford in its first couple of build up years. If you have a space somewhere in the centre of town where the car could be parked please let us know
8. Community Supported Woodlands
Interested in getting together as a small group to look after small woodlands in the area? And perhaps secure some woodfuel for heating … or just enjoy the chance to be working in the woods? If you’d like to know more contact kate.royston@robbeesmole.com.
9. Timebanking – from Al Head
Back in December, I attended a day conference in Plymouth on ‘Time-banking’. It was a fascinating day, with a talk by Edgar Cahn, who created timebanking in the USA; small group discussions; and representatives from the 6 existing time banks in Plymouth, some of which are supported by the local council.
Time-banking came to the UK in 1998 and there are now nearly 300 timebanks here. Timebanking’s core values are: everyone is an asset, some work is beyond a monetary price, reciprocity in helping, social networks are necessary, a respect for all human beings.

Timebanking is open to anyone, and can be a good way of building and supporting local communities as well as helping individuals to get their needs and desires met. Each hour anyone gives, whatever the activity, is worth one time credit, which can then be ‘spent’ on someone else’s time. It is similar to a LETS scheme, but different in the way it is organised, and the way in which everyone’s time is considered of equal value. Groups and organisations can be part of the time bank, as well as individuals. As well as helping individuals, people can donate their time to community projects. People can learn new skills, and discover a new value in the ones they already have.

I’ve been interested for some time in building alternative economies, to replace the one that is working so badly, and with so many inequalities. Timebanking seemed a good idea to me and I would be interested in exploring it further, and working towards a time bank in Tavistock, if there was the interest. If anyone is interested I am happy to be a first contact: we can chat and if enough of us are interested, set up a meeting.
Contact me on 01822 616083 or email seaalbatross@btinternet.com.
10. Devon and Cornwall Food Association
DCFA (Plymouth) Open Day
Friday, 5th April 2013
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
DCFA (Plymouth) will holding an Awareness Raising Day and will be opening The Ship and Community Kitchen Garden to everyone to view.
Do please come along and find out just how much our volunteers have been doing for the local community and just what else we would like to achieve for you.
This will be an ideal opportunity for new, prospective and current groups!
There will be a tour of The Ship at 11 a.m.
Learn how we operate!
Find out what food produce and sundry products DCFA (Plymouth) has and where it all comes from.
There will be a Networking Session at 12 noon.
If you’re involved in a local project then do please come and shout about it!
Refreshments will be provided.
Table space is available for you to promote your own organisation.
However, space is limited so please apply asap!
To book a table space please email: dcfacommunitykitchengarden@yahoo.com
For more information and directions:
www.devonandcornwallfoodassociation.org
11. Vital New Tavistock Community Project Needs Your Help!!!
Our vital new project is being set up to support women who are experiencing domestic abuse, and it needs your help to get started.
Stepping Stones has been established in response to the lack of domestic abuse services in the area. As a group of women who ourselves have experienced domestic abuse, we are developing a company to provide the vital support our local area requires.
Firstly we have designed a safety box filled with the information a woman needs to escape an abusive relationship and have the long term plan to build a local women’s refuge.
This service is vital to women in the Tavistock area. So what can you do to help?

To get started we need;
General office equipment including stationary, a lockable filing cabinet, diaries etc
Permanent IT equipment including 2x computers and a printer, 2x laptops and mobile phones and an external hard drive.

Tavistock Enterprise Hub is already supporting us by providing space and loaning us some IT to get us started. Can you join them with your support?
Our contact details are…
Shelley XXXX
Nina XXXX

12. FREE DIY secondary glazing WORKSHOP SAT 6th April
Cut your bills, beat the draughts and keep cosy!
A free workshop on how to install low cost and sympathetic DIY secondary glazing to sash windows is being run by Ashburton Futures this Saturday. Come and learn how to fit the glazing to your own home and watch it being fitted. The event is free to participants and is being supported by Dartmoor National Park Authority.
Ashburton Futures’ project last year called ‘Making Ashburton Homes Fit for a Future’ (MASHFFF!), uncovered the fact that the older homes in Ashburton are incredibly draughty, with draughts accounting for between 30 and 40% of the heat lost from the homes audited.
In one home visited the owners had installed their own DIY secondary glazing for just £60 a window (a fraction of the cost of double glazing), a special air-pressure test to test the leakiness of the house revealed that this DIY secondary glazing eliminated the draughts from around the windows.
Ashburton Futures are also producing a detailed how-to guide, which is about to be finalised, and will run a further workshop in the autumn. For any questions on the project, please contact Ruth on XXXX. To book a place on the workshop, please call Martin Parkes on XXXX.
The Workshop will take place this Saturday the 6th April between 10 and 11.30am at St Lawrence Lane, Ashburton.
13. Solar Schools
Solar Schools is a brand new project that’s putting clean energy in classrooms all over the country.
Christow School is one of 30 schools taking part in the project and, in partnership with Greener Teign, is aiming to raise £10 000 to get its own solar roof. We hope everyone will chip in to make it happen! It’s a chance for pupils, parents, grandparents, local businesses, former students, Greener Teign members and everyone else to do something good for their school, their community, and the whole world.
Can you help by sponsoring a £5 tile now? You can talk to friends and family about the campaign and check out the website www.solarschools.org.uk/christowschool where you will see from the “tiles” and messages that almost sixty donors and a few events have raised over a quarter of the total needed. We are looking to both reduce our carbon footprint by generating and using the renewable energy from our solar panels and also to raise awareness of green issues in the school and local community. If you would be interested in working actively with us then please get in touch with Gavin christowsolar@gmail.com or Mary mary@greener-teign.org.uk.
Transition Tavistock works alongside Greener Teign through Dartmoor Circle and the SW Devon Community Energy Partnership
14. Let’s Show The UK How We Are Transitioning
From nicole@yougen.co.uk
Hello, Transition folks,
You know, I’ve gotta say I’ve been looking at Transition communities across the UK, and it’s been incredibly inspiring. There are so many great things going on all over the country! I’m writing to spread the word about a Transitiony photo competition I’m running. We’re looking for great pics of how people in the UK save energy and use renewables, and there’s a great prize to be won. Please join in and help inspire and connect with others and what we’re doing. Photos can be in the home or business – or the community – We’ve got some great photos from Transition initiatives in Bristol, Linlithgow and Totnes – I hope to see more!
Please do spread the word out to your members and submit some photos of what your initiative is doing!
Entry is free and you can submit your photos via email, Facebook and Twitter. Please see the link below for more info:
http://www.yougen.co.uk/blogentry/2122/Win+an+home+energy+saving+pack+worth+’C2’A3157+in+YouGen’27s+photo+competition/
Hoping to see some of your work soon!
Wishing all the best
Nicole McMurray
15. Local Entrepreneur Forum in Totnes
On March 28th Transition Town Totnes hosted the annual Totnes Local Entrepreneur Forum. A stimulating event … we’ll bring you more next month.
16. One Turbine 100% Community
South Brent Community Energy Society are thrilled to announce that they have raised over £439,000 in their community share offer, securing the funding needed to complete the purchase and the installation and operation of their 100% community owned turbine. The returns will fund energy efficiency measures in South Brent’s community buildings and other related community initiatives (www.sbces.org.uk).
They thank everyone for their support over the last few months!
Transition Tavistock works alongside Sustainable South Brent through Dartmoor Circle and the SW Devon Community Energy Partnership
17. Global Book Group
Come and join the book club with a difference; the books all have an international theme. Here’s the next one for you to read, and usefully there’s also information here about future books which are coming up.
Pat Bushell for Transition Plymouth

BLOOD RIVER: A Journey to Africa’s Broken Heart
By Tim Butcher
In this remarkable book journalist Tim Butcher retraces the steps of explorer H.M.Stanley along the Congo River, starting on the eastern border of the DRC and ending where the river meets the Atlantic Ocean. It is his reflections on the people he meets and their lives, affected so much by their colonial past, which makes this book so memorable.
Come and join us to discuss ‘Blood River’
Free Event Open to All
Thursday 11th April 2013, 6:30 – 8:00pm
Babbage Building room 404, Plymouth University
If you don’t have time to read it, a summary will be available.
For more information email s.kay@blueyonder.co.uk or call DDE on 01392 438811

Our next books will be:
Wed 22 May: Cables from Kabul by Sherard Cowper-Coles
Thur 18 July: Palestinian Walks by Raja Shehadeh
Global Book Club Plymouth is an initiative of Devon Development Education. DDE would like to thank Plymouth University for supporting the Global Book Club.
18. Herbal Medicine Courses
From Diana Lee and Rob Meredith
The following courses will be run at our organic smallholding on the outskirts of Holsworthy. Diana is a registered medical herbalist & Rob runs Holsworthy Organics.
Using Herbs as Medicine – Learn how to identify & use herbs safely to treat yourself & your family for simple ailments & first aid. Take home your own ointment and herbal tea mixture. 19th May, 28th July & 25th August 10.30-4pm. £50 per day including teas, light lunch & all materials.
Ointments & Creams – Make your own Calendula ointment & Handcream. 13th April, 6th July & 1st August. 2-5pm. £30 per session including teas & materials.
Smallholder courses:
On the organic smallholding – Taster days – Spring 21st April; Summer 21st July & Autumn 6th October.
Two days of Forest Gardening – Introduction 28th September & Design 29th September.
Organic vegetable production – 12th May
Creating a medicinal herb garden – 30th June
Polytunnels for year round growing – 14th July
Organic fruit growing – 18th August
Seed saving – 20th October
Hedgelaying – 24th November
£50 per day 10-4pm Teas provided Bring a shared lunch.
Enquiries & bookings – Rob Meredith & Diana Lee 01409 254450 or d.lee21@btinternet.com.
19. Sustainability Day at Plymouth Business School – Monday 29th April
This looks like an interesting free one-day event put on by the University of Plymouth. For further details please see: http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/pages/dynamic.asp?page=events&eventID=7625&showEvent=1
If you decide you want to take part, please register via the link below.
Pat Bushell for Transition Plymouth.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ISSRResearchEvent

20. Transition Plymouth Education Group
The Transition Plymouth Education group is looking for some volunteers to help us to organise a day event about a “Sustainable Vision for Parenting” or “Sustainable Parenting”.
The event will be directed at parents and it aims to explore the difficulties and possible solutions for parents interested in a more eco-friendly/sustainable vision for their children’s upbringing. It should happen on a Saturday.
Volunteering for this event would mean attending 2 organising meetings with us, some emailing to exchange ideas, and helping on the day. If you have children you can bring them to all of these – snacks included 🙂
The organisation of these events tends to be an enriching experience. If you’re interested, please contact: madrejaguar@riseup.net or phone 01752 22152
Cheers!
Adriana – Transition Plymouth
21. Greetings from Fairport
When we first went public in the autumn – before we were yet Fairport – we received from amongst you lots of messages of support and encouragement and offers of active involvement. We promised to keep you informed. Fairport went live on 1st March 2013.
Remember: Fairport is about being fair to people, other animals, and the planet.
At our weekly meetings we’ve been exploring options for our base: the most ambitious option an empty city centre shop which holds the potential to create a true hive of activity for social and environmental justice; the least ambitious a couple of table tops in the city market. Well, the shop is still under investigation and negotiation, and meanwhile we’ve decided to get on and get started and so – it’s the tables.
We wanted to launch during Fair Trade Fortnight, and to make this possible we’re starting small with the intention of running the stall weekly on Fridays and Saturdays until we’re in a position to rent a permanent stall open 6 days a week – if not the shop.
As you know, awareness-raising, education, and campaigning are key elements of Fairport, and this will be evident in our identity and our activities from the outset. Our initial focus – given the context – will be fair trade.
We want our stall to be a portal through which fellow local producers can market their wares – provided, of course, that they meet Fairport’s ethical standards. If you or someone you know is looking for an outlet, speak to us and we’ll accommodate you if we can.
Fairport is a worker cooperative, which means it’s a social business owned by its workers. That’s three of us at the point of launch – Bernadette, Chris and Marc – and this number will grow with Fairport. But formal ownership is only one thing: we plan for Fairport to be owned by large numbers of our customers in the sense that they can input into its running and its activities voluntarily (with discounts as a small exchange), and can participate in the ongoing discussions about what Fairport could and should be doing. If you’d like to get involved in any way, let us know and we can talk.
And we may be looking for one or two people to staff the stall on a casual paid basis in the early months. So if you’re interested in a bit of paid work – again, let us know.
Finally, our website is under construction, and we hope it’ll be live soon. When it arrives it’ll be www.fairport.coop.
To the future of Fairport in the fair port of Plymouth.
Best wishes
Bernadette Chelvanayagam, Chris Deacon, Marc Gardiner
Fairport (Plymouth) Ltd

22. News From Afar! From Mike Dennis

Malo ni!
My name is Mikaele Maiava. I’m writing from the Pacific Island archipelago of Tokelau to ask you to join with us in action as we take on the fossil fuel industry.
Last October, Tokelau turned off the last of its diesel generators. In their place, we switched on our solar plants, making Tokelau the first country in the world to become 100% renewably-powered.
I woke up before sunrise that day, excited about the history Tokelau was making. My whole village made its way to the site of over 100 solar panels — we could see the many hours of hard labour that had gone into this project. As we counted down to the switch, I could feel future generations smiling at us and thanking us. Our children’s future suddenly looked brighter because we had the vision (and perseverance) necessary to get off fossil fuels and switch to 100% renewable energy.
You might wonder why we bothered. Aren’t we doomed to lose our islands from sea-level rise? I don’t blame you for thinking that if you did. So often the global media victimises the Pacific Islands and portrays us as helplessly succumbing to climate change and rising seas. But the global media know nothing of who we really are, or how it feels to live on these paradise islands we call home. They don’t know that as Pacific Islanders, we are warriors, and that the land we live on is part of us.
We know that the longer the fossil fuel industry gets its way, the worse climate change will be, and the more sea-level rise will threaten our islands. But giving up on our home is not an option. We are not drowning. We are fighting.
That’s why on March 2nd, Pacific Islanders across 15 diverse nations mobilised at prominent locations to perform our unique war challenges, songs, and dances. We laid down a challenge to the fossil fuel industry. It is their coal and oil and gas vs. our future. They cannot both coexist. And it is our future that has to win.
In this moment, and in the years to come, we need you to walk beside us. Because we live far away from the mines and power plants that threaten our future, we need the world’s solidarity.
We want to show the world that people from countries and cultures everywhere are standing with us — the Pacific Warriors — in the fight against climate change.
Fakafetai lahi,
Thank you,
Mikaele Maiava
23. Local news and links
Check out www.tavistock.2day.ws

24. Forthcoming Dates
April 2013
Green Drinks Tuesday April 9th
Inner Transition tba
Food and Energy Group Thurs April 25th

May 2013
Green Drinks Tuesday May 14th
Food and Energy Group Thurs May 23rd
Tavistock Garden Festival Sun, Mon May 26th and 27th
25. And Finally … a reminder about Bioblitz! on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th April
Pentillie Estate, Nr St Mellion, PL12 6QD, SX410646
Back by popular demand the Tamar Valley AONB team will be working with scientists and members of the public to survey the magnificent grounds of Pentillie Estate. We will be seeking to identify and record as many species as possible over a 24-hour period and we need your help!
Come and join the team and be a scientist for the day. Enjoy bug hunts, pond dipping, flower walks, pooting and much more.
Please register for this event, please visit www. brownpapertickets.com/event/332977 for more information.

www.TransitionTavistock.org.uk
transitiontavistock@gmail.com
Tel: 01822-835819

Welcome to Transition Tavistock’s Newsletter January 2013

1. Green Drinks – come and have a natter each month!

1. Green Drinks – come and have a natter each month!
February Green Drinks – come and join our Green Drinks on Tuesday 12th February (19:30 till 21:30) at the Market Inn, corner of Whitchurch Road and Pixon Lane in Tavistock.

2. Breaking News … Introducing a new Producer Market … and more …
Tamar Grow Local, Tavistock College and Transition Tavistock are working together to introduce you to Tavistock’s newest producer market together with inspiring presentations and discussions.
Where: The Octagon Centre, Tavistock College (Crowndale Road, PL19 8DD)
When: Thursday Feb 7th – 18:45 to 22:00
Cost: No fixed charge although donations will be welcomed!
Refreshments: Drinks and home made cakes and biscuits!
Please join us!
Highlights will include:
• A chance to browse or shop at Tamar Grow Local’s (TGL) Producer market
• Meet local food producers
• Learn more about what buying locally can mean for you and your family
• Launch of TGL’s new buying group … see how you could benefit … and a chance to sign up!
• An opportunity to have a go at food mapping – see just how many local growers and producers there are around Tavistock and the valley! Who have we missed?
• Want to grow and got no space? Find out how
• Tavistock College goes Incredible Edible
• Find out what’s happening and how you can help
• Transition Tavistock’s successes in 2012 and where we’re heading in 2013
• Working to make Tavistock a resilient community (energy, food, transport, enterprise)

Please bring along your friends and neighbours. A flyer is attached – please print, copy and forward to anyone who you think might be interested! We look forward to seeing you there!
3. Transition Tavistock AGM
The 2013 AGM will take place at the Octagon Centre at Tavistock College on Thursday 7th February 2013 from 6.45 pm. We anticipate these formalities to be very short and sweet!
Members are allowed to vote. To become a member, or renew membership just pay £1 membership on the door.

AGENDA for the FOURTH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of
TRANSITION TAVISTOCK to be held at
6.45 pm on 7th February 2013 Tavistock College
1. Apologies
2. Minutes of AGM of 9.2.12
3. Matters Arising
4. Annual Report
5. Accounts
6. Election of Committee Members
7. Any Other Business
8. Date of next AGM

We will also have copies of the new Transition Free Press for sale (see later article).

We are still looking for a Secretary – if anyone is interested in this position, please contact transitiontavistock@gmail.com for further details. It’s a volunteer position requiring just a few hours each month.
Also we would like to hear from anyone who could sponsor the copying of our newsletter for those on the mailing list who do not have access to the Internet. Maximum 100 pages copying per month.

4. Food and Energy Group News
Our next Food and Energy group meeting is on Thursday 24th January at 19:00. Sue and Adrian Hepworth are hosting at Bushpark, near Brentor (http://www.bushpark.co.uk/). If you’d like to join us contact transitiontavistock@gmail.com or call Kate on 01822-835819 or Sue/Adrian on 01822-XXXXXX. We’ll be focused on ensuring our next event (see above) is a great success and reviewing our plans for 2013.
South West Devon Community Energy Partnership (SWD CEP)
At the SWD CEP – (a partnership of energy related Community Groups and the local authorities across West Devon, South Hams and Dartmoor National Park) we’re celebrating the award of our tender for a study to develop an evidence base for Stage 1 of our community energy plan. This will help us understand how much we’re likely to be spending on energy across the area in the future and how this could be reduced through energy conservation and local generation. The work will be undertaken by the University of Exeter.
At our next Retrofit working group meeting on Tuesday (22nd Jan) we’ll be meeting with RegenSW and the Energy Savings Trust to discuss developments to support Retrofit and the Green Deal in Devon. It’s really important that we can advise locally on the local opportunities to make our housing stock more energy efficient using local skills and businesses.
Our Launch event will be at County Hall, Exeter on Monday 4th March.
Tavistock Renewable Energy Network and The Energy Shop
We’re continuing to make progress in our plans to set up Tavistock Renewable Energy Network and The Energy Shop. To be successful the network needs to be run and supported by a broad range of interests across the community. If you have legal, finance, marketing experience etc. or other skills and/or enthusiasm you would like to offer please get in touch (transitiontavistock@gmail.com). If you wish to be inspired check out www.wren.uk.com and see what Wadebridge are achieving.
GrowTavi
The GrowTavi event on Tuesday December 4th was a great success. More below!
The next event will probably be in March, hosted by Jenny Tunley-Price at The Walled Gardens at Maristowe.
Garden Share Scheme
Please let us know if you have garden to share with others or would love to grow your own fruit and veg. but need some space (transitiontavistock@gmail.com). If you’d like to know more come along to our event on Feb 7th at Tavistock College.

5. GrowTavi
GrowTavi returned on Tuesday December 4th hosted by Rosie and Paul Yells at Wonnacott Farm, Lewdown (EX20 4QU).
We were treated to delicious Wonnacott Farm turkey sandwiches and home made minced pies and apple juice.
We had a chance to experience the Tamar Grow Local producer market and learn more about the new buying group initiative. Come and join us at Tavistock College on Feb. 7th to see the market yourself and learn more. We were impressed by the breadth of local produce.
Despite the mud we were treated to a tour of the farm and the splendid views across Dartmoor.
The event was able to bring several smallholders new to the area in contact and we enjoyed lively and enlightening conversations. Several of us were fascinated to hear about the pleasures of building and using your own outdoor bread oven.
GrowTavi is a Tavi Network community forum to discuss all aspects of local food production and supply. If you’d like to be involved in the next event, or learn more please get in touch

6. Inner Transition
The Inner Transition Group met on December 12th at Al Head’s house.
We spent some time in pairs talking about the things that concern us about the state of the world and the things we would like to change. We then each chose a local project we would like to see and explored these further using an ‘open space’ format, which is a way of generating ideas without ‘blocking’ thoughts. Four of us came and it was good to share both worries and dreams.
The next meeting will be in February, date and venue to be confirmed.
Contact transitiontavistock@gmail.com for further details.

7. Car Sharing Scheme
Tavistock’s first car club car has arrived, courtesy of e-cocars.com (Jeremy Farr).
We’d like to thank Mayor Anne Johnson for launching the car club car in the pouring rain on Friday 14th December. Situated in the corner of the Guildhall car park, the car is available for any member to use.

To join, just sign up at www.e-cocars.com and you’ll be sent a smart card which will provide access to the car. The first 10 members to sign up won’t need to pay the £25 membership fee. 6 members so far … so hurry!
There’s a monthly membership fee of £5 which is not charged if you use the car during the month. Then £3.95 per hour and currently 15p per mile. If you work it out it’s a very competitive cost and saves the hassle and cost of a whole year’s car ownership if you’re just an occasional user or need a second car from time to time. You can even use the car over the weekend at a special rate of £20 per day plus mileage charge.
Rachel Harris has agreed to be the caretaker. See her blog at http://tinyurl.com/a5cnlyb.
E-cocars is optimised for smartphones so make a booking with four clicks!
Car club members can also have access to two cars in Plymouth and two in Totnes; as well as being able to join Citycarclub for a reduced rate – see www.citycarclub.co.uk.

8. Our Energy Quizmas Tree
The 2012 Christmas Tree festival in St. Eustachius church was even more successful than last year. The church looked absolutely stunning with all the trees.
Our theme was the Energy Quizmas Tree. A chance for visitors to answer an energy related quiz … the answers were all hanging on the tree.
We’ve had some good feedback and people who were able to spare the time enjoyed the challenge!
If you have any ideas for a theme for 2013 … and/or would like to get involved let us know!

9. News from Tavistock Town Council, Chamber of Commerce, Tavistock Enterprise Hub and Tavistock Town Team
Tavistock Town Council
We ‘re in discussion with TTC to explore opportunities for a Community Noticeboard in the town and understand if there’s space for some community growing and more fruit and nut trees in the Meadows. We’ll keep you posted.
Tavistock Chamber of Commerce
At the January meeting we had an update on the BID (Business Improvement District) AGM which was very well attended and we celebrated Tavistock Enterprise’s first month.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Hub check out http://tavistockenterprisehub.co.uk/. If you need somewhere to hold a meeting or work for a few hours, a day or longer then this might be the answer!
Tavistock Town Team
The Tavistock Town Team has now kicked off. At our meeting in early January Cllr. John Sheldon was unanimously voted as Chairman. The vision – developed as part of the Portas Pilot application – will be the foundation of our work.
Our vision is for our town centre to be “the beating heart of Tavistock; a vibrant place for all people to meet, relax, have fun, do business and live; a place that drives the local economy, is a focus for community activity and enhances Tavistock as a unique gateway and destination”.

10. Valley Voices – Update from Tamar Valley AONB
The AONB’s annual conference on 28th November was very well attended and included insights into some of the work and projects which have been developed through 2012.
BBC Cornwall’s Nina Davey’s interviews were fascinating. Beau Dobson talked about the importance of farm hedgerows for biodiversity and for woodfuel – for farm use and for sale. Dave Readman talked about the successful community project at Wacker Quay.
More highlights next month. In the meantime if you want to get more involved in their work visit http://www.tamarvalley.org.uk/.

11. Development Plan Update
On February 26th the WDBC Planning Committee will be considering the Draft Master Plan for the overall site for the new housing and mixed development sites in Tavistock. If these are approved the plan will be going out for a 6 week public consultation. Jeremy Davies has facilitated a working group and made a submission to the design consultation process which took place earlier in 2012. We’re interested to see how these have been taken into account in the plan.
If you are interested in the development and would like to be part of the working group please contact Jeremy Davies on jeremy.davies@talktalk.net.
The results of the design exercise which West Devon Borough Council commissioned can be found at www.westdevon.gov.uk/strategicplanning : Okehampton and Tavistock Design Briefs.

12. News from Tamar Grow Local
Tamar Grow Local 2013 has started with a bang! There is lots going on including the AGM on 26th February; the existing CSAs will be running again and more besides.
Check out the website at http://www.tamargrowlocal.org/ or come along to hear more from Simon Platten at Transition Tavistock’s event on 7th February at Tavistock College.
Beekeeping for Beginners
Tamar Grow Local run Beekeeping courses for beginners. If you would like to get into beekeeping email us (simon@tamargrowlocal.org) and we will send you more information about our course. We are already taking bookings for the first 3 day course this year which will run on the 13th, 20th and 27th April, cost is £75 and all equipment will be provided, just bring lunch and wellies!
Graft, Sow and Grow 2013
A date for the diary! Graft, Sow and Grow will be on the 2nd and 3rd March at National Trust Cotehele. This year’s event is looking like it will be even better than last year, with more opportunities to graft and take home apple trees, more local produce, more plant sales, more information on beekeeping and even more guest speakers!….

13. Okehampton Food Hub
DR is hosting a discussion on Tuesday 29th January to explore the opportunities for the Okehampton Food Hub. The meeting will take place at the Okehampton Business Centre, starting at 1pm for about 2 hours.
If you’re interested in attending or would like to know more contact Matt Parkins at 01837 658643 / matt@DRcompany.co.uk.

14. South Brent Update: One wind turbine – 100% Community
Congratulations to South Brent Community Energy Society on raising £195,000 so far in their share offer for their community owned turbine. There’s still time to invest. The total required is £420,000. The deadline has been extended and is likely to be early March.
Returns from the turbine will be paid into a Community Fund which will be used to improve the energy efficiency of community buildings and enable shareholders to receive an annual interest payment (anticipated to be around 5%).If you’re interested in investing go to www.sbces.org. There will be an information board and leaflets explaining the project at TT’s event on 7th February at Tavistock College.
The share offering is eligible under the government’s Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS). As a tax payer you may be eligible for a 30% tax credit on your investment. Another benefit of community investment!
Transition Tavistock is supporting this as an example of how the local community can benefit through local investment … and receive a return currently better than money in the bank!

15. News From Transition Plymouth
The TRANSITION DISCUSSIONS are open public discussions that explore themes related to Transition, including polemic ones.
They are now held on the THIRD THURSDAY of every month, excluding December.
Every discussion has a moderator from Transition Education group and a very brief device to trigger the exchange of opinions e.g. a newspaper article, a question, a short video, etc
Everyone is welcome!
For those of you who weren’t able to make it to the recent Beyond Capitalism lecture by Jay Tompt, there’s a link to the text of it here, sent to us by Alan Qualtrough of the Dot by Dot community, who incidentally have a very interesting website themselves.
http://www.dotbydot.co.uk/green-living/273-the-totnes-alternative-to-global-capitalism-is-spreading

Network Development Session
Your chance to plan the future of Plymouth Social Enterprise Network. We will be holding a Network Development session on Tuesday 5th February from 9am – 1.30pm with lunch. If you would like to attend, please email harriet@plymsocent.org.uk.

16. Devon and Cornwall Food Association
DCFA Plymouth Community Kitchen Garden
Just a quick update of what we’re doing and what we need. The Shed is now set up as a lovely craft area with worktops and chairs, electric and water. The Garden area is taking shape with a large seating area with picnic tables. We will shortly have chickens. We are putting the hen pen up now and the area needs clearing and the frame needs to be dug in.
We are looking for volunteers on Thursday mornings 10am-12ish (other times can be arranged if that would suit you better) and are also looking for groups or individuals to adopt a chicken for £20

Wanted
Camping; Stove and gas bottle; Wood; Workmate bench; Small electric drill; Any plants veg, fruit or flower; Pots to make and and sell; 2 litre bottles (1,500 needed)

You can earn Timebank Credits for volunteering for our Garden Project and can spend those credits on crafts and produce. We currently have jams, chutneys, pheasants, and various frozen and dried foods, and raspberries bushes. Eggs coming soon!!!
If you would like to know more about joining Timebank please contact www.stonehousetimebank.co.uk
Please find DCFA on facebook and like our page too – spread the word about this project. The Devon & Cornwall Food Association (DCFA)
Kind Regards
Sue Cornish, Organiser for Project

17. New Plymouth Ethical Retail Co-Operatives
Dear Friends
This is a brief report of our consultation event held at Plymouth University recently.
Thank you to everyone who was able to join us and participate in a discussion about our ethical retail cooperative.
This was our first opportunity to share our plans with others and discuss our initial ideas around ownership / membership / engagement. We are keen that this should be a cooperative due to the values of shared ownership, and we have opted for a worker cooperative for ease of decision-making, though we are committed to offering strong membership opportunities for interested customers.
We have come up with a name for our cooperative – “fairport”. ‘fair’ for fairness which is the essence of fairport – our strapline is: “fair to people, other animals and planet” – along with its other meaning of positive (“a fair wind”) and bonny. “port” – Plymouth is a port and we wish to establish a strong Plymouth identity (while serving the surrounding areas). Also, we intend the market stall, (with the aspiration of eventually opening a shop), to be a portal in to all the things we do e.g. website, campaigning, awareness raising and educational work.

We are currently working on our Articles of Association and developing other aspects of the project in this start up period.
We are aiming to open the market stall in Plymouth City market in February 2013, around Fair Trade Fortnight (which starts on 25th Feb). We are currently looking for a suitable stall.
We will hold another consultation event before we open. If you know anyone else we should be including on our email list please let us know or feel free to pass on this email address (which is a temporary holding email address while we set up our website).
We also welcome any ideas, conversations and contact in the meantime.
Best wishes
Bernadette Chelvanayagam,
Chris Deacon,
Marc Gardiner
Fairport (Plymouth) Ltd
Company number 08297683

And Another Food Co-Operative Initiative
Are you interested in joining a food co-operative that allows you to buy any item you’d find in a Health Food shop, and a lot more too, but pay just the wholesale price? This buying group is run by Colin Tryer, who’s the person to contact if you’re interested and want to know more.
The minimum order threshold for the group is £250. People submit their personal orders (which could be just one item) any time they want, and when the threshold is reached Colin sends it off, usually every couple of months or so.
Here are Colin’s details:
Grasp the Nettle Cooperative
Colin Trier, 29 Eggbuckland Rd, Plymouth, PL3 5HF
Email: colin@trier.org.uk
Tel: 01752 XXXXXX Mobile: XXXXXX

18. Global Book Club Plymouth
New for 2013! The Global Book Club comes to Plymouth. Join us for lively discussion of books about the lives of people around the world and the issues that affect them. Meetings are free to attend. Everyone is welcome, and summaries will be available for those who haven’t been able to read all (or even any!) of the book.
Our next meeting will discuss:
Unfair Trade Conor Woodman’s provocative analysis of issues raised by global trade, from lobsters in Nicaragua via Green & Black’s and Foxconn to cotton in Cote d’Ivoire. Is Fairtrade labelling really helping poor farmers get a better deal? Wednesday 27th February, 6:30 – 8:00 pm, Babbage Building room 404, Plymouth University.
For more information email s.kay@blueyonder.co.uk or call DDE on 01392 438811

Global Book Club Plymouth is an initiative of Devon Development Education. DDE has run a similar club in Exeter for several years. Some copies of the books are available to borrow from DDE for a £10 annual subscription. For details call 01392 243811. DDE would like to thank the Plymouth University for supporting the Global Book Club.

19. Uncovering the Past in Calstock
An exhibition, celebrating the end of a 2-year project that provided opportunities for the community of Calstock to delve deep into their history and heritage, begins its tour in the Tamar Valley, on 8th January.
Uncovering the Past will showcase and highlight the wealth of events and training that were made available to local people, thanks to a grant of £35,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), awarded to the Calstock Parish Heritage Project in October 2010.
Visitors to the exhibition will be able to learn more about the community’s experience and the full stories behind what was uncovered during the project, including results from the 2011 Roman fort excavation.
The exhibition will provide the opportunity to join in with hands-on activities, chat to some of the volunteers, and find out how you can learn more about the heritage near you.
The Uncovering the Past exhibition opens on Tuesday 8th January and continues until Thursday 31st January, at the Tamar Valley Centre, Drakewalls, near Gunnislake. The project team look forward to welcoming visitors between 11:00am and 4:00pm, Monday – Friday.
For more information please contact Sam Barnes, Project Officer, Tamar Valley AONB, tel: 01822 835032 or email: sbarnes@tamarvalley.org.uk

20. Tavy and Tamar Apple Group …
have arranged a winter apple pruning day on January 26th in two orchards near Bere Alston. Tutor is Charles Staniland who has many years experience of such courses and will ensure that it is a ‘hands-on’ day. The day runs from 10 am – 3 pm. www.tavyapples.org.uk or email briankay1@tiscali.co.uk.

21. For Dog Lovers and Others… From Sylvia Agnew
I am soon to launch an initiative called PUP to encourage dog owners to pick up after their dogs (most do) following an article in the Times Gazette that The Meadows may be closed to dogs if the poo problem persists. I am part of the Tidy Tavy volunteer group who pick up litter every month in Tavistock. I intend to hold a fund raiser event (matching dogs to owners by looks) which should raise enough money to buy poo bag holders which clip onto dog leads so they are always available when dog walking and Rons Pet Shop has offered to supply them at cost. I will then be GIVING them away. Still in early stages but I have a lot of support from businesses and residents. If I can raise enough money, I will put biodegradable bags in the holders rather than plastic bags but I suppose it is a case of small steps first. If anyone can offer information on the environmental impacts etc., bio bins etc. would they please contact me on sylviaagnew@btinternet.com

22. INTRODUCTION TO PERMACULTURE 16th/ 17th March 2013
Permaculture is a systems approach to sustainability. It is a holistic way of thinking, in which we can consciously create productive environments that work with nature rather than against it. We can design for abundance, and enjoy better, healthier, and happier lives, through making more sustainable choices. The course will provide an introduction to the ethics and principles of permaculture in a practical and hands on way. It will show you how to apply Permaculture to your window-sill, garden, farm and personal life, through observation, design, and getting your permaculture thinking cap on.
Venue: Tavistock, Devon.
Cost: £74 with membership to the Permaculture Association included, £50 without. Concessions available.
For more information & to book, please email Rebecca at thehouseofjam@gmail.com
or call XXXXXX

23. SUSTAINABLE FOOD & CLIMATE CHANGE

Teatime talk by PETER BICKERTON of Plymouth Marine Biological Association.
MONDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2.00 PM-4.00 PM
TICKETS £3.00 WITH TEA OR COFFEE AND CAKE AVAILABLE FROM THE WHARF.
ALL WELCOME!

24. Custom/Self Build Homes Focus Group
Are you interested in self built or custom built housing? Do you want to build your own affordable home?
As part of a Strategic Housing market Needs Assessment for the Plymouth Sub-region which covers the West Devon and South Hams areas including those parts within the National Park, it is planned to hold a number of focus group events to help inform the assessment and guide future housing development. It is expected that the events will take place between 11 and 28th February at either Totnes or Tavistock, with one focusing on custom/self build housing. If you would like to attend the workshop and guide future housing provision then please do let me know. I will then be able to pass you details onto the event organiser so that they can let you have further information .
Further information on the Strategic Housing Needs Assessment can be found at http://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/planning/pl-forwardplanning/pl-localdevframework/forward_planning_ldf_evidence#strategicHMNA
Miss Joanna Rumble, MRTPI
Communities Officer 
Dartmoor National Park Authority 
Parke, Haytor Road, Bovey Tracey, NEWTON ABBOT, Devon, TQ13 9JQ
Direct Line: 01626 831024 Switchboard: 01626 832093 Fax: 01626 834684
jrumble@dartmoor.gov.uk

25. Climate Week 2013
The deadline for the Climate Week Awards is approaching fast! All entries must be sent to awards@climateweek.com by Friday 25th January. Have you seen a great green campaign, product or business? The Climate Week Awards showcase the UK’s most innovative, ambitious and effective action to combat climate change. There are 14 categories ranging from sustainable business to new technologies and community action. The eminent judging panel includes the Chair of the UK Committee on Climate Change, Lord Deben. Winners are announced on 4 March at the start of Climate Week.
It’s quick and free to enter – email awards@climateweek.com or call 0203 397 2601.

26. Transition Free Press
Transition Free Press – the change is in your heart, head and hands
Announcing the first publication of the Transition Free Press. Packed full of stories and news items from all over the world.
We’ll be receiving the first edition in time for our event on Feb 7th at Tavistock College. So come and join us there (18:45 to 22:00] and get your copy (£1): http://transitionfreepress.org/.

27. Local news and links
Check out www.tavistock.2day.ws.

28. Forthcoming Dates

January 2013
Energy & Food Group Meeting Thursday January 24th

February 2013
AGM Thursday February 7th
Green Drinks Tuesday February 12th
Inner Transition tbc
Energy & Food Group Meeting Thursday February 28th

March 2013
Green Drinks Tuesday March 12th
Inner Transition tbc
Energy & Food Group Meeting Thursday March 28th

29. And Finally …
My name is Adam Anders and I am a third year student at Kingston University in London, studying Environmental Hazards & Disaster Management. I am currently completing a hazard, risk and vulnerability assessment of Devon for my final year dissertation project in relation to climate change and climatic hazards.
To be able to complete the vulnerability assessment for my project, I have been sending out questionnaires to a wide range of people from Devon.
It would be fantastic and a great help for me if you and members of your group could complete my questionnaire for me. It only takes up to 10 minutes to complete, the questionnaire is provided through the link below:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/devonclimatechangeadam