Editorial by Rosemary Blenkinsop
“As I have been preparing for giving the talk on Paris at February’s Gathering, I have found myself in two minds. On the one hand, I know that if we carry on just exactly as we are we are drifting towards a global warming of three degrees or more, which would mean younger generations would struggle to survive amid floods, droughts and hurricanes. Listening to the News I can feel despair; The Government, the Big Six energy companies and Big Oil are showing no sign of wanting to change and reduce carbon with all the billions at their disposal, and knowing full well what awaits us if we don’t. On the other hand, I am feeling strangely hopeful; because on the internet and in some wonderful new books I am reading I find that ordinary people all over the world are changing their outlooks; small scale renewable energy is rapidly becoming cheaper and often more reliable than central energy production with fossil fuels. The Transition movement is rapidly spreading throughout the world – with such a variety of inspiring and creative projects. And our roads minister Andrew Jones is reporting that sales of electric cars are “rocketing” as plug-in vehicle technology reaches a tipping point, turning from being a niche market to mainstream in the same way that the internet has! People can be so much wiser than their leaders!”
TRANSITION WIRKSWORTH ANNUAL GATHERING
Wednesday 10TH February – 7.30pm
Walton House Restaurant.
Join us for an interesting evening and catch up with
What the different transition groups have been up to this last year and plan for next year.
This will be followed by a short talk ‘The Road Through Paris’ led by Rosemary, who went to Paris in December, followed by table discussion groups. Drinks and nibbles provided.
NEWS FROM THE GROUPS
THE COMMUNITY GROWERS
Main Contact: Rosemary Blenkinsop: hernesrose@w3z.co.uk
Workdays at the Community Garden:1st Sunday of the month, from 11 a.m (and other Sundays and/or Thursdays as well.) Contact Rosemary on 07904 783818 to check what needs doing if you want to go up there on your own. All are welcome!
NEXT WORKDAYS: Thursday 4th February, Sunday 7th February, Thursday 11th February, and Sunday 21st February.
TIMES: 11am -3pm
NEXT GARDEN TRIP: Tuesday 16th February 2016, is to Felley Priory in Nottinghamshire to see the carpets of snowdrops, and is open to all Growers and Friends of Growers (Phone Rosemary for shared car arrangements)
To become a Grower, or a Friend of the Growers
Contact Rosie Rosie.shaw@btinternet.com
THE RUBBISH GROUP (WASTE AND RECYCLING)
Main Contacts: Judith Green 01629 825675 and Richard Finnigan richard.finnigan2@btinternet.com
5th March – Give or Take at the Wellspring Church,
TIME: 10am to 1pm. Bring anything you cannot use and want to pass on. Everything in good clean working condition please. NO OLD TV’s will be accepted. There will be lovely refreshments (courtesy of the Wellspring), lovely people to chat with, and information about Wirksworth’s Transition Group. Same day as the Farmers’ Market – what a morning!
NEXT MEETING: Thursday 25th February at 19:30
Venue: Judith’s house – 38 Cromford Road
THE ENERGY AND HOUSING GROUP
Main contact – Mary Ann Hooper: 01629 820937
Email: mhooper944@btinternet.com
We meet monthly and have several projects on the go aimed at reducing carbon emissions, including the possibility of setting up a Community Land Trust for getting affordable houses built using zero carbon for heating and lighting.
NEXT MEETING: Tues 15th March. at 7.30,
at Brian Hebron’s, 21 Pittywood Rd, Wirksworth.
ACTIVISTS SUPPORT GROUP
Main Contact: Glennie Kindred: 01629 825675
Email: glenniekindred@w3z.co.uk
We are an informal group who support each other, share email campaigns and meet when we feel we need to….
Divest Derbyshire – If not done so already please sign our online petition <https://campaigns.gofossilfree.org/petitions/divest-derbyshire>to urge Derbyshire County Council’s Pension Fund to dis-invest from fossil fuels.
Fracking: Support Frack-Free Derbyshire, https://www.facebook.com/FrackFreeDerbyshire/
And Frack-Free Nottingham http://frackfreenotts.org.uk
16th of March. Amber Valley Anti-Fracking meeting
Alfreton Community Hall – 8pm.
Join their FaceBook group + Sign their petition here:
NEXT MEETING: Thurs 3rd March at Ellie’s – 9A Church Walk
STONEY WOOD
Contact: Chris Bristow: chris@number37wirksworth.co.uk
27th March: Wish Upon a Star, Easter Sunday 7pm.
We’re currently working on a project to improve the interpretation of the Heritage of Stoney Wood, Stoneycroft Quarry and the surrounding area. This will involve recording some “living history” by people who worked in the quarry and people who were part of creating the wood.
If you want to hear about what’s happening in Stoney Wood – “like “ our Facebook page.
LOCAL DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
February 12th and 13th – Show the Love – Look out for actions around the town as we join in world wide actions for divestment from Fossil fuels http://gofossilfree.org/uk/show-the
love/?akid=10265.2032832.12qbjV&rd=1&t=1
February 27th Saturday – STOP TRIDENT NOW!
Coach for the march in London leaving Matlock, at 7.30am
From Slack’s Travel Centre, Lumsdale DE4 5LB
Tickets £20 (Full Price) £10 (concession). To reserve a seat(s)
Contact: moyra_jean@yahoo.co.uk or phone/text: 07732128480
March 5th Saturday – Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Community Climate Action Network Conference,
Chesterfield. Book a FREE place through the Everybody’s Talking website. http://bit.ly/1nbkvJN
March 5th. Saturday – International Women’s Day Event
Town Hall. Wirksworth – A series of workshops and talks, led by women but open to women and men followed by a gig in the evening.
Contact: pamtaylor54@gmail.com
The Transition Network ~ is a grass roots world-wide movement, aiming to help increase local resilience and community initiatives. Subscribe to the inspiring and informative Transition Network Newsletter http://www.transitionnetwork.org
The Transition Wirksworth E-Newsletter team meet in the Scrumdiddly café on the first Tuesday of the month 11am -1pm. Do pop by for a chat and to bring any items for inclusion (or email them to Glennie (glenniekindred@w3z.co.uk.)
Next Newsletter Meeting: Tuesday 1st March.
Scrumdiddly Café – 11am-1pm. Hope to see you there!
With Love from Glennie Kindred and Rosemary Blenkinsop
On behalf of Grassroots Wirksworth.
Leave a Reply