Category Archives: Discussion

Transition New Mills December Newsletter

08 Thursday Dec 2016

Posted by in Discussion, Energy, Events, Food, News

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Season’s Greetings to all Transition New Mills supporters! There have been strong signs of hope in what has often been a difficult year. Frequently these have come as a result of ordinary people doing wonderful things for their own communities. New Mills is fortunate to have a good number of active citizens, contributing in their own ways, without whom all our lives would be much poorer – so thanks to you all! Transition is all about local action, and there are some opportunities below. Please contact us on transition.newmills@gmail.com if you’d like to get involved!
Incredible Edible update

Some progress has been made on the projects mentioned in October’s newsletter, and we hope to be able to bring you some positive results on all three in the New Year:

  • New Mills Primary School are working on a funding package for improvements to their edible garden capabilities, including the installation of a greenhouse ,
  • a proposal has been tabled for the creation of a series of planters around the town with edible plants
  • funding has been committed by New Mills Community Orchard for the creation of a Forest Garden trial; a planting session will be arranged for spring 2017.

These are great practical projects; if you want to get involved, email us at transition.newmills@gmail.com
Egg Map

In addition, we are working on a town egg map. This will map the locations where you can buy locally produced eggs, normally using an honesty box. In future, this concept can easily be extended to cover many other locally produced items, ending up with a local directory, maybe something like Falmouth’s. If you know of any locations, or you want to sell eggs or other sustainable local produce yourself, let us know and we can put it on the map.

Discussion Group Next Meeting

The group is tackling the Universal Basic Income as its next topic; an attempt to get away from linking income with work or benefits. Here’s a short introductory video explaining the concept.
Sue will also give a report on her recent visit to Marrakech during COP22. The meeting is on Monday 12th December at 8pm; all are welcome. Please contact us on transition.newmills@gmail.com for details if you want to go.
New Transition movement website

The Transition Network now have a brand  new website! It’s not just a re-design; they have started afresh, making it more readable and accessible, and are introducing new features and lots more specific content.  Check it out with this link to our launch blog from Rob Hopkins, where he explains some of the key elements of the new site, and helps you find the things of greatest importance to you.
The Gift of Death

Before you buy any further Christmas presents; just bear in mind the consequences!  I’ve recycled one of my favourite George Monbiot articles from a few years back on what does and doesn’t make a good Xmas gift.
How to Save Energy and Be Warmer

Dreading the next fuel bill? A few years ago I participated a Global Action plan project on everyday household sustainable living, and created a series of handy ‘top tips’ guides, with a range of solutions to suit different interests, abilities and pockets. Rather than waste them, we’ll be offering them up in the newsletter at intervals, and putting them on our website. Check out this month’s, topically on energy use, and make it your New Year Resolution to try some out.

Local Giving

Any donations through our Local Giving site will be matched using lottery cash. This offer lasts until April 2017, and could give us up to £500 of free cash! Needless to say, we are very keen to reach this target, and being an environmentally based group there is flexibility over the projects for which we can use the money. Please help us reach this total in a very efficient way by donating as much as you feel comfortable at Transition New Mills | Localgiving

Forthcoming events

Discussion Group Monday 12th December, 8pm On the Universal Basic Income. Email transition.newmills@gmail.com for details
Solstice Stroll, Wednesday 21st December, 6-9pm Come and celebrate the Winter Solstice, with a gentle stroll visiting some of New Mills’ pubs, from the Masons Arms, through the town centre, to the Rock Tavern. May involve litter picking on the way!
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Shorter Showers and Hamsters

12 Monday Oct 2015

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Would any sane person think dumpster diving would have stopped Hitler, or that composting would have ended slavery or brought about the eight-hour workday; or that chopping wood and carrying water would have gotten people out of Tsarist prisons; or that dancing around a fire would have helped put in place the Voting Rights Act of 1957 or the Civil Rights Act of 1964? Then why now, with all the world at stake, do so many people retreat into these entirely personal “solutions”? Why are these “solutions” not sufficient? But most importantly, what can be done instead to actually stop the murder of the planet?

The subject of the meeting is a short (11 minute) video on youtube ‘Forget Shorter Showers’ at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2TbrtCGbhQ, which will also be shown on the night.

Another short (1 minute) online clip that may be of interest is the Impossible Hamster critique of the endless economic growth model: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqz3R1NpXzM.

Please let Sue Cooper (suecoopernewmills@hotmail.com) know if you are planning to come.

Alternative Economic Models – Discussion Group

15 Saturday Aug 2015

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Message from Sue Cooper (suecoopernewmills@hotmail.com), coordinator of Transition New Mills’ discussion group:

The next meeting of the group is 8pm, Monday 24th August at Maz’s in Marple Bridge (please email me if you need the address and/or a lift to Marple Bridge).

The topic is alternative economic models with Pat Devine – there is no specific reading for this session (however a suggestion was made to look at Economics after Capitalist by Derek Wall).

Please let Sue know if you are planning to come.

A Viable Economy?

17 Friday Jul 2015

Posted by in Discussion, Economy

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Andy Murray Wimbledon win could cost economy £3.2bn

How many of you, on reading this MEN headline, were suddenly praying he’d get knocked out of Wimbledon in his next match?  No, I didn’t think so, and it’s good to know that economic policy over the last few decades hasn’t obliterated people’s souls so much that we see everything, even our own existence, in terms of its contribution to The Economy.

In fact, the article was about people throwing sickies, which obviously can’t be condoned, and no doubt the headline was deliberately inflammatory, but it is a sign of the times that these days there are forces that will try to account for every last drop of happiness, every breath of nature, in order to bow down before the forces of The Economy. In fact, the logical conclusion to the sentiment expressed in the article isn’t that we should properly book annual leave to watch Andy Murray, but that we should all stop watching Wimbledon whatever, and get our noses back to the grindstone; after all, we have GDP growth to achieve!

This is one of the themes that Steady State Manchester introduced at Transition New Mills’ recent post AGM talk. Why is it that we are in a situation where the economy appears to rule us, instead of making it work for us, facilitating the things people want  and need from life, which make them happy – such as a meaningful job, clean air and water, stable climate, safe communities, quality time with their friends and family?

The mantra of everlasting economic growth is very deeply embedded in us after decades of repetition and consolidation. Until relatively recently I wasn’t aware anyone out there was proposing an alternative. But they are, and how it is needed, as the present system is clearly not working even by its own terms – we have unprecedented man-made environmental degradation, growing unfairness and worse prospects for prosperity and happiness for future generations. By ditching the pretence that we can go on doubling the size of the economy every 27 years, for ever, whilst still occupying 1 planet, we could move to a system where the millstone of needing growth is removed; where the economy is made to work in favour of society and the environment. Steady State Manchester call this the Viable Economy, and it is described in their pamphlet, available to download on their website. Alternatively, Transition New Mills have a couple of copies we can loan out.

It’s interesting stuff, and an essential yet short read. The Transition Reading Group will be discussing it in due course.

Discussion Group Topics

23 Saturday May 2015

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donttrustdontfeardontbeg-cover

There was a great discussion on Naomi Klein’s book ‘This Changes Everything’ last week, thanks to all who came and for those who couldn’t make it. I’m sure we’ll return to it another time!

We have dates and topics for the next 3 meetings:

  • Monday June 22nd ‘Don’t Trust, Don’t Fear, Don’t Beg’ by Ben Stewart – at Chris’s house
  • Monday July 27th Maz will send round some articles on forestry – venue tbc
  • Monday August 24th Talk by Pat Devine on Post Crash economics – he’s also going to send an article to read in advance – venue tbc

And if you really want to get ahead on your reading the next book in line (probably for September) is Owen Jones’ ‘The Establishment and How They Get Away with It.’

Happy reading!

For more details, plus venues, please get in touch with Sue Cooper, suecoopernewmills@hotmail.com

Reading Group to Discuss Election Manifestos

14 Saturday Mar 2015

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Election signpost

The next meeting of the Transition reading group will be on Monday March 23rd, 7.30pm. The topic for discussion will be relevant policies and/or election manifestos (if they’re out by then) of the Green Party and Labour Party. In the meantime see the following links:

http://policy.greenparty.org.uk/

https://www.greenparty.org.uk/we-stand-for/

http://b.3cdn.net/labouruk/89012f856521e93a4d_phm6bflfq.pdf

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/feb/21/ed-miliband-climate-change-issue-national-security

If you wish to attend, please contact Sue for details of venue: suecoopernewmills@hotmail.com

Discussion Group talking about Feral by George Monbiot

25 Sunday Jan 2015

Posted by in Biodiversity, Discussion, Rewilding

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Following our successful relaunch of the group in January with a viewing of the ‘More than Honey’ DVD, our next meeting will take place at 7.30pm on Tuesday 24th February in Marple Bridge. Contact Sue for details (suecoopernewmills@hotmail.com).
Our topic is George Monbiot’s book ‘Feral’ on rewilding.
If you are pushed for time you may want to watch this 4 minute video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysa5OBhXz-Q
narrated by George which sums up part of the book.

The following meeting will be on Monday 23rd March.

If you missed the January meeting but would like to see the DVD ‘More than Honey’, do contact Sue to borrow it.
Feral Book Cover

More than Honey

10 Saturday Jan 2015

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Following a break over the Autumn, the Transition Reading Group is back!!!
Our first meeting is on Thursday 15th January, 7.30pm in New Mills. (Contact Sue Cooper suecoopernewmills@hotmail.com for address.)

We shall be watching the DVD ‘More than Honey’

Beautifully filmed and directed by Oscar nominated Markus Imhoof (The Boat is Full, Les petites Illusions), winner of numerous Best Documentary Awards across international film festivals and stunning cinematography by Jörg Jeshel and Attila Boa, More Than Honey brings sharply into focus our current bee crisis where numerous colonies of bees have been decimated throughout the world with 50% to 90% of bees having disappeared over the past 15 years. With one in three mouthfuls of the food we eat and 80% of plant species dependent on pollination, the honey bee is as indispensable to the economy as it is to man’s survival.

The decline of bees could have an enormous impact on the environment, which is dependent on the insects for pollination. If there is no pollinating – insect life, fruits, vegetables, and field crops would be obsolete, leaving the future of much of the world’s food supply in question. Are parasites, new viruses or travelling stress to blame? The film embarks on a world journey to discover the answers. More Than Honey is the provocative yet touching tale of what may happen if our bees become extinct.

We shall also discuss suggested topics for future meetings.

If you cannot come but are interested in joining the group and/or suggesting books, articles, dvds etc for future meetings please contact Sue Cooper
suecoopernewmills@hotmail.com