Welcome to the homepage for Transition Hay-on Wye

"As Mayor of Hay-on-Wye, I'd like to express my support for Transition Hay-on-Wye. Finding ways to draw on Hay's great sense of community spirit will be very important as we prepare for a future without cheap oil."

Fiona Howard, Mayor of Hay-on-Wye

“For local businesses - as for all local groups - the next few years will bring many changes as the demand for oil exceeds the available supply. The efforts of Transition Hay-on-Wye can help to make sure the changes are positive ones for the community.”

John Evans, Chair, Hay & District Chamber of Commerce

Transition what?

As the world runs out of cheap oil and other fossil fuels, and we start feeling the effects of climate change, many aspects of modern life will need to change – for example, how we build and heat our houses, the transport we use, the food we eat and how we grow it, how we dispose of our waste (and what we think of as ‘waste’), where we go on holiday and the types of work we do …

There are lots of steps we can take as individuals, and it is important for governments to respond to this transition at an international level. Work at both of these levels is essential but insufficient. Transition initiatives – there are now thousands worldwide - fit between the two, working at the level of communities.

Who is doing this?

Rather than trying to set up another local group, we are working closely with existing local organisations where possible, including social clubs, local businesses, the town and county council, and environmental groups. In this spirit, we are delighted that Wye Local has given us a section of their website to explain what is going on and how to get involved.

When, where and how will this happen?

Activities are planned throughout 2009 and beyond which will, firstly, raise local awareness of the need for community action and then identify ways to respond. These activities range from film screenings and talks, through to practical workshops on topics like sausage-making, keeping chickens and bike repair. In parallel with these events, project groups have been set up to look at the issues of energy, food, and waste. Further groups are planned to look at transport, economy, and health.

If you would like to join a project group, attend an event, and/or sign up for the monthly newsletter or contact the coordinating group please email tthayonwye@gmail.com. We are all volunteers so your patience is appreciated if there is a delay in responding to you. Also please do visit the Wye Local forum and get people talking about your ideas.

The Transition Network homepage (www.transitiontowns.org) contains background, administrative and technical information about Transition Initiatives around the world. The ‘Transition Culture’ online journal (http://transitionculture.org) is a frequently updated and friendly website maintained by the movement’s founder Rob Hopkins, which contains articles, short films, and news items relating to transition in practice.

Thank you for visiting this page. Please check back regularly as updates will appear frequently.