Transition Hay-on-Wye meeting

Kilvert’s, Hay-on-Wye, 14 April 2010

Present: Phoebe Boulanger, Bob Hilton, Ainsleigh Rice, Paul Graves, Lesley Arrowsmith, Peter Williams, Ann Sykes, Tim Organ, Dave Prescott

1.    An ‘open agenda’ was trialled for this meeting whereby the agenda was agreed by the people who were present. This was based on the structure used by Transition Town Totnes. This seemed to go well.

2.    A climate change video has been prepared by Velindre resident and Arctic explorer James Cresswell, available here: http://www.climatechangewitness.org James would be happy to give presentations on climate change to local groups.

3.    TH public liability insurance has been renewed.

4.    We still have use of a thermal imaging camera as part of a comprehensive, free household energy survey for any local residents who want it, contact Ainsleigh Rice ainsleigh_jennifer@btinternet.com

5.    There will be a screening of the film ‘In Transition’ at Booth’s Bookshop, 7.30pm, on Thursday 22 April. Contact phoebeboulanger@hotmail.com

6.    There will be a ‘Garden in Transition’ at the Hay Festival this year to profile Transition and permaculture activities. We are currently looking for donations of hazel poles, and plants that can tolerate boggy conditions including meadowsweet, yellow flag and purple loosetrife. We are also looking for people who would be interested in manning the garden for half-day slots during Festival time (27 May – 6 June). There are several other ways to get involved - contact Dave Prescott gardenintransition@gmail.com

7.    A ‘Sharing space’ day was suggested for September 25/26 as a development of last year’s ‘Celebrating Tomorrow’s Transport’ event. This would involve closing Castle Street and Market Square and using the buttermarket for workshops and demonstrations. The success of street closure will depend on bringing local traders and local residents along with the idea. Contact Tim Organ tim@co2dl.co.uk

8.    As an awareness-raising activity, a writing competition for adults plus possibly secondary schools on the theme of Transition was suggested for September. This may be in connection with local writing groups and could also connect with the ‘Sharing space’ day. Project being led by Paul Graves paulgraves7@tiscali.co.uk

9.    As another awareness-raising activity a children’s art exhibition was proposed involving local primary schools. The buttermarket has been booked for 17 July. Contact Paul Graves paulgraves7@tiscali.co.uk

10.    There is a patch of land within the grounds of residential home Cartref, there is interest from BUPA and the Co-op to turn it into a productive space including greenhouse/polytunnel. Site visit on Saturday 17 April to discuss further. Contact Linda Wickham lcwickham@aol.co.uk

11.    Half an acre of land over Hay bridge is being used as a community garden. The project is at a very early stage of development. If people would like to see the area and get involved in the project they should contact Phoebe Boulanger phoebeboulanger@hotmail.com or Bob Hilton bobhilto_1@yahoo.com

12.    It was agreed to call a meeting with the allotment association and Transition Hay-on-Wye to discuss the possibility of more local allotment provision. The meeting will take place before the Hay Festival. Contacts are Phoebe Boulanger phoebeboulanger@hotmail.com, Bob Hilton, bobhilto_1@yahoo.com and Peter Williams pjwilliams2@googlemail.com

13.    Stephanie Bradley from Transition Town Totnes is spending six months walking around the UK visiting Transition initiatives. She will come to Hay 2-6 August. There are plans for a ‘Transition Tales’ session at Hay Library during this time. Contact is daveprescott@me.com and more info about the project is here: http://www.transitionnetwork.org/blogs/steph-bradley

14.    Next Transition Hay-on-Wye newsletter to be sent out Tuesday 20 April.

15.    The next meeting will take place on Wednesday 19 May at Kilvert’s, beginning at 7.30pm. There will be an open agenda again.

16.    The meeting was closed and the agenda was composted.