Minutes of the Blackdown Hills Transition Group meeting
held Wed 26th Jan 2011. 7.30pm at Eastcott Barn.
Present: Tracey Bell, Sandra Aldworth, Lesley Rogan, Jim Rogan, Selena Mitford, Emet Stern, Chassidah Stern, Alison Fittenham, Jenny Archard, Moira Wood, Jimmy Hepburn, Jenny Ash.Apologies received from Karen Atkinson, Linda Bennett, Kim Goonesekera, Jodie Hoare, Geraldine Field.
Minutes of Meeting held 29.9.10 (November’s meeting was cancelled due to ice and snow)
Matters arising
1.BHTG contribution to Community Plan, progress on funding issues. No action so far on Community plan but Tracey felt that there is time for any ideas we have around this to develop, as the Community Plan will be a living document. With regard to funding applications, she advised that we apply for overall funding as a Transition group, rather than asking for small chunks for different projects.
2. Renewable energy in B Hills, progress on representation on BH AONB. The voting to decide who will be accepted on to the AONB ctte will not take place until later in Febuary. We have put forward Jodie as our representative. Meanwhile Jodie, Selena, Alison and Sandra are on the Carbon Reduction Group with the AONB CR Group. It has been estimated that 43% of our carbon emissions in the Blackdown Hills will come from travel. The Blackdown Hills are 1/3 the size of Dartmoor and 1/3 the population of Dartmoor. It would therefore be relatively easy for us to use their statistics, being another rural area, in assessing our needs, challenges and targets.
3. Bank Account Tracey has sent off all the relevant information to the Bank. Sandra, as Treasurer, has the Bank statements, cheque book etc. Cheques to be signed by Treasurer and one other (Selena, Tracey or Lesley)
4. Constitution Selena has updated this (Item 5 in the Constitution “The committee shall comprise no fewer than 8 members”).
Items for Discussion
BHTG members’ names on AONB database AONB have asked if BHTG members would like to be on their mailing list, so that we can receive and share relevant information. All present agreed to this. Jenny Ash will inform AONB (JAs)
Items for information
1.Progress on the 4 sub groups ( Interest/ Working Groups)
a. Carbon Reduction Group (see above)
b. BHT Website Group.
The meeting was delighted to hear from Emet that we have had over 200 hits on the website. Selena suggested and all agreed that more/wider range of material would be welcome. A useful discussion of ideas followed, including:
“Letters from the Land” – a page where food producers ( sale or personal consumption) could regularly contribute ideas/articles. Jim and Lesley expressed interest in contributing to this. Emet will give log-on details.
What is local resilience?
Local relevant stories
Cutting our Carbon Footprint – including advice/ details re buying locally.
Children’s page – to include things they can interact with eg calculating food miles.
“Where can I recycle this?” Crisp packet recycling – Sandra has information. Tracey knows of a man who will take your waste and find a use.
“What to ask if you’re considering solar panels” Alison suggested she could write a Buyers Be Aware type article. It was also agreed that Alison could put a link to her website on the BHT website.
Fun Group (Churchingford) Progress hampered by snow and ‘flu.
Heart and Soul
Jenny Archard and Lesley expressed interest in joining Karen and Jenny Ash in this group. Some discussion followed re the value/importance of Heart and Soul – the inner and outer change required for future resilience and sustainability, as well as ongoing support in the work we are doing
2. Feedback on Transition training
Jim and Jenny Ash attended the two day Transition Network training in Totnes on 22/23 Jan 2011, which they found extremely helpful, particularly in looking at structures and the need to focus. The usual model is to have a central Initiating Group which forms a hub for the Working Groups to relate to. Eventually the Initiating Group should become redundant. The importance placed on Heart and Soul aspects was illustrated by the fact that approximately half of the training time was centred on this and indeed underlay the whole weekend. It had been inspiring to meet and discuss with people from other areas and other countries, who share similar aspirations. All the excellent training materials can be downloaded and are available for our use.
We have now fulfilled the requirement of two people having received the training, which the Transition Network requires if we are to become an official group member of the organisation.
Funding has been obtained by the BH AONB for 75% of the cost, for 5 of us to do the training, provided all receipts are in by the end of March.
Discussion ensued around what are our goals in the BHTG and how do we recognise when we have met our targets.
3. DECAN website: Devon Climate Action Network have made contact with us to say they are in the process of establishing a website for the use of members. They need to make a time when they can give some members of our Group training in using and being able to input on the website. Selena to check on this (SM)
Items for AGM to be held 28.3.11 at 8.00pm (The original date of 29.3.11 has been changed to the 28th)
Selena will check on availability of the Cricket Pavilion at Churchingford and put adverts in Parish Magazines and View from the Blackdowns.(SM) The venue has been confirmed since this meeting, as being Churchingford Village Hall
At last year’s AGM, we discussed our goals and have largely achieved what we set out to do, in providing ourselves with a structure within which we can work eg website, bank account, constitution, establishment of working/interest groups. Our progress to date will be outlined by the Chair in the AGM. (SM)
Our Vision. Today’s meeting and the Transition training highlighted our need to be clear as to our shared vision and how we plan to meet goals. It was agreed that we would hold a group half day, to look at our structure, aims and ideals. Jenny Archard who is a Group Facilitator, offered to help facilitate this. She and the rest of the Heart and Soul group will meet to plan the Visioning Day which will be held on Wed 23rd March, 9.30am – 1pm, with shared lunch at Eastcott Barn. Heart and Soul Group to arrange a meeting to plan the Visioning Day. (JAr,KA,LR,JAs)
Venue for Meeting to be held Wed 25th May 7.30pm : Sandra’s at Clayhydon (School House, semi-detached from the Village Hall on Battle Street, down from the Council Houses).
Venue for the Meeting to be held Tuesday 26th July : Yarcombe Inn was suggested (check re availability)
Venue for the Meeting to be held Wed 28th Sept: Tea Rooms at Stentwood (off the Hemyock/Dunkeswell Rd)
Any Other Business Sandra spoke about GLADE – does Climate reduction work with children in schools in liason with a community group. However Funding has now been refused for this.
J.Ash (Joint Minutes Secretary)
