Minutes of
Blackdown Hills Transition Group, held 21.9.11 at Stentwood Farm,
Dunkeswell.
Present: Tracey
Bell, Emet Stern, Chassidah Stern, Jimmie Hepburn, Moira Wood,
Charles Hill, Trudie Farmer, Jim Rogan, Sandra Aldworth, Sarah
Hitchens, Alison Tottenham, Selena Mitford, Jenny Ash.
Apologies:
Lesley Rogan, Penny Hepburn, Geraldine, Carol Lock, Jenny Archard.
Minutes of Meeting
held 26.7.11. were signed.
Matters arising from
last meeting .
1. Two BHT banners have now been completed for use.
2. Honiton Show: We were unable to make a presence at the Show as not enough people were
available to organise. We need to think about any input we wish to
have for next year. However BHT presence and representation at the
Sustainability Show in Taunton and the Blackdown Hills Woodland Fair
successfully raised our profile.
3. Signed timesheets. Time spent in meetings can be costed against applications
for funding (match funding). LR has prepared timesheets which we need
to complete at all meetings, including focus or special interest
group meetings.
4. Apple Day review– to be discussed in later item of the meeting.
Other matters arising from minutes.
Raising awareness was an aim identified in our Visioning Day. Discussion of progress so far:
Selena’s articles in Parish magazines are gradually raising the profile of BHT.
Market days in villages - an idea to be built on.
People’s reasons for coming to a Transition/ Sustainability event vary. We need to listen
to those whose reasons may be different from our own. There is a need
to consciously do things, without always the conscious awareness of
the reality of our world situation.
While the aim would be to find alternatives to oil, in the meantime a Community oil buying
scheme can offer a useful service, in that it generates community
resilience. In Buckland they have found the scheme has resulted in
financial savings. We can share and make it fun. The Apple Day is an
example of this. We have become so dependent on resources from
outside. How do we track back to times when we were more
interdependent?
Allotments: Situation varies in different parts of the Blackdowns eg Buckland St Mary has 2
fields/allotments not used. Hemyock has a huge demand.
BHT has a number of initiatives ready to activate including: Farmers’ Markets,
The idea of a Community Orchard – especially with celebration of Jubilee next year.
Swopping/sharing page
Recycling – putting unwanted but good items out on doorstep for people to take, as is
done in some other areas. EDDC are looking for Community Recycling
Champions. Contact EDDC to have a voice.
Representation at the Honiton Show in the Blackdown tent in 2012
Woodland Fair 2012. Selena willing to organise BHT stand there again.
Blackdown Hedgelaying Day?
Sustainability Show.
Last year provided an opportunity for local small businesses to work
together with BHT in a co-operative advertising presence at the Show.
Putting our contact information on the Seed Packs that we have given away this year has
worked well but we need some literature.
Apple Day Review
The event to be held 23.10.11 at Otterford.
Trudi has done posters and sent info to some Parish Magazines.
VIGO interested in the event and will advertise for us.
Val and Jodie bringing presses.
Insurance: Public Liability would cover us for all meetings through the year. Agreed to
obtain insurance for £5m liability. Money made on refreshments could
help to pay for the cost.
Refreshments needed from the Group. Details through email. Soup and Spiced Apple Punch
also to be provided.
Food hygiene certificate holders: Jim, Tracey, Jenny.
Safety concerns re: bonfire. Trudi to check this out.
Apple Group to continue with making arrangements for the day.
Community Apple Press.
Discussion re applying for funding for apple press and pasteurizer from SDF. People have
offered to share their presses. A pasteurizer can be made very simply
with a large tea urn. Would need guidelines for borrowing. Donations
to borrow? Jim and Lesley could store the equipment. The Apple Group
to follow this up – but not for this Apple Day.
Contacts with other local Transition Groups.
Two members of BHT are going to attend the inaugural meeting of Honiton Transition.
Visioning Day Template review.
Selena will email the Visioning Day template to all members, particularly to inform new
members. Jim noted the need to continually review it – a rolling
item at alternate meetings. Also to put template on the website.
Progress reports of Workgroups.
1. Renewable energy in the Blackdown Hills.
Feed in tariff is raising interest
Otherwise limited recent activity in this group. AONB has run out of funding. BHT to
continue championing this important area.
2. Gardening/Land
Alan Tarr and Jim Rogan have been in discussion. Jim has done a background paper using info
from other websites. Helping people learn. Mentoring. Supporting
applications for allotments. Jim’s discussion paper to be linked
back to the Visioning template. Tracey, Sandra and Charles all opted
to join this group.
3. Heart and Soul
Jenny felt that the Banner making meetings had transpired to be a Heart and Soul event
with the meetings producing a wonderful creative result, illustrating
that the deeply meaningful is often to be found in simply working
together and the smallest things.
Trudi said there is a lady from Wellington Transition who is interested in making links
with BHT Heart and Soul. She is holding events linked to the Seasons.
Many Transition groups find Heart and Soul to be a challenging area, with the potential for
division between those interested in H and S and those with a more
practical bent. However when we acknowledge that all aspects are
relevant, then our joint skills and interests can be mutually
fulfilling.
It was suggested that lighting a candle at the beginning of a meeting could provide a good
start, though this idea was not unanimously agreed upon.
Website.
Emet’s input with regard to our Website was greatly appreciated. It was acknowledged
that its creation is because of him.
Emet and Tracey will do a check on what hits we get.
Letters from the Land needs input.
Events can also be included.
Any other business.
Ecological land co-operative. Sandra reported that three smallholdings have now got
prospective tenants and an application is being put to Mid Devon.
Also the Somerset Co-op Community Landtrust is aiming to raise money for the old dentist
surgery in Billetfield, Taunton, by January.
1st Oct Scout Jumble sale – a great example of recycling!
NEXT MEETING: There have been date changes since the date arranged at
this meeting.
THE NEW DATE for the next meeting is confirmed as Friday 9th
December at 1pm at Tracey Bell’s – The Old Kennels, Stentwood,
near Dunkeswell, EX14 4RW
