Newsletter April 2010
Sustainable Ottery: Ottery St Mary’s response to climate change, carbon footprints and peak oil.
Welcome to the April 2010 edition of
Sustainable Ottery’s monthly newsletter
STEERING GROUP MEETING: PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DAY AND VENUE
The next SO monthly Steering Group meeting is on Tuesday 20th April, at 7.30 in the Volunteer Inn. There will be a short (ish) business meeting before we concentrate on deciding our direction for 2010 onwards. This is a really important conversation that we all need to be having so please come along and add your idea. See you all there I hope! Everyone is welcome.
Next Community Market: 24th April 9.30 – 12.30, The Institute.
Come and celebrate the Community Market's 2nd Birthday
There will be free tea and coffee at Sustainable Ottery's Community Market this month to mark the occasion. There are now stalls selling organic meat and home made chocolate, as well those established ones selling vegetables, eggs, preserves and home baked goodies. We welcome back our plant sellers as well. The next market is on Saturday 24th April 9.30am – 12.30pm at the Institute in Yonder Street
Welcome to the latest newsletter. This month we have loads to tell you about including the Supermarket planning applications and the meeting of EDDC to decide on this vital matter for the town and surrounding area.
Sustainable Ottery Community Interest Company
Sustainable Ottery is a properly registered Community Interest Company, or CIC. This means that it has directors, who will be elected at AGMs, members who can stand as directors and move the company in the direction they see appropriate, it can apply for funds from a large number of organisations that non-official organisations can’t. It also has what is called an asset lock, which means that if SO COC ceases operating the assets – money, equipment etc has to be given to a designated local charity or CIC and these can not be shared out among the directors.
Directors do not get a share of any “surplus” made as they might in an ordinary limited company, any “surplus” is ploughed back into the CIC.
If you wish to read the aims and objective of Sustainable Ottery CIC you can see them at www.sustainableottery.org.uk/#/so-governing-document/4530303192 or we can email them to you.
At the end of the newsletter you will find an application form for membership of Sustainable Ottery. The benefits of being a member:
Supporting the work of Sustainable Ottery as described on the website
Voting powers at AGMs (notice of these will be posted on the website)
The right to stand for election as a director of the company
Regular e-newsletters keeping you up to date with news of Sustainable Ottery, environmental and local issues
Membership of sub-groups that interest you
An influence on the direction that the organisation takes in pursuit of its aims
An open invitation to attend Directors’ meetings
You will also find a form which we would really appreciate you looking at; it is our skills audit and is a way we have found of discover what you, our supporters and members, are skilled at. This means you can offer to get involved in the way that you want to. Please take a look, fill it in and email it back to us. Thank you.
Supermarket Update
At last a date has been agreed for the EDDC planning meeting to discuss the Tesco and Sainsbury’s applications plus the proposed development of the Mill buildings and Otter View. It will take place on
THURSDAY 15th APRIL AT 2 P.M. AT THE INSTITUTE.
If you would like to speak at the meeting (for 3 minutes) then you need to register by contacting Linda White at EDDC ljwhite@eastdevon.gov.uk or write to Mrs Linda White, Democratic Services, EDDC, Knowle, Sidmouth, EX10 8HL , or telephone 01395 516 551, Extension 2482 (you can leave a message at any time if the phone is not manned)..
It will be a popular meeting so be there early (by 1.20?) as once 130 people are there, the doors will be closed!
This may your final chance to have your say , face-to-face, to those who will make a decision. Remember it doesn’t have to be an either-or decision, they could say ‘No’ to both applications. We say they should say ‘No’ to both. A new Grimley report suggests just that – Tesco’s in the wrong place and Sainsbury’s is far too big; the latter is also rejected for the same reason by English Heritage. Please come and have your say – it may be our last chance.
Please download a Say No poster here, or an EDDC meeting poster here. Put these up somewhere prominent and help stop the threat of a supermarket.
Food Group
We are planning a couple of events this year and we would like to ask for volunteers to come forward to come and join in.
The first event is going to be a celebration of local food and drink which is to take place in July. This will hopefully involve makers of some of the great food and drink made in Devon presenting their wares in a venue in the town. It will tie in with a “wild food walk” which will take place on a local organic farm and end with some form of celebration in the evening with music and food. This event will be great fun but it needs keen people involved to make it happen. Please get in touch if you are happy to give us hand.
The second event is going to involve tree planting on a piece of land near the town. These trees will produce edible fruits of one sort or another, and planting will happen in the Autumn.
Tony is still running his Cookery Club, if you want to take part in this please contact him 01404 811299 tonyandbrenda555@hotmail.com. The next one is on Wednesday 7th April, 6.30 to 8.30pm, Institute, attendees to Email or phone to book a place.
We are also planning a short “learn the basics of cookery on a budget” course to take place in the early summer. This is aimed at people who need to feed a family on a budget, who may not have the cookery skills, or the confidence, to use basic ingredients. If you are interested, or if you know anyone who is, please contact us as soon as possible so we can identify the need. The next meeting of the Food Group is in the informal setting of the bar of the London Inn on Tuesday 6th April at 7.30pm, everyone is welcome to attend.
An interesting link to look at is http://www.otterfarmblog.co.uk/2009/01/about-otter-farm.html. We just didn’t know this was going just up the river from us.
Land Wanted The Food Group, in cooperation with HogCo (Home Grown Community Owned) are looking for pieces of unused land for a Community Garden or Farm. If you know of anywhere that my be available, with properly set up tenancy agreements etc, please get in touch at info@sustainableottery.org.uk or 01404 814217.
The Great Ottery Re-skilling Day.
Despite indifferent weather, we had a very successful re-skilling day last month which attracted people of all ages from toddlers to octogenarians and many new skills and ideas were exchanged. Socks were darned, shopping bags were made, wool was spun, wool was knitted, beautiful clay pots were crafted (especially popular with the youngsters) cushion covers produced from old curtains, runner beans were planted, blackcurrant jam was made and delicious soda bread was produced in a fraction of the time of yeast-based bread and tasted delicious. Enquiries ranged from how to sew on a button to how to set-up a sewing machine with no instruction manual.
Those who had been through the War came up with ingenious ideas on how to make-do-and-mend ensuring nothing was wasted – a salutary lesson for our times when land-fill is getting out of control and the increase in oil prices will surely ensure that cheap imports will become a thing of the past. We need to ensure that these seemingly ‘old’ skills do not slip away – we may need to re-learn them again and sooner than we think. Many thanks to Ottery HealthStore and Roberts Hardware for offering generous discounts to those who attended the event to purchase any food or equipment relating to the day and also to RIO (Recycling in Ottery) for the cushion pads and zips.
The hand built pottery table was a real success with the young people who attended the day and they identified that they really wanted to do more, please see below if you are a potter and would like to share your skills.
We are hoping that following this event we will be able to start up a new knitting group and a new sewing group for those keen to do their own alterations or clothes-making or simply how to use a machine. Would you like to get involved in either of those groups either as a beginner or as an experienced knitter/dressmaker? If so then please contact info@sustainableottery.org.uk or telephone 01404 811067. Also...
Volunteer Potter wanted – After the success of the reskilling day we are looking for someone who has pottery skills to run the occasional workshop for young people. We do have access to a kiln. If you are interested do please get in touch.
Drum Beats in Ottery
The first two workshops were such a success that another two workshops have been arranged to take place at the Old Boys School at 2pm till 5pm on 24th April, 22nd May. The fee will be between £12-15, depending on numbers attending. If you would like to know more please contact Clive on 01404 814217. Drums will be available to borrow, or you can bring your own. Download poster here.
Looking Ahead in Ottery
Beth Hamer from 'Growing Our Future' (based in Chagford/Okehampton) has accepted an invitation to come and speak to SO in the early summer about her recent 6 week visit to Cuba researching permaculture there. See www.okehamptoncollege.devon.sch.uk
Miscellaneous Others
There is a campaign that seeks to move the clocks forward one hour permanently throughout the year as a means to save energy. The thinking is that we will use less electricity as the natural light is extended into the evening. Intrigued? Then please visit www.lighterlater.org for more information.
Take a look at www.wildwise.co.uk for a wide range of outdoor activities for all the family, run by what I have found to be a well run organisation.
News from Vision Group for Sidmouth
Youth-futures
Sustainable Sidmouth’s youth working group
Sustainable Courtyard Project @ KENNAWAY HOUSE
- Creating Gaudi style mosaics
- Creating a Permaculture herb garden
- Building bird and bat nest boxes
COME ALONG AND JOIN IN
FREE EVENT
FIRST SESSION
12 – 4pm
SAT 10TH APRIL MOSAIC
12 – 4pm
SUN 11TH APRIL PLANTING
AND NEST BOX MAKING
FAMILIES WELCOME. YOUNG CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT
For further info contact -
louisewoolley@hotmail.co.uk www.kennawayhouse.org.uk
FREE EcoTeams training event on Saturday 24th April at Sidmouth College , Primley Road, Sidmouth, Devon , EX10 9LG from 9.30 – 2.30pm. EcoTeams is a community engagement programme helping you to learn how you can reduce your carbon footprint in a series of fun and easy steps. To sign up please visit: www.ecoteams.org.uk/events and click the SIGN UP button for Sidmouth OR contact Philip Moore Mob: 07920 515 755. Email: philip.moore@globalactionplan.org
News from Exeter
“Ask the Climate Question”
Parliamentary hustings hosted by the RSPB at 7pm on 27 April at the Exeter Phoenix.
A free Question Time Style Event with Prospective Parliamentary Candidates from the major parties giving you the opportunity to ask questions and air your views on the issue of climate change.
Contact the RSPB to register - Roberta Smith on Climatehusting_SW@rspb.org.uk or 01392 453758
Exeter Festival of South West Food and Drink
The Exeter Festival of South West Food and Drink is coming to the Northernhay Gardens and Exeter Castle from the 9th – 11th April. It is a great event with lots to do for all the family and showcases some of the best produce the South West has to offer. www.exeterfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk.
The next SO monthly Steering Group meeting is on Tuesday 20th April, at 7.30 in the Volunteer Inn.
Please pass on this newsletter to any contacts you have. If you have been sent this by a friend, please e-mail info@sustainableottery.org.uk adding `subscribe’ to the subject line. If you would like to be removed from the mailing list, please let us know. And if you currently receive a paper copy of this newsletter but could receive it electronically (which is cheaper and more environmentally friendly), please send us your e-mail address.
See www.sustainableottery.org.uk for further details of our events and activities.
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Sustainable Ottery Ltd.
Community Interest Company
Application for membership
I would like to apply to be a member of Sustainable Ottery and I support the aims of the organisation as described on the organisation’s website at www.sustainableottery.org.uk/
Name:………………………………………………………………………………..
Address: …………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………… Postcode: ……………………………………..
Email: ………………………………………………………………………………..
Tel: ………………………………………………Signature………………………..
Membership is open to everyone over the age of 16.
Annual membership fee £3 (renewable on 15th October annually)
Benefits of membership
· Supporting the work of Sustainable Ottery as described on the website
· Voting powers at AGMs (notice of these will be posted on the website)
· The right to stand for election as a director of the company
· Regular e-newsletters keeping you up to date with news of Sustainable Ottery, environmental and local issues
· Membership of sub-groups that interest you
· An influence on the direction that the organisation takes in pursuit of its aims
· An open invitation to attend Director’s meetings
I do not wish to be a member but would like to be a supporter and receive the e-newsletter
Please return to: Sustainable Ottery, c/o Roberts, Broad Street, Ottery St. Mary, Devon. EX11 1BU
Cash, or cheques made out to Sustainable Ottery please.
Your details will not be passed to any other organisation at any time. By signing this form you are agreeing to us keeping your information on a computer system.
Also Click Here for a downloadable version of the application form
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Skills Audit Database
To enable Sustainable Ottery to communicate better with its supporters we wish to enhance our database. If happy to do so, please could you fill in the requested details below and return, so that in future Sustainable Ottery can make better use of its hidden talents.
Experiences and skills.- don’t hide yours under a bushel, we all have something to offer. Here are a few suggestions:
Name: Post Code:
E-mail: Telephone:
EXPERIENCES & SKILLS:
Delivering leaflets Accountancy/bookkeeping
Food preservation Campaigning
Garden share, land available Organising events
Livestock rearing Poster design
Permaculture Public speaking
Putting up posters Running meetings
Seasonal cooking Writing up minutes
Staffing stalls Town planning
Tree planting Fund raising
Vegetable growing Advertising
Catering Group Facilitation
Creative activities Renewable energy
Coaching & counselling
Please tick one or more boxes and return via this email address (newsletter@sustainableottery.org.uk) or via SkillsAudit@sustainableottery.org.uk . If we have omitted a skill that you are able to offer, feel free to write it in a space provided.
If returning this skills survey in paper form then please could you drop it into Roberts Hardware shop for collection.
