Newsletter October 2008

The LOAF Group

On 26th September the newly launched LOAF Group (Local Ottery area Food network) held a most successful and enjoyable evening in the Institute. After an interesting cookery demonstration by Tony Rhodes showing how to make use of locally produced food in innovative ways and Jon Knox and Susan Hunter served up freshly made apple juice. A buffet supper was followed by music from a newly formed local band 'Good Question'. The proceeds of the evening are to go to be shared between Sustainable Ottery and the proposed Ottery Skate park fund.

Future plans from the group include a garden-share scheme as well as the compilation of a local food directory and the setting up of a community orchard. If you have a garden which is now too large for you to manage or alternatively know of an older neighbour in your area who would like some help with it please contact us. We would also like to hear from you if you would like to offer your gardening help to someone else.

Community Market

Our monthly community market is now firmly established and provides local producers and craftspeople with a local outlet for their crafts and produce. Each month new stall holders are coming forward particularly in the Arts and Crafts section. All our regular stallholders will also be back including Kaiteur, and Lisa the face-painter will be keeping children entertained. And don't forget the tea, coffee and delicious home-made cakes & savouries from the WI. So don’t miss our next Community Market on Saturday 18th October instead of the usual last Saturday in the month. The November market will be on the 22nd.

If you would like to have your own stall (charge = £3) or would be willing to help with the set-up or the clearing up, please contact Beatrix Godfrey : 01404 812213 or Penny Hounslow 01404 814632.

We will be having a special Christmas Community market on Saturday 13th December so mark the date in your diary and if you would like your crafts or produce to be considered please call Penny on the above number.

Energy Group.

Are you fed up with spiralling electricity costs? Want to get your own back on the utility companies? Well, we can’t guarantee to make electricity cheaper but we can help you become more aware about how much electricity you’re using and how much it is costing you. Sustainable Ottery have bought electricity monitors which will show you exactly how much electricity your appliances are using and how much this costs. (You will need to find out how much your utility company is charging you per Kw/h from your bill). They’re quite simple to use and come with a Noddy guide. You can hire these from us for £2 for 24 hours or £5 for the weekend (Friday to Monday morning). To find out more please contact Jill Dixon on 01404 811067.

Escot Walled Garden Project

Phil Foggitt is planning to set up a permaculture centre in the walled garden at Escot. If you are interested in his scheme and would like to offer him your support or would like further details please contact him on 01404 851048 or e-mail phil@foggitt.freeserve.

Resources Group

Although the Resources Group have not yet attained their goal of being able to declare Ottery a plastic-bag free zone evidence of their hard work can be seen on a daily basis in the town where more and more shoppers are now using their own bags to carry their shopping. It is very rare now to spot a shopper laden with goods in plastic bags. Increasingly more shop owners have been able to cut down on their orders of bags and so marginally reduce their overheads.

Ottery Gazette Delivery

Jon Gaffney would like help with the delivery of this interesting monthly Magazine. It is a valuable community resource. If you would like a few hours work at the beginning of each month please contact him on 01404 815111. He would like to employ a local person .

World Development Movement talk on Climate Change et al.

East Devon WDM are having a meeting at the Methodist Church in Ottery St. Mary on 23rd October at 7:30 p.m. Leila Deen will be speaking to us about Kingsnorth coal-fired power station and climate change. Leila is coordinating WDM's campaign against Kingsnorth, and has had articles published in the New Statesman. 

Bio-fuels Film Showing.

Maureen Fairley of Sustainable Ottery has arranged a showing of a film about the potential problems with biofuels. This will be shown at the Fountain Room at St Sidwells, Sidwell St, Exeter, at 7 for 7.30 p.m. on 20th November Please contact Maureen on 01404 812683 for more details.

The Work That Reconnects

Clive Essame would like to draw your attention to the following course - a most inspirational workshop with Alex Wildwood and Jenni Horsfall that introduces ‘The Work That Reconnects’, an empowerment approach developed by Joanna Macy (www.joannamacy.net) Fri 31 Oct - Sun 2 Nov 2008.

£180 residential, £120 non residential. Booking essential. Monkton Wyld Court Charmouth Bridport Dorset DT6 6DQ Telephone: 01297 560342 for more details..

For jazz enthusiasts and live music aficionados!

Tickets will soon be on sale at the TIC and at Ottery Office and Computer shop for the Ellingtonia Concert to be held next February. This superb nine piece band specialise in recreating the sound of Duke Ellington. The LOAF Group are planning to provide buffet refreshments at the concert which is expected to be a sell-out.

Sustainable Ottery Steering Meeting.

Our next meeting is at 7.30p.m. on Thursday 16th October in the U.R.C. hall (opposite the Co-op). Anyone is welcome to come along and join in the discussions or just sit in quiet contemplation if you prefer! But do come along and help us help guide Ottery St. Mary towards a sustainable future.

Sustainable Ottery welcomes new members. Anyone interested in finding out more or in joining one of the working groups (energy, resources, food, art and creativity, transport, factory future, communications and awareness raising) can e-mail: info@sustainableottery.org.uk. See www.sustainableottery.org.uk for future events.

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