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ClickHereToReadOurMarch2010Newsletter

TRANSITION TOWN SHAFTESBURY - SPRING 2010 NEWSLETTER Please forward to anyone who may be interested See our website www.transitiontownshaftesbury.org.uk for more info

TTS Meetings - We plan to make our meetings more accessible and regular. The next meeting is on Tuesday 20th April, 7.30 at the Friends Meeting House, Abbey Walk, Shaftesbury SP7 8BB. EVERYONE IS WELCOME! We will be discussing progress on the exciting projects listed below. If you have ideas for positive change, come along and share them, meet like minds and start to make a difference! The TTS committee need a secretary, a fundraiser, a website updater and anyone willing to help organise events and projects.

Shaftesbury Home Grown is a community farm project in Breach Lane on a 4.5 acre field. The SHG group have applied for substantial funding and are optimistic about an award soon. Everyone is welcome to help out and volunteer members will earn a discount of 10% off the produce harvested. Volunteer work days are the 2nd and last Sundays of every month from 10 till 4. The field is just opposite Umbers Hill on Breach Lane. Contact Sarah on sarahbeesknees@btinternet.com for membership. Next work days are Sunday 28th March and Sunday 11th April. Everybody welcome!

A Tipping Point Eco-Circus is generating widespread interest, including Bristol, Exeter, Sunningdale, Wilton and several towns in Dorset. We were featured in the Energy Saving Trust newsletter and several people and projects have asked for the show to come to their town. See a 10 minute clip of highlights on our website www.transitiontownshaftesbury.org.uk The Circus Team are busy putting a package together so the show can tour this summer, either in a big top or in school halls. We are looking for funding to make it affordable, so if you can help, please contact Karen Wimhurst on 01747 850978 or karenwimhurst@ukonline.co.uk

Fruit & Nut Trees in St. James' Park - TTS has joined with Shaftesbury Tree Group and the Open Spaces Group to plant edible trees for public benefit on public land. With agreement of the town council and funding from NDDC, we have planted a selection of apple, pear, cherry, damson and cobnut. Contact shaftesburytreegroup@hotmail.co.uk for more info.

Shaftesbury Local Food Festival is on 1st May with a range of "fringe" events during April, kicking off with the Swans Yard Family Food & Crafts Day on Saturday 17th April. TTS will be leading a walk round local food projects on Sunday 25th April at 2.30 as part of the Food Festival. To include Enmore Green Allotments, Donkey Field Orchard, Shaftesbury Home Grown, St. James Allotments, Fruit & Nut trees in St. James' Park. Contact robin.walter@ukonline.co.uk about the walk and tamaraessex@aol.com about the festival. Programme now available from Swan's Yard, Turnbulls, and the TIC.

Active Travel Map for North Dorset - This is being produced by Adam Bows at DCC to encourage walking and cycling in the Shaftesbury and Gillingham area. TTS members have contributed to this and it should be ready this spring. Contact A.Bows@dorsetcc.gov.uk for details.

Hope2cycle - This is a new charitable community partnership on Longmead Estate providing reconditioned bikes, repairs, cycle hire and work experience. Donate your old cycle to them! Contact 01747 851397

Town Working Group - TTS have been invited to join the Shaftesbury Town Working Group to contribute to cycling provision around town. The Task Force is convening this group to draw up an overall plan of action for cycling. Funds have been identified for works. Contact mail@transitiontownshaftesbury.org.uk if you would like to participate.

10:10 Event - Cooking for Parents & Children with Jane Luxmoore on Sat 8th May as part of the Food Festival. This will focus on local foods and cheap and cheerful recipies. Contact Julia Markus on jorkus@lineone.net for details.

10:10 Event - Make Do & Mend with Laura Joliffe on Saturday 17th July. Repair and rejuvenate old clothes - create something out of nothing! Contact Julia Markus on jorkus@lineone.net for details.

Community Lunch - TTS plan to host a gathering of the town's groups to share lunch and explore how we can work together as a community to meet the challenges ahead. If you have thoughts on this, contact robin.walter@ukonline.co.uk

Dorset Community Sustainable Energy Conference - Fantastic opportunity to start up energy projects and learn how it is done. The event will take place on Saturday 17th April at the Dorford Centre, Dorchester. A provisional programme and location map can be viewed from the booking webpage:http://dorsetcommunityenergy.eventbrite.com/

Film Season - We are making preparations for another series of films. We hope to include The Transition Movie, Robert Newman's satirical History of Oil, Garbage Warrior, A Farm for the Future, and Home, with its stunning aerial images.

Shaftesbury Arts Centre is screening the documentary film VANISHING OF THE BEES (U) 80mins at Shaftesbury Arts Centre on May 5th @ 8pm. The honey bee is under threat. This key species is responsible for one third of our food. The very existence of agriculture is under threat. Tickets from SAC 01747 854321, or TIC 01747 853514 £6, SAC Members £5. Proceeds in aid of The Rolt Millennium Green.

TTS will be speaking at a Wiltshire Federation WI event - 'Our Interconnected World - Women Reaching Women' This is part of a National Federation educational campaign in conjunction with Oxfam GB and The Everyone Foundation (a human rights think tank) It is a three year project on links between development, women and climate change. The event will take place at Nursteed Community Primary School, Brickley Lane, Devizes SN10 3BF, on Tuesday 4 May from 7.30 - 9.30pm - doors open at 7pm for refreshments. Enquiries to: WI House Devizes - 01380 739340