The Common Room: Make Day - Sat 18 May, 11am - 4pm

Following on from two prototype days, The Common Room at St Lawrence's Church is holding a Make Day and inviting people to be part of taking the project to the next stage.

WHAT IS THE COMMON ROOM?
The Common Room could transform St Laurence's Church into a new type of shared space, made and shaped collectively, and run on the principles of collaboration, connection and resourcefulness.

You could host meet ups, start new projects or develop your business ideas. It could be a workspace, workshop, communal dining room, or growing space.... What happens there can be up to you.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
There are lots of exciting ideas, potential opportunities and a high level of interest from many different people:

"Norwich really needs a centre for all of its many creative people to come together & support each other and benefit from each other's experience."

"The Common Room should encourage activities and projects  within the local community, shaped by the local community.  I would love to both teach and be taught here."

 "A community workshop would allow people tolearn new skills and do things for themselves. 

It could have so much potential, for businesses too."

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
There are new parts we need to design, build and create together including: membership, activities equipment and economic models

So we would now like to invite you to come to the Make Day and join us in collectively creating the building blocks needed to take The Common Room forward.

RSVP: http://commonroommakeday.eventbrite.co.uk

We look forward to meeting and making together!
 
Common Room Co-founding Group, The Churches Conservation Trust and Social Spaces 00:/

Image: Herbs for Resilience Trade School class by Mark Watson, Common Room, February 2012

Patterns for a Sustainable Planet - Saturday 18 May

'Patterns for a Sustainable Planet' is the UN talk by Corinne Le Quéré, Professor of Climate Change Science and Policy at the University of East Anglia and is Director of the UEA Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research.

Professor Le Quéré was author of the 3rd , 4th and 5th (ongoing) Assessments of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. She co-chairs the Global Carbon Project, a non-governmental organisation that fosters International research on the carbon cycle and publishes annual updates on global emissions and sinks of carbon dioxide. Further information on her current work on Future Earth can be found on this link:  http://www.icsu.org/future-earth

The new international research programme Future Earth, will coordinate international research on sustainability for the next 10 years 

Saturday 18^th May at the Curve in the Forum, 11am. will last about 30 minutes followed by questions. Coffee is available from 10.30am Admission is free. A donation is invited to cover expenses. www.unanorwich.org.uk

May Fair in Chapelfield Gardens and Seize the Day - 5 and 11 May

On Sunday May 5 2013 Norwich and District Trades Council presents a day of music, events, talks and fun for all in Chapelfield Gardens.

As well as bands and a great poetry set (headed by Luke Wright), there will be carnival kids crafts, bouncy castle, face painting and competions, plus other activities (adults too) such as circus skills workshops with the Foolhardy Folk  and hula-hooping with Hula-baloo?

To book a stall please mail Mayday2013@hotmail.co.uk

Saturday 11 May 8pm St Thomas Church Hall, Earlham Road

Seize The Day are a radical English acoustic band with global roots. "We write songs to celebrate, inspire and support the liberation of life.

"Whatever needs to change or be defended in this world, we sing to make you laugh about it, cry about it, dance about it – maybe even inspire you to believe that you can DO something about it!"

Bar, refreshments, Campaign and conversation area. Tickets £7/£5 concessions at the door, £6/£4 in advance, available from Lesley Grahame,  07711 298214 lesley7railway@yahoo.co.uk

Do also keep an eye out for the new summer issue of Transition Free Press now out and on sale at both events

Permaculture Design Course West Norfolk: April – September

The fourth West Norfolk Permaculture Design Course is starting in April 2013 and will run for six weekend over six months at six inspiring West Norfolk venues. This course has been very popular for the last three years and is helping to build a strong permaculture community across Norfolk. 

This course provides an introduction to the design methods, tools, principles and ethics that underpin this sustainable design system. It is a unique opportunity to meet other people in the area who are exploring more sustainable ways of living and to visit some exciting projects already employing the principles of permaculture.

The first weekend (April 13/14) is an introduction and participants can come to this as a stand-alone weekend. For those who wish to explore further, there will be five additional weekends on 11/12 May, 8/9 June, 13/14 July, 10/11 August and 14/15 September. All those who complete the full course will receive a certificate and be able to continue on to do the permaculture  diploma if they wish. 

Details and information can be found on the Norfolk Permaculture web site at http://norfolkpermaculture.wordpress.com/. For more information e-mail westnorfolkpdc@gmail.com or call Ben on 01760 756029.

Grapes Hill Community Garden Update

Tea break in the garden, Sunday 17th March 2013.

It doesn't feel particularly like spring at the moment but there are some subtle signs that winter is nearing its end. On a warm day a couple of weeks ago, Comma butterflies briefly emerged from hibernation and in green spaces like Earlham Cemetery in Norwich, bumblebees, honeybees and hoverflies have been visiting the massed crocuses.

Another hint of spring was the resumption of garden tasks at Grapes Hill Community Garden in mid March.  These will take place every fortnight, on Sunday afternoons (2 - 4pm). The next dates are: 31st March (Easter Sunday), 14th April, 28th April, 12th May 2013. All welcome - gardening experience is not essential and tools, tea and cake will be provided.

During the winter we planted a mini-orchard of plum trees on an area of grass on Golding Place and in early March we organised a community litter pick.   

This summer we are going to host a Big Lunch in the garden on Sunday 2nd June. We'll also be opening the garden, along with the Belvedere Centre Garden for charity through the National Gardens Scheme on Sunday 28th July 2013 as "Two Norwich Community Gardens".


For more information on the garden see our website and Facebook page. Jeremy Bartlett

Photograph by Jeremy Bartlett 

Visions for Change - 9 April

Visions for Change, the meeting place for progressive individuaals and groups in and around Norwich has monthly meetings at the Playhouse and has recently launched a website to publicize our activities, events and contacts.

At our first meeting we had a round of talks about why we have come together at Visions for Change and agreed that subsequent meetings should include:

• shout-outs: about upcoming events and activities by groups and individuals
• action networking: connecting individuals to set up activities and support each other outside VFC
• education on issues: have discussions on issues we feel need to be discussed in this space. We do not want to duplicate discussions and talks already taking place, but a number of us felt the need to educate ourselves in this informal round on progressive issues. Discussions will first take place in small groups of max. 7 people on the same issue. Then we have one person from each group sit in a fish-bowl format conversation and feedback and discuss the outcome of the groups.

The meetings follow the structure above and this month's item for discussion: Engaging the Norwich Community
 
The fourth aspect we agreed VfC should be about is 'socializing', thus after our two hour meeting there is time for a drink in the bar afterwards! Vanessa Buth

Playhouse meeting room. 42 - 58 St Georges St. Norwich NR3 1AD, 7.30-9.30pm. All welcome.

Contact: Alan Cottey Email: alancottey@phonecoop.coop

Edible Forest Gardening - 17 March

Turn any garden or patch of land into a sustainable multi-layer food system. From surveying and site analysis, to plant choice and placement, this workshop will use a real world example to take you through the forest garden design process. By the end of the day you will have created a design and be ready to grow your own forest garden to suit your circumstances. Includes how to work sustainably with nature, implementation, plant sourcing, propagation and maintaing a healthy garden. Cost £20 (£15 concessions)

Edible Forest Gardening - Sunday 17 March 11-4pm at True Sounds above Ali Bongo's, 22 St Johns, Madermarket, Norwich NR2 1DN 

Reserve a place here For futther information: David Boyce 07526423076 healthygrowth7@gmail.com

Norwich FarmShare talk- 25 February

As well as running a hedge-planting workday on 24th February (all welcome), Norwich FarmShare will be relating their experiences of this unique city CSA at  the next meeting of the Norwich Organic Group.

Connecting community with food growing on 7 acres: Our story so far with grower,  Tierney Woods
Members of the social enterprise will share their experience of creating a community-run vegetable growing business. The growers, Transitioners and volunteers will be telling their grassroots story of how the farm got started, how everyone has learned about the site and soil, how people have benefited from being on the land and find out about opportunities to get involved.

All welcome; £2 entry for people who are not members of NOG. If you’re a member of FarmShare and you’d like to come along for free, please email us.

 Date:7.30pm Monday 25 February Venue: Friends’ Meeting House, Upper Goat Lane, Norwich NR2 1EW (next to St Giles Car Park)

The Common Room - 23 February

“The Common Room” is a series of Norfolk-based community popup days, open to all, creating innovative projects and events. Following on from the successful prototype day last November, we will be hosting another day of making, learning, sharing and socializing at the 15th Century St Laurence’s Church in St Benedict’s Street, Norwich, on Saturday, 23rd February, 2013, from 11am until 4pm.

The Common Room is an experiment in creating a community space, made and shaped through local collaboration, connection and resourcefulness: a social engine room for developing our community’s ideas and projects. It was initially created by Social Spaces and 00:/ in partnership with the Churches Conservation Trust, and is now run by a Norwich based community group formed from some of those who were deeply inspired by the prototype day.

Just a few of the events on Saturday, 23rd February, will include: a trade school, weaving, origami, herbs for resilience, disruptive education, grassroots communications and media, a book exchange, pod building, DIY events, a speaker’s corner, maker’s market, music and food workshops, as well as a chance to meet and talk with other interesting members of our community over a cup of tea and launch your own ideas!

For further information contact Jeppe Graugaard jeppegraugaard@gmail.com

Logging for Stove Wood 2/3 March

A Norwich-based 2-day course in safe use of a chainsaw, cross-cutting,splitting and stacking with local forester and conservationist, Paul Jackson. Selection of trees for coppicing/trimming/felling, designed for those wishing to maintain or enhance biological diversity of a copse or woodland. It also includes processing and preparing stove wood from bulk supplies.

This two-day course is designed as:

*     Introduction to the safe domestic use of a chainsaw
*     Chainsaw cleaning and general maintenance
*     Use of different types of hand-saw
*     Cross-cutting
*     Wood-splitting - maul/wedge/fro
*     Introduction to woodland management
*     Coppicing
*     Replanting
*     Wood-stacking and weather protection for optimal seasoning

This is an ideal course for those wishing to maintain or enhance
biodiversity in a copse or woodland using a chainsaw.  It also includes
processing and preparing your own supply of stove wood from bulk
supplies.

This course does not cover mature tree felling and is not suitable for
those people who use a chainsaw in an industrial capacity

Please bring PPE safety equipment with you.  If you can't please tell us
and we will aim to accomodate at this end.  Chainsaw not essential but
if you already have one then do bring it.
 

Lunch and tea/coffee/biscuits provided. 09:30 - 16:30  each day 
Limited places, booking essential Total cost: £150  For further 
details and booking contact: Deepak Rughani parkhouse@fastmail.co.uk

Transition Free Press Issue 1 is here

The Transition Free Press has published its first edition today. 10,000 copies of the new Spring issue are now being distributed throughout the UK. 24 pages of news, reviews, comments and cartoons, as well as dedicated pages to land rights, education, food, well-being, arts and community. Do check out our on-line version:

http://issuu.com/transitionfreepress
 
Transition Free Press is written by transitioners from the UK to Japan to Europe and the Americas. This issue includes an article on the Magdalen Street Celebration by our own Chris Hull, reviews by TN bloggers, Mark Watson and Simeon Jackson and is edited by Charlotte Du Cann (who will all be distributing hard copies in the city from mid-month). Copies will also be available at The Common Room on 23rd February at St Lawrence's, Benedict Street. Cover price, £1.

Lists of stockists, events and distributors for the paper is here

If you enjoy what you read, do become a Friend of TFP and help the newspaper crew continue with Issue 2 (May). Our crowd-funding campaign ends on 14th Feburary and would welcome a boost. If you prefer offline donations, please contact Jay Tompt jay@transitionfreepress.org.uk Many thanks!

TRANSITION FREE PRESS – REPORTING THE MOVEMENT.

Norwich FarmShare - Job vacancy for grower

Tierney, one of our two growers, is off to pastures new- so we’re looking for another grower. Could that be you?

Norwich FarmShare are looking for an experienced grower to join our team. You will be responsible, alongside our existing Grower, for planning and growing a year-round supply of vegetables for our Community Supported Agriculture project, located just outside Norwich. We want a great communicator, who’s passionate about  involving our members and the wider community in our CSA. Our existing membership is around 90, and we look to expand this in the course of the next year to 130 members.

Hours & wage: we are looking for a grower to work around 18 hours a week in winter, rising to 35 hours in summer. The hourly wage is £8.00 per hour (subject to annual review). Download the job description to find out more about the role.

Please email us your CV and a supporting statement or call on 08456 805721 for an informal chat if you’d like to find out more. If you’d prefer to apply by post, please send your application to Norwich FarmShare, 18 St Mary’s Works, Norwich NR3 1QA.

The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon on February 12th; Interviews will take place on February 18th.

Living together gathering - 26 January

A day of workshops and networking about and for intentional communities. 

 How to set up a housing co-op 
Introduction to CoHousing 
Forming a group/ Visioning/ Action Planning 
Facilitation and Consensus Decision Making 
Raising finance and making a business plan 
Radical Routes 
Case studies from local communities: Random Camel Housing Co-op, Argyle St Housing Co-op, Norwich Cohousing, Old Hall, possibly the Drive from Walthamstow 
Open space discussions - and please notify in advance any specialist workshop desires

Matchmaking! Like a real time Diggers and Dreamers noticeboard! 

Lunch included, a local AND vegan offering - oooh.  

Cost: A tenner concession/ twenty pounds full price, but nobody turned away for lack of funds - contact us! Places limited please book  

Contact: Nigel - 07946529642 / livingtogetherevent@gmail.com
 

When:	Sat, 26 January 2013, 09:30 – 16:30
Where:	Old Hall Community, East Bergholt, Essex, CO76TG. Nearest station is Manningtree on the East Coast mainline then a 3 mile cycle/ walk along the Stour, or let us know if you require or can offer a lift.

If you want to display posters as below please ask download and print or ask Gemma for hard copies: 07816 146 567

Transition Free Press seeks backers!

 Transition Free Press, the new nationaal newspaper will be publishing its first issue on 1 February 2013 and
thanks to 40 Transition initiatives across the UK has a fully fledged distribution network in place. Now the editorial crew have launched a crowd-funding appeal which will go towards paying staff, contributors and printing costs.

The appeal needs to reach it £10,000 target (at least) by mid-February. Can you help get the presses rolling? Do check out the newspaper's dedicated site at BuzzBnk:

 https://www.buzzbnk.org/TransitionFreePress 

All subscriptions and backing will be very happily received!


Lost in Transition? New agony column needs your dilemmas

We don’t promise to solve every problem, like Marge, but we can give you directions when you are stuck. At the TFP a crew of seasoned Transitioners are set to offer their experience and advice on any difficulties you might be encountering on the bumpy road to sustainability.

Downshifting blues, group dynamics, living without heating, partner loves you, hates Transition? Bring it on. If we don’t have a solution up our sleeve we’ll do the Transition thing and ask someone in the network who does. Please send you problems to us and we will do the best to answer you in our column (and send you a paper too).

Please send your question to charlotteducann@transitionnetwork.org and it will be passed on to the team. Thank you!

Getting on message

We are also looking for advertisers for the first issue, so if you are looking for a good Transition audience this is the place to come. We have all sizes and prices available and a special marketplace section for Transition events. notices, sales, swaps etc.  As our  business manager, Jay Tompt  (here in action at the Conference) says:

We’ll be reaching thousands of Transitioners and Transitionistas, change makers and early adopters, activists and organizers, enthusiastic supporters of local, green, ethical, cooperative, social, and resilient enterprises. This network holds lots of potential.

You can get hold of any of us through this website and we are happy to answer questions about advertising or editorial  and give advice about creating a local news page.  This is a paper written, edited and published by people in Transition. So do get in touch. Charlotte Du Cann

Not heart of Transition Free Press? Check out our preview issue published last summer. 

.https://www.buzzbnk.org/TransitionFreePress