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1. Introduction* 2. TTT Summer Solstice Celebration & Picnic* 3. Edible Garden Crawl* 4. Energy Descent Pathways Update* 5. 'Direct Action Climate Campaigns & Transition' Discussion* 6. Transition Together - The Bigger Picture Workshop* 7. Survey of Totnes* 8. TTT Office Summer Skeleton Service* 9.Training for Transition* 10. Powerdown DVD* 11. TTT Structure*
12. Interest free loans from the Totnes Pound* 13. Reawakening of the Cycling Group* 14. Still Calling All Photographers!* 15. Upcoming Events & the Autumn Programme* 16. Help Wanted*
1. Introduction
He
althy Living and Growing - it’s summer time in Totnes
We may have passed the midsummer solstice but it still feels like early summer in Totnes. The Tourists are filling the streets and the dawn chorus is getting still louder. The tuk tuk rickshaws are whizzing up and down the town dropping people to the market and local shops. The children finish school in 2 weeks.
The recent edible garden crawl was spent deliciously going from one garden to another, admiring all the hard work, the beautiful plants and enjoying plenty of tasty nibbles. We enjoyed tasters from the garden plants and samples of wonderful home cooking. The sun shone, lots of good friends were there to chat with, and we reveled in all that wonderful gardening, from the Gardenshare gardens to the allotments, and some hidden private gardens burgeoning with life and beauty.
Midsummer’s day would be not be complete in Totnes without a ritual to mark the longest day. Lead by members of the Heart and Soul group we enjoyed a gentle and meaningful celebration of the life and world which nurtures us. We shared good wishes and thanks to Mother earth with some rousing singing and dancing in the sunshine. We completed our happy summer’s day joining up with all the garden crawlers for a picnic and game of rounders. 
Should we or shouldn’t we get involved in direct action to try and effect change or express our passionate beliefs? Transition groups are challenged all the time to get involved and speak out on behalf of climate campaigns. It’s a difficult choice, we can be dammed if we do and dammed if we don’t. A recent fish bowl discussion in Totnes explored this dilemma and the debate that ensued provided some helpful insights. See below for a full write-up.
So with all this warm weather and wonderful activities going on around us, perhaps it is time to get going on some well versed good life ideas we nurtured over the winter months. Is this the season to revisit all those good intentions towards transition and really get moving in the garden, in the loft, in the street & work on natural good health? A personal lifestyle check can be very revealing, not least the amount we are capable of deluding ourselves with. How many of us have bought lots of seeds & plants we never get around to planting out, have a bike that we can’t use because the tyres are flat, drive to the shop ‘just this once’, will be starting that diet tomorrow, plan to lag the tank or fit a water butt next week...? 
Finding time is the key to making changes big and small and this has been probably the most vital (and in many ways the most obvious) outcome of the Energy Descent Pathways project. Life is so squeezed-up for most people that just getting to the end of the week with all the regular things done is a major achievement. So how to make extra time is the challenge? Can we afford to work just 4 days?, can we shop a bit less, get a job with less travel, let the children cycle to school instead of being their taxi? There are many choices, but making do with less definitely creates time that can be invested to make some of the bigger changes. (See more about the EDAP later on in this bulletin). 
TTT events tend to shut down a bit over the mid-summer period, hence getting a bumper bulletin in before we shut-up shop a little. However, September is shaping up to be a busy month. Joanna Macey is going to be here for an event, and we are organizing a bike ride to mark European Car Free Day on the 22nd. Our next season’s programme should be available at the end of this month and we hope you will be able to join us for one of our inspiring events.
Happy days,
Jacqi Hodgson
Energy Descent Pathways project Coordinator
(all pictures taken at the Summer Edible Garden Crawl in June)
2. TTT Summer Solstice Celebration & Picnic Write-Up 
About 15 people gathered for what is becoming our regular midsummer solstice celebration at about 3pm on Sunday 21st June. The sun was kind enough to join us for most of the afternoon this year and brought out a good number of supporters and friends on Kevicc playing fields. We enjoyed a shared picnic with plenty of chat and a lively and hard-fought game of rounders. Sophy bowling, Rob in the field and Noni on third base proved a powerful combination but were no match for Jenny and Danny Milne and the family team of Ailsa, Dave and little Esben playing as a threesome! As one of the TTT-ers there said, " Good conversations were had, laughter shared, food eaten. What more can one wish for from a summer picnic?".
3. Edible Garden Crawl Write-up
It began with 40 people crammed into a little veg garden in Follaton with fizzy elderflower & biscuits on a sizzling Sunday afternoon, and ended many hours later with home-made carrot cake & chilled mint-infused water in Valerie's garden paradise. We wandered through a selection of different and beautiful gardens all over Totnes town, from roving big lawns with veg patches, trampolines, and wooden cabins, to smaller intensive gardens with vegetables and fruit nestling in every available corner. We also took in a couple of the TTT Gardenshare Gardens and the Castle Meadow's allotments, awash with colourful borage and abundant veg. Gardeners were on-hand to answer 
questions and demonstrate their comfrey feed systems and explain garden designs, as the garden-crawlers roved en masse by foot, bike, & car to converge on each sun-drenched garden in turn. I found the day a fascinating glimpse into how other people grow their veggies and pour so much energy, artistry, and love into their gardens. Thank you so much to all the generous gardeners and garden owners who welcomed s into their gardens for the afternoon, not to mention the wonderful cakes & home-made goodies, and thanks also to everyone who came along for the crawl.
Lou Brown - Gardenshare scheme
4. Totnes & District Energy Descent Pathways Update
After a lengthy process of meetings and public workshops the draft Energy Descent Action Plan (EDAP) is now available on line for open consultation. The response within TTT to date has been very positive and many of our TTT groups are still reviewing their sections at length. The EDAP with the first round of revisions will be going on line in conjunction with the LocalEyes website during August, to allow people to see each others comments and views and if necessary vote in or out, some of the ideas in the EDAP. Read more...5. 'Direct Action Climate Campaigns & Transition' Discussion 
The fishbowl event on direct action to stop climate change was a great success. Over thirty people heard Adriana Nomas and Howard Balmer talk about their experience of direct action and democracy at Climate Camp events before using the fishbowl technique to explore feelings about direct action and how it might link with the Transition movement.
Fishbowls involve a few people in an inner circle of five chairs discussing the issue while everyone else sits in an outer circle, listening but remaining silent. If you want to speak then you move to the inner circle but at least one chair must 
remain empty so if all the chairs are taken someone must relinquish their seat and return to the outer circle.
Does the technique work? Yes - facilitated by Rosie Bell it was a powerful tool which enabled many people to speak in a way less intimidating than addressing a larger audience. More people made contributions in the time in a thoughtful and personal manner, without the more confidant dominating the evening. People explored feelings of fear as well as empowerment associated with direct action. Questions were asked about democracy and accountability, non-violence and the training and support available. We heard accounts from people who had helped destroy GM crops as well as oppose ne
w coal fired power stations. There were questions and answers and differences and agreements and we learnt from each other.
One or two speakers thought direct action was divisive and a waste of resources. Many more thought it was an important part of stopping climate change and entirely justifiable given the lack of real democracy. Do we have all the answers now? Have we a clear view of what Transition has to do with direct action? Certainly not. But we do have a better understanding of the
range of feelings and opinions and experience among us. And that’s important.
Copland Neighbours take a Snap Shot of the ‘Bigger Picture’
Well, we didn’t discuss the Bigger Picture (see below) so much as the change of heart necessary to become radically proactive in managing the environmental and economical 
challenges that continue to hit the world.
The change of heart necessary is really based on our approach to the world around us –will we continue to see the world as a resource – which it may be said has been the Western World View up till now or are we prepared to make the shift towards mutuality and respect.
small domestic beginnings and like an acorn, something great and beneficial can grow from it. Although, the task is great and immeasurable and we’re still finding our way and indeed are yet to fully realise what life after a managed energy descent will actually be like –we all need to take the lead now in being proactive because ‘Small Change can make a Big Difference!’
‘Life with dramatically lower energy consumption is inevitable and it is better to plan for it than be taken by surprise’ – so let’s all wake up and smell the roses – both literally and metaphorically – why? – to paraphrase – we’re ALL so very worth it!
Liz Waterson Copland Neighbours
The Bigger Picture Workshop is one of two optional workshop sessions that are currently on offer to help support the work of the Transition Together groups. It takes a look at what is happening to us individually and collectively as we live in this time of great crisis and opportunity. It explores what might have brought us to where we are now, and considers other options that could result in happier and more fulfilled lives. See here for more...
7. Initial Findings from a Survey of Totnes: by Rob Hopkins
As part of the PhD that I am still pretending to be doing, I have done a survey of around 215 households in Totnes and Dartington. I have just, through my rudimentary knowledge of SPSS ( a statistical analysis package), done an initial analysis of the data, and the findings are very interesting. They answer, among other questions, the one about ‘what percentage of people in Totnes know about TTT, what percentage are involved, and do people think it is relevant to them?’. They also explore people's attitud
es to fodd they eat, energy & transport, community, happiness, economics and skills. The findings from this survey, and the more detailed analysis of it still to follow, will feed into the Totnes & District EDAP, and offer fascinating insights into both TTT's impact and also into the area in general. Households were selected so as to ensure a representative sample across the area. 5 different surveyors surveyed different parts of the town, and most of the surveys were conducted during evenings and weekends. In total, 213 were completed and collected. The questionnaires were not from TTT, they were marked only as being from the University of Plymouth, so as to not ’sway’ or influence respondents. Read more...8. TTT Office Summer Skeleton Service 09
The TTT Admin staff will be running a 'skeleton service' over July & August 09 - when lots of people are away - and events go very much quieter until September again. Transition Network (upstairs) will be able to give you keys for group meetings if we are not in. But the TTT office will be open infrequently from now until the 25th August.
You can ring and leave messages on 01803 867358 or email us at transitiontowntotnes@gmail.com - although if it is urgent you might well be better off contacting the Transition Network on 05601 531882. TTT groups wishing to use the meeting room can contact the Transition Network upstairs during office hours to pick up keys.
Annie and Minda (our volunteer coordinators) will still be meeting volunteers each Wednesday morning over the summer, so for those of you who are looking to get involved in TTT groups and projects and would like to find out where to go next, do feel free to come to the TTT office on Wednesdays between 10:30-1 for a chat. Thanks. Wishing you all a lovely summer!
9.Training for Transition
We are offering those who are working within the Totnes Transition project, either on a theme group or in a project, 1/2 price places on our very popular and hugely successful 
Training. There are regular trainings in Totnes. The dates for the next trainings as well as how to book and more detail about the course can be found here: http://transitiontowns.org/
Tired of High Heating Bills and want to do something about it?
There is a small but growing group of us who are helping each other to make our homes energy efficient. We are committed to make our existing homes as close to zero energy as possible. We aren’t interested in the theory but rather are exploring the bewildering number of different strategies and materials to make our personal Transitions happen. If you want to join us please get in touch with Naresh on georgegiangrande@yahoo.co.uk
10. Powerdown DVD Now Available to Borrow
The excellent Powerdown Show DVD, which features 10 20 minute programmes exploring different aspects of Transition, is now available to borrow, one copy at Drift Music DVD rental shop in the Narrows, and one copy in the office. It is an excellent resource, Episode 8 looking at Transition initiatives, and featuring a few familiar faces from around the TTT community. Very well produced, high quality, and very much worth watching.
11. TTT Structure Document Available, and Director Needed, Trustee Needed
We are delighted to say that following a concerted effort by many people within TTT, 
including the day on structure held recently, we now have a document that clearly sets out how TTT functions, in particular in the light of the recent formation of TTT Ltd. It sets out the roles and responsibilities of each, and it is wonderful to have this important document finished. You can click here to see the document, or pop into the office to see one there.
TTT Ltd is also seeking an interim Trustee, one who has experience of HR ('Human Resources'.... Wikipedia defines HR as "an increasingly broadening term with which an organization, or other human system describes the combination of traditionally administrative personnel functions with acquisition and application of skills, knowledge and experience, employee relations and resource planning at various levels". If you have skills in this area that you would like to donate to TTT on an occasional basis, or if you can think of anyone with those skills, please contact the Rob or Naresh by emailing robjhopkins@gmail.com
12. Interest free loans for community transition projects now available from the Totnes Pound group.
The Totnes Pound group has a healthy bank account from the sale of all the Totnes pounds that are currently in circulation and has decided that a proportion of the money should be put to work. It is therefore offering interest free loans to projects within the community that are following through on the transition ideals of rebuilding local resilience and reducing carbon.13. Reawakening of the Cycling Group
Hi all Pedallers! The Cycling Group is leaping on to the saddle for the first ride-out this year. On Sunday 2nd August at 10 am from The Plains, Totnes.
Suggested route: Via back roads to Rattery and onward to Pennywell Farm and, who knows, ice creams.
Then ba
ck via the stupendous long downhill ridge (stand on your pedals for the views) to Huxhams Cross and the cycle path thro’ Dartington to Totnes.
Everyone welcome - don't worry if you are slow or not really a 'cyclist' at all - we always wait!
Distances, refreshments and likely timing to be confirmed. View Cycling Group page on the TTT website (access via Transport link on left hand side of Home Page) nearer the day. Contact: Julian Burn 863 878 evening.
14. Still Calling All Photographers! A Day in the Life of Totnes.
As part of the Totnes Energy Descent Plan, we are inviting photographers, from the professional to the amateur, to go out into Totnes and take photos of aspects of life in Totnes and District. The idea is for people to photograph different aspects of local life from dawn until the end of the day; deliveries to local shops, storytime at school, milking at a farm, people out shopping, setting up the market and so on. The more people we have out and about taking photos, the more fascinating a record it will be. Some of the photos will end up in the EDAP itself. It was going to be a specific Friday in June, but now the remit is Totnes on any day in any way. So, you don't have to be David Bailey, but if you would like to put some time aside to take some photos next Friday, please give Rob a call on 07868 604454. Many thanks. 15. Upcoming Events & the Autumn Programme
TTT Arts Events
TTT Arts: Eco-Film evening and discussion:
Janey Hunt: Insufficiently Prepared Adventure: parts 1 & 2 (40 mins)
Jan O'Highway: Eucalyptus & Other Tree Stories (26 mins)
Mike Jones: Arcadia, Steel and Fire; Glastonbury 2009
July 20th, 7.30 pm at Mike's house, Harberton 01803 865252
TTT Arts: a practical evening Making Eco- Art
Contact: Mike 01803 865252 -Please bring inspirational photos or examples of your work. Mon 24th August: 7.30 pm in Harberton, if good weather in Mike's garden, if rainy at Jan's sculpture studio, Bridge Farm.
TTT Arts: An evening with Shai Zakai, groundbreaking international eco-artist, followed by a hands-on full moon night workshop using cameras and printers to capture the seldom seen. October 4th - Shai Zakai www.eco-art.co.il
8.00 pm Talk & discussion: Birdwood House, Totnes
10-30 pm onwards workshop, fire, food: Woodshed Sculpture Studio, Bowden House Community, Totnes talk- £5/3,workshop - £25/15, talk + workshop £27/17. Places are limited, please contact Mike on 01803 865252
'Quest to 2030 day' for 9 - 12 year olds run by the Transition Tales Team joins the Sharpham Family Camp this summer
Sharpham Family Camp is hosted by the Smith family and friends on their farm near Ashprington, 1 mile from Totne, from Saturday 1st to Sunday 9th August. The farm has been run for many years using biodynamic methods, and now raises beef cattle on their fields overlooking the River Dart. The camp is in its 11th year and is a well established community experience for families sharing a week of inspiration, relaxation, culture, challenge and fun close to nature. The cost is £140 for adults and £75 for children aged 3 - 17.TTT Volunteers
Needed - 27th August
TTT will be participating in Tor Homes Area Event for its tenants in the Totnes area on 27th August.The event will take place between 3pm - 6pm in the Civic Hall, TOTNES The day promises to be suitable for all with something to interest everyone!
Local agencies, including TTT will be available to talk about a variety of issues, staff will be on hand & children will be catered for too with plenty of great activities. Whether you are a Tor Homes tenant or a supporter of Transition Town Totnes, please come and join in this opportunity to engage local residents in a dialogue about transition. It would be great to have more volunteers to help set up the stall and be there to talk to people on the day.
TTT September -December 09 Programme of Events: coming soon....
The programme is just at the printers at the moment, but if any of you are wanting to sneak a preview at what is coming up then you can see it first here!
Wednesday 9th September. 8pm. Venue to be confirmed.
The Transition Movie
Come and see how what began as a small community-focussed Totnes initiative to relocalise and ‘power-down’ in the face of peak oil and climate change, has now grown to be a movement spreading across the country and the world. It all began here in Totnes…
Tuesday 22nd September. 4pm. Starting points tbc.
Join a sponsored TTT Bike Ride in to celebrate Europe’s Car Free Day!
Fun ride starts in Totnes & radiates out along quiet roads & cycle lanes collecting riders at schools & other centres for a pleasant evening ride. Bring your bike, your mates and help TTT to raise some funds!
For more info & a sponsorship form contact Jacqi on 07922 411266
Wednesday 23rd September. St John’s Church, Bridgetown 8pm. £6 / £4 concs.
“The hidden promise of our dark age: the wisdom, strength & beauty we can discover” - with Joanna Macy
Internationally renowned speaker, activist, author and originator of "The Work that Reconnects".
Tuesday 6th October. Methodist Church Hall 7:45pm. £5 (£4 concs)
'The Age of Stupid'
Film-screening organized by Oxfam and TTT with all profits going to support Oxfams work in 
Haiti where the poorest people in the Western Hemisphere are already suffering the effects of climate change. Tickets available from Oxfam Shops in Totnes.
Saturday October 24th. Totnes Civic Hall. 4-8pm. Donations.
TTT Energy Descent Action Plan 2009 – 2030 goes live!
A public event for discussion and exploration of the new EDAP for Totnes & District. The schedule will include the public launch of the EDAP and an opportunity to get involved in this exciting community process. (Check public notice boards and TTT website for more details closer to the date).
Thursday 12th November 7-10pm Admission free
The Future of Food in our Town: An Action Workshop
with Thea Platt of Campaign to Protect Rural England & Noni Mackenzie of TTT
Monday 16th November – Sunday 22nd November. Details tbc.
Bag Week
Various awareness events including a film night with ‘Story of Stuff’ & ‘M
essage in the Waves’.
Christmas is coming: buy local, buy sensibly, and leave out the placcy bag!
For more info contact Jacqi on 07922 411266
Transition Town Totnes in association with the Totnes Image Bank & The Totnes Musuem Wednesday 25th November. Totnes Methodist Church. 8pm. £4 (£3 concs.) 8pm.
How We Used To Live - Food, energy, skills, and elbow-grease: memories of a pre-oil Totnes.
An inspiring evening of different talks illustrated by slides, photos and artifacts.
Saturday 28th November. Totnes Civic Hall. Time tbc. Donations
An Open Day with the Transition Town Totnes Projects
The Nut Tree project, Transition Homes, the Totnes Pound, the Totnes Rickshaw Company, Transition Tales, the ATMOS project, the Healthy Futures Garden project, Totnes Renewable Energy Society, Gardenshare, and more!
Come to find out more about what people are up to behind the scenes, where the current projects are, and how you can get involved and be part of these exciting initiatives.
Sponsored Bike Ride Coming Up!
To mark European Car Free Day, Tuesday 22nd September 2009, TTT is planning a pleasant bicycle ride along our country lanes which everyone can enjoy. The starting points for the rides will be local community halls in the 15 parishes surrounding Totnes, with all rides leading to Totnes Civic Square for some refreshments and light entertainment. Riders can join the ride for short or longer sections of the routes. Time to get polishing those mudguards and shining those handlebars. Read more...Transport Group next meeting 7pm Tuesday 28th July at the Guildhall, and the subsequent one at 7pm on Tuesday 8th September. Thanks.
16. Help Wanted
TTT Outreach
Creative ways to raise TTT’s profile about town
Would you like TTT to have more physical presence about town?
TTT has a modest budget to develop some signs or a piece of artwork, to raise TTT’s profile in prominent places in town, pending permissions from the relevant authorities. If anyone is interested in being involved in this project, please contact Hal via the TTT office. (Please note that the budget is very modest – it might cover materials but not professional artists or designer fees).
Reaching out - the background to TTT Outreach
Roughly this time last year a packed St John’s church was exploring the question ‘how is TTT doing?’. The response was resoundingly positive but with a resounding strong sentiment that we needed to be reaching out more to bring people in from beyond our natural supporters in order to be more authentically representative of the population of Totnes and District.
As a result, last summer TTT took a stand out to the market square most Fridays and an all singing, all dancing tent and workshop to the Totnes Show. Sadly this activity has slowed down this year, due to fewer of last year’s volunteers being available this year, but we are really keen to keep this activity going.
If you are passionate about TTT and reckon you have what it takes to talk to passers-by and wax lyrical about what we are about, please contact Hal via the TTT office. Paul Wesley of Harlequin books kindly lets us set his trestle table outside his shop every Friday and we normally hold fort for about three hours. It’s a really great way to appreciate the best of our town; enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of our weekly market and chatting to many locals and tourists.
We also want to go to the Totnes show again. We need a team of six or so volunteers and a donation of at least £120. Anyone interested in helping out should contact Hal, via the TTT office.
If enough volunteers come forward we will run a free workshop ‘Communicating Transition’, a great way to learn more about the Transition model, Transition Town Totnes in particular and develop ways to (try to) convince the hardest sceptics out there.
To look at all of our previous bulletins please click here. In order to receive this monthly bulletin by email, please register on our website.
Please note that as stated above: the TTT Admin staff will be running a skeleton service over July and August - when events go a little quieter (see above for details... ). The office will be open infrequently from now until the 25th August. You can ring and leave messages on 01803 867358 or email us at transitiontowntotnes@gmail.com, although if it is urgent you might be better off contacting the Transition Network on 05601 531882. Annie and Minda (our volunteer coordinators) will still be meeting volunteers each Wednesday morning over the summer, so for those of you who are looking to get involved in TTT groups and projects and would like to find out where to go next, do feel free to come to the office on Wednesdays between 10:30-1 for a chat. Thanks.
Transition Town Totnes, 43 Fore Street, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 5HN.
Tel: 01803 867358 Email: totnes@transitionnetwork.org