This newsletter is also being distributed by email to those signed up on our website (to receive future bulletins in your inbox, please register). If your email system distrupts our formatting, please click here to view the newsletter on our website.
1. Introduction* 2. TTT Gardenshare* 3. TTT Interim Manager Sought* 4. Group Skills Workshops* 5. New Transition Together Groups* 6. Joanna Macy Evening*
7. Rob Goes Films with Michael Portillo* 8. Heart and Soul Workshops* 9. ‘In Transition’ Premieres* 10. Reskilling Corner* 10. Reskilling Corner*
1. Introduction
The first taste 
of autumn is on the wind, a time that fills some with a
kind of conkery, kicking the leaves, log fires-y kind of warm glow, and
others with an insistent melancholy.
At TTT, as elsewhere, Autumn is a
time of change and transition, and for us Autumn began with the
departure from our admin team of Noni Mackenzie, who has served the
organisation as administrator admirably for the last 18 months or so. Following a
detailed review of our finances, the decision was taken to scale back
the admin team, in order to enable the creation of a fund
raiser/project manager, picking up some of the work being passed on by
Fiona Ward and myself. While this was a very difficult
decision for all concerned, I'm sure it puts TTT on a stronger footing
for the next year of its development. Noni's infectious
bubbliness has been a feature of daily life here, and we wish her all
the very best in whatever follows. One suitably wonderful tribute to
what she brought to TTT has been Tamzin Pinkerton's new book, 'Local
Food', which is to be launched at 
Totnes Bookshop, on Thursday
evening, in the Appendix of which Noni appears 3 times, such has been
her contribution to local food, which remains her passion, through the TTT food group and
elsewhere. Our deep thanks go to Noni.
On a less inspiring but somewhat fascinating note, Totnes was also
visited by Michael Portillo, filming for part of his 'Great British
Rail Journeys' programme. He interviewed me, causing a commotion on
Totnes High Street, and later was ferried around Totnes by Pete Ryland
of the Totnes Rickshaw Company, who told him "I've had much more famous
people than you in the back of this rickshaw". "Oh really, like who?"
Portillo replied. "Tony Benn", said Pete, "and Jonathan Porritt, and
he's now one of our Trustees!".
Life is very busy with the final edits and tweaks to the EDAP, and
starting to work with the designer on it. It is a huge project, but
Jacqi Hodgson has put in an astonishing amount of work to the project,
and I think the final result will be something people will be very
proud of. We are also, as a part of the re-organisation happening as a
result of Fiona Ward and myself being less involved, looking for a part time person to pick up some of the
central work arising (see details below).
Following the scaling down of our central services it would
be foolish not to mention that 
we are always struggling to find money
to cover our overheads, core funding undoubtedly being hard for many a
charitable organisation. Any benefactors who might like to offer
financial support to TTT towards core costs would be coming forward at
a very timely point in our development. In this spirit TTT would also
like to thank all its past and current wonderful advocates and
benefactors, both local benevolent individuals, as well as the charitable
funding bodies and trusts who have supported and enabled the work that
we do. Of course great thanks goes always to the community members who
make up our organisation, to all the incredible time and effort that
all our volunteers, groups and projects undertake as part of TTT. Our
thanks go to everyone involved.
Rob Hopkins
2. TTT Gardenshare Update
Another
growing season is drawing to a close and more gardeners and garden
owners have joined the project this year. But whilst everything is
slowing down into autumn and much of the produce is being harvested and
stored, it is still a great time to get underway if you are planning to
garden for next year.
We have lots of gardens that have joined the project (there are over 30 gardeners growing with the project now) - especially in the outlying villages around Totnes - so don't feel wistful about having a plot to grow in when you could well be manuring and mulching away, preparing beds for next year in a garden near you.
The project wrks by matching keen growers with people who are not using their garden space. In return the garden owners get a small share of the home-grown produce and see the land being turned into a thriving plot. The skill-base of our population an its sense of community swells and the food miles go down... What could be better?
If you are a grower wanting a garden space, or have a garden you would love to see put to good veggie use do get in touch with Lou on 01803 867358 or click here for more info.
The Transition Town Totnes Basic Gardening Course is running again this autumn up at Bowden House with the lovely gardening tutor Nick Prater. You can contact him directly for more details on 01803 849001 or email nick@prater.totalserve.co.uk .
3. TTT Interim Manager Sought
We are currently urgently recruiting for a part-time, Interim Manager position here at Transition Town Totnes (TTT).
The main purpose of the role will be to secure funding between now and April 2010 to enable the continued development of TTT and the running of the TTT central services from the office. We are looking for someone with the relevant skills and experience, who will be responsible for developing existing funding opportunities as well as securing new income streams to support our central services. They will work together with TTT central services, the Core Group, and the Trustees in our very multi-layered, volunteer-led community organisation.
We are keen to appoint as quickly as possible, so the closing date for applications is 5th October. Read more...
4. Group Skills Workshops on Offer to TTT-ers
We have developed a workshop that will help all of us in TTT to work more effectively in groups, be this the core group, the theme groups, project teams or Transition Together groups. The workshop aims "to help create & sustain healthy, succesful groups for transition". This workshop was piloted in Totnes in May and was very well received, with constructive feedback all since taken into account.
5. New Transition Together Groups setting up - do you want to get on board?
This is just to let you know that new Transition Together groups are setting up in and
around
Totnes. Thee first 2 teams have just completed the
programme with great results & some lovely feedback, & we are now
looking to get a few new groups started, based in Totnes & District
this autumn. If you are might interested in joining a group of 5-8 households and following the Transition Together programme with them, or you would like to set up a group on your street or in your neighbourhood or workplace then do get in contact with Lou on 0789694 1872 or email transitiontogether@gmail.com or leave a message on 05601 538658.
Click here for more info and to see how the other groups that are already up and running are finding the programme.
Start up your own group?
If you would be interested in finding other people on your street, in your immediate area, or at your workplace, to be in a team together with, we can also send you flyers in which you can be named as the contact. Our facilitators would be able to come along to your first group meeting to help set things off to a smooth start, so you needn't worry that it would have to be you taking centre-stage. From that point it would be up to the group to decide who takes on which roles (see more info below).
Transition Together is also now available to other Trasnition Initiatives across the UK. Read more...
6. Joanna Macy Evening - 23rd September
An
emormous throng packed into St Johns Church last Wednesday for the rare
chance to hear Joanna Macy speak on the 'hidden promise of our dark
age, and the the wisdom, strength & beauty that we can discover'. The superb singing of Glorious Chorus led by Helen Yeoman, opened the event, singing of the power of love over hate.
After an introduction by Rob Hopkins , Joanna Macy opened her talk by saying how grateful she was to be invited to our town of Totnes, the source of a now worldwide , spreading movement of Transition Towns. She asked the question, "What stories will our children’s children, seven generations on in 2209, be telling?". What will they say of people in the year of 2009? Will they tell of how in our greed for easy travel and industrialisation, we used up all the great ‘Black Gold’ stored underground from the sunshine millennia ago? Will our generation be one of the’ Great Turning or the Great Unravelling’ ? Will we have acted on the changes in thinking, fuelled by Transition Movements, and other environmental thinkers, or will we continue to squander fossil fuels to our destruction?
Joanna spoke of how no generation can see all ends, and that change happens over long 
bull14time
periods. We do not have to feel that, if there is the chance of
failure, we shouldn't begin the work that is needed. With passion and
warmth, Macy spoke of the ‘Great gifts of Uncertainty, Mutual
Belonging, Power, Initiativ, Passion, and Time. She invited us to
examine the hands of the person sitting next to us, such complex
structures, evolved as a legacy from our Ancestors, to achieve such
complex tasks . She inspired us to think how in these Great Turning
times we can begin a plan to achieve sustainable future for our
childrens’ children over the next 1000 years.
It was a truly moving evening, for which thanks must be given to all the organisers from the Heart and Soul Group - especially to Amanda, Annie, Sophy & Suzanne for their hard work in pulling the event together. For Toni and Pat who are faciltating the 'Work that Reconnects' workshops (see below). Thank you also to Glorious Chorus for their beautiful performance, to Emma Goude and Patrick Collins, who filmed the event, to Arcturus, to the Sharpham Trust for accommodating Joanna, and of course most of all to Joanna Macy herself and her assistant Anne, who gave so generously of their time and energy.
7. Rob Goes Filming with Michael Portillo in Totnes
Michael Portillo
passed through Totnes on Tuesday 22nd September, filming part of his upcoming series of
‘Great British Rail Journeys’, which follows in the footsteps of George
Bradshaw, the Victorian travel writer, who visited the town in the late
1800s. Portillo’s trip, which began in Swindon, took him to Dartmouth,
then up the River Dart to Totnes, from whence he will head further
west, ending up in St. Ives. A taste of Totnes was laid on for him,
meeting and interviewing me, initially in Totnes High Street (where the
level of interest and fascination was such that another location was
quickly chosen), and then in St. Mary’s churchyard. We talked about
TTT and the Totnes Pound, and then Michael and the film crew headed off
to buy and then spend some Totnes Pounds, and get ferried back to the
station by Pet
e Ryland of the Totnes Rickshaw Company, in one of the
town’s biodiesel-powered rickshaws.
One
funny thing happened while we were waiting for filming to start. I was
stood chatting with his researcher, and I gave her a copy of Transition
Handbook to give to him. As we were talking, a somewhat gruff elderly
gentleman who was passing by stopped and looked over his shoulder.
“What’s the name of that book?” he said. She showed him, and he said
“I have something to say, but carry on”. We continued our conversation
with him standing right next to us, following the conversation, clearly
with something important to say. It made me feel very nervous,
expecting
him to say, “let me tell you young lady, this Transition
thing is all a load of old rubbish”, and to launch into some great
tirade about what a malign influence TTT is on the town. Eventually we
finished our conversation, and she turned to him and asked him what it
was he wanted to ask.
“I’m from Braidwood, New South Wales in Australia”, he said, “I am part of the steering group of Transition Braidwood, can you tell me where the TTT office is please?” Instantly from making a potentially dreadful impression, instantly she had a sense of the scale of interest being generated in other places, and how people visit the place because of its Transition status! ‘Great British Rail Journeys’ is due to air January/February next year.
8. Heart and Soul Workshops in Full Swing
Sunday September 13th:
Devon is basking in sunshine as the much-awaited summer has
landed in
full autumnal splendour. Has everyone gone to the beach, or to a Festival
outdoor event?… No! Fourteen of us are spending an equally wonderful
afternoon in Bogan House watching a DVD of Joanna Macy giving a stirring
talk at Bath University.
This is a workshop organised by the Heart and Soul group and our host is Pat Fleming, who introduces Joanna’s ideas and guides a conversation on the Great Turning and the Work that Reconnects. This process draws on Joanna Macy’s expertise in systems theory, deep ecology and eastern philosophy. Both profound and playful, it encourages individual and collective transformations to promote a life-sustaining society.
Pat worked extensively with Joanna over 25 years and helped her develop some of these tools, such as The Council of All Beings. She lives on Dartmoor and is a writer, researcher and business advisor as well as an organic grower specialising in medicinal plants.
As the film moved many of us to tears, we much appreciated the gentle way we were introduced to this incredible journey.
Some more experiental workshops are planned with Pat and other trained facilitators on October 11th and December 13th (as well as a movement workshop on November 8th). Check TTT’s calendar for more info (http://totnes.9. ‘In Transition’ Premieres Around the World - 11th September
On Wednesday night, ‘In Transition: from oil dependency to local resilience’
was shown for the first time in communities around the world. I was at
the screening at the almost-full Barn Cinema in Dartington, where I
introduced the film along with producer Emma Goude. We asked the
audience to wave for a photo (see left). The film was also being shown
in 8 cinemas in New Zealand, as was reported in the Timaru Herald.
There were at least another 20 places in the UK that we know of where
the film was shown. Were you at a screening, or did you organise one?
Do tell us your stories of your first screening. Over September and
October we are hoping to get as many public screenings of the film held
as possible. For details on organising one, see here. A big thanks to all those volunteers who gave their time to man the TTT stall at the event.
10. Reskilling Corner
Keep an eye open for Do-It-Ourselves skillshares happpening throughout the month!
The wondreful apple harvest this year has had apples raining down around us. If you have an apple glut coming to you here is a receipe for apple cinnamon slices:
Rosie's Mum's Apple Cinnamon slices - circa 1958
2 and a half oz S.R. flour 3 oz porridge oats
3 and a half oz. brown sugar
half level tsp. salt
1 and a half level tsp. ground cinnamon (I put loads more!)
4 oz margarine
2 medium cooking apples
1 tsp. lemon juice (I put loads more!)
Combine
flour, oats, sugar, salt and cinnamon, then add melted margarine and
work until mixture is crumbly. Put the mixture in a greased tin. Cover
with sliced apples. Sprinkle apples with lemon juice ( I added demerara
sugar to make it crunchy, suppose you could add chopped nuts?)
Bake in fairly hot oven (375F) for 30 - 40 minutes.
Can be served hot with cream or custard... Mmmm...tasty!
Thanks to Rosie, of the Heart and Soul Group.
11. Upcoming Events
Wednesday 30th September
Climate Rush on the Run
16 Climate Suffragettes, 3 horses, 2 caravans and 'Mama Skank' a
jazz/ska band, will be arriving in Totnes on Wednesday September 30th
after a month spent travelling from Sipson, site of the proposed third
runway at Heathrow.Sunday 4th October 8pm : Birdwood House, Totnes & the Bowden House (later)
TTT Arts: Full-moon Photography Workshop with Shai Zakai
On the night of the full moon, ground-breaking Israeli
eco-artist Shai Zakai will be giving an illustrated lecture in Totnes,
then running a hands-on experimental photography workshop in the
grounds of Bowden House.
Creating a unique visual language for that night by using cameras,
digital, film and pinhole, to capture the things we didn't see but the
camera did....the seldom seen, the spirit of place, lit by moonlight,
flashlight and firelight.
We'll have facilities to print and talk about the images, and perhaps plan a public showing.
The venue of the atmospheric Bowden House Woodshed Studios offers us
open natural space, fire for tea and snacks, and dry indoor space.
8pm for the talk followed by 10-30 pm onwards workshop, fire, food:
Woodshed Sculpture Studio, Bowden House Community, Totnes. leCosts:
lecture- £5/3, workshop- £25/15,talk + workshop £27/17.
Places are limited - to book ring Mike Jones 01803 865252
See Shai Zakai www.eco-art.co.il
Tuesday 6th October. Methodist Church Hall 7:45pm. £5 (£4 concs)
The Age of Stupid: film-showing
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 24th October. 4-8pm. Totnes Civic Hall. Donations.
TTT Energy Descent Action Plan 2009-2030 Goes Live!
A
public event for discusion and exploration of the new EDAP for Totnes
& District. The schedule will include the public launch of the EDAP
website and an opportunity to sign up for some of the actions that have
evolved from the comunity discussions, and take some steps to move
along this exciting process. We are making the future of our town here
and now. Chose what appeals to you, get involved, and let's make this
exciting community process happen!
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 for the autumn we are back to being open Tuesdays - Thursdays 10am-1pm. Thanks. Transition Town Totnes, 43 Fore Street, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 5HN. Tel: 01803 867358 Email: totnes@transitionnetwork.org