Transition Westcombe invites you to our next meeting

We'll be having presentations and discussions on local resilience and initiatives so far, including:

East Greenwich Pleasaunce Memorial Orchard

Schools Plastic bag free project

Greenwich & Blackheath Timebank

Community led development

+ Transition Westcombe AGM

7.30 pm Thursday 11th April 2013

at

Made In Greenwich Gallery

324 Creek Road, Greenwich Town Centre, SE10 9SW

Opposite the Cutty Sark DLR Station
www.madeingreenwich.co.uk 

Contact Dave Sharman: davesh@btconnect.com

Wassail in the Pleasaunce!

~ Eat, drink, sing and be merry ~ 

Sunday 6 January at East Greenwich Pleasaunce Memorial Orchard

A ‘wassailing’ festival for young and old to celebrate and tend your community orchard. We’ll be mulching our park’s apple, pear and plum trees – then singing them good health for the coming year! 

• 11.30am - Volunteers mulch the trees - all welcome to help
• 12 noon onwards - Mulled cider, traditional songs, storytelling, hot food and drink 

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UPDATE

Morrigan
We're really pleased to annouce that we'll have local a capella group Morrigan performing:

'Morrigan comprises Chris Evans, Chris Harrison, Rosaline Hone and Sarah Pavey.  We sing four-part unaccompanied folk songs, mainly traditional but including contemporary material as well.  We are also instrumentalists and provide music for barn dances and ceilidhs - two of us are callers.  We play and sing regularly at folk sessions at The Two Brewers in Croydon. Click here for more about Morrigan.'

12 Days of Christmas
As it's Twelfth Night for our wassail, Shakespearean actor and local resident Peter Hamilton-Dyer will lead us on a quirky route through the 12 Days of Christmas. 

Storytellers
Rich Sylvester and Nick Hunt will weave enchanting tales for young and old. Rich is a local storyteller, historian and forest school teacher. Nick is a storyteller, writer, wanderer and sometime bookbinder.

Martin Guha
Local singer Martin of Eltham Folk Mob will lead us in singing traditional wassail songs to bring good health to our orchard for the coming year.

Crafting for kids
Calling all kids - come along to make your own headdresses and join the wassail procession! Bring old Christmas cards or anything else you think will help you make a colourful crown.
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It's been two years since the first trees of our community orchard were planted. Our apple, pear and plum trees are thriving, thanks to the orchard group's tender loving care, so we felt it's time to celebrate! So please join us for the Wassail in the Pleasaunce on Sunday 6 January - everyone is welcome.

 We'll start with some mulching of the trees at 11.30am to help their root development - if you'd like to help with this, please bring a shovel or just your willing self. And supervised children are welcome to help, too.

After that, the fun begins from 12 noon onwards - traditional wassailing songs, storytelling, socialising and mulled cider to warm the cockles, and as always Pistachios cafe will be serving hot food and drinks.

If you're a musician or singer and you're interested in contributing your talents, we'd love to hear from you. For this or for any other information, contact Rich on 07833 538143.

Don't know how to find the Pleasaunce? See the map below.


View Larger Map

Extending the Orchard

On January 8th, Transition Westcombe and many wonderful helpers successfully planted a further six fruit trees in the East Greenwich Pleasaunce, with the kind support of the Greenwich Pride award and the London Orchard Project, doubling the size of this new community orchard following last winter’s planting of an initial six trees
We had around 12 volunteers, including our own core team of 6 plus family members, new recruits, passers-by, several children, the head of the Friends of East Greenwich Pleasaunce, and one ward councillor (Alex Grant).
From the London Orchard Project, we had the help of David Blair, project manager, and Lewis McNeill. The two of them brought the trees, bare-rooted two-year olds; stakes and guards; equipment including spades, hammers, and fencing tools; and mulch mats.
In addition, Greenwich Parks and Open Spaces ensured that a supply of lovely mulch was on site in good time, sufficient for the new planting as well as for re-mulching the older trees.
The new plantings, which have added interest to a less-used portion of the park, include three varieties of apple, one of them a St Edmund's Pippin; a Doyenne de Comice pear; a Czar plum; and a gage. They'll add further to the biodiversity, wildlife and habitat value of the Pleasaunce, and act as a focus for future community activities, which might include an Apple Day and wassailing.
Creating the orchard has also inspired local people to become further involved with planting and biodiversity work and has forged new community links, with the orchard care maintenance group working with the generous help of the Meantime Nursery to plant an experimental wildflower strip in the Pleasaunce.
Photos courtesy of Gavin McGregor and Lara Ruffle

Tree Planting: the Memorial Orchard is growing!

On Sunday January 8th, 1:00-3:30 pm, at the East Greenwich Pleasaunce, come ring in the new year by helping to plant trees- six more fruit trees to double the size of the Memorial Orchard and celebrate local food growing initiatives. We'll be putting in three apple trees, a plum, a gage, and a pear- the delicious Doyenne de Comice- all carefully protected with stakes and strong wire cages.

Last year's planting of six trees was a great success, and they have flourished through a hot dry spring and autumn. Thanks to the Greenwich Parks and Open Spaces Department, the Greenwich Pride Award scheme, Friends of East Greenwich Pleasaunce, and the volunteers who kept the trees watered and pest-free (asa far as organic methods make possible), we should be harvesting fruit in three years time.

All are welcome, for the planting, and to join the team of volunteers to help keep the trees growing through the year.

Looking After Our Trees

James Hedges, an enthusiastic Chartered Forester, and the Arboricultural Supervisor with Greenwich Council, will talk about ‘Looking after Trees’ on Wednesday March 9th at 7.30pm in the main hall of the Steiner School, Woodlands, 90 Mycenae Rd (adjoining Mycenae House).

This will be an entertaining and informative talk. James will also expertly answer your questions about trees in your garden, on the street, or in parks and open spaces, and can explain the Council’s policies.

This free ‘community event’ is hosted jointly by the Westcombe Society and Transition Westcombe, in collaboration with the Greenwich Steiner School. Do come!

18 November 2010

The Friends of East Greenwich Pleasaunce and Transition Westcombe cordially invite you to the launch of the Pleasaunce Memorial Orchard at 1:15 on December 5, 2010.

This new planting of fruit trees- apples, pears, and plums- will add to the diverse beauty and ecology of the Pleasaunce, while reflecting the park’s use as an orchard before it became the dignified burial ground and green haven we know today. It addresses many current issues, as well, as it will help with the problems of climate change, while supplying locally grown fruit and encouraging people to consider how to source food more sustainably. It will provide a community focus around harvesting and spring blossom, and can be included in local school children’s learning about healthy eating, biodiversity, food sourcing, and plant growth.

The launch of the orchard takes place as part of the Friends celebration of the holiday season, with carol singing from 1:30 to 4:00, the arrival of Santa at 2:00, and mulled wine. Refreshments are also available at the park café, Pistachios.

The Pleasaunce Memorial Orchard has been made possible by grants from Greenwich Pride, Capital Growth East London, and Awards for All, and with the support of the London Orchard Project and Greenwich Parks and Open Spaces Department.

Greenwich 2012 Survey

Draft Constitution

The constitution will be discussed at our AGM, at 7pm on October 20th, Mycenae House, Mycenae Road, SE3 7SE

Constitution for Transition Westcombe
1. Our Group 3
1.1. The Group Transition Westcombe 3
1.2. Our Vision of a Low Carbon, Sustainable and Resilient Future 3
1.3. The Powers of Transition Westcombe 4
2. Our Members 5
2.1. Membership of Transition Westcombe 5
2.2. Benefits to TW Members 6
3. Our Organisation 6
3.1. The Co-ordinating Group 6
3.2. Specialist Groups 8
4. Our Meetings 8
4.1. Annual General Meetings 8
4.2. Special General Meetings 9
4.3. Co-ordinating Group Meetings 11
4.4. Specialist Group Meetings 11
5. Our Funds 12
51. TW Income 12
5.2. TW Payments 12
5.3. TW Accounts 13


1. Our Group
1.1. The Group Transition Westcombe
Our Constitution The name of the Unincorporated Association defined by this document is Transition Westcombe, which is abbreviated in this document to TW.
This document is the Constitution of Transition Westcombe.
This constitution has been adopted by the Initiating Committee of TW.
This Constitution can only be altered by a Resolution passed at an Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting.
Notices of Annual General Meetings or Special General Meetings shall include details of any alterations proposed to this Constitution.
Members may submit proposals to change this Constitution to the Co-ordinating Group at any time. Proposals to change this Constitution shall be made in writing.
Our Identity Our identity includes the names Transition Westcombe and TW and the TW logo. The TW logo is the design shown on the cover of this Constitution.
The identity of Transition Westcombe (TW) is owned by TW and shall not be misrepresented by any individual, whether or not that person is a TW member.
The Co-ordinating Group may withhold use of the Name and Logo of TW where it considers that the Aims, Objectives and Interests of TW will not be upheld.
Our Location The area covered by TW shall be the area of Greenwich bounded by the A102, Shooters Hill Road, Maze Hill and Trafalgar / Woolwich Road, and its environs.
Our Aims • To raise awareness in Westcombe of the challenges of Peak Oil, Resource Depletion and Climate Change;
• To work with and support people and organisations in Westcombe to develop a low carbon, sustainable and resilient future for the community
Our Objectives • To create and to help implement an Energy Descent Action Plan for Westcombe – a 20 year plan to systematically reduce fossil fuel dependency;
• To create and support Specialist Groups that have Aims, Objectives and Interests which are consistent with those of TW.
• To do this without support for any one political party.

1.2. Our Vision of a Low Carbon, Sustainable and Resilient Future
Our Vision
A Low Carbon, Sustainable and Resilient Future for Westcombe This central tenet of our aims determines the following goals for TW:
Energy and Carbon Emissions Moving towards zero carbon emissions by transforming work, social, domestic and leisure activities. This may include a detailed audit for Westcombe and its environs to understand the immediate challenges and vulnerabilities to Peak Fossil Energy.
Waste Moving towards zero waste by reducing the use of resources, increasing re-use and recycling of materials, reducing pollution and landfill.
Transport Reorganising our transport systems towards zero carbon emissions by changing transport methods, needs and habits.
Materials Sourcing sustainable materials and making choices to reduce environmental impacts.
Food Encouraging local and sustainable food, including reducing food waste and choosing sources with the lowest environmental impacts.
Water Moving towards a sustainable water supply by reducing water use, and encouraging re-use of water.
Natural Habitats Encouraging natural habitats and wildlife through the conservation and restoration of biodiversity and minimising local environmental impacts.
Culture and history Maintaining our local identities through enhancing local cultures and by conserving valuable local historical artefacts and memories.
Equity and Fair Trade Encouraging equity and fair trade through making considered choices that improve global equity and reduce exploitation.
Social Organisation and Democracy Working with other community organisations and local government to implement our aims and objectives.
Education and Re-skilling for energy descent Understanding the skills base in Westcombe and anticipating the future skills needs of a community in Energy Descent, and engaging schools and young people in this process.
Business and Industry Understanding how business and industry in the Westcombe area will be affected by Peak Fossil Energy, anticipating changes and developing a thriving local economy.
Local Finance Local finance includes understanding how global finance will need to adapt or be succeeded by local financial models to support a community in Energy Descent.

1.3. The Powers of Transition Town Westcombe
Powers
Initiating phase
At the appropriate time, the TW Initiating Committee shall change to being comprised of Elected Representatives from the Specialist Groups. Until this Transformation, the Initiating Committee shall fulfil the functions of the Co-ordinating Group, but shall undertake actions and duties in a less formal way.
This Transformation of the Initiating Committee shall occur once:
• Sufficient specialist groups are established within TW;
• Representatives have been elected from each of the specialist groups;
• The resolution to transform the Initiating Committee is accepted at an Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting.
Elected representatives from specialist groups shall on transformation become known as the Co-ordinating Group. The Specialist Groups shall arrange their own elections in order to provide these elected representatives.



Powers
Our Powers and duties The powers that the Co-ordinating Group and people reasonably acting on behalf of TW may carry out are:
• Recruiting, maintaining, recording and on resignation removing membership;
• Publishing and distributing information for the benefit of TW;
• Forming, supporting, and separating specialist groups within TW;
• Liaison and communication with individuals and organisations, including the media;
• Engaging in, supporting and promoting education and research relevant to the aims, objectives and interests of TW;
• Raising, spending, supervising and recovering TW funds;
• Organising events and activities within the aims, objectives and interests of TW;
• Hiring or arranging hire of venues for events and activities;
• Registering with appropriate authorities as required by statute and regulations;
• Joining umbrella groups and organisations for social and publicity purposes where these are consistent with the aims, objectives and interests of TW;
• Participating in other activities consistent with the aims and objectives in this constitution that are appropriate for an unincorporated association.
In particular, the Co-ordinating Group shall be responsible for:
• Holding and attending Co-ordinating Group and Annual and Special General Meetings;
• Informing TW Members of forthcoming Co-ordinating Group meetings;
• Issuing a record of decisions of Co-ordinating Group Meetings;
• Co-ordinating the activities of TW and its specialist groups;
• Events and activities within the aims, objectives, interests and powers of TW;
• Communicating with the TW membership;
• Administration of TW funds;
• Administration of the TW web presence;
• Arranging insurance for the interests of TW and TW members undertaking duties on behalf of TW;
• Complying with relevant statutes and regulations;
• Managing unforeseen issues until these can be considered and accepted by TW members at an Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting.
Dissolution
Dissolution of TW can only occur as a result of a resolution at an Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting.
The proposed date of dissolution in the resolution shall be arranged to give all TW Members 30 days notice of that date.
Before the date of dissolution, the Co-ordinating Group shall be responsible for ensuring that all monies and liabilities owed by TW have been resolved.
Any remaining TW Funds shall be divided between active projects and theme groups associated with TW or the Transition Network, as determined by the resolution.
2. Our Members
2.1. Membership of Transition Town Westcombe
Our Membership
TW Members TW shall recruit, register and on resignation remove TW Members in accordance with this Constitution.
Who is Eligible to be a Member All TW Members shall be over 16 years of age and agree to uphold this Constitution and who also live or work in or near Westcombe Park.
Applications and decisions about TW Membership shall make no reference to race, ethnic origin, nationality, wealth, property status, political belief, religion, gender, disability, age as an adult, or sexual preference.
Joining TW as a Member TW membership applications may be made electronically or on paper and shall include an agreement to this Constitution.
Valid TW membership applications shall be accepted and advised within 30 days.
TW Members Organising Events for TW TW Members are welcome to organise events and activities consistent with the aims, objectives, interests and powers of TW, in TW’s name with prior agreement of the Co-ordinating Group.
Voting at Annual and Special General Meetings Anyone who has been a TW member for more than 30 days may vote at an Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting.
All TW member votes shall be made in person at these meetings.
TW member votes may not be transferred between members.
Ceasing to be a TW Member Membership shall cease if a TW member:
• Has delivered an explicit, written resignation to an elected member;
• Is requested to resign and at least three-quarters of TW members vote to this effect at an Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting. A member who has been asked to resign shall have the right to speak on the matter at the relevant meeting before the vote is put.
• Fails to pay outstanding monies due to TW after 30 days notice that TW membership may be withdrawn.


2.2. Benefits to TW Members
TW Accounts What You Agree
TW Benefits to Members TW may negotiate benefits for TW Members with local suppliers provided these are consistent with the aims, objectives, interests and powers of TW.
3. Our Organisation
3.1. The Co-ordinating Group
The Co-ordinating Group
Purpose of Co-ordinating Group The Co-ordinating Group has ultimate responsibility for the affairs of TW, ensuring it is solvent, well-run, and delivering the aims and objectives of TW in accordance with the interests and powers of TW.
The Co-ordinating Group shall be open and accountable to TW members about its Duties and interests. The Co-ordinating Group shall encourage involvement by TW Members in its activities.
Size of Co-ordinating Group The minimum size of the Co-ordinating Group shall be five elected members.
Where this minimum number of elected members cannot be maintained, a Special General Meeting shall be called and arranged.
There shall be no maximum number of elected members in the Co-ordinating Group.
Eligibility for the Co-ordinating Group The Co-ordinating Group shall consist of elected members.
Any eligible TW member is welcome to stand for election to become an elected member of the Co-ordinating Group.
A TW member is eligible to stand for election if he or she:
• Is a TW Member;
• Is not statutorily disqualified from acting as a member of the Co-ordinating Group
Elected Members Elections to appoint elected members on the Co-ordinating Group shall be carried out at each Annual General Meeting, or at a Special General Meeting if required because an elected member ceases to be an elected member.
Once these elections have been held, the Co-ordinating Group shall be closed to new entrants until the next Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting.
Treasurer and other roles One elected member shall be appointed to carry out the duties of Treasurer.
Elected members shall be appointed and maintained to carry out the duties of:
• Membership secretary, to administer TW membership;
• Communications officer, to manage communications on behalf of TW;
• And any other roles agreed as necessary.
These roles may be rotated among the elected members by agreement of the Co-ordinating Group



Ceasing to be an Elected Member An elected member shall cease to be an elected member if he or she:
• Ceases to be a TW member;
• Is absent from all valid CGMs over a period of 6 months;
• Is requested to resign as an elected member and at least three-quarters of TW members voting to this effect at a valid Special General Meeting;
• Is statutorily disqualified from acting as a member of the Co-ordinating Group.;
• Has delivered an explicit, written resignation copied to all elected members.
If there is a motion that an elected member be required to resign, he or she will have the right to speak on the matter at the relevant meeting before the vote is put.
Duties of the Co-ordinating Group All decisions and statements of the Co-ordinating Group shall be in accordance with the aims, objectives, interests and powers of TW.
Sharing Duties with TW Members TW members may be nominated by elected members in the Co-ordinating Group for specific duties on behalf of TW subject to the same provisions in this Constitution as the elected members.
Co-ordinating Group Interests All elected members shall declare any commercial or financial interest they hold, or benefit they may derive, which may be affected by the decisions of the Co-ordinating Group and therefore presents a conflict of interest.
The Co-ordinating Group shall decide how to overcome any conflicts of interest as they arise.
Details of a conflict of interest may be held within the Co-ordinating Group but the existence of a Conflict of Interest shall not be concealed from TW members.
Where a conflict of interest is likely to be prolonged or significant, all the elected members affected should offer to resign from the Co-ordinating Group.
Co-ordinating Group Benefits Policy Members of the Co-ordinating Group shall avoid gaining any private benefit from their position, whether financial or otherwise, except where this is agreed by the Co-ordinating Group as being completely consistent with the aims, objectives, interests and powers of TW.


3.2. Specialist Groups
Specialist Groups
Forming Specialist Groups Specialist Groups may be formed within TW in order to carry out specific activities.
No Specialist Groups within TW shall form without the consent of the Co-ordinating Group.
Consent shall involve presenting a written plan for how the Specialist Group will organise itself consistent with the aims, objectives and powers of TW.
The Powers of Specialist Groups The Powers of Specialist Groups shall be consistent with the aims, objectives and interests of TW.
Membership of Specialist Groups Specialist Groups within TW shall consist only of TW members.
Any TW member may join any Specialist Group.
TW Funds TW funds may be used to support the activities of Specialist Groups provided the Specialist Groups act within the powers of TW.
Specialist Groups shall return any surplus TW funds arising from their activities to the TW Treasurer.
Specialist Groups shall be accountable to the TW Treasurer for their expenditure of TW funds that have been awarded.
Specialist Group Funds Specialist Groups may raise their own funds for their own purposes and within their own powers.
Specialist Groups choosing to raise their own funds shall maintain their own accounts.

Accountability All Specialist Groups shall be accountable to the Co-ordinating Group for their activities,.
The Co-ordinating Group may give or withdraw its agreement for Specialist Groups to organise events and activities in the name of TW on a continuing basis.
Separating Specialist Groups from TW Any Specialist Group may request that the Co-ordinating Group arranges separation of the Specialist Group from TW in order to pursue different aims, objectives and interests from those of TW, or exercise different powers from those of TW.
Any Specialist Group within TW may be separated from TW by a vote of the Co-ordinating Group if the activities of the Specialist Group fall outside the aims, objectives, interests and powers of TW.
On separation, a Specialist Group shall assume its own identity and no longer associate with the name and logo of TW.
4. Our Meetings
4.1. Annual General Meetings
Annual General Meetings
Annual General Meetings The Annual General Meeting [AGM] of TW shall be held each year on a date proposed by the Co-ordinating Group and at a suitable time and venue.
Notice The Co-ordinating Group shall give at least 30 days notice of the AGM.
Notices shall be directly addressed to all TW Members and shall state the business proposed by the Co-ordinating Group and set out any resolutions to be proposed.
Validity AGMs shall only be valid when attended by at least one-twentieth of the number of TW members or ten TW members, whichever is the greater.
Report and Accounts The Co-ordinating Group shall present the annual report and the Treasurer shall present the TW accounts for the previous year.to each AGM,
Procedures The Co-ordinating Group shall appoint a facilitator for the AGM and Member to keep a full record of the proceedings.
Decision-making All decisions at general meetings shall be made by consensus following the fullest possible discussion in which all members are entitled to speak freely. By consensus is meant a situation where those not in agreement agree not to maintain an objection. If consensus is not reached the matter shall be adjourned to the next meeting when another attempt at consensus will be tried, unless there is a deadline for the decision which makes this delay unacceptable, in which case a vote will be taken. If consensus is still not reached at the second meeting, a vote will be taken.
Voting Anyone who has been recorded as a TW Member for more than 30 days shall be entitled to vote.
Constitutional changes shall be accepted if at least two thirds of the TW Members present at an AGM vote in favour. Votes shall be recorded by a show of hands.
People attending who are not TW Members shall not be entitled to vote.
There shall be no casting votes and no TW member may exercise more than one vote for each resolution at AGMs.

Elections Elections for the Co-ordinating Group shall be conducted during an AGM after presentation of the annual report and TW accounts.
Renewal of the same elected members to the Co-ordinating Group may be undertaken collectively.
Each member of the Co-ordinating Group shall be elected by a majority of the members present voting in favour, in two rounds if necessary with all but the leading two candidates eliminated after the first round.
Treasurer The appointment of the Treasurer shall be made from among the elected members during an AGM.
Signatures for Bank Accounts The appointment of signatories to any TW bank accounts shall be made from among the elected members during an AGM.

4.2. Special General Meetings
Special General Meetings What You Agree
Special General Meetings Any collection of at least ten TW members may request a Special General Meeting [SGM]. SGMs shall also be arranged by the Co-ordinating Group as soon as there are insufficient elected members in the Co-ordinating Group.
SGMs shall be arranged for a suitable time and venue by the Co-ordinating Group within 40 days of a valid request by TW Members.
Notice The notice period for SGMs shall be as for AGMs.
Validity Validity for SGMs shall be as for AGMs.
Procedures The SGM shall appoint a Chairperson and a member to keep a full record of the proceedings at a Special General Meeting.
Voting Anyone who has been recorded as a TW Member for more than 30 days shall be entitled to vote.
Resolutions shall be accepted if a two-thirds majority of the TW members present at a SGM vote in favour. Votes shall be recorded by a show of hands.
People attending who are not TW members shall not be entitled to Vote.
There shall be no casting votes and no TW member may exercise more than one vote for each resolution at SGMs.
Elections Elections for the Co-ordinating Group may be conducted during an SGM if required because an elected member ceases to be an elected member.
Any member of the Co-ordinating Group subject to election shall be elected by a majority of the members present voting in favour.
Treasurer Appointment of a new Treasurer may be made from among the elected members during an SGM if required where the previous Treasurer ceases to be an elected member.
Signatures for Bank Accounts The appointment of signatories to any TW bank accounts may be made from among the elected members during an SGM.

4.3. Co-ordinating Group Meetings
Co-ordinating Group Meetings
Co-ordinating Group Meetings The Co-ordinating Group shall hold Co-ordinating Group Meetings [CGMs] at least 4 times per year at a suitable time and venue.
Notice The Co-ordinating Group shall give at least 14 days notice in advance to all elected members of a CGM, unless all elected members indicate their availability at shorter notice.
Notice of forthcoming CGM dates shall be given to TW members on the web forum. Venues shall be notified on request.
Validity CGMs shall only be valid when attended by at least half of the elected members and when valid notice has been given to all elected members.
Procedures Elected members shall take turns to act as the facilitator at CGMs, unless the elected members unanimously agree otherwise.
The facilitator shall prepare an agenda before any CGM.
The Co-ordinating Group shall appoint an elected member to prepare a record of decisions made at the CGM; this shall be lodged on the web forum and also be available on request by any TW member.
Co-ordinating Group Decisions Decisions at CGMs shall normally be made by agreement between the elected members present.
Where full agreement among elected members is not possible, the matter shall be revisited at a further CGM. If no consensus is achieved on revisiting the matter, a vote shall be taken among the elected members and this shall be considered the final decision on the matter.
Consensus among the Co-ordinating Group may also be obtained by expressing views in written messages circulated among all the elected members. Lack of response within a reasonable time may be considered as acceptance of a proposal for action.
Members attending Co-ordinating Group Meetings Any TW member may attend any CGM by prior arrangement with the facilitator. Requests to attend may be directed through any elected member.
The Co-ordinating Group may agree to invite particular TW members to regularly attend CGM.

4.4. Specialist Group Meetings
Specialist Group Meetings
Specialist Group Meetings Specialist Groups may hold Specialist Group Meetings as required at a suitable time and venue.
Notice Specialist Groups shall give reasonable notice of meetings to the Co-ordinating Group.
Attendance Any elected member shall be entitled to attend Specialist Group Meetings.

5. Our Funds
5.1. TW Income
TW Income
Not-for-Profit TW shall not trade for profit. Any surplus TW funds shall form a general reserve for the continuation and development of TW.
TW Funds TW may only raise funds from grants, donations, entrance fees, sale proceeds, bank interest, and membership fees.
Loans and Borrowing TW shall not enter into loans or borrowing to supplement TW funds.
Membership Fees Any membership fees shall be subject to agreement by an AGM.
TW may charge a fee when a member joins TW or renews membership of TW at the end of a membership period.
Membership fees for specialist groups shall be determined by the specialist groups.
Grants and Donations to TW TW may seek and accept grants where these support the aims, objectives, interests and powers of TW.
Grants or donations over £200 shall be notified to members with 30 days of receipt.
Financial Interests TW shall not hold any financial interest such as a financial stake, shares or an agreement to receive commissions from any other organisation.

5.2. TW Payments
TW Payments
Use of TW Funds Funds shall only be used by TW to carry out the aims, objectives and interests and powers of TW.
Awards to Specialist Groups and Others TW funds awarded to specialist groups and others shall be subject to prior approval by the Co-ordinating Group and assigned for specific purposes consistent with the aims, objectives and interests of TW.
Loans and Borrowing TW shall not provide loans or allow borrowing from TW Funds.
Expenses Reimbursement of all expenses shall be supervised by the Treasurer.
TW may only reimburse expenses that are reasonable and that unavoidably arose from duties agreed with the TW Co-ordinating Group..
Expenses shall only be considered reasonable where costs were actually incurred and where those costs are not disproportionate.
Elected members and TW members shall not be entitled to claim expenses for attending TW events, activities, or meetings, or for meetings of Specialist Groups within TW.
TW may fund the cost or part of the cost of relevant training where this has been agreed by the Co-ordinating Group.
Relevant training is limited to training courses exactly aligned to the aims, objectives and interests of TW and shall not include general training courses.
Payments Responsibility for all payments from TW funds shall rest with the Treasurer.
Where the Treasurer has given advice that insufficient TW funds exist to make payments attracted by decisions of the Co-ordinating Committee, the elected members shall be jointly and severally responsible for their decisions.



TW Payments

Assets As an unincorporated association, TW shall not acquire, store, or maintain assets.
Separation of Specialist Groups On separation of a Specialist Group, TW shall have the right to obtain reimbursement of any TW funds awarded to it by TW.
However reimbursement of awards of TW funds should only be demanded by TW in exceptional circumstances where the aims, objectives and interests of the Specialist Group are significantly different from those of TW.

5.3. TW Accounts
TW Accounts
TW Bank Accounts TW Funds may be held in a bank account in the sole and exclusive name of Transition Town Westcombe (TW). Responsibility for the operation of the bank account shall rest with the Treasurer with the assistance of the authorized signatories.
Preparation of TW Accounts The accumulation and expenditure of TW Funds shall be supervised by the Treasurer and recorded in the TW accounts. The Treasurer shall prepare the TW accounts and make these available for publication to TW members:
• At every AGM;
• At any time required by statute, regulations, auditing or external bodies;
• After any change of Treasurer;
• When requested to do so by the Co-ordinating Group.
Auditing of TW Accounts The TW accounts shall be audited as legitimately required by external bodies or requested by an AGM or SGM.
Specialist Group Accounts The TW Treasurer shall have the right to obtain accounts from Specialist Groups within TW where:
• Required by an AGM or SGM;
• At any time required by statute, regulations, auditing or external bodies;
• When requested to do so by the Co-ordinating Group.
Signatures A payee shall not be a signatory to the same payment.
Signatories to a payment shall not be related or live in the same household.

Waste and Recycling

Date for your diary:

Meeting on Waste & Recycling.

7.30pm, Wednesday October 20th, Mycenae House, SE3 7SE.

Peter Dalley, head of Greenwich Council’s Waste Services Department. Also local businesses & charities which repair and resell old goods. And international businesses that specify new goods which have a short life and are hard to repair.

Greenwich Town Centre Traffic

Transition Greenwich and Transition Lewisham
Greenwich Town Centre Traffic.
Tuesday 20th July 2010, St Alfege’s Church Hall

Greenwich, Lewisham and Bromley residents, businesses and traffic officers were invited to this meeting about traffic in Greenwich Town Centre. 35 local residents and businesses attended. Statements were received from Len Duvall GLA member for Greenwich & Lewisham, and from James Cleverly GLA member for Bexley & Bromley. No reply was received from Nick Raynsford M.P., or from Greenwich Councillors. Exploratory conversations were had before the meeting with officers concerned with traffic in Greenwich, Lewisham and Bromley, and they sent apologies. Comments were received from Greenwich Hospital and the Greenwich Foundation, as well as the Greenwich Society’s official objections to the scheme.
The background to the meeting is the long-standing question of how to improve the traffic situation in Greenwich Town Centre, in light of Greenwich Council’s current consultation on its pedestrianisation proposals. The London Mayor’s Guidance on the Local Implementation Plans, which Boroughs have to submit by December 2010, specifies that local Boroughs should work together to reduce transport’s contribution to climate change, and to integrate it with wider economic, social and .environmental objectives at a local level.
Working as a plenary group and in smaller groups, the meeting agreed a statement:
“Local residents and businesses oppose Greenwich Council’s proposals for a new gyratory system. This is a flawed scheme which is not good in any aspect for Greenwich Town Centre.”

· The narrow advantage to two pedestrianised streets is far outweighed by the wider disadvantages to West Greenwich, to those living inside the proposed gyratory system and to the shops on the streets that are not pedestrianised. The shops in Nelson Road and Greenwich Church Street would die economically as a result of pedestrianising the two streets in Greenwich which have few shops on them – King William Walk and College Approach.

· There would be disruption to many of the bus routes through Greenwich, with longer journeys, longer waits and longer walks because of the loss of the bus stand in King William Walk, which is the natural dropping-off point for the town centre.

· A new long gyratory system would be against the national trend, and Transport for London is trying to reduce them. Traffic, including buses, would have to travel much further, increasing the tendency to speed, and adding pollution.

· More drivers would rat-run through residential streets with the proposed scheme.

· The new scheme would divide the 500 homes and school inside the proposed gyratory from those outside, splitting the community. There would be long detours for drivers living inside or visiting inside the proposed gyratory system.

· Cyclists are against the scheme due to Increased traffic speeds (therefore risk of injury) and the lack of a contraflow cycle lane on the gyratory roads.

· There appears to be no allowance for the extra vehicular traffic generated by the proposed 100-bed hotel in Greenwich Market.

· Instead of a scheme which (contrary to the Council’s policy of promoting the more sustainable modes of transport) worsens conditions for both buses and cyclists, we believe the most effective way of easing traffic problems in the town Centre is through a general reduction in traffic. We therefore urge LBG to explore with neighbouring boroughs ways to reduce overall traffic by 10%.

Proposals for a 10% Traffic Reduction
The meeting also explored how Greenwich Council and Transport for London could bring about a 10% traffic reduction through Greenwich Town Centre, using part of the £3.5 million saved by not doing the pedestrianisation.
It is well known that congestion is responsible for not just air and noise pollution, but also for extra delivery costs especially for small businesses.
The disadvantages of congestion charging are that it is expensive and causes traffic distortions outside the chosen zone. But several low-cost proposals seem technically feasible in the current financial climate of austerity. They also avoid a proliferation of ‘Big Brother’ vehicle recognition cameras recording car movements.
· The first proposal is for two electronic toll-gates, one on Romney Road (by the University of Greenwich) and the second on the A2 (near the General Wolfe Road intersection). These would allow local vehicles to pass without charge, and charge only those whose vehicles are registered outside L.B. Greenwich.
· The second proposal is for through vehicles to be required to display London Travel Cards, with a fine for those found to be without a valid one.


Proposals for Greenwich Town Centre with 10% traffic reduction:

· L.B. Greenwich should instate comprehensive cycle lanes in the existing road layout of Greenwich Town Centre, with other pro-cyclist measures as detailed by the London Mayor's Guidance to Boroughs. There should be block paving on road surfaces to slow traffic.
· L.B. Greenwich should investigate Sunday pedestrianisation of Greenwich Town Centre. Street parking should be made available on Sunday for market traders who have to arrive by vehicle.
· L.B. Greenwich should investigate instituting a short and reliable circular local shuttle bus service between Greenwich Town Centre, Lewisham, Blackheath, Charlton, East Greenwich and back to Greenwich Town Centre.
· L.B. Greenwich should promote lower car usage by all three sectors, with surveys to identify unnecessary car trips such as the school run and education to get people to slightly modify their travel habits.
· L.B. Greenwich should discuss with Greenwich Hospital how to ensure that market stalls and shop leases are given to a balanced range of useful providers of goods and services for all the local community, as well as to specialist personal traders with novel, unusual or unique products. This will involve differentiating between rental levels to bring in desirable tenants who cannot afford the ‘market’ rent. The sum total goods and services of Greenwich shops and markets should make most day-to-day items available for local people so they need to travel less for essential shopping, while also having a changing range of new products to attract visitors.


Taking forward the proposals for a 10% traffic reduction.

This Transition Greenwich & Transition Lewisham report will be sent to all who attended or wanted to attend the meeting, and further comments will be invited. The technical aspects of the 10% traffic reduction proposals will also be taken forward with traffic officers in Greenwich, Lewisham and Bromley. Please keep sending in your further comments and information, and these will be included in further updates on progress.

It is important that you email your own views to Greenwich Council’s consultation, which is open until August 1st.
By email: https://consultations.greenwich.gov.uk/kms/dmart.aspx?noip=1
Or by post:
Jeff Horsman, Directorate of Regeneration Enterprise & Skills, Town Hall, Wellington Street, London SE18 6PW
Please forward this email to friends.

SUPERMARKETS IN GREENWICH AND LEWISHAM

Supermarkets Meeting
Wednesday July 21st, Mycenae House.


This community meeting with local supermarkets was to discuss how to promote healthy, locally sourced organic food, as well as about minimizing food waste, packaging and the use of plastics. We invited all the local supermarkets such as Asda, Co-op, Costcutter, Iceland, Lidl, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, Poundland, Tesco and Waitrose, as well as talking to the smaller local convenience stores.

The meeting was attended by managers from Asda (Charlton), from the Co-op Supermarket (Greenwich) and Marks & Spencer (Charlton Standard). There was also Mike McNally from Fareshare, and Claire Pritchard from Greenwich Co-operative Development Agency.

The supermarkets managers described various ways in which they were trying to avoid handing out free plastic bags, to reduce plastics & packaging and improve recycling. They said that educating the public is fundamental to progress on eating healthy food and using re-usable shopping bags.

Mike McNally of Fareshare described how the logistics and efficiency required to collect surplus food from supermarkets inside strict time limits. He also described their experience in the legal aspects of public liability, food safety training and health & safety training.

Claire Pritchard of Greenwich Co-operative Development Agency described their educational and training work around healthy food, especially with children and schools, and with disadvantaged groups in food poverty. GCDA are also active promoting local food growing, and running stalls selling locally grown organic food. There are also healthy volunteer networks in Greenwich & Lewisham, linked to the NHS.


The supermarkets present all agreed to take forward the following local initiatives in Greenwich:

1. To be part of International Plastic Bag Free Day on September 11th this year, which is supported by the Marine Conservation Society.
• The supermarkets will display educational publicity posters and material about how plastic bags kill marine life for two weeks before the event. Images are available from the Marine Conservation Society. They can also promote the event through their advertising and in-store promotions.
• On the day, the supermarkets can hand out free hemp UK-sourced bags-for-life with a message. Hemp is a useful crop with many product applications, and was once widely grown in the U.K.. It is easy to grow, and does not require either pesticides or lots of water.
• Apart from this day, supermarkets will always ask customers if they want a plastic bag rather than just give them one, and keep plastic bags out of sight at the till. There could be a message on the bags.


2. To have in-store promotion of healthy eating menus by the Greenwich Co-operative Development Agency.
• This need not involve hot food
• Insurance is already dealt with, and risk assessments done
• These demonstrations do not involve criticism of other foods

3. To employ Fareshare to take away food at its sell-by date, and to distribute it to local Greenwich & Lewisham groups who are in food poverty.

4. Reducing packaging
• Have in-store bins at the door for customers to discard unnecessary packaging before leaving the store.
• Brown paper bags rather than polythene bags for fruit & veg
• Use more refills
• Ask suppliers to reduce packaging




Marine Conservation Society www.mcsuk.org
Each household in the UK uses around 300 plastic bags every year. In 2008, our volunteers found 8,174 plastic bags in just one Beachwatch weekend. During the 2008 International Coastal Clean-up, which took place in over 100 countries worldwide, nearly 1.4 million plastic bags were found!
Even when we dispose of them correctly, plastic bags are often blown out of bins and landfill sites and end up littering our land and oceans. They never degrade and will remain part of the landscape forever. In the sea, plastic bags look very similar to jellyfish and many birds and marine animals, such as whales and turtles, accidentally eat them. This can cause a blockage in the digestive system and lead to death by starvation.
MCS has made an information pack .pdf about going Plastic Bag Free.
http://www.mcsuk.org/downloads/pollution/plastic%20bag%20free%20pack.pdf
Or you can contact MCS on 01989 561597 / email info@mcsuk.org to receive the information by post.

Hempiness
P.O. Box 396, Brighton, BN1 1SX. nfo@hempiness.co.uk 0845 22 44 367
Hemp uses the sun's energy more efficiently than virtually any other planat. Originating from Asia, it has been cultivated by mankind for more than 6000 years and until the late 16th century was our planet's largest agricultural crop and most important industry. Almost every part of the plant was used to provide the overall majority of our fibre, fabric, lighting oil, paper and medicinal needs, as well as being a primary source of essential food oil and protein for humans and animals. Hemp flourishes without the use of pesticides or herbicides, does not need bleaching and recycles very well.

Fareshare www.fareshare.org.uk
FareShare has been operating since 2004 and today has 12 locations around the UK. Established in 1994 as a project within the homelessness charity Crisis, FareShare aims to help vulnerable groups, whether they are homeless, elderly, children, or other groups in food poverty within our communities.
• Providing quality food - surplus ‘fit for purpose’ product from the food and drink industry - to organisations working with disadvantaged people in the community
• Providing training and education around the essential life skills of safe food preparation and nutrition, and warehouse employability training through FareShare’s Eat Well Live Well programme
• Promoting the message that ‘No Good Food Should Be Wasted

Greenwich Cooperative Development Agency www.greenwich-cda.org.uk

The Greenwich Co-operative Development Agency (GCDA) exists to develop social and cooperative enterprises. It has been contracted by the London Development Agency to provide free training to increase the levels of healthy and sustainable food provided by public sector caterers.


Transition Greenwich contact is Edward Hill edhill@glartists.com 07890 013379
Transition Lewisham contact is Fran Rogers fr2rogers@googlemail.com

Transition Greenwich and Traffic Meeting about Greenwich Town Centre

Transition Westcombe and other Transition Towns in Greenwich are joining together to organize meetings about issues which affect a wide area, and are forming a network called Transition Greenwich.

The first meeting of Transition Greenwich will discuss how best to balance the various transport, business, residential and visitor requirements of Greenwich Town Centre in terms of traffic management. Greenwich Council has produced its own draft proposals on which they are currently consulting.

The meeting will be from 8pm to 10pm on Tuesday 20th July, in St Alfege’s Church Hall, behind St Alfege’s in Greenwich.

Anyone from Greenwich and Lewisham is welcome, including community groups, businesses and council officers. Please come and share and compare your insights and ideas for a long-term strategy for traffic management in Greenwich Town Centre.

London Permaculture Festival 22 August

There is a lot of crossover between transition and permaculture interests, so this might tickle your fancy:

London Permaculture Festival
inspiring & connecting London- Sunday 22nd August

This summer London will have its very own Permaculture festival.

The festival aims to bring together all groups directly or indirectly related to Permaculture and Transition in & around London to share news, information & skills: connecting together green-minded people in the city, for the first time.

The London Permaculture Festival aims to inspire and inform. Packed throughout the day with back to back engaging workshops, inspiring films, interactive practical demonstrations, expert talks, and relaxed networking. Helping Londoners to engage with their local activist projects, community gardens & Transition Town groups throughout the city.

The beautiful Arts & Crafts building of Cecil Sharp House near Camden Town, home of the London folk scene, will host this non-profit grassroots event organized solely by volunteers- aiming to unite green London and create a positive critical mass of awareness around DIY culture, reshaping & reconnecting our capital city in this time of resurgence.

Expect workshops, talks and interactive demonstrations on…

Guerilla Gardening action
Edible landscaping for small gardens
The Dark Mountain Project
The ins & outs of Forest gardening
Video link-up with Patrick Whitefield
Non-Violent Communication intro (NVC)
Reclaim the Fields with OrganicLea
Hands on bike surgery
Notebook making with John-Paul Flinthoff
Permaculture Design intro
Maddy Harland on 'The Work that Reconnects'
Activist video making
Tips for low impact living

Also on the menu…

Dr Bike surgery
organic herbs & seeds (seed swap)?
networking with world café/open space
inspiring films throughout the day
garden with family and children’s area, face painting?
eco book stall, Permaculture Magazine
local food, music & bar till late.

Full details of the programme still to be confirmed.

11am – 11pm £4/£3 conc
(children & under 18s free :)

Cecil Sharp House
2 Regents Park Road
London NW1 7AY

Tube Camden Town
train Camden Road
A disability accessible venue

If you're interested in helping to create this event, as there is still much to be done, contact us on info@londonpermaculture.com

www.LondonPermaculture.com

Rehearsing the Future

Here's a message from the Greenwich and Docklands Festival 2010:

This year the festival's theme is ‘Earth’ and our events are based on the ideas of the earth, discovering new areas and mans effect on the earth.

‘3rd Ring Out – Rehearsing the Future’ is an event presented by Metis Arts, which uses live performance, video simulation and interactive computer systems to show how our environmental decisions may affect the Greenwich skyline.

This is a rehearsal for the worst case scenarios of climate change, and gives audiences the chance to become active participants in a performance which explores how we might collectively imagine our future.

The performances take place in Greenwich Park, from Thursday 24th June – Sunday 4th July at various times. It is a completely free event, but due to restricted capacity tickets must be booked through Greenwich Theatre Box Office.

For further details on the event and its timings please visit www.festival.org or call Greenwich Theatre on 020 8858 7755.

Dates for your diary

Dates for you diary:

• Transition 'Big Lunch' picnic in Greenwich Park near the tennis courts. Sunday July 18th from 1pm to 6pm. Please bring locally produced organic food (‘local’ means Kent too). This is a 'sit on the ground on a blanket' event, with no chairs allowed.
Everyone welcome, especially others from London-wide Transition Towns.
Donations suggested £1.00 each to cover the charge for an organised picnic in Greenwich Park.

• Supermarkets Meeting. Greenwich & Lewisham Transition Towns at Mycenae House, Mycenae Road, SE3 to discuss food & sustainability issues with local supermarkets and food stores, on Wednesday July 21st at 7.30pm.
We want them to have a local agreement about:
1. International Plastic Bag Free Day - September 11th 2010
2. Fareshare distribution of food that is past its 'sell-by' date
3. Demonstration cooking in supermarkets of healthy eating by Greenwich Co-operative Development Agency.

• Every 3rd Wednesday of month, 6.30pm to 8pm. Informal meeting in the bar of Mycenae House, Mycenae Rd, SE3 7SE

Text for discussion on population and consumption

“Tackling rising human population and consumption”
19th May 2010 : Transition Westcombe & Transition Ashburnham Triangle joint meeting


What is an ethical approach of equality and fairness in sharing out limited global land and resources? Today, it would take the resources of 1.4 Earths to renewably produce all the resources we consume, and to absorb the carbon dioxide emissions we create, and by 2030 we will require the resources of two Earths, if population goes on increasing. These figures are based on the Ecological Footprint of the Global Footprint Network, which has emerged as the fairest and best way of sharing out limited resources internationally. It relates population levels and per capita consumption, to the land productivity of each country, using United Nations statistics.

For instance, figures show that in 1970 there were still significant world ecological reserves. But since then world population has almost doubled, from 3.7 billion to 6.9 billion, and there has been a linked rise in human land requirements for cities, forest land, cropland, grazing land and fishing grounds, and land to absorb carbon. The increase in human population has been a bigger factor than rising consumption of resources alone in our global 40% overshoot.

The Ecological Footprint of the U.K. is roughly double what nature can regenerate from the productivity of the land. This is average for Europe. To arrive at a sustainable position we either need to halve our resource use or halve our population, or do some of each.

Halving our resource use would be difficult, and to achieve it will take time and money from government, business and the community. It involves the long term rebuilding of much of our infrastructure – energy, transportation, housing, agriculture, water and forestry. But none of this will have the desired effect if human population rises as well.

Jane Goodall, the English scientist who researched relations between humans and chimpanzees, said in March this year that it is human population growth that underlies just about every single one of the problems that we've inflicted on the planet. She is a patron of the Optimum Population Trust, a British charity which campaigns for population stabilisation and a gradual decrease both globally and in Britain. It argues for improved provision of family planning and sex education; better education and rights for women; and advocates that couples voluntarily "stop at two". She believes a cornerstone in any drive to stabilise population growth must be the improvement in the quality of life of the poorest.
In 2006, 7 out of 10 people said that Britain is already overcrowded, yet by mid-2007, our numbers were still increasing, passing 61 million. Officially projected to rise by a record 0.7% a year to reach 71 million by 2031, our population could be 100 million before the end of this century. UK population grew by 434,700 in 2007 alone, an increase equivalent to a city larger than Cardiff. In that year we recorded a net inward migration of 237,000 (more immigrants than emigrants), and a natural increase of 197,700 (more births than deaths). In 2005 the U.K.’s population density makes it more densely populated than China, and the third most densely populated in the EU 15 after the Netherlands (393) and Belgium (341). The environmental impacts of this growth are already clear - in both the development pressures on our own land and natural resources and the impacts of UK consumption on other parts of the world. Surveys across the whole European Union in 2004 report that women’s ideal number of children is at least two and that total fertility will soon return above replacement level there of 2.1 births per woman.
In the last 40 years the world’s population has doubled from 3.5 billion to over 6.8 billion, matching the rise in greenhouse gas emissions during that time. According to the United Nations, the global population could be as high as 11 billion in 2050 or as low as 8 billion, but this lower figure will only happen if the right programs are put in place now. At least 200 million of the poorest women around the world would like to delay or end childbearing but have no access to contraception.

Many countries that have lowered their birth rates, such as South Korea, have eradicated or greatly reduced poverty because there is the money for the government and parents to invest in education and health. An educated, healthy population can change the trajectory of a country in a single generation. The potential economic as well as ecological benefits of reducing population should be explored in more depth.

With the exception of a few oil-rich states, no country has risen from poverty while still maintaining high average fertility. The UN Millennium Development Goals for 2015 called for poverty reduction, equity, universal primary education, and combating disease, but they have been made impossible to achieve because of population growth. In much of the world, rising population is bringing increased poverty and hunger. The way to combat this trend is for women everywhere to be rapidly empowered with civil, political, and legal rights, with opportunities in education and employment and with a full range of reproductive health services.

The UK’s previous Chief Scientific adviser Sir David King stated that it is self-evident that the massive growth in the human population through the 20th Century has had more impact on biodiversity than any other single factor. It is the ultimate driving force behind all deforestation, destruction of ecosystems and much human conflict, both in developed countries which demand the resources and in developing nations where people are fighting for survival.

During the 1970s and 1980s, national family planning programmes everywhere were voluntary and extremely popular, having a very positive health and economic impact on women who are otherwise compelled to bear many children for lack of contraceptive options. Then China and parts of India instigated controversial programmes associated with coercion. Old memories were revived of some very unpleasant episodes in human history, and population reduction became a taboo subject. Since then, family planning programmes have stalled for lack of money and lack of political will.

Although rising population may seem difficult to address, ultimately the best way to confront it is simple: trust women and make sure they are empowered and educated. The ability of women to control their own fertility is absolutely fundamental to their empowerment and equality. Women who have access to family planning and who are able to work and be mothers generally have the number of children they desire. This number tends to hover around replacement level.

Lack of access to contraception may be due to price, but there may also be medical practices that are not based on scientific evidence, religious opposition, cultural practices such as child marriage or desire for large families, and unnecessary laws and regulations. There is much misinformation about contraception: that it is dangerous, will cause infertility, that condoms do not work, that they do not prevent sexually transmitted diseases, or that they give less sexual satisfaction. Education programs are needed to raise awareness around many issues, including maternal health, child marriage and early child birth, high fertility rates and poverty, and how they relate to family planning and reproductive choices.

Many experts agree that world population growth of 50% by 2050 poses serious threats to human health, socioeconomic development, and the environment. There is a proposal by Bolivia to create a UN Declaration of the Rights of Mother Earth which would work like the UN Declaration of Human Rights. We need this Mother Earth perspective so that we consider the impact of extra population not only on the poorest people on earth, but also on all the other species and ecosystems that live there too.

The Ecological Footprint is a fair and equal way of rationing limited planet space and resources between countries. We still have time to reduce our ecological footprint by investing in sustainable infrastructure and setting our population onto a downward trajectory. The global problem of how to reduce population ought to be addressed in countries like the UK first, because we have the resources and knowledge to get it right. The question is, exactly how do we get it right?

Global Footprint Network. www.footprintnetwork.org
Optimum Population Trust. www.optimumpopulation.org
Population Connection. www.populationconnection.org

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Thanks!

Thanks very much to the News Shopper, who have featured our fruit-harvesting project this week, provisionally called Harvest Hands.

Click here to learn more about it.

Grow your own - but where?

The allotment shortage has not abated, and in fact the shortfall in plots has worsened dramatically in the last year, according to the Telegraph, which writes:

"The grow-your-own trend, which was boosted by the recession and fears about the rising price of food, has shown no signs of calming down.

"The survey of over 150,000 council plots in England found 91,500 people waiting for an allotment – up from 76,330 last June.

"The figures indicated there are around 60 people waiting for every 100 plots, up from around 50 people last year and just four people in 1996.

"The severe shortage, in parts of the country, has meant that some gardeners are facing waits of up to 40 years. The average time is over three years.

People in Westcombe Park who have tried to get an allotment will know this problem well - and will have found that not only are the local waiting lists 10 years long, they are now closed to new names so you cannot join them at all.

Transition Westcombe has tried to come up with a constructive solution: matching would-be growers with other people willing to lend a patch of their garden - perhaps in return for a share of the harvest. Visit Patch Match for more information or to sign up.

We particularly need people to sign up and offer a patch of their land to those on our own waiting list.

If you've considered doing so but have hesitated over what kind of person might show up to share your garden, here are a selection of things that our would-be growers have said about why they are so keen to take part:

"I have always loved growing things (although I am far from being an expert!) and had a vegetable patch in my old house. I now rent and have only a very tiny shared front garden. I would really like to feel close to the earth again and grow things and also to feel closer to the community here."

"Having grown up in the countryside we always grew veg when I was young. I really miss this living in London and would love the opportunity to start growing my own veg again."

"I would like to Patch Match because I am an extremely keen cook but have never had the opportunity to grow my own produce due to lack of space. I noticed the allotments as soon as I arrived at our new flat, but the waiting list was full."

"I hope to grow all of the basics and I'll be happy to share the crop, it's the process I'm most interested in."

"We have no car and cycle everywhere, so carrying large loads of groceries from Sainsbury's is not ideal, we wish to grow our own food, to sustain ourselves, our future family and hopefully inspire our community to live sustainably."

"I am originally from rural Gloucestershire where growing your own veg was part of everyday life, it's something i miss very much and would like to start doing again. I am on various waiting lists for allotments but fear i may never reach the top of any of them!"

"I do not have a garden of my own - just a tiny backyard, and little growing experience. I would love to have the opportunity to grow some organic food crops - perhaps even share the skills of the lender."

"I like to think I'm green-fingered, live on a limited budget, love spending time outdoors and doing physical work, and am a committed environmentalist. At the moment I have a couple of window boxes above a busy road - and am told that the waiting lists for local allotments stretches to over three years!"

Hustings Meeting and Environment Law

HUSTINGS MEETING

There will be a large parliamentary 'hustings' meeting for people from Greenwich and Blackheath, from 7.30 to 9.30pm on Monday 26th April, in the Blackheath Halls (Lee Road, Blackheath end).

Apart from influencing candidates, this is great opportunity to raise awareness locally of the true extent of the environmental crisis, so do try to be there early if you can, talk to people and invite them to our next public meeting. It will be on May 19th at 7.30pm in Mycenae House, and will be discussing setting limits to and starting to voluntarily reduce the UK human population and consumption.

We have also been asked to start lists of people interested in forming neighbouring Transition Towns, such as in Blackheath Village and Lee. Anyone interested in being part of an initiating group for a neighbouring Transition Town can email us on transitionwestcombe@googlemail.blogspot, and we will help in getting the first meeting to happen.

These are the laws we need our national government to adopt:
The U.K. National Planning Framework needs to embody the aims of the Climate Change Act, the EU Biodiversity Directive and the Marine Act, which are all already UK law.

The U.K. should adopt the new United Nations Resolution of the Rights of Mother Earth

The U.K. should back the creation of a new crime of 'Ecocide' to be enforced by the United Nations International Criminal Court. 'Ecocide' is the crime of destroying the Planet’s natural ecosystems.


Here is a report about Debbie Tripley and Polly Higgins, the lawyers who are fighting for proper legal protection of the environment:

Haldane Society Meeting 22nd April 2010 College of Law, London

Debbie Tripley and Polly Higgins


These two inspirational British environmental lawyers are working on the environmental problems from the bottom up and from the top down.

Debbie Tripley is working on environmental problems bottom-up through the local planning system in the UK. She is Chief Executive of the Environmental Law Foundation, which advises low income individuals and groups who are fighting planning decisions which allow environmentally damaging development. They are working to have the objectives of the UK Climate Change Act (UCC), the UK Marine Act and the EU Biodiversity Directive made part of the National Planning Framework. It is the CCA which has a UK commitment to cutting CO2 to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. She thinks our environmental law needs to be more radical. The phrase ‘sustainable development’ is actually a curse because in practice economic interest always outweighs environmental and social interest. Cost should not be a barrier to justice as it is at present, the community should be properly consulted at an early stage, and the legal principle of a duty of care needs to be extended to the environment. http://www.elflaw.org/site/

Polly Higgins is working on the problems top-down by coming up with globally effective legal mechanisms to control big business. She says that the present environmental laws are not fit for purpose. The latest UN figures show that just on its own world deforestation by business amounted to a staggering $2.8 trillion in 2008 and to a sickening $4 trillion in 2009. She was involved in the recently adopted United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Mother Earth which governments can sign up to. She has now proposed a new crime of Ecocide to be enforced by the UN’s International Criminal Court (ICC). Ecocide would be the crime of destroying any part of the Planet’s natural ecosystems, and would impose a duty of care on individual directors of companies. She compares the insane and evil greed behind destruction of the planet’s ecosystems with the Slave Trade. The Slave Trade was stopped almost overnight by a new law, and within a year all the 300 companies involved in the Slave Trade had changed to other ways of making money, helped by subsidies from government. A good law has this power to shift behaviour and attitudes overnight. But time is now very short. http://www.thisisecocide.com/