Minutes of the Meeting of Sustainable Seaton group held at 3 Meadow Road Seaton on Wednesday 16th July 2008
Present: Peter Addie, Nick Austin, Jon Batson, Barbara DP, Marcia Doyle, Kathy Hackman, Jim Potter, Kate Walters, Sarah Williams, Chris Wise, Claire Wise.
1. Apologies
Received from: Dave Kelf, Phil Portman, Chris Rudge.
2. Matters Arising
§ Marcia Doyle reported that address labels for reusing envelopes were available from The Centre for Alternative Technology at a cost of £6 per 200. It was AGREED that she would negotiate a price for 20 or 30 packs.
§ Claire Wise reported that she had contacted local councils after the talk to which they had been invited on Transition Towns offering a follow-up session. Seaton and Beer had expressed interest and it was AGREED that she and Sarah Williams would arrange to attend the relevant council meetings. It was further AGREED that copies of the Transition Handbook should be purchased for presentation (one each) to the councils.
3. Finance
Claire Wise reported that cash in hand totalled £56.50. Other monies amounted to £400, including grants for the transport rally and £100 for two car dealers displaying vehicles there.
4. Green Vehicle Rally
Plans were well developed for the rally, including the engagement of St John Ambulance and of a PA system. Several attractions had been organizes, such as pavement art, face painting, and a display of local school children’s designs for sustainable transport. It was AGREED that further posters and 3000 flyers should be printed to advertise the rally in the preceding week.
5. Seaton Carnival
It was AGREED that an application should be made for an entry as a non-motorized mini float for the procession on 30th August.
6. Future events
In addition to the autumn events already planned, it was AGREED that an application should be submitted for the free use of the Seaton Town Hall on 17th or 18th December to throw a ‘Green’ party. A provisional booking had been made for the Town Hall on Saturday 24th January, at a cost of £138 for an ‘eco fair’. It was AGREED that the application should be confirmed.
NEXT MEETING TO BE SECOND NOT THIRD WEDNESDAY – SO THAT WE HAVE A MEETING PRIOR TO THE GREEN TRANSPORT RALLY
Next meeting Wednesday 13th August @ 7pm at 3 Meadow Road
Sustainable Seaton – A Transition Town
Minutes of meeting held Wednesday 18th June 2008
3 Meadow Road Seaton Devon EX12 2AS
1. Present:
Nick Austin, Barbara Dearden Potter, Marcia Doyle, Kathy Hackman, Phil Portman, Jim Potter, Kate Walters, Chris Wise Claire Wise (chairman).
2. Apologies:
Guy Westoby, John Richardson, Sarah Williams.
3. Matters Arising:
3.1 Paperwork for bank account with the Co-operative Bank had been completed and the account set up.
3.2 The chairman reported that she and Sarah Williams had addressed the older pupils at Seaton Primary School on ‘Climate Action Day’ and had later handed out leaflets and food samples (provided by Seaton Farmer’s Market stallholder Jenny Gettens) at the Co-op in Seaton. She pointed out that since the last meeting she had done a considerable amount of printing on her own computer to save printing costs and requested authorisation to purchase a new ink cartridge out of funds. It was AGREED that all such incidental expenses involved in running group events should be met out of group funds.
4. An idea for purchasing sticky labels for envelope re-use was rejected as involving too heavy an outlay. An alternative suggestion for a rubber stamp for use on notepaper and envelopes would be explored (Action Claire Wise / Phil Portman)
5. The chairman reported that the group now had a code (GE 286) with The Good Energy Electricity Company whereby the company would donate £20 to the group for each new customer channelled through the group.
6. All the local councils (Seaton, Beer, Branscombe, Axmouth, Colyton, Axminster and Musbury) and local representatives of the districe and county councils had received personal invitations to the talk on Transition Network on Thursday 19th June. There had been several positive responses.
7. GREEN TRANSPORT RALLY.
The chairman reported that she had approached several organisations with invitations to participate, and she had drawn up and produced entry forms for individuals proposing to bring appropriate items of transport. A variety of suggestions came from members as to potential participants, (ACTION Claire Wise) the use of a ‘compere’ for the whole event and the use of the bus promised by Axe Valley Motors as a venue for talks.
8. Future Events:
The following programme was AGREED for the remainder of the year:-
Saturday 30 August Seaton Carnival procession
Wednesday 24th September Film: On the Edge of the Forest
Wednesday 22 October Talk: Peter Addie
Thursday 20th November Film: Soylent Green
It was AGREED that a ‘Green Fair’ should be planned for January 2009, to be held in Seaton Town Hall. Jenny Thomas should be contacted to book the Town Hall date (ACTION Claire Wise).
Minutes of Meeting of Sustainable Seaton Group
Held 21 May 2008 at 3 Meadow Road Seaton
1. Apologies were received from Dave Kelf, Jan Osborne, Helen McLennon & Phil Portman. John Richardson was welcomed to his first meeting.
2. Arising from the minutes of the last meeting the chairman, Claire Wise brought members up-to-date on recent events.
§ The banner advertising the group had been completed and already used.
§ The stall at Colyton Grammar Garden Fair had been well attended.
§ Questionnaires had been distributes to more than 40 local organisations. Only five had responded, of which four had expressed no interest in the group’s activities.
§ On further discussion on the venue for monthly meetings, it was AGREED that they should continue to be held at 3 Meadow Road unless and until numbers attending regularly exceeded 12.
3. A bank account was being opened with the Cooperative Bank and it was anticipated that outstanding monies would be deposited there shortly. Members would continue to contribute £1 per head at monthly meetings to help cash flow.
4. No members returned completed questionnaires to ascertain levels of skills and experience in the group.
5. The chairman reported that the proposed Green Transport Rally would fit criteria for the Co-op grant offeredfor a specific project. The rally on Saturday 16th August, would take place on Seaton Esplanade, for the closure of which for the day, the chairman would apply. Seaton Phoenix had offered to cover insurance. Several parties, including Sustrans, had expressed interest in participating. It was AGREED that further approaches would be made to other bodies:
§ Colyton Horse drawn Wagon for possible use of their horse and cart. (action Marcia Doyle)
§ Axe Valley Bus co. (action Kathy Hackman)
§ Local owner of an economical car. (action Jim Potter)
6. It was AGREED that the Local Food Directory should be completed in time for the Climate Change Day of Action 3rd June. ‘Local’ was defined as covering a radius of circa 25 miles.
7. Chris Rudge had produced extensive notes in preparation for an approach to local traders to encourage the use of low energy light bulbs.
8. It was agreed that the group should be represented on the climate day of action at Seaton Co-op, where East Devon District Council would be holding a road show on recycling. Lists of local food suppliers and farmers’ market dates would be made available, along with, possibly, food samples from the farmers’ market suppliers.
9. The approach made by Carol Dawson to Seaton Town council for a “green” notice board had been passed to Devon County Council and seemed likely to flounder. It was agreed that a letter should be sent to the Town Council requesting use of a section of one of their notice boards.
ACTION: Jim Potter
10. The chairman reported that she had received details of various sources of grant aid which needed scrutinising to establish whether the group’s activities could qualify. (action Kate Walters)
11. Proposals for participation in the Seaton carnival procession were considered. It was AGREED to take up Jon Batson’s offer of the use of an aluminium dinghy which could be hauled on its launching trailer.
12. The group discussed the Sustainable Communities Bill by which from October local authorities would have to appoint citizens’ panels for proper consultation. It was AGREED that the chairman should keep a watching brief on the situation.
13. Suggestions for autumn events were considered, including talks and films.
14. The invitation from a Church group called Noah to support a petition requesting the government to divert 10% of its defence budget to research on climate change met with reservations from members.
15. The chairman drew attention to a Glastonbury Transition event on 6th June at Bridie’s food Co-op.
16. The chairman reported that she had negotiated a contract with the electricity company Good Energy, whereby the company would give the group £20 for every new customer channelled through the group.
17. Marcia Doyle raised the possibility of members car sharing on the basis of a mileage payable by borrowers to owners.
18. Various items of correspondence were tabled.
19. The meeting finished at 9pm.
The next meeting is Wednesday June 18th, 7pm at 3 Meadow Road Seaton.
Sustainable Seaton a Transition Town
Minutes of the meeting held on 16 April 2008 at 7pm
3 Meadow Road Seaton.
1. Present: Nick Austin, Guy Westoby (welcomed as a new face!), Phil Portman, Marcia Doyle, Jon Batson, Kate Walters, Chris Wise, Claire Wise, Chris Rudge, Michelle Hague.
Apologies: SarahWilliams, Jim Potter, Helen McLennan, Simon Maplesden, Kathy Hackman, Jan Osborne, Dave Kelf, Barbara Dearden Potter.
Items in bold, require thought or attention!
2. All items requiring attention are addressed as agenda items. The Pulman’s did run an April Fool piece concerning oil prices for us, but the Mid Week and View From declined!
3. Finance: Balance is at present £146.21 (having received our grant funding from AONB and repaid the SDT). Dave Kelf advised Claire that our Co-op grant application has been successful – we await written confirmation. The payment for Grizzly marshalling will be made at a presentation on 25th April in the Town Hall.
4. Claire Wise recounted the positive supportive atmosphere and aspects of the Transition Conference in Cirencester last weekend. She has created a mind map of information and ideas she has gleaned, so that we can use them to assist our direction in certain aspects. There was so much information that the worry was that she might forget something vital!!
5. Plans for the Banner were begun. We are going to create our own. A natural fibre background, square shaped and supported by poles top and bottom. Possible use of ‘town colours’? SS-TT – boat idea, possible sails not steam. ‘In the same boat’ ‘For a brighter future’. Ideas to reflect working with and for Seaton’s future. Any members with more ideas, email Claire or attend the practical group as they embark on this creation Wednesday 23rd in the morning.
6. Local Food Directory and (12.) Low energy Seal of Approval. Members agreed that raising awareness of/and becoming more localised in our food production is essential. Rising transport costs is a lever, as is reduction in electricity bills by switching to low energy bulbs. We are all to research all local food producers, and share this information at our next meeting to enable us to decide upon the next step. We are to ask the energy advice centre if there is a standard for ‘Low energy seal of approval’ in retail outlets. Claire is to compose a factual simplification of Transition, Chris R is to research and simplify the electrical side of this issue. This information will be available for interested members at a short meeting after our next event. We need to form the criteria for our award plus entry to our food directory. Once all members are confident with both these issues; we will plan an ‘Energy Day’. This will entail a ‘mass’ operation! A day approaching town traders to explain our ‘Low energy seal of approval’ and localisation; praising any existing work, and informing them of other ways that they can save money and become more resilient.
7. Garden Fair at Colyton – 10 May 10am to 4pm. We are sharing a stall with several other environmental organisations. We plan to run a FREE awareness raising competition. Members ideas for questions should be sent to Claire. A mass of up-turned flowerpots, beneath which Transition based questions lurk! When answered correctly, a prize of salad leaf seeds is given – wrapped in instructions for sowing. Manning of the stall is:- 10 till 12:Claire, 12 till 2:Chris and Michelle, 2 – 4:Marcia and Guy. We would be grateful for assistance from any other members able to attend.
8. Wednesday’s talk: Kate is writing the press release then Claire will forward it to the three local papers – in time for inclusion in next weeks issues. We are to check with the advisor re accepted ‘seal of approval’. Assistance on the night, plus raffle prizes are sought.
9. The questionnaire for clubs, societies and churches has now been produced. Michelle is to compile a list of groups we may not be aware of. Claire and Marcia are to deliver in person, (along with flyers) to the groups on our existing list.
10. Initiating group worksheet and awareness raising worksheets were distributed to all members. These are intended to help us focus on what we enjoy and are happy to offer to the group. Completed forms will be brought to the next meeting on 21st May.
11. The film on 14th May is to be shown twice. 4.30 Marcia and Claire will arrange. 7.30 Chris R and Claire will arrange. Raffle prizes and volunteers will be required – please let Claire know what you are able to do. (Nick, Guy, Phil, Jon and Kate are not available).
12. Covered in ‘6’ above.
13. Monthly Venue – Chris and Claire are happy to continue meeting at their house, but have concerns that as numbers increase there will not be adequate room! After discussion, Winston’s was considered suitable, so we need to check that they are happy for us to use their bar – failing that; the Hook and Parrot may be suitable.
14. The next meeting is Wednesday 21st May (still at 3 Meadow Road).
PLEASE NOTE ADVANCED WARNING!
GET YOUR THINKING CAPS ON!!!
1. GREEN TRANSPORT RALLY (SOME TIME IN AUGUST)
2. CARNIVAL ENTRY IDEAS (SEPTEMBER)
3. Ideas for events in October and November, are being researched by Nick Austin and Kate Walters.
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MINUTES OF MEETING
SUSTAINABLE SEATON A TRANSITION TOWN
WEDNESDAY 19th March 2008
Minutes of Sustainable Seaton meeting – Wednesday 19th March 2008-03-21
Present: Claire Wise, Simon Maplesden, Barbara DP, Jon Bateson, Kate Walters, Nick Austin, Jim Potter, Sarah Williams.
Apologies: Chris Wise, Chris Rudge, MIchelle Hague, Jan Osborne.
1. Matters arising from previous minutes:
· Bank account is still to be opened.
· Transition Handbooks have arrived – these are a good read!
· A stall is booked at Colyton Garden Party Saturday 10th May – volunteers needed to man the stall.
2. Raising awareness:
Ideas still needed. Publicity for last two talks were same as for “Power of Community” film except that for that Claire has stood outside Co-Op on a Saturday before handing out leaflets. Volunteers needed to do this again for “A crude awakening”
3. Group input:
“Talents” sheet to be distributed, so that everyone’s strengths can be seen and utilised.
4. Finances:
Balance stands at £42.05. A suggested donation of £1 or £2 per person per meeting is strongly encouraged to help cover day to day costs. The fee for “A Crude Awakening” is £100 so we need to encourage lots of people to come, donate and buy raffle tickets.
5. Feedback from the Transition Course:
Important that knowledge of Peak Oil and Climate Change gets around – all part of the Transition process. We need to widen the net to get to people who aren’t currently getting the message (see also below)
6. Publicity:
We need to visit different organisations to talk about Climate Change and Peak Oil. Claire is visiting Cubs/Scouts. Any other organisations we could visit? Resources can be put together.
Suggestions were made about having a notice board in town. Also a possible float for Carnival was suggested (Empty barrels of oil or horrendously expensive ones proved popular!)
7. Fossil Fool’s Day:
For 1st April, Claire has submitted a spoof article to the local paper, but they are reluctant to print. It was agreed that this was a shame and that we should put pressure on them to print the facts about Peak Oil and Climate Change
8. Tea Party:
A suggestion was made for some sort of day time activity for Senior Citizens in the area. The aim is to introduce Peak Oil/Climate Change to them and to ask (possibly) for suggestions from “Make do and mend” era which could be used again when the time comes.
9. AOB:
· There is a series of “Green” Events in Lyme this Easter Weekend.
· Date of next meeting is Wednesday 16th April, although this was noted that it would fall in School Holidays.
SM.