Daniel
Murray an MSc student from Warwick University is making a special
study of the potential for Shipston to produce more of its own food
and has asked if Transition Shipston supporters can help in his
research. Daniel has written this outline for us....
In
the face of global challenges the need for change is apparent.
People around the world are realising this which is why small scale,
community-led initiatives, like the transition movement, are
becoming more prevalent. Highly diverse groups around the globe are
initiating local responses in areas such as food production, energy
provision and waste management in an attempt to reduce environmental
impacts and improve local resilience through building networks that
develop support systems and encourage creative responses to the
issues faced.
Therefore,
as part of my MSc in ‘Environmental Bioscience and Climate Change’
at the University of Warwick, I will be producing an academic study
on the potential that Shipston-on-Stour has to supplement food
supplies with local production. The project will have three main
focuses:
Establish
how residents currently source food
Establish
the potential for increased local food production through community
gardens, allotments, use of surrounding underutilised green spaces,
farmland and so on
Compare
the environmental and economic advantages and disadvantages
associated with the intensification of local food production through
‘traditional’ farming methods and more environmentally friendly
methods such as organic
The
aim of this project is to explore the idea that local communities
can reduce their environmental footprint whilst also making
themselves more resilient to global environmental changes. At the
core of this is the belief that global problems can only be tackled
on a local scale through reducing energy dependence (particularly
fossil fuel derived energy) and improving self sufficiency through
increasing local food production and reducing the environmental
impacts of this production. In theory this ‘relocalisation’ can
provide benefits to the local economy which in turn offers a route
to sustainable economic prosperity. I will no doubt be contacting
many people in the local area and bugging you for information but if
anybody would like to contact me regarding the project then feel
free to email me at daniel.murray@warwick.ac.uk
Thanks,
Daniel
Murray
How
to start a Car Club
Car rental on your
doorstep?
For
the last 18 months the people of Hook Norton have been able to book
a car on the internet and walk into the village to pick up the car.
All they need to do is to join the village car club for £60. The
scheme is ideal for couples or families who don't need to run two
cars or individuals who don't travel often. The fee to hire the cars
works out much lower than commercial hire so within a couple of
bookings the cost of joining is repaid.
At
the Transition Shipston
meeting on 4th
July at the Townsend Hall
David Newton from Hook Norton Car Club is coming to talk to us about
how the scheme works (see Diary below).
The
Hook Norton Car Club is administered through MoorCar
www.moorcar.co.uk.
This is how the scheme works...
How
to convert your own car (How to start a car club)
If
you have a car and only use it occasionally then you might consider
sharing the use of the car with your friends and neighbours.
Moorcar will help you set up your own car club.
You
can charge for use by the hour and the miles driven, it is also
possible to charge a flat monthly charge between a group of friends
and get everyone to pay for the fuel they use.
If
you choose the best way of charging for your circumstances, you will
be generating a small income to offset the costs of the tax, MOT and
the insurance.
So
what is involved:
Moorcar
can show your car at your address (location) on their website. They
use a Google map to place your car outside your house. If you need
leaflets to advertise they can customise these for you.
When
you are ready to allow other people to book the car, Moorcar will
insure the vehicle. This will require that the vehicle has had a
recent service, MOT certificate and valid car tax.
Members
of your car club can register through the Moorcar website. This will
collect all the information required to allow a member to print off
the driver’s declaration for insurance purposes.
Once
a member is accepted they can make bookings for your car. Members
can also make bookings with any other cars in the Moorcar network or
a growing number of car clubs across the UK.
It
will be your responsibility to collect any charges and make regular
checks on the vehicle. Moorcar can provide a checklist for
essential items like tyres, oil, water, windscreen wash etc. The
simplest system to provide your members with access to the car keys
is to attach a keysafe to a nearby wall which gives access to the
car keys with a push pin code. Moorcar can suggest a suitable
choice of keysafe.
The
Transition Shipston Guide to Local
Stuff
Transition Shipston is compiling a
directory of “Local Stuff”. It will incorporate the local food
directory that was published 2 years ago but also include other
local information… evening classes, alternative therapy, music,
arts, walks, cycle routes, businesses, pubs and cafes (serving local
produce).
Further
objection to the supermarket
Ainscough Strategic Land
has recently sent an amendment to the District Council to their
planning application for a supermarket plus housing and a petrol
station on the Campden Rd. Shipston Heart Alive! Campaign is
sending in an further objection to this. If you want to hear more
come along to the SHA!C meeting next Wednesday, 13th
June, 7.30 at the George. To see the amended plans go to
www.stratford.gov.uk/planning
Self-build
homes for Shipston?
With so much more
housing allocated to Shipston wouldn't it be nice to have a small
self-build housing estate instead of a large developer designed one.
In October Transition Shipston is planning to have a speaker on
building your own home. Here is some info to get us started from The
Community Self Build Agency...
To
make it possible for men and women from all backgrounds to benefit
individually and collectively from being a member of a self-build
housing group. Whilst participating in the planning, design and
building of their own homes they acquire a range of skills and
experience. The Agency is particularly interested in opening up
opportunities for those with limited income or the unemployed to
participate.
What
is Community Self-Build?
Community self build is about a group of local people in housing need, building their own homes and gaining much more besides. As the concept of community self-build becomes more widely known, it is more likely that projects will be initiated by potential self-builders, rather than other organizations. Some projects have already been initiated by groups of individuals. Those without building skills, participate on the basis that they are prepared to make the necessary time commitment and be prepared to learn new skills. Read more
Community self build is about a group of local people in housing need, building their own homes and gaining much more besides. As the concept of community self-build becomes more widely known, it is more likely that projects will be initiated by potential self-builders, rather than other organizations. Some projects have already been initiated by groups of individuals. Those without building skills, participate on the basis that they are prepared to make the necessary time commitment and be prepared to learn new skills. Read more
QUOTE
OF THE MONTH
"When your life might depend on your next door neighbour, rudeness becomes an unaffordable luxury." Jason Heppenstall
"When your life might depend on your next door neighbour, rudeness becomes an unaffordable luxury." Jason Heppenstall
Ask
MP to sign up to the Rio-UK Declaration!
The Rio+20 Earth Summit
is taking place in Rio de Janeiro this June, 20 years on from the
original Rio Earth Summit. The UK should be leading the move to a
fair and green economy, not going backwards on its commitments.
Please ask Nadhim Zahawi our MP to show his support by signing our
Rio-UK Declaration.
Take action here and spread the word! - http://www.stopclimatechaos.org/rio-action
