Cargo Bikes are COOL :)

This is a brilliant and inspiring film - hard to watch and not want to try one out? Are there any parents out there who could get a local school to show it at a parents evening or other event?
Transition Town Wivenhoe have an Xtracycle cargo bike ready for you to borrow - come and give it a try. We can bring stuff to schools for people to try out. Call 01206 827649 to arrange.
We have a child trailer and a super large cargo trailer too, both attach to any bike. More info here.

Posted by Jo

Food Group Meeting - Mon 19th Dec

With a range of amazing food opportunities around at the moment, (keep watching here to find out more) we've decided to revive TTW food group and to have approx monthly meetings at lunch and evening time (alternately to suit everyone).

The first will be an informal lunch, involving anyone interested in local food issues in wivenhoe, all welcome -please feel free to forward.

On Monday, 19th Dec at 1.30 pm, at 3 Sandford close CO7 9NP, off Valley Road which is just down from the co-op. Let me know if you need directions.

Tel 825450

There'll be (seasonal!) soup and mince pies, no need to bring anything but yourselves and ideas. Children welcome - there are plenty of toys here :)

Please email me (hello-food [at] transitionwivenhoe.org.uk) or call if you'd like to come but also if you can't make this meeting but would like to be involved in future get togethers or be kept up to date with plans.

Ruth

FREE training event: Volunteering on a Community Allotment

Edible Essex is running a FREE training event “Volunteering on a Community Allotment”. The event will be held at Roundwood Garden Centre, Braintree on Tuesday 6^th December.

This FREE event is designed to equip both new and existing volunteers, with the practical skills, knowledge and confidence they need to successfully work on a community allotment plot.

Booking is ESSENTIAL as places are strictly limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. To book a place or to find out more, contact Sophie.Blythe@essexrcc.org.uk

Tel: 01376 574 330 Fax: 01376 573524

Bike trailer heaven

I’ve had a wonderful time trialing the new Transition Wivenhoe Bike Trailers, particularly the kiddie trailer and my son Glyn is a massive fan. He and his friend (both 3 years old) can fit in and travel along the Wivenhoe trail up to university or into town like royalty, waving to passers-by. It has transformed my travel as I can now stow everything somewhere in the trailer (even manage to do a decent sized shop at the Co-op and load it in around Glyn) and set off without feeling like I have to choose between lugging things on the bus while holding a three-year old and going in the dreaded car.

A recent trip up the trail after rain did leave the whole trailer more than a little mud-spattered and Glyn complained about reduced visibility but so far it seems to be working weather-wise and Glyn at least seems to stay dry (unlike his soaked mother).

So why am I smugly discussing this joy? Yes, you can share it too! Transition Wivenhoe is launching our Bike Trailer Lending Library enabling you to borrow a trailer (various types to suit all carrying needs from children to bulky goods) for a trial or occasional use.

Email hello-transport@transitionwivenhoe.org.uk to book a trial go with a trailer and find out more about joining the library.

Station Garden Clear-up

We have to face the facts, it’s definitely late autumn/winter and it’s time to dig over the garden and mulch it for winter. If you fancy coming along to help out – bring a spade and boots, and/or a flask of hot chocolate or something stronger if you fancy(!) – then turn up on Sun 4^th Dec at 3pm-4ish, ideally let us know if you are coming but if you can’t then don’t worry, all VERY welcome. There’s also a rumour that the last, lurking marrow is going to be transformed into a delicious marrow curry later that day (get in touch for more details: hello-food@transitionwivenhoe.org.uk )

And let us know if you want to get involved with planning for next year and joining in, all skills and knowledge levels more than welcome.

Local food and forage map

Thanks for everyone’s help over time in compiling the physical map of where fruiting trees and bushes are around Wivenhoe, we’ve finally got everything you’ve contributed onto an online version in googlemaps. You go to this URL: http://g.co/maps/yb3pk and you should be able to see the locations marked on the map.

We now need more helpers to populate it. We would like to add in other trees/bushes, plus people who regularly put out eggs, honey, fruit and veg etc for sale outside houses, then also local suppliers of food and also make a few comments about what's available or other information.

We’ve a few leads and will do an ideas gathering session at the farmers market in December (let me know if you can help out!), but we also want people to either send us addresses and information, or, even better, get involved and add their own markers. So if you’ve a local source you are happy to share, or if you produce something yourself then get in touch: hello-food@transitionwivenhoe.org.uk

Uni Film Series Announced.

Here's the list of films to the end of March. They are FREE and All are Welcome! Contact Marie-Louise of the student Environmental Society for more info mmeder[at]essex.ac.uk
 
Please support the films if you can and help nurture the greening of the university.

There are some really interesting projects developing there - for example a CHP plant (combined heat and power) is in the offing. The Campus Farm is going really well with some great harvests in their first year. Outdoor lighting is being replaced with LEDs... they are really going for it. Keep an eye on the university's  Green Task Force for updates.