The Sustainable Haringey Network News

Fuel poverty action warms up Wood Green

2012-01-30T06:29:00.001Z

Haringey Solidarity Group

Fuel poverty action warms up Wood Green
- in a protest against the thousands of deaths from cold in London each winter, local activists call for fuel price cuts, and for all Haringey's shops, pubs and public buildings to welcome those who wish to get warm

On Sunday 29th January, 15 Haringey residents took part in a Haringey Fuel Poverty Warm Up action in Wood Green Shopping City mall (first floor), N22. The Haringey event was part of a nationwide week of protests against ever-increasing fuel bill charges, and the shocking 25,000 excess deaths from cold last winter. It was organised by Haringey Solidarity Group, supported by Haringey Housing Action Group and the Haringey Alliance for Public Services.

Throughout the hour-long lunchtime event the activists set up an advice stall on the first floor, held banners [NO MORE DEATHS FROM COLD and GAS BILLS KILL - FUEL POVERTY ACTION], distributed 500 leaflets and created a friendly space to encourage people to come and sit and share free hot drinks and snacks. There was a very positive reaction from the general public there, and the activists ignored attempts at harassment by security managers. The activists then visited the Wetherspoons Pub en masse to leaflet all the customers and talk to the manager there about these issues.

The demands were:
* No more deaths from hypothermia
* Reduce fuel bills now - no to cut-offs
* Insulate all homes effectively
* Reclaim public space
* Expose the scandal of energy companies' profits
* Yes to renewable energy - phase out fossil fuel energy production to prevent climate catastrophe

A spokesperson for the organisers said: ' Fuel poverty is a public scandal causing thousands of excess deaths each winter as the Big Six energy corporations rake in massive profits. People's welfare must come first. We call on all shops, pubs and public buildings to welcome in all those who wish to get warm. '

Note 1: Photo may be used by media for news reporting purposes with credit to 'Haringey Solidarity Group'

Note 2: Two key local organisations donated literature to hand out at the event, and both are planning public meetings on these issues in the coming month:
- Hornsey Pensioners Action Group is holding a 'How Can We Tackle Pensioners' Fuel Poverty' public meeting on Wednesday 15th February, 1.30pm at Hilldene Court, 11 Alexandra Park Rd, N10
- The Sustainable Haringey network is holding a 'What Is Low Carbon Living?' public meeting on Wednesday 29th February, 7pm at Wood Green Library

National info: www.fuelpovertyaction.wordpress.com
Local info: info@haringey.org.uk

Background - THE SHOCKING FACTS ABOUT OUR ENERGY SUPPLIES

1 in 4 UK homes are in fuel poverty, many have to choose between heating and eating this winter. The Office for National Statistics calculates that there were 25,700 excess winter deaths last winter in comparison to other seasons. Many of these deaths were due to the fact that people could not afford to heat their homes. 6 companies have a 99% monopoly over UK energy and are making record profits from the deadly bills. The government is cutting the Winter Fuel Allowance and local councils and landlords are doing little about the shameful state of housing and insulation.

The ‘Big Six’ energy companies are: British Gas, EDF, npower, Scottish & Southern Electric, e.on, and Scottish Power. Their profits per customer rose by over 700% over the course of a few months in 2011.

Recent ‘reductions’ to energy prices of around 5% come after rises of around 15-20% last year, and so are not really reductions at all.

Fossil Fuels are running out and becoming ever more expensive. The energy companies pass this cost on to consumers, yet they blame ‘green’ initiatives for the rise in price. The profit-driven addiction to fossil fuels (oil, gas and coal) is also behind climate change, which is already killing 300,000 people each year around the world through extreme weather events, floods, droughts and crop failures.

The Big Six and Government are making all the decisions about our energy, and they’re prioritising private profits over our rights to warmth and a safe environment. We want to see decision-making by the people for the people. Instead of paying billions in profits and bonuses to energy company bosses, we should secure sustainable energy and warm homes for all.

Haringey Fuel Poverty Warm-up Action

2012-01-27T12:42:00.004Z

Haringey Fuel Poverty Warm-up Action
Sunday 29th January

12 noon, Meet outside Boots, Wood Green High Road (next to Shopping City), N22
- Come and join us - don't sit in the cold alone!
- We will be calling on all shops, pubs and public buildings to welcome those who wish to get warm.
Please bring flasks of tea, nibbles, folding chairs, board games, placards etc...

* No more deaths from hypothermia * Reduce fuel bills now - no to cut-offs * Insulate all homes effectively * Reclaim public space
* Expose energy companies profit scandal * Yes to renewable energy - phase out fossil fuel energy production to prevent climate catastrophe

Fuel poverty should be seen as a public scandal, not as a private problem. One in four families in the UK is shivering, out of sight, behind closed doors. There were a shocking 25,700 additional UK deaths last winter compared with other seasons. Yet the 'Big Six' energy corporations are making massive profits. The government and energy companies may want to keep it this way, but we say this can’t go on.

In the UK, these companies are deciding how 99% of our energy is sourced, produced and priced. Under this monopoly, we have no say in these decisions, despite them having a major effect on our health and on our climate.

So, we’re coming out with thermoses and snacks, info displays and games to hold a public coffee lunch for local people of all ages. Together we will ‘warm up’ in a local venue, check our energy bills and tarriffs, have a good chat, and call for people’s welfare to come first!

Please join in!

Organised by Haringey Solidarity Group, supported by Haringey Alliance for Public Services, and Haringey Housing Action Group. Part of nationwide weekend of action: Info: www.fuelpovertyaction.wordpress.com Local information: 0208 216 9651

THE SHOCKING FACTS ABOUT OUR ENERGY SUPPLIES

1 in 4 UK homes are in fuel poverty, many have to choose between heating and eating this winter. The Office for National Statistics calculates that there were 25,700 excess winter deaths last winter in comparison to other seasons. Many of these deaths were due to the fact that people could not afford to heat their homes. 6 companies have a 99% monopoly over UK energy and are making record profits from the deadly bills. The government is cutting the Winter Fuel Allowance and local councils and landlords are doing little about the shameful state of housing and insulation.

The ‘Big Six’ energy companies are: British Gas, EDF, npower, Scottish & Southern Electric, e.on, and Scottish Power. Their profits per customer rose by over 700% over the course of a few months in 2011.

Recent ‘reductions’ to energy prices of around 5% come after rises of around 15-20% last year, and so are not really reductions at all.

Fossil Fuels are running out and becoming ever more expensive. The energy companies pass this cost on to consumers, yet they blame ‘green’ initiatives for the rise in price. The profit-driven addiction to fossil fuels (oil, gas and coal) is also behind climate change, which is already killing 300,000 people each year around the world through extreme weather events, floods, droughts and crop failures.

The Big Six and Government are making all the decisions about our energy, and they’re prioritising private profits over our rights to warmth and a safe environment. We want to see decision-making by the people for the people. Instead of paying billions in profits and bonuses to energy company bosses, we could secure sustainable energy and warm homes for all – join us to discuss how to get there!

Update for Haringey's Residents Groups [February 2012]

2012-01-27T12:39:00.001Z

Update for Haringey's Residents Groups [February 2012]

Some coming events [more details further down the page]

Saturday 28th January - Demonstration to save Haringey's Community Schools. Say NO to privatisation. Assemble 12 noon @ Keston Road by Downhills Primary School, Philip Lane, N15. Organised by parents, teachers and governors involved with Haringey Campaign Against Academies.

Sunday 29th January - Haringey Fuel Poverty Warm-up Action. Meet 12 noon outside Boots, Wood Green High Road (next to Shopping City), N22. Organised by Haringey Solidarity Group.

Sunday 12th February - Seed Swap Sunday at Chances Club, 399 High Rd N17. 11.00-12.30: Growing in Haringey AGM 12.30-2.00: Networking lunch. 2.00pm - 4.00pm HARINGEY SEED SWAP. Organised by Growing In Haringey.

Monday 20th February - 6pm - Demonstrate for our local public services! No to another £20m Council cuts! Assemble Wood Green Library, N22. March to Haringey Civic Centre for rally at 6.45pm. Organised by Haringey Alliance for Public Services

Wednesday 29th February - 7pm Sustainable Haringey & Haringey 40:20 present: 'What is Low Carbon Living?' public meeting. Wood Green Library, N22 6XD

Feb - March open meeetings - Digital tv switchover: how can you support the people you work with? A briefing for reps of community groups.
· Wednesday 1st February at 3pm at Hornsey Vale Community Centre, 60 Mayfield Road, N8 9LP
· Wednesday 8th February at 10.30 at The Selby Centre, Selby Road, London N17 8JL
· Wednesday 14th March at 3pm at Hornsey Vale Community Centre
· Wednesday 21st March at 10.30am at The Selby Centre

Some thoughts on restricting heavy Goods vehicles on Haringey Streets - from the Haringey Federation of Residents Associations

SAVE HARINGEY'S COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
Say NO to privatisation
Demonstrate
Saturday 28th January
Assemble 12 noon
@ Keston Road by Downhills Primary School, Philip Lane, N15

4 Haringey primary schools are under threat of being forced by the Government to become academies. This means they would be run by a private company. The campaign is being organised by local parents, governors and teachers - and the march follows a recent massive 600-strong public campaign meeting held at Downhills School.

Please join the demonstration if you..

• Do not want Haringey schools to be forced to become academies;
• Support our local family of schools and do not want them privatised;
• Demand funding justice from the government for Haringey children

http://www.hcaa.org.uk/

Haringey Fuel Poverty Warm-up Action
Sunday 29th January
12 noon, Meet outside Boots, Wood Green High Road (next to Shopping City), N22
Come and join us - don't sit in the cold alone! We will be calling on all shops, pubs and public buildings to welcome those who wish to get warm.
Please bring flasks of tea, nibbles, folding chairs, board games, placards etc...

* No more deaths from hypothermia * Reduce fuel bills now - no to cut-offs * Insulate all homes effectively * Reclaim public space
* Expose energy companies profit scandal * Yes to renewable energy - phase out fossil fuel energy production to prevent climate catastrophe

Fuel poverty should be seen as a public scandal, not as a private problem. One in four families in the UK is shivering, out of sight, behind closed doors. There were a shocking 25,700 additional UK deaths last winter compared with other seasons. Yet the 'Big Six' energy corporations are making massive profits. The government and energy companies may want to keep it this way, but we say this can’t go on.

In the UK, these companies are deciding how 99% of our energy is sourced, produced and priced. Under this monopoly, we have no say in these decisions, despite them having a major effect on our health and on our climate.

So, we’re coming out with thermoses and snacks, info displays and games to hold a public coffee lunch for local people of all ages. Together we will ‘warm up’ in a local venue, check our energy bills and tarriffs, have a good chat, and call for people’s welfare to come first!

Please join in!

Organised by Haringey Solidarity Group, supported by Haringey Alliance for Public Services, and Haringey Housing Action Group. Part of nationwide weekend of action: Info: www.fuelpovertyaction.wordpress.com Local information: 0208 216 9651

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Seed Swap Sunday
Sunday 12 February
at Chances Club, 399 High Rd N17

11.00-12.30: Growing in Haringey AGM
12.30-2.00: Networking lunch & Seed Swap set-up

2.00pm - 4.00pm HARINGEY SEED SWAP
All gardeners welcome – entrance free, donation to support GROWING-iN-hARINGEY work requested.

Bring seeds to swap, if you have them – veg, herbs, fruit, flowers. Bring information and photos of your garden for our display – and find out about local community gardens. Refreshments available

Seed Swap Days aim to encourage seed-saving and growing from seed, especially of traditional and local varieties. Growing in Haringey is the umbrella network for community gardening and sustainable food projects in Haringey: directory of projects and events at www.growinginharingey.org.uk, where you can sign up for GIH’s monthly email newsletter or join GIH google-group.
.
Tottenham Chances: lively and friendly community music and events enterprise, now starting up its own community garden, in the old Royal British Legion building: 399 High Rd, N17 – five mins walk north of Seven Sisters Tube station. Lots of buses up High Rd, plus 41, 230, 123 east-west services.

GIH is part of the Sustainable Haringey network: www.sustainableharingey.org.uk

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Haringey Alliance for Public Services
www.hapsnews.net

Demonstrate for our local public services!
DEFEND COUNCIL SERVICES AND JOBS CURRENTLY UNDER THREAT OF £20m FURTHER CUTS!
SPEAK OUT FOR THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITIES AND OUR WORKFORCE
Monday February 20th
6pm - Assemble Wood Green Library, N22. March to Haringey Civic Centre for rally at 6.45pm

Invitation to all local community organisations and trades unions to support the Haringey residents' and workers' demonstration to the next Full Council meeting

Dear Friends

The Council is currently 'consulting' the public over proposals to cut another £20m off our vital local services. This is due to the Government's determination to underfund and undermine public services as they seek to force them to close or be privatised.

The deepest and most significant public spending cuts since the 1920’s are creating widespread anger as jobs are lost and services reduced. The Government has no mandate for such a radical programme to dismantle the welfare state. The cuts threaten to turn the economic recession into a long-term depression. A downward spiral of rising unemployment leading to more cuts is now likely. Our services and jobs are being sacrificed to bail out the banking system, which caused the crisis in the first place.

However there is still everything to fight for. Throughout London and the UK local anti-cuts campaigns have mobilised to encourage local communities and workers to speak out. Over the last year in Haringey there have been many lobbies, marches, rallies, street stalls and protests - and many service user groups have organised and campaigned to defend their services under threat. In August HAPS co-organised a 3,000-strong 'Give Our Kids A Future' demonstration. Local public sector workers have also defended their jobs and conditions of work, and 1,000 attended their anti-cuts demonstration at the beginning of 2011. In addition the TUC’s national anti-cuts March for the Alternative attracted over half a million people – the largest union-organised demonstration in British history. This was followed up in June and November by 2 million public sector workers taking industrial action to defend their pensions.

Recently 600 people attended a campaign meeting at Downhills School to pledge to resist the Government's attempts to force 4 local primary schools to become 'academies'.

It is clear there is the will to resist the Government’s programme of cuts and privatisation. Let's make those who caused the economic crisis, not the public, pay for it out of their hundreds of billions of pounds of obscene profits, bonuses and tax avoidance scams. Councillors should stand up to the Government and demand adequate resources for Haringey.

Haringey Alliance for Public Services supports all these battles and we want to see the greatest possible unity against cuts. We are planning this local Haringey demonstration to pull together everyone who wants to fight back, and to build on the success of last year's mobilisations.

1. Please let us know your organisation supports the demonstration and can publicise it to your members. Leaflets are available from us (as from 28th January). Let us know if you'd like a HAPS rep to attend one of your meetings. Affiliations/donations very welcome - please make cheques to 'Haringey Trades Union Council (HAPS)'.
2. You are invited to send a rep to the next HAPS planning meeting, Thursday 2nd February, 7.15pm at the North London Community Centre, Moorefield Road, London N17 to help with the publicity and preparations
3. Note that there may be objections/deputations from some organisations regarding specific cuts at the next Council Cabinet Meeting, Tuesday February 7th at the Civic Centre, High Road, N22.

Haringey Alliance for Public Services supporters include: Haringey Trades Union Council, Haringey Federation of Residents Associations, Haringey UNISON, CoHENEL University & College Union, Day-Mer, Defend Haringey’s Health Services Coalition, Haringey Friends of Parks Forum, the Sustainable Haringey network, and a range of other community groups, trade union branches and political organisations.

For more information check out our webpages or contact: haps@haringey.org.uk / 0208 216 9651

Sustainable Haringey Network and Haringey 40:20 present
What is Low Carbon Living?
Wednesday 29 February 2012 - 7pm
Wood Green Library, N22 6XD

All Welcome

Come and hear how Prashant Vaze got his household to get clever and save money while taking action to use less energy. Prashant is advising Haringey Council on how to reduce carbon emissions in the Borough by 40% by 2020. He wrote “The Economical Environmentalist” that shows the costs of choosing a more environmentally friendly lifestyle.

Note:
Haringey Ladder Gets Sustainable
St Paul’s Church Centre, Cavendish Road, N4 1RT
Thursday 16 February 2012
6.30-8.30pm All Welcome
Organised by Sustainable Haringey Network and HarringayOnline

Find out how to give your home and lifestyle a green makeover. Learn about what your neighbours have done to insulate their homes, about installing solar pv panels and about what the Council and local groups are doing to bring down the cost of saving energy

Digital tv switchover – how can your support your members and the people you work with?
A briefing for reps of community groups...

Do you work (as a paid member of staff or volunteer) with the following people: Older people; People with sensory, mobility or dexterity impairments;People with learning difficulties;People who have experienced mental health conditions; People whose first language is not English; People who may be socially isolated? then come along to a free briefing session where you will learn about digital tv switchover, what it means for people, the support on offer and find out about the free resources that are available and information about a small grants scheme.

The briefing sessions last for between 1 and 1.5 hours and take place on:

· Wednesday 1st February at 3pm at Hornsey Vale Community Centre, 60 Mayfield Road, N8 9LP
· Wednesday 8th February at 10.30 at The Selby Centre, Selby Road, London N17 8JL
· Wednesday 14th March at 3pm at Hornsey Vale Community Centre
· Wednesday 21st March at 10.30am at The Selby Centre

To book a free place contact Lisa Charalambous, Community Outreach Officer, at lisa@elcvsnetwork.org.uk or ring 07840353551. If you are unable to attend a session but would like to discuss a session for your staff and volunteers then please contact Lisa. The Digital TV Switchover Community Outreach Programme is part-hosted by The Selby Centre

Haringey Federation of Residents Associations
RESTRICTING HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES ON HARINGEY STREETS

To Cllrs Canver and Bull bcc HFRA officers and TGRG

Please note we have been informed today (see below) that there is a consultation [with key stakeholders] about HGV vehicles in Haringey.

1. As the consultation deadline was yesterday it would have been helpful if we had been informed earlier. Please ensure HFRA is routinely informed about any key stakeholder consultations affecting local communities in Haringey.

2. It is our view (as it has been for a number of years) that we would support restrictions on HGV usage throughout the borough, or in any proposed part of the borough, particularly in any residential streets but preferably on all streets.

3. To save money, reduce clutter and help with enforcement, it would make sense for a borough-wide restriction.

4. This approach would also apply to the much-needed implentation of a borough-wide 20mph default speed limit.

Sincerely

Dave Morris (Secretary) and Joyce Rosser (Chair)
- for the HFRA

Highgate in Transition?

2012-01-24T14:49:00.001Z

Thursday February 16th 7pm - 9pm at Highgate School, The Mills Centre, Bishopswood Road, N6

Highgate in Transition?

Would you like to get involved in positive, practical local solutions to climate change, peak oil and the fragility of the financial system. The Transition Movement is about creating greener, happier, more resilient communities. Join us to hear more about Transition from Alexis Rowell and neighbouring Transition groups. Watch some thought-provoking short films, share what you’re already doing and discuss Transition ideas. And enjoy a delicious wild foods buffet!

For more information and venue details/map, please see our event
poster http://j.mp/xLXMat, our event leaflet http://j.mp/wceFa7 or
visit www.hican.org.uk.

What is Low Carbon Living?

2012-01-24T11:51:00.000Z

What is Low Carbon Living?

Sustainable Haringey Network and Haringey 40:20

Wood Green Library, N22 6XD

Wednesday 29 February - 7pm

All Welcome

HARINGEY

Come and hear how Prashant Vaze got his household to get clever and save money while taking action to use less energy

Prashant is advising Haringey Council on how to reduce carbon emissions in the Borough by 40% by 2020. He wrote “The Economical Environmentalist” that shows the costs of choosing a more environmentally friendly lifestyle.

Organised by Sustainable Haringey Network and Haringey 40:20 www.sustainableharingey.org.uk + www.haringey4020.org.uk

Marcin Jakubowski: Open-sourced blueprints for civilization

2012-01-24T11:42:00.000Z

Consensus Decision Making, 26th January (London)

2012-01-10T21:49:00.000Z

Consensus Decision Making, 26th January (London)

Harness the knowledge and imagination of everybody and make decisions that reflect the views of a whole community.

All across the UK large and small charities, companies and member owned groups are finding that involving staff and stakeholders is now an essential part of how they run their organisation. Whether working with 5 or 1500 people you need to able to make quality decisions that stick.

This course will help you to take decisions: in a way that is constructive and collaborative; that reflect the values and knowledge of the employees, members or stakeholders; and which build a greater sense of ownership of the final outcomes.

This training day will give you a theoretical framework for thinking about consensus decision-making (CDM) and the practical skills you need to put it into practice. You will be presented with two contrasting approaches to CDM, so that you can decide which aspects of each one fit your needs and resources. The day combines presentations, experiential sessions, group discussions and real life case studies.

The training session will provide:

The background to consensus decision-making

The values that underpin consensus

Common obstacles to effective consensus and techniques for how they can be avoided or dealt with

Practical techniques for you to develop your own method

Detailed case studies that show how the techniques are used

A “consensus clinic” where you work out how to use CDM in your organisation or community.

Resource packs to reinforce what you have learned on the day.

Course outcomes

Fuller understanding of what consensus decision-making is and is not

Clear techniques you can apply immediately

A sense of where and how they could be applied in your organisation

Who should attend this course?

Anyone that wants to fully engage their staff, members, stakeholders or the wider community in the decision making process.

Organisations already using CDM include: charities, businesses, campaign groups, NGOs, housing associations, community groups, the United Nations and even football clubs.

Facilitated by:

Perry Walker

Perry Walker is one of the co-facilitators. He developed Crowd Wise, the approach he will be presenting on the course, while Head of Democracy and Participation at nef (new economics foundation): he is now a fellow of nef. Organisations with whom he has used Crowd Wise include: Urban Forum; AFC Wimbledon; Transition Lewes; and the Fair Trade Foundation (working with Matthew. Perry has also invented a number of other participatory processes, especially the Democs conversation kits and the Open Up argument maps. He is an experienced facilitator and trainer.

Matthew Herbert

Matthew has been using consensus in a variety of settings for the last 18 years, and facilitating consensus courses for the last 10. He's supported groups of many kinds in its use - from co-operatives and co-housing projects to campaigning NGOs and community activist networks. He's facilitated consensus decision-making meetings with groups of 5 to 500 and co-authored several guides to using consensus. Matthew has worked with Scarman Trust, Campaign against the Arms Trade, Centre for Alternative Technology, Friends of the Earth, housing co-operatives such as Two Piers Co-op and Argyle Street Co-op, the Camp for Climate Action, Transition Towns initiatives, and the Woodcraft Folk.

Costs

£288: Large charities, public sector and businesses

£130: Smaller charities (under 15 staff) and individuals.

Concessionary rates of £20 are available for students, pensioners and the unemployed. Please contact us at info@talkaction.org for further details.

Tailored courses can be arranged for groups at a date and location to suit you.

Prices include a hot Mediterranean buffet lunch, Fair Trade refreshments and networking time.

For bookings and information please contact Jonathan on:

Email: jelliott@talkaction.org

http://www.talkaction.org/training/consensus-decision-making/

Urban Harvest Calendar for 2012

2011-12-11T09:12:00.001Z

Regular activity on 3rd Sat of the month, with a couple of extra dates.
We’ll also be picking apples for people who can’t pick their own or have too many – join us, or why not leaflet your neighbourhood and do the same?

Activities always subject to change if we have a better idea / a better offer / a wonky season (ie plants don’t grow to our timetable).

Your suggestions welcome - always looking for good sites & cheap venues (indoors for cold weather)
Hopefully Ed will add the odd fungus walk to the schedule

If you're new to Urban Harvest, please read the 'About Us' blurb on our website explaining who we are and what we aren't. You can also sign up to our mailing list for final details of events: www.UrbanHarvest.org.uk

Sat 21 Jan 2012 13:00 Foraging walk Winter Salad Challenge (ie can we come up with a decent bowlful?).

Sat 18 Feb 2012 13:00 ‘Know Your Alliums’. Learning about Wild Garlic and its relations.

Sat 17 Mar 2012 13:00 Nettle Celebration. Eat them, drink them, wear them.

Sat 21 Apr 2012 13:00 Foraging walk. Seasonal Spring specials: Lime leaves; Hop shoots; Dandelions; Hogweed; etc

Sat 19 May 2012 13:00 Ever-lovely Elderflowers.

Sat 16 Jun 2012 13:00 Our annual Edible Flowers Celebration. With floral summer cocktails.

Sat 21 Jul 2012 13:00 Plums. Perhaps loquats & mulberries too?

Sat 18 Aug 2012 13:00 Harvesting summer fruits. We get stuck into the glut of apples, pears, plums etc...

Fri 7 Sep 2012 Apple picking in private gardens

Fri 14 Sep 2012 Apple picking in private gardens

Sat 15 Sep 2012 13:00 All about red berries. Learn how to tell your hips from haws from crabs from sorbs.

Fri 21 Sep 2012 Apple picking in private gardens

Sat 29 Sep 2012 13:00 extra Chestnuts & acorns.

Tue 2 Oct 2012 Apple picking in private gardens

Tue 9 Oct 2012 Apple picking in private gardens

Tue 16 Oct 2012 Apple picking in private gardens

Sat 20 Oct 2012 pm Apple Day Celebration with Transition Crouch End (4th glorious year).

Tue 23 Oct 2012 Apple picking in private gardens

Sat 27 Oct 2012 extra Rediscovering English exotic fruit. Service fruit & medlars.

Sat 17 Nov 2012 13:00 Finding winter greens

Sat 15 Dec 2012 evening Potluck Party

Bee a Community Champion

2011-12-06T12:05:00.001Z

Do Something Bee-utifulc
Bee the difference!

Living Under One Sun is a multi award winning community project, run mainly by volunteers and Made in Tottenham. It all started in 2005 with mothers from local communities, to promote healthy living, community leadership and harmony . We aim to inspire across generations and cultures, taking responsibility to build, protect, share and celebrate a positive neighbourhood and environment both locally and globally.

An exciting outreach and community leadership project for east of Haringey to create more places for growing affordable healthy food, supporting all hard working pollinators and setting up more beehives. Then launch Tottenham’s take on the Chelsea Flower Show on 14th July 2012 !
If you are selected as a BBB champion you will get FREE

a ‘hands on’ training and support programme in organic food growing, protecting bees & wildlife, running a green project and community leadership
a beekeeping course –either evenings or as a weekend option mentoring in ‘adopting’ a beehive
a complete training and support pack for you to engage others
your confidence and skills built step by step in project management
the opportunity to complete the delivery of your own local project from A-Z
a portfolio of achievement and reference for your cv, further training and employment,
the opportunity to be selected for the BBB flower show competition and win £500 to design your own display entry
a contribution to your transport & child care costs
CRB check- a special experience of networking, sharing knowledge and skills
a chance to reflect and a supported way to create a change in your neighbourhood

You are required to give:
As well as attending the programme, you will give 3 hours a week as a volunteer to work on your chosen local site this could be with a local school, on a housing estate, or with a community or faith group. Alternatively, it could be with us at the LUOS community allotment site.

KEY DATES:

Organic food growing & community leadership programme
Tuesday 10th January : Deadline for applications
Tuesday 17th January : Confirmation of your place
Tuesday 24th January : Induction 10-2 & Launch & Lunch

Tuesdays 7th Feb to 17th July from 10 am - 2pm:
10am - 12: Organic food growing, biodiversity training and practice.
12..30 - 2 pm: Community leadership - running a community green project.

Saturday 14th July : BBB Festival of Flowers & Honey @Tottenham Marshes

Beekeeping courses
Wednesdays 8th Feb - 28th March 2012 (6-8 pm) at Coombes Croft Library
Saturdays on 17th, 24th 31st of March (10am -2pm) - to be confirmed
Saturdays from 21st April – 21st July (12.30 - 2.30 pm) - Adopt a Beehive Mentoring

Blooming Beds and Bees Competition
Tuesday 16th January - Deadline for submitting flower design proposals.
Tuesday 24th January -10 designs selected and £500 allocated to each
Saturday 14th July - Design display for competition at BBB Flower and Honey Festival at Tottenham Marshes
www.livingunderonesun.co.ukYou can also find us on Facebook, Youtube, Twitter and Flickr

CROUCH END IN SHORTS

2011-12-06T12:01:00.001Z

INVITES YOU TO
CROUCH END IN SHORTS
INCLUDING AN APPEARANCE FROM
SUSTAINABLE SANTA
Wednesday 7th December 2011
All proceeds in aid of the Haringey Churches Winter Night Shelter

Celebrate the year with us - doors open @ 6:30 - come early and network!
We expect to start the screening after serving those who wish to eat.
Apologies: I made a mistake in the previous email - this is NOT a 'bring food to share' event.
To choose from our delicious menu of mainly local food;
PLEASE order when you arrive!
SHORT FILM PROGRAMME:
Short films illustrating local projects

Community Supported Agriculture
The Meadow Orchard Project
Knowing Through Growing
Food Cycle
INTERVAL
Time for a dessert from our menu and a drink from the bar...

Haringey Churches Winter Night Shelter
A year of Green on the Screen
Community Fire Celebration
Edible Landscapes London
The Compost Giveaway
Food from the Sky

SANTA’S SUSTAINABLE SACK
We invite you to bring a wrapped 'no longer needed' recycled gift.
We'll exchange gifts after the film screenings.
Anything left over will be donated to the Homeless shelter

GREEN ON THE SCREEN
News & Updates

Come see the 'must see' film of 2012! Post your choice in our film suggestion postbox at Moors Bar on GOTS nights and yours could be one of the nine we plant/screen in 2012!
The next three films we expect to screen are below - your suggestion could be there too:
February: The Transition Movie
March: Ecomonics of Happiness
April: Water, the great mystery

Sustainable Haringey Winter Gathering

2011-11-16T20:52:00.001Z

Sustainable Haringey

Winter Gathering

Saturday 26th November

4pm to 7pm

Union Church Hall

Corner of Weston Park and

Ferme Park Road, N8 9PX

(W3 and W5 buses stop outside,

41 and 91 buses stop in Tottenham Lane)

4pm to 5.30pm

Hear what all the groups affiliated to Sustainable Haringey have been doing and what they are planning in the future.

Hear about Haringey Council’s 40:20 campaign.

Displays of literature, posters and films.

5.30pm to 7pm
Food and drink including Urban Harvest cocktails.
Please bring contributions of sustainable vegetarian food (savoury and sweet) for everyone to share.

The Big Bill What can we do about the high costs of energy?

2011-11-04T10:17:00.000Z

The Big Bill
What can we do about the high costs of energy?
A Fuel Poverty Action teach-in at Tottenham Chances, 399 High Rd, Tottenham N17 6QN Saturday 5 November 2011 12.30 - 5:30 pm
http://fuelpovertyaction.wordpress.com/
In the winter, thousands die of the cold in Britain – a scandal in a country where power companies are reaping record profits, and £850 billion is spent on bailing out banks. A large proportion of the population do not have access to decent heating or good housing, and many also have so little money that it’s a hard choice between heating, eating, or paying the rent.

Launching the new group - Fuel Poverty Action - a project of the Climate Justice Collective , this teach-in will be an opportunity for climate activists, local organizers and everyone concerned about high energy bills to discuss what high prices and poorly insulated homes mean for all of us, and see what we can do to ensure that everyone has fair access to heating and electricity.

As climate activists, we do not buy the lie that fuel prices are inflated by the need for green energy. The same vampire companies that are hiking up prices are spewing out the greenhouse gases that threaten a climate catastrophe. All they care about is their own bottom line, while millions of families live in cold homes and pay even higher rates for their gas and electric than people in big warm homes pay on direct debits.

At the same time, energy companies are seeking out increasingly destructive ways to extract and produce energy like tar sands, shale gas, deep sea oil and gas, new nuclear, biofuels, opencast coal mining and mountaintop removal mining. A cleaner, sustainable energy economy controlled by people for people – not for profit – could release families from the dilemma of having to choose between food and warmth. Sun, wind, and tides will not run out, and do not cost the earth!
12.30: Introduction including “What is fuel poverty? And “what's the climate got to do with it?” – with a chance to introduce what you have been thinking and doing.

1.00: Who pays? Living with high energy bills, bad housing, and unfair pricing policies. 1.30: Who gains? The market, the "Big Six" energy companies, who’s profiting from high fuel prices, government subsidies and greenwash, and Frankenstein Fuels

3.00: What can we do about it? Intro and group discussions. Including: Knowing your rights / Cooperative energy schemes / Exposing the profiteers and their friends in high places / Fighting for the right to a secure, draught-free, energy-efficient home. 5.00: What next? Including information on the 22 November Winter Deaths Demonstration, and moving forward with the campaign.

Let us know: You are welcome to just turn up on the day, but it would be really helpful if you can let us know in advance if you’re likely to come, or if there’s something you’d particularly like to discuss, by emailing fuelpovertyaction@gmail.com
Lunch: There’s a good Turkish restaurant/take-away just over the road (they do falafels!) Or please feel free to bring your own food or food to share – we know people will want to eat while we get to know each other during the introductory session. Hot drinks, snacks and a microwave will be available.

Kids Space: Please let us know in advance by emailing fuelpovertyaction@gmail.com if you would like to bring children with you and we will do what we can to take care of their energy needs!Getting there: Tottenham Chances can be found at 399 High Road, Tottenham, N17 6QN. It’s near excellent transport links.  A map can be found here: http://www.tchances.co.uk/Last thing: Please tell other people about the event. Pass on this message or invite people to: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=188598411214907

Frack Mob / Keystone Tar Sands Pipeline Demo / Climate Justice Collective‏

2011-10-31T11:00:00.002Z

1. FRACK MOB - the UK's first mass action against fracking
Wednesday, 2 November, 3PM - 6PM, Copthorne Tara Hotel, Scarsdale Place,
Kensington, W8 5SR

Join us for a 'frack mob' at the 'Shale Gas Environmental Summit' - an
industry greenwash love-in. This conference a is all about large companies
shafting the planet in the name of profit.

Fracking companies drill for gas by blasting water, sand and corrosive
chemicals deep into the ground to crack the bedrock. Fracking poisons
tapwater, causes earthquakes and releases more greenhouse gases than coal.
Fracking is in it's infancy in this country, if we are going to kill this
thing it has to be now. We still have time to cut through the bullshit,
scare the investors and tell the companies to FRACK OFF!

Lets expose this Greenwash. Bring gas masks, anything that makes a loud
noise, green body/face paint, chalk and a desire to have fun!

More info:
www.frack-off.org.uk
Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=306070366076520
Twitter: @frack_off

2. KEYSTONE PIPELINE SOLIDARITY DEMO - stopping tar sands in its tracks
Sunday, 6 November, 11am-1pm, US Embassy, Grosvenor Square, London

In the US, activists will encircle the White House, demanding President
Obama rejects the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline. Encircling our own
miniature White House, we will stand in solidarity with US climate
activists for what could be one of the biggest turning points for the tar
sands battle so far. This action builds on August's Keystone XL pipeline
protests, one of the largest ever civil disobedience climate actions,
resulting in over 1200 arrests in Washington DC. If the pipeline is built,
companies already have plans to ship the dirty oil to new markets
including the UK and Ireland. Stopping this pipeline would be a major win
for the planet: the first step towards stifling the exponential growth of
the tar sands industry.

More info:
www.no-tar-sands.org
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=285587228128687

3. CLIMATE JUSTICE COLLECTIVE - new directions for climate action
Sunday, 6 November, 2 - 6.30 PM, Tottenham Chances, 399 HighRoad, London,
N17 6QN

The Climate Justice Collective (CJC) was formed by people from Camp for
Climate Action who wanted to explore new forms of anti-hierarchical
organising that would free us up from some of the conflicts and
frustrations of the past. Our first efforts have been focused mainly on
working out organising structures and principles to do this, and on
setting up a new campaign against fuel poverty - an issue which unites our
long and short term interests in social justice and conserving energy. It
is now time to open out and include people who would like to be involved
and help develop these possibilities. This meeting will be a chance for
you to get involved - or get back involved!

More info: email spaceforchange@climatecamp.org.uk

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OCCUPY THE LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE ON OCTOBER 15TH | WE ARE THE 99%

2011-10-13T13:20:00.000+01:00

ACTIONS
========
1) Occupy the London Stock Exchange. (Sat 15th Oct)

EVENTS
=======
2) Festival of Ideas (Oct 29 - 30th)
3) Africa demands climate justice (14th Oct)
4) GROW HEATHROW PRESENTS: RESISTANCE JAM! (14 - 16th Oct)
5) Defend Welfare Gathering (23rd Oct)

********************************************************************

1)
Occupy the London Stock Exchange
15th October
12pm
St Paul's Cathedral

http://occupylondon.org.uk/

#Occupy LSX
The words 'corporate greed' ring through the speeches and
banners of
protests across the globe. After huge bail-outs and in the face of
unemployment, privatisation and austerity we still see profits for the
rich on the increase. But we are the 99%, and on October 15th our voice
unites across gender and race, across borders and continents as we call
for equality and justice for all.

In London we will occupy the stock exchange. Reclaiming space in the face
of the financial system and using it to voice ideas for how we can work
towards a better future. A future free from austerity, growing inequality,
unemployment, tax injustice and a political elite who ignores its
citizens, and work towards concrete demands to be met.

Assemble in front of St Pauls Cathedral at Midday please try to be on
time and not early or late. When you are there be ready and attentive.
Make sure to follow @OccupyLSX on twitter for updates on the day. If you
don't have a smartphone, sign up to twitter text updates for the day (see
how below).

Try to come with a friend or group of friends. If you are thinking of
staying for a while bring plenty of food and water, wrap up warm and you
may want to bring tents and a sleeping bag.

Bring your energy and excitement, and be ready to create a better world!

Check out this call to action from Jody Mcintyre:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTXjiBQ3ta4&feature=player_embedded

Signing up for twitter text updates, see how here:
https://support.twitter.com/articles/289826-how-to-get-sms-notifications-for-mentions-dms-and-more#user

If you have any questions or comments, please get in touch
Email: general@occupylsx.org
Twitter: @OccupyLSX
Website: http://occupylondon.org.uk/

For press enquiries please email:
press@occupylsx.org

**********************************************************

2)
Festival of Ideas

I thought that you and your colleagues may be interested in hearing about
this year's Battle of Ideas festival, taking place at the Royal
College of
Art, London on October 29-30. During the course of the weekend, over 2,250
people will be participating in 75 different debates involving hundreds of
incisive and thought-provoking speakers.

This year's festival programme includes strands of debate entitled
Battle
for the World, Battle for Morality, Food Fight, Society Wars, Battle for
Our Brains, and Reassessing Politics and Sporting Contests.

It also features keynote debates on: The Battle against the Fates,
Profiting responsibly? Business in the big society, Creativity and
curiosity: do we make stuff up or find it out? Has tolerance gone too far?
Loyalty in an age of whistle-blowing and Wikileaks, Is individualism bad
for society? as well as many more discussions on current themes in the
arts, science, health, parenting, education, design, international
relations and religion.

Internationally renowned speakers include: David Aaronovitch, Jonathan
Aitken, Decca Aitkenhead, Anne Atkins, Simon Baron-Cohen, Daniel Ben-Ami,
Katharine Birbalsingh, Melvin Burgess, Christopher Caldwell, Matthew
Collings, John Cooper, Claire Fox, Giles Fraser, Frank Furedi, Maurice
Glasman, Tom Holland, Mick Hume, Sue Ion, Rebecca Jenkins, Simon Jenkins,
Irma Kurtz, Philippe Legrain, Dame Ann Leslie, Kenan Malik, Paul Mason,
Joyce McMillan, Tim Montgomerie, Brendan O’Neill, Ruth Padel, K.A.S.
Quinn, Jeffrey Rosen, Jenni Russell, William Saletan, Fiona Shaw, John
Sutherland, George Szirtes, Ray Tallis, GM Tamás, Mark Vernon, Tom Watt,
Zoe Williams, Alison Wolf, Martin Wolf, Cathy Young and over 300 more.

To provide a taster of the festival, a series of standalone Battle
Satellite events will be held across London, the UK and worldwide. Topics
for debate range from happiness in Athens and the future of Indian
democracy in New Delhi, to Croydon after the riots. The Battle Satellites
look to address the challenges facing society in a fast-changing and
increasingly globalised age. Foyles at Charing Cross Road will host
debates on the oversexualisation of children, and what boys should be
reading. The Battle Satellite programme will begin on Friday 30 September
with a special free debate on the future of manufacturing at London’s
Victoria and Albert Museum Friday Late, and with over 25 national and
international events, the boundaries of public debate will certainly
continue to expand beyond the main festival weekend.

Visit http://www.battleofideas.org.uk to view this year’s festival
programme, including satellite events, as well as carefully selected
readings for each session and videos of previous years’ sessions.

** School students aged 16-18 are able to attend a day of the festival for
free (the second day costing only £10) email
schoolschampion@instituteofideas.com. There are also a limited number of
HALF PRICE Student Champion tickets, allowing university students full
access to the weekend festival for just £27.50. Click here to purchase
discounted tickets. **

Tickets are available through online booking, or by phone: 0207 269 9220.

We hope to see you at this year’s Battle of Ideas.

Best wishes,

Claire

Claire Fox
Director
Institute of Ideas
Signet House
49-51 Farringdon Road
London EC1M 3JP
020 7269 9220
020 7269 9223 (direct)
www.instituteofideas.com
www.battleofideas.org.uk
www.debatingmatters.com

**************************************************

3)
Africa demands climate justice
http://www.wdm.org.uk/

Thursday 13 October, London

More than ever before, rich industrialised countries are using the UN
climate talks as an excuse to advance corporate interests. In the run up
to the climate talks in Durban, South Africa, this December people across
Africa and the world are demanding climate justice.

As part of our climate justice speaker tour, join us to hear Desmond
D’Sa,
coordinator of South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, Maria
Adebowale from Capacity Global and Kirsty Wright, World Development
Movement climate justice campaigner.

When: Thursday 13 October, 7pm
Where: University of London Union, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HY.

Find out how you can take action against the UK’s unfair policies
that are
prioritising corporate profits via discredited institutions such as the
World Bank. Not only will this fail to tackle climate change, but it will
also deepen existing global inequalities.

Desmond D’Sa is coordinator of South Durban Community Environmental
Alliance, which mobilises local people against industrial pollution. A
veteran campaigner on local and global environmental justice issues,
he’s
centrally involved in organising the alternative civil society space
during the UN talks. He will be speaking in Brighton, Bristol, London and
Eastleigh.

*********************************************************

4)
GROW HEATHROW PRESENTS: RESISTANCE JAM!

WHAT: With BAA still scheming for expansion at Heathrow and Grow Heathrow
up in court, we'll be getting together for a weekend this October to show
them we're here to stay. We'll be... Pizza-munching, Apple-scrumping,
Chutney-making, Face-painting, Cake-baking, Scaffold-sculpture-making,
Potholing, Tyre-rolling, Fire-stoking, Jam-stiring, Night-singing,
Lake-swimming, and much, much more.

WHEN: Weekend of the 14th/15th/16th of October 2011, from Friday evening.
Come for the day, an hour or the whole weekend. Bring a tent or at least a
sleeping bag if you're planning on staying over. Some limited indoor bed
space is available, so get in touch early if this is the only option for
you.

WHERE: Grow Heathrow, Vineries Close, Sipson, West Drayton, UB7 0JG
Train from London:
Trains run from London Paddington to West Drayton Station and the site is
a short bike or bus ride from there.
Bus from West Drayton:
Take the 222 from outside West Drayton Station (towards Hounslow). Get off
at the 'Harmonsworth Lane' stop in the village of Sipson. Turn left just
after the King William pub and you're there!

CONTACT:
Email: info@transitionheathrow.com
Web: transitionheathrow.com
Site Phone : 07890 751 568

AND...!
As well as all this - The UK Tar Sands network will be joining us. On the
Saturday October 15th we unveil the first Tar Free Community in the UK -
Tar Free Transition Heathrow!

What does it mean to be a tar free town? How can your community become tar
free?
Find out when we celebrate with you all on October 15th at Grow Heathrow,
3pm - the movement for a tar free future begins!

**********************************************************

5)
BHP Billiton: Dirty Energy

Public meeting, Wednesday 19 October 2011, 7pm to 9pm, Room 1, Upper
Corridor, Houses of Parliament

London Mining Network in association with Colombia Solidarity Campaign,
Down to Earth and PIPLinks

BHP Billiton is the world's largest diversified resources company. It made
record profits of $23.6 billion over the past year. It is listed on the
London Stock Exchange. Many British workers' pension funds, British banks
and insurance companies have investments in it - but most British people
have never heard of it.

BHP Billiton is heavily involved in the production of minerals for energy:
coal, oil, gas and uranium. It makes a massive contribution to worsening
climate change and is creating deadly radioactive pollution for hundreds
of thousands of years to come. Its operations contribute to or benefit
from involuntary relocation of communities and the destruction of rural
communities' livelihoods.

Main speaker: Julio Cesar Gomez, President of FECODEMIGUA, the Federation
of Communities Displaced by Mining in La Guajira (Colombia)
BHP Billiton owns one-third of the huge Cerrejon opencast coal mine, which
has displaced many communities and threatens to displace still more.
Displaced communities have united in FECODEMIGUA and are demanding
justice.

Other speakers will talk about BHP Billiton's coal and uranium mines in
other parts of the world

All are welcome to this meeting. Please arrive at St Stephen's Gate (the
main entrance to Parliament) in plenty of time to go through security,
which can take a long time if a lot of people are waiting to enter the
building.

Contact:
contact@londonminingnetwork.org

*********************************************************

6)
Defend Welfare Gathering
Sunday 23rd October, 11am-5pm
Somers Town Community Centre, 150 Ossulston Street, London, NW1 1EE
(5 minutes walk from Euston, St Pancras and Kings Cross stations)

Wheelchair accessible

Join us for a meeting with like-minded people to share ideas and
strategise to stop the government's attacks on welfare.

Welfare is being systematically attacked:
Unemployed people are being forced to work without pay.
Disabled people are being deprived of their entitlement to benefits
through the devastating Work Capability Assessment process.
People can now be left destitute for up to two years through benefit
sanctions.
The right to housing is under attack: Housing benefit cuts are set to make
thousands homeless. The right-wing called for evictions in response to the
riots, even before courts had found people guilty.
Private companies stand to make millions through bullying claimants on the
Work Programme.
Legal aid cuts make it harder to challenge bad treatment.
The only benefit that was available to people under 18 – EMA –
has been
abolished by this government.
Single mothers are being forced to be job-seekers when their children are
at an even younger age.
Asylum seekers are forced to survive on incomes far below benefit levels,
which are already set at subsistence level.
The full impact that the Universal Credit will have is yet to be understood.

But people across the UK are organising to defend welfare. The Boycott
Workfare campaign recently forced the “Making Work Pay”
conference to
relocate at short notice. Atos, the private company responsible for
depriving hundreds of thousands of people of sickness benefits, has had
many of its offices occupied, costing it thousands of pounds. Claimants
are sharing information on how to challenge the bullying and
discrimination that is rife in the new set-up.

This gathering is open to everyone who wants to take action to defend
welfare. We are a claimant-led network - our response to welfare reforms
is led by people who feel their effects the most – but the attacks on
welfare will affect us all whether we are in work or may need welfare as
parents, if we become unemployed, due to sickness or disability, or as
pensioners.

We plan to run the day with lots of discussion and chances to share ideas
and information in workshops and an open space session where we can set
the agenda on the day. If you can offer a workshop or would like to
propose something for the agenda, please get in touch.

Please help make the day happen!

Let us know you can make it!
welfareactionhackney@gmail.com

The network does not have any funding, so if your group or union branch
can make a contribution to the costs of the room or participants' travel,
please help raise funds for it. Groups and individuals may want to
approach union branches or organise fundraisers to raise funds for your
travel.

Let us know if you can help with food, childcare or facilitation on the day.
welfareactionhackney@gmail.com

Forward this invite to anyone else you know who might be interested, post
it on your blog or social media; mention it at meetings, and help spread
the word!

Looking forward to Apple Day 2011 Saturday 15 October 3-6

2011-10-08T08:59:00.000+01:00

Apple Day 2011

Hornsey Vale Community Centre

Saturday 15 October, 3-6pm

The theme of this year’s Apple Day is abundance. In Crouch End alone, there are numerous apple trees growing in allotments, parks, school playgrounds and residents’ gardens. In many cases the fruit has been left unpicked, a pity since the warm spring weather this year has led to a bumper harvest.

Apple Day looks at ways to ensure that good use is made of this bounty. The Urban Harvest will showcase drinks and produce made from apples, pears and plums, which the public can taste and try. Local residents are encouraged to bring along their own fruit to juice: even windfalls can be turned into a delicious drink. Transition Crouch End will also be juicing apples from Weston Park School, which otherwise would have gone to waste. In future years, the group would hope to form a partnership with residents and community groups, offering advice on pruning in exchange for apples.

For apple addicts, there are over twenty different varieties of apple and pear to sample. Some of them have never tasted before, and a poll will identify the most scrumptious in a campaign to persuade local greengrocers to stock them.

Apples are an infinite source of magic, myth and lore and this will be reflected in various activities on the day. There will be a children's play area, run by Anna Konarska, craft stalls and a Find the Rotten Apple Competition. The top prize is an apple tree from the Blackmoor Estate, who willl be providing the apples for the sampling table.

Apple Day is sustainable event which seeks to minimise waste. All apple mash will be composted at the Meadow Orchard Project and the cafe will use washable mugs and plates rather than plastic. There will a free beverage to anyone who brings their own cup.

We look forward to seeing you there!

The proposed disposal of Haringey's Bereavement Services

2011-10-05T00:31:00.002+01:00

We request that the Cabinet defer the decision on the report until adequate information has been provided, consultation has taken place, and there are effective guarantees regarding residents' interests, and environmental sustainability.

Submission on the proposed disposal of Enfield Crematorium, and Tottenham and Wood Green Cemeteries.

Sustainable Haringey is very concerned that the Bereavement Services Disposal report (Cabinet 4th October) recommends that the contract for Enfield Crematorium and Tottenham and Wood Green Cemeteries is awarded to the company which scored lowest in both quality and proposed approach to the management of biodiversity and conservation, with a score of less than 20% on biodiversity and conservation (see para 5.9).
We are also very concerned at the proposals in the current report for the Final Heads of Terms to be delegated to the Director of Place and Sustainability (para 3.6), without any public scrutiny or involvement and without even Cabinet scrutiny and we urge the Cabinet to reject this course outright.
We requested that we be provided with copies of all the appendices and draft Heads of Terms, if necessary with company names and financial information redacted, so that residents could see for themselves the basis for these proposals and have the opportunity to engage meaningfully with the decisions being taken. However our requests have so far been refused.
We also requested copies of other background documents, in particular the details of how each of the companies intends to deal with sustainability and biodiversity issues relating to the running of the 3 sites. This was also refused without any real explanation.
The decision to transfer the Crematorium and Cemeteries to the private sector for 50 years will last beyond most of our lifetimes, yet there has been no public consultation or even public awareness of the final proposal, with the limited report released without public notice just 7 days before the Cabinet meeting. For such a far reaching decision there should be proper opportunity for scrutiny and comment on the proposals. Sustainable Haringey made extensive submissions at the time of the original Cabinet meeting in November 2010 (see attached), yet were not notified or invited to comment in any way before this Cabinet meeting.
We request that the Cabinet defer the decision on the report until adequate information has been provided and consultation has taken place. The proposed lease is for 50 years, not just 5 or 10, and therefore deserves proper consideration and scrutiny to ensure the interests of residents and local sustainability are being best served. A month or so for proper consultation is not long when compared to 50 years. We also ask how meaningful consultation can take place (para 7.6) with staff or with residents, if the final decision to outsource the service has already taken place.
During our earlier discussions with the lead Cabinet member and officers it was said there would be opportunity to address some of our concerns and consult more widely at a later stage, yet we are not even allowed to see documents relating to how these sites, including Tottenham Cemetery, a designated Ecologically Valuable Site of Borough Grade 2 Importance, which has significant nature conservation value and which is also a historical asset to Tottenham, will be maintained and protected and what environmental practices will be in place. There can be no good reason for such secrecy, and we do not believe this secrecy is in the interests of Haringey residents.
There are also huge doubts over whether the proposed course of action represents the best solution financially. The supposed costs of keeping the service in house are said to be £13.4 million investment (para 4.1.1), but this is based on including costs of a new car park and massive concrete burial chambers.
According to the Council's own figures, the cost of 3 new cremators & abatement equipment is in the region of £1.2m (email from Tim Baker to Sustainable Haringey 20 Dec 2010). Company A is proposing to replace the four existing cremators with two abated cremators (para 10.8). So if this option was pursued in house by the Council the total cost of becoming mercury compliant would be less than £1M. According to the response by Tim Baker to Sustainable Haringey's submission, "'Invest to Save' prudential borrowing schemes are usually only approved by the Council if the payback is no more than three years". As the Bereavement Service has an annual surplus of well over half a million pounds, the payback period would easily fall within this. Whilst undoubtedly some improvements were needed to the facilities, no real evidence has been demonstrated for the level of investment suggested. Some of the improvements could be part funded by the money raised from the sale of Grenville Cottages, which raised £400,000 (para 5.2).
The expensive proposals for extensive car parking, rather than promoting public or shared transport options, were not compatible with the Environmental Considerations section of the Options Appraisal (S12) "it is noted that opportunities should be explored for improving public transport links to the site, and reducing the need to access the site by car". Environmental sustainability would be best served by improved public transport access to the Crematorium, not increased car parking.
As to the huge cost for development of burial facilities, in para 5.12 of the report it is stated that 'the tendering process did not demonstrate that the site value would be greater with planning permission for a new burial facility', so the planning application was not progressed. The report is silent on whether or not the private operator will in fact develop additional burial facilities at the site, who will profit from this, and what controls will be in place to protect residents interests. It also leads to a situation where the in house option costs of £13.4m (of which burial facilities were £5.4m) are not being compared like with like with the private operator option.
The proposed course of action also gives Tottenham and Wood Green cemeteries away at a peppercorn rent (para 7.3), when over £450k was spent last year on Wood Green Cemetery to create 132 new burial plots which were expected to last for 2-4 years. According to the report for the Cabinet meeting last year, plots are sold for £3600 - £4700, so this appears to be a substantial gift of income to the private operator from Haringey's reserves. [see burial charges at p 5 and Wood Green expansion at p3 & 5 of
http://www.minutes.haringey.gov.uk/Published/C00000118/M00004400/AI00021013/$20100713Item19EnfieldCremRedPlanAppB.docA.ps.pdf]
The report is also silent on re-use of graves, which could be a potential huge source of income for the private operator, and a huge loss and source of controversy to the Council. In the response to Sustainable Haringey's submission last year, Tim Baker (consultant employed to facilitate the disposal of the service) stated: "Public resistance could be a big factor when determining whether grave re-use should occur and it is likely that this would apply regardless of whether the Council or someone else proposed its use. Therefore, the Council isn’t necessarily losing out on this as a potential income source. Because the current situation regarding the re-use of graves is not entirely clear, we have not attempted to factor in any financial implications or benefits that may accrue either to us or a private operator."
So if the private operator decides to re-use graves on any of the 3 sites, they have the potential for a massive source of income, while the Council and residents will be left to deal with the controversy (as has occurred with other privatised cemeteries in the past).
The section on sustainability issues in the report (paras 10.2 - 10.8) refers to addressing some of the concerns Sustainable Haringey raised previously. However the whole section is lacking in detail and does not provide any real re-assurance that sustainability issues will be taken seriously by the private operator, particularly in light of the fact that Company A scored just 1.6% out of a possible 6.7% on their proposed approach to the management of biodiversity and conservation (para 5.9), the lowest score of the 3 companies, yet was still selected as the preferred bidder.
For example under the draft Heads of Terms the clause 'Manage the property in accordance with the principles of good estate management'could be interpreted in any number of ways, there would be a vast difference in opinion between operators trying to manage in a sustainable way, and those who might seek to minimise staffing costs by extensive use of chemicals, yet argue that the estate was tidy and therefore well managed.
There is reference to maintaining biodiversity in accordance with conservation management plans and biodiversity report recommendations, but these are not set out. Then in para 10.6 we are told that Company A has proposed to formulate it's own action and ongoing management plan, according to 4 listed principles, which are so vague as to be virtually meaningless. Such self regulation by a private operator cannot be relied on to protect the interests of Haringey residents and the environment.
The break clause only refers to terminating the lease because 'certain covenants' have not been complied with. Those covenants are not specified, nor are the consequences of the termination set out - would there be financial costs or penalties involved?
Additionally, while the clauses set out in para 10.4 are included in the draft Heads of Terms, we have no way of knowing or ensuring that they will be included in the final Heads of Terms.
The report to Cabinet makes little reference to reduction of carbon emissions or 40:20 objectives, with no detail on what reductions will be made (para 10.8) and it is unclear to what extent these were considered during the decision making process.
Without the provision of the information requested we can have no confidence that sustainability, biodiversity and conservation issues will be taken seriously by the proposed operator or that the interests of Haringey residents will be protected by the lease and disposal of the sites for 50 years.

Sustainable Haringey
4th October 2011

2011-09-29T17:18:00.000+01:00

Sat Sept 24th 'Moving Planet' was incredible

Watch the video and pass it on! www.350.org/moving-together
180+ countries. 2000+ events**. A single day to move beyond fossil fuels. Check out the video to get a sense for what happened on September 24, and if you're not already getting 350.org emails, sign up below to get looped into this global movement.

** Including the successful Lordship Rec Sporticulture day - sports, horticulture and cycling here in Haringey!

Happy Zero Carbon Britain Day

2011-07-16T17:45:00.001+01:00

Haringey Sustainability Month - June 2011

2011-06-19T18:14:00.000+01:00

Haringey Sustainability Month is now over half way through, with some fantastic events having come and gone. Here's the remaining events and activities in the programme. In particular there's our very own Summer Gathering to which all are welcome:

Sustainable Haringey Summer Gathering
Sun 26th June, 1pm-5pm:
Reducing Waste and Increasing Recycling
All welcome to come and join in this discussion as part of building up Haringey's borough-wide green groups, projects and networks.
@ Railway Fields Nature Reserve, Green Lanes, N4 - opposite Harringay Green Lanes station.www.sustainableharingey.org.uk

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS REMAINING

Wed/Thurs/Sun each week, 11am-4pm: Living Under One Sun Community Allotment: Volunteers Wanted - Come and help grow fruits and veg, Share and gain skills and knowledge, Meet neighbours, share ideas and get some exercise, Find practical ways to do good by our planet, Celebrate harvest festivals and food from around the world. @ East Hale Allotment, Mill Mead Road, N17 Buses: 41, 123, 230, W4. Contact: Lyn 07722051414 Leyla 07414545640 www.livingunderonesun.co.uk

Wed/Thurs each week, 10am-1pm: Visit the community tree & plant nursery - Green Routes, Finsbury Park, N4. To the right of the Manor House entrance as you enter the park. Come and help with whatever needs doing, find out about the project over a cuppa and meet others. More info:http://transitionfinsburypark.org.uk/nurseryblog

Sat 18th to Sun 26th June: UK Bike Week - everyone encouraged to get on yer bike more throughout this week!

Tue 21st June, 8pm: 'Avoiding Heffalump Traps' - presentation and discussion about world population growth. Part of Highgate School’s Environment Week - open to all. @ Dyne House, Highgate School, Southwood Lane, Highgate Village, N6 www.HighgateClimateActionNetwork.org.uk

Sat 25th June, 12noon: Demonstration to defend Haringey's public services and oppose cuts. Assemble Wood Green Civic Centre. March to Tottenham Town Hall. Or join in as the march passes Turnpike Lane and Seven Sisters tube stations. Bring banners and things to make a big noise as it passes key community facilities and services under threat. Organised by Haringey Alliance for Public Services (supported by Sustainable Haringey)www.hapsnews.net

Sat 25th June, 2-6pm: Solar power and home insulation - stand at the Methodist Church Garden Party The 39 solar panels which Muswell Hill Sustainability Group have installed will be on public display for the first time + information on solar energy and home insulation. On the lawns behind the building known as North Bank, 28 Pages Lane N10 1PP. Organised by Muswell Hill Sustainability Group http://mhsgroup.org/

Sat 25th June: Launch of 'The Bus', a living memorial to Nigerian writer and campaigner Ken Saro-Wiwa Ken Saro-Wiwa was murdered in Nigeria for calling for environmental protection for communities being exploited and destroyed by oil exploitation by multinational corporations. There were international protests in response: 'The Bus' is by artist Sokari Douglas Camp. @ Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Town Hall Approach Rd, N15. Exact details to be announced. www.platformlondon.org + www.berniegrantcentre.co.uk

Sun 26th June, 1-5pm: Reducing Waste and Increasing Recycling - the Sustainable Haringey Summer Gathering All welcome to come and join in this discussion as part of building up Haringey's borough-wide green network. @ Railway Fields, Green Lanes, N4 - opposite Harringay Green Lanes station.www.sustainableharingey.org.uk

Wed 29th June, 7-9pm: Road to Redemption: talk on the history of ale-brewing in Haringey. @ Bruce Castle Museum, Lordship Lane, N17

Thurs 30th June, 7pm Film: 'Inside Job' – the banking crisis exposed! Rips apart any idea that the banking crisis that started in 2008 was a mistake by stupid bankers. It exposes the greed, corruption and political involvement that resulted in the biggest financial collapse of our times with devastating consequences for millions. The savage cuts in public spending are realities we all face, while those who caused the crisis not only go unpunished but made obscene wealth out of it. [Entry £3 / £2] @ Haringey Independent Cinema, West Green Learning Centre, West Green Road N15 3RB. www.haringey.org.uk/hic

North London Bike Power Workshop

2011-06-12T18:02:00.000+01:00

A great collaboration between Transition Crouch End, Green Lens Studio and Magnificent Revolution led to the North London Bike Power Workshop being held on Saturday 11^th June, part of Haringey Sustainability Month . The event was well attended with fourteen people engaged in learning all about generating electricity through pedal power. There was an interesting assortment of reasons for attending and possible end uses for applying this knowledge. These included a teacher and a university lecturer wanting to involve their students in experiments with pedal power; desires to use this technology to enable an off-grid lifestyle or to power a theatre production, and as an awareness raising tool for demonstrating the considerable effort needed to produce energy.

The workshop begun with an explanation of the physics involved in electrical energy to explain what is required in order to achieve successful power generation. We then split into three groups to start putting theory into practice. There were three practical exercises demonstrating different end uses of the generated power and each group had the opportunity to try out each example. The three methods being:

· Generating power to charge a battery

· Generating DC electricity to directly power appliances

· Passing generated current through an inverter to produce AC power

The workshop also provided useful information on designing the generation system to be appropriate to what you want from it. It also considered the problems with batteries, the pros and cons of DC and AC power, as well as giving essential safety advice.

The day was packed with activity and knowledge sharing but was much enjoyed by all. Much praise goes to Adam and Simon from Magnificent Revolution for putting together and delivering such a fun and accessible workshop. Thanks also to Yev of Green Lens Studio for providing such a delightful venue and of course Gillian of Transition Crouch End for organising and promoting the event.

If there is anyone out there interested in attending a future Bike Power Workshop please get in touch via transitioncrouchend@gmail.com and as soon as sufficient numbers show an interest, we shall arrange another workshop.

Try out an electric bike with Muswell Hill Sustainability Group - Tue 14th June

2011-06-11T19:02:00.000+01:00

Muswell Hill Sustainability Group invite you to an evening of sustainable transport
Tue 14th June, any time between 6.30 and 9.00pm
CUFOS, top of The Avenue (behind Alexandra Palace), Muswell Hill N10 2QE (www.cufos.org.uk)

The MHSG Low Carbon Buying Group is now launching the electric bikes disount with Spencer Ivy - see here for info. The bikes will be available to trial around Alexandra Park at this event. You can also bring your bike along for a free Dr.Bike MOT and find out about safe cycling, car clubs, electric vehicles and charging points.

Please RSVP if you would like to attend or are interested in the electric bikes offer.Kate Allardyce
En10ergy and Muswell Hill Low Carbon Zone
07798 835738

Real Farm Festival, Church Farm, Ardeley 17-19 June 2011

2011-06-11T18:31:00.000+01:00

Real farming, what’s the big idea?

If everyone in Britain is going to enjoy safe, healthy, natural food, often referred to as Real
Food, we need a national Real Farming movement. ‘We all farm every time we eat’ says Tim Waygood, farmer and entrepreneur. We Britons need to take responsibility for our food and how it is farmed.

We need to abandon factory farming and the GM industrial agriculture advocated by British and American governments, corporates and banks, and invest in healthy, ecologically sound ways of farming that produce the food that people want to eat at an affordable price.

On Saturday 18th June, Real Farm Festival invites people to take part in a series of conversations on the science, philosophy and practicalities of farming for real food. We welcome speakers from the Soil Association, Organic Research Centre, Campaign for Real Farming, Self Knowledge Global Responsibility, Pesticide Action Network, FARM:shop, Agrarian Renaissance, and Ecological Land Co-operative.

The IAASTD, United Nations and HRH Prince of Wales have all this year advocated “agroecology” as a practical way of feeding the world’s growing population, but British government scientists refuse to acknowledge that it can be done.

British people need to get clued up on farming if they are to hold the government to account, to demand research is directed towards ecological farming and to implement change at the grassroots level regardless of political will.

Questions we’ll be putting to the presenters at the Real Farm Festival include: How bad is GM? What are the alternatives? What is polyculture? What will it take for Britain to become ecologically farmed?

Real farming needs a new focus for agricultural science, new appropriate technology and potentially different economic structures to ensure farms nourish people and planet, before profit. People are invited to come down to Real Farm Festival and contribute to the big ideas.

Church Farm is a mixed, high welfare 175-acre farm run predominantly by young people (80% female) who care about the future of real food. Get a taste of how ecological farming is possible, have a go at farming, take part in various workshops (such as the Biodynamic Stirring Party, Wild Cultures - art of fermentation, Peg Looming) enjoy and take part in lots of live music, performance and games, eat great food fresh off the farm, and really get stuck in to some big ideas.

All tickets and info are on the website, www.realfarmfestival.com

Strawberry time

2011-06-07T06:46:00.001+01:00

A local resident grazing on Priory Common N8, where we're going to plant a low maintenance orchard on a plain grassy patch. Let's fill haringey with edible and useful plants. Come to www.EdibleLandscapesLondon.org.uk to learn how.

More street markets in Haringey?

2011-05-27T17:53:00.003+01:00

I think this is great news and something that network should be supporting. Street markets are an important part of a sustainable local economy, even if they are not "farmers' markets". At the very least they don't involve a whole lot of chiller cabinets without doors!

It's funny how little study there is of the impact of street markets - try finding something about it online, and all you find is neo-liberal economics about the efficiency of "the markets", meaning financial markets. Time for some proper action-oriented research on real markets.

Urban bees in Hong Kong

2011-05-27T17:44:00.002+01:00

Re-posted from Harringay Online - beautiful three minute film. http://www.harringayonline.com/video/city-beekeeping-in-hong-kong

Transition Crouch End Steering Group Minutes 16th May 2011

2011-05-23T21:05:00.001+01:00

Steering Group Meeting, 16^th May 2011, 8.00pm at The Maynard Pub

Present: Steering Gp: Rebecca, Andy, Gillian (chair), Tilly (minutes)
Visitors: Amanda, Brad, Kristen, Pamela, Jacki, Fred, Kate
and Anna O’Brian from Transition Network

Minutes from last meeting (14-03-11) agreed. Bike Power Workshop (Gillian)
This is going ahead:Saturday 11^th June 10.00-5.00pm at Green Lens Studio, 4a Atterbury Rd, N4 1SF
cost: £40.00. To book a place call 07931840771
There may be funding for one of our group to go, contact Gillian.

Agenda Items

1) Meadow Orchard Project- MOP (Kate Allerdyce)

Kate reminded us of all the different activities now happening at the Meadow Orchard. The regular day for anyone who wants to go along to volunteer is Saturdays, 11.00am onward.

Saturday 9^th July is MOP Open Day with talks, workshops, activites

Tuesday 19^th July is the MOP AGM, details to follow

2) CSA Community Supported Agriculture Project- Church Farm (Gillian)

Current collection point for the Farm veg boxes is 6.00-7.00pm at Haberdashery cafe,Middle Lane.
Gillian is arranging for another collection option, which will be starting soon at Hornsey Vale Community centre (HVCC). The plan is to have an outside area at the front of the Centre, where the boxes can be stored securely for later collection. Further details from Gillian.
Camping sessions are also offered at the Farm- details form Rebecca.

3) Green on the Screen (Fred, Rebecca, Tilly)

The last screening on 4^th May was another success,with over 40 people attending.
Gillian suggested we should do a write up after each film and post it on the TCE website.
GOTS Planning meeting: Weds 25^th May evening; further details from Rebecca/Tilly/Fred.

4) Hornsey Vale Community Centre HVCC (Tilly, Gillian)

Transition Garden:The new Spring Newsletter for HVCC is out now and features a picture of our Transition Kitchen garden at the Centre. We plan to start on stage two of our garden, ie building a first raised bed over the summer and autumn.

HVCC May Gala 2.00-5.00pm 30^th May: Last year we helped run the cafe at this event. For the last two years we have had a Transition Crouch End stand at the gala- and also volunteered help with the event. We need to decide if we can have a stand this year, if there are enough of us able to participate. Contact Gillian if you can be involved.

September Reuse/ Recycle/ Tabletop Sale event Date to be confirmed.We will run this event jointly with HVCC. From a Transition perspective we can plan on how to use the day to raise awareness about reusing, recycling materials etc. Tilly hopes to approach Hornsey Girls School to see if they would like to take part.
Contact Tilly if you would like to help.

Apple Day 15^th October This will be our third Apple day- our biggest public event. Agreed that the sooner we start planning for this day, the better we can make it.

5) Haringey 40/20 Event (Kate Allerdyce)

Initiated by Friends of the Earth, Haringey Council will hold an event on
Saturday 11^th June, Sixth Form Centre, White Hart Lane
Many agencies are involved and the Council welcome input from all groups.

6) North London NLETS (Andy)

Andy gave a quick introduction to NLETS the local trading scheme, which covers Highbury, Islington, Enfield and Barnet. This scheme has been running for 10 years and promotes the Transition principle of keeping value within the local economy. The trading unit is called a Pledge. Pledges are used instead of money and can be used to buy goods and services. There are now a wide range of services on offer, including woodwork,opticians, gardening, solicitors and complementary therapies.
Trading days take place 4 times per year.
Details from Andy

7) Transition Crouch End Communications Update (Gillian)

Our website www.transitioncrouchend.org.uk is currently directed at the TCE Blogspot, administered and updated by Gillian, who also puts information on our Facebook page and Twitter (@transitionce) .
We are working with Ed Crompton who is helping us develop the website.
Gillian mentioned the transition gmail as another way we communicate with each other, details from Gillian.
Gillian also thought it would be a good idea if we had a TCE monthly newsletter.
However, it was aknowledged that maintaining the Blogspot, Facebook and Twitter is already an essential but demanding, time consuming job for Gillian. Jacki kindly agreed to get involved and offer help with this area.

For general information on the Transition Movement go to www.transitionculture.org or www.transitionnetwork.org

8) Crouch Hill Development (Amanda)

Amanda mentioned her residents group are being consulted about the proposed development due to take place at Crouch Hill, in the area where it intersects with the Parkland Walk. Ashmount school will move to this location. Community and foodgrowing projects are also being discussed for this site, so it may be appropriate for TCE to get involved.
Further details from Amanda.

9) Foodcycle (Rebecca)

Rebecca is doing some work with Foodcycle. They run a cafe every Friday lunchtime, 12.00-2.30pm at the Mind Centre at Ferme park rd, near junction with Lancaster Rd, Parkland Walk bridge.

Next Steering Group Meeting: 8.00pm, Monday 13^th June, Maynard Pub, Park Rd, N8.

HARINGEY SUSTAINABILITY MONTH - June 2011

2011-05-16T08:19:00.001+01:00

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS

Weds 1st June, 7pm (film 8pm): Green on the Screen: 'No Impact Man' Film - follows a family's efforts to make no carbon impact and tread lightly on the Earth. Watch and see what happens... Feast on film, food and courageous conversations. @ Moors Bar, Park Rd, N8. www.moorsbar.com/green-on-the-screen

Wed 1st June, 6-8 pm: The Buzz About The Bees - Talk on the wonderful world of Bees! @ Marcus Garvey Library, Philip Lane, N15. Organised by Living Under One Sun, in partnership with Haringey Libraries. www.livingunderonesun.co.uk

Wed 1st June to Sun 19th June, 1-5pm (Wednesdays to Sundays only) Transforming London’s Green Lung – a ‘2020 Vision for the Lee Valley’ Exhibition tells the Lee Valley Regional Park regeneration story, taking visitors on a journey from post war regeneration to the latest London 2012 developments providing a unique perspective on London’s largest open space. @ Bruce Castle Museum, Lordship Lane, Tottenham, London N17

Wed/Thurs/Sun each week, 11am-4pm: Living Under One Sun Community Allotment: Volunteers Wanted - Come and help grow fruits and veg, Share and gain skills and knowledge, Meet neighbours, share ideas and get some exercise, Find practical ways to do good by our planet, Celebrate harvest festivals and food from around the world. @ East Hale Allotment, Mill Mead Road, N17 Buses: 41, 123, 230, W4. Contact: Lyn 07722051414 Leyla 07414545640 www.livingunderonesun.co.uk

Wed/Thurs each week, 10am-1pm: Visit the community tree & plant nursery - Green Routes, Finsbury Park, N4. To the right of the Manor House entrance as you enter the park. Come and help with whatever needs doing, find out about the project over a cuppa and meet others. More info: http://transitionfinsburypark.org.uk/nurseryblog

Thurs 2nd/9th June, 7:30pm-10:30pm: Stroud Green Knitters & Crocheters. Group for the experienced and newbies. Come along to knit and meet other knitters. Learn from others. @ The Noble, 29 Crouch Hill, Stroud Green, N4 4AP

Sat 4th June, 10am-12noon: Avenue Orchard Monthly Meetup and work Day. Come along to learn some new skills for looking after fruit trees and bushes. And meeting some like-minded people. @ Corner of Avenue Road and Newsham Avenue, N15, just behind the concrete wall.
http://avenueorchard.wikispaces.com

Sat 4th June, 10am-2pm: Friends of Railway Fields Monthly Practical and Meeting. Join us for some light practical conservation activities, then lunch, butterflies and our monthly meeting to help plan our summer events. @ Railway Fields, Green Lanes, N4 - opposite Harringay Green Lanes station. http://friendsofrailwayfields.wordpress.com

Sun 5th June: Big Lunch Day - everyone is encouraged to organise food sharing in local public spaces. Just do it - DIY! www.thebiglunch.com

Sun 5th June, 12-4pm: “The Big Lunch” in Chestnuts Park, N15. Come sing-a-long, Meet friends, Bring & Share food and enjoy fun activities for the kids. Bring a blanket or chair and the entire family for a fun filled day. Near the community centre, 280 St Ann’s Rd, Tottenham N15 5BN. Organised by Pyramid Health And Social Care Association & Chestnuts Community Centre. www.phasca.com

Sun 5th June. Starts 10am: (All day event, join or leave at any time): Guided Walk along the historic New River path - Enfield Town to Angel Islington. 15mile guided walk led by John Polley. Free & open to all. Starts 10am outside the Crown & Horseshoes pub on the New River at Enfield Town, passing through Haringey early afternoon. Finish around 6pm at Sadlers Wells Theatre, Roseberry Avenue, Islington. Route, timings & more details at www.newriver.org.uk Phone: 07814 546772

Mon 6th June, from 9.30am: Work on Priory Common Orchard - volunteers welcome. Next to junction of Priory Road and Redston Road, N8. Info 020 8347 7684

Tues 7th June, 11:30am-1.30pm: Knowing Through Growing - Get with the Plot! @ Stroud Green Library, Quernmore Road, N4 4QR Come and support this plant growing project at the local library - just let knowingthrugrowing@me.com know you're coming first. If you have gloves, please bring them along.

Wed 8th June, 7-8:30pm 3-week Alexander Technique Introductory Course. Practical course to help people learn how to look after themselves, physically and mentally and therefore be better able to help others in their needs. @ Enterprise Centre, 160 Page Green Tce, N15 4NU. Pay what you can, suggested donation £35. Money raised goes to Haringey Alliance for Public Services. Must book in advance, details: http://learnwithjeremy.co.uk/

Thurs 9th June, 7-8.30pm Lee Valley Regional Park - A London Classic Janet Green, Lee Valley Regional Park's Partnership Manager, gives an illustrated talk outlining the compelling development story of Lee Valley Regional Park, a popular green lung in the city enjoyed by over 4.5 million Londoners every year. @ Bruce Castle Museum, Lordship Lane, Tottenham, London N17

Thurs 9th June, 6-8pm: The Buzz About The Bees - Lively talk on the wonderful world of Bees! @ Wood Green Central Library, High Rd, N22 Organised by Living Under One Sun, in partnership with Haringey Libraries. www.livingunderonesun.co.uk

Sat 11th June, 9.30-2.30pm: Haringey 40:20 launch (Community action for carbon reduction). @ Haringey 6th Form Centre. Organised by Haringey Council. Please register in advance if possible - haringey4020@haringey.gov.uk

Sat 11th June, 10am-5pm: North London Bike Power Workshop. For those wanting an introduction to renewables and are mad about bikes, this course is a great way to learn about creating electricity from bicycles. It will also help to promote Bike Week, 18th - 26th June. Price: £40 per person (17 places). @ Green Lens Studio, 4a Atterbury Road, London, N4 1SF For more info and to book: http://www.magnificentrevolution.org/2011/04/north-london-bike-power-workshop/ Organised by Transition Crouch End, Green Lens Studio and Magnificent Revolution www.transitioncrouchend.org.uk

Sat/Sun 11th/12th June: Eco-house weekend. An opportunity to see a range of existing homes which have been retrofitted with energy efficiency and microgeneration measures to cut their carbon footprint. 15 houses will open in Camden, Islington, Haringey and Hackney, offering a chance to talk to owners about their experience of installing energy efficiency measures.4 houses in Haringey will be open (see the weblink). Passes for the weekend at £10 to individuals, £20 for professionals available from www.victeri.co.uk, with full details of the houses, how to reach them, cycle tour etc. www.victeri.co.uk/eco.html

Sat/Sun 11th/12th June: Open Garden Squares Weekend. 5 venues in Haringey - Bowes Park Community Garden (Sat 2-5pm); Edible Landscapes London - unusual edible perennials (Sun 12-5pm), FOOD from the SKY - Budgen's roof garden (Sun 11am-5pm); Jamboree Finsbury Park (Sat 12-3pm); Queen's Wood Lodge Organic Garden (see below) - info: www.opensquares.org

Sat/Sun 11th/12th June, 2-5pm: Queen's Wood Organic Garden Open Days and Plant sales. Prize winning garden open for visits. Bees, wild flowers, mini- beast habitats, and a pond as well as a range of fruits, herbs, vegetables and wild flowers. Cafe open too and plants for sale. Buses 134/43 stop at the entrance on Muswell Hill Rd, N10 3JP. Organised by the Friends of Queen's Wood.

Sun 12th June, 6pm: Reel News / Haringey Solidarity Film Show - the fight against climate change and other environmental issues. Films, discussion, drinks. Films are by the Reel News collective and will include "One Million Climate Jobs Now!" from their latest release. @ Giuseppe Conlon House, 49 Mattison Road, London N4 1BG. Free / donations. Organised by Haringey Solidarity Group. www.haringey.org.uk + www.reelnews.co.uk

Tues 14th June, 6.30-9.30pm: Sustainable transport, bicycle use and maintenance, electric cars, car clubs and testing electric bikes on the hills in Alexandra Park. @ The little community building known as CUFOS at the top of The Avenue N10 2QE, behind Alexandra Palace: see www.cufos.org.uk. Organised by Muswell Hill Sustainability Group http://mhsgroup.org/

Wed 15th June, 6.30pm-8.30pm: Railway Fields Nature Walk and talk with David Bevan. Renowned London Botanist will be taking you around Railway Fields and pointing out all the interesting flora and fauna, followed by a talk about the history of the reserve. The event is free, however refreshments will be provided so a suggested donation of £3 to cover costs would be appreciated. @ Railway Fields, Green Lanes, N4 - opposite Harringay Green Lanes station.

Sat 18th to Sun 26th June: UK Bike Week - everyone encouraged to get on yer bike more throughout this week!

Sat 18th June, 1-3pm: Foraging at Meadows Orchard. Come along to this 'Urban Harvest' event for inspiration about edible flowers to include in our edible landscapes. Instead of our usual monthly foraging walk in June we'll be talking, admiring and tasting all kinds of edible flowers. @ Meadows Orchard Project, behind the Hornsey Central Health Centre, 151 Park Rd, N8 8JD Map: http://tinyurl.com/6g63kc7 http://shepherdscothealinggarden.ning.com/ + www.UrbanHarvest.org.uk

Sat 18th June, 11am-1pm: Tottenham Carnival Parade The Parade will begin at Eade Road N4 1DJ and end in Church Road N17 8DU. Come and join in this celebration of Tottenham's vibrant cultures and communities. Info: www.tottenhamcarnvial.co.uk

Sat 18th June, 10am-12noon: The Buzz About The Bees - Lively talk on the wonderful world of Bees! @ Wood Green Central Library, High Rd, N22 Organised by Living Under One Sun, in partnership with Haringey Libraries. www.livingunderonesun.co.uk

Tue 21st June, 8pm: 'Avoiding Heffalump Traps' - presentation and discussion about world population growth. Part of Highgate School’s Environment Week - open to all. @ Dyne House, Highgate School, Southwood Lane, Highgate Village, N6 www.HighgateClimateActionNetwork.org.uk

Sat 25th June, 12noon: Demonstration to defend Haringey's public services and oppose cuts. Assemble Wood Green Civic Centre. March to Tottenham Town Hall. Or join in as the march passes Turnpike Lane and Seven Sisters tube stations. Bring banners and things to make a big noise as it passes key community facilities and services under threat. Organised by Haringey Alliance for Public Services (supported by Sustainable Haringey) www.hapsnews.net

Sat 25th June, 2-6pm: Solar power and home insulation - stand at the Methodist Church Garden Party The 39 solar panels which Muswell Hill Sustainability Group have installed will be on public display for the first time + information on solar energy and home insulation. On the lawns behind the building known as North Bank, 28 Pages Lane N10 1PP. Organised by Muswell Hill Sustainability Group http://mhsgroup.org/

Sat 25th June: Launch of 'The Bus', a living memorial to Nigerian writer and campaigner Ken Saro-Wiwa Ken Saro-Wiwa was murdered in Nigeria for calling for environmental protection for communities being exploited and destroyed by oil exploitation by multinational corporations. There were international protests in response: 'The Bus' is by artist Sokari Douglas Camp. @ Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Town Hall Approach Rd, N15. Exact details to be announced. www.platformlondon.org + www.berniegrantcentre.co.uk

Sun 26th June, 1-5pm: Reducing Waste and Increasing Recycling - the Sustainable Haringey Summer Gathering All welcome to come and join in this discussion as part of building up Haringey's borough-wide green network.@ Railway Fields, Green Lanes, N4 - opposite Harringay Green Lanes station. www.sustainableharingey.org.uk

Wed 29th June, 7-9pm: Road to Redemption: talk on the history of ale-brewing in Haringey. @ Bruce Castle Museum, Lordship Lane, N17

** Information above is as supplied to Sustainable Haringey. Please check the links for any alterations/updates.

North London Bike Generator Workshop

2011-04-19T23:45:00.003+01:00

For those wanting an introduction to renewables and are mad about bikes, this course is a great way to learn about creating electricity from bicycles.
The workshop will take place on:

When: Saturday 11th June
Where: Green Lens Studio, 4a Atterbury Road, London, N4 1SF
Time: 10am to 5pm
Price: £40 per person, £35 concessions
Tickets: Bike Power Workshop

Magnificent revolution facilitates this workshop for those interested in learning the ins and outs of pedal power generators. Our workshops have a good balance of theory and hands-on experience. Participants will discover how to use their own bike as part of a small power station, capable of powering computers, stereos, TVs and other small household appliances. Participants will find out about:

Basic system design
Load assessment
Power generation
Electricity storage using batteries
Conversion of DC to AC electricity by inverters
Control and monitoring of power

For more information and to book, click here: here

Magnificent Revolution is a not-for-profit London based cross-disciplinary organisation working in education, ecology, engineering, design, art, music and film www.magnificentrevolution.org

Spring salad gathered on foraging walk in Alexandra Park on Sat 16 Apr 2011

2011-04-18T22:15:00.001+01:00

Communicating Renewable Energy Day London May 17 2011

2011-04-12T09:21:00.002+01:00

Click to read the full flyer Communicating Renewable Energy Day London May 17 2011

How they orgarnise recycling in a German town

2011-03-22T15:25:00.002Z

...as described in The Guardian, here.

Sustainable Haringey Gathering this coming Sunday 13 March Hornsey Vale Community Centre N8 9LP

2011-03-07T10:42:00.000Z

Dear SH Activists, just a reminder about the Gathering this coming Sunday afternoon from 12.15. The timetable is:

12.15 - 13.00 networking and group meetings
13.00 - 13.45 Lunch - please bring food to share
13.45 - 14.30 - reporting back what has been happening
14.30 - 16.00 - Growing in Haringey - current projects and presentation from Sarah Williams of Capital Growth.

Tea with the chance to see what growing sites in the Borough are up to.

16.00 - 16.30 - SH business meeting and forward planning for June Sustainabilty Month

Discounted Permaculture Design Course, London

2011-03-05T11:45:00.002Z

ATTENTION: reduced price of £350 if paid before 11th March

Concerned about climate change, peak oil and our children's future? Want to go green? Interested in creating Sustainable Local Communities? Thinking about making significant changes in your life? Fed up with the problems and want to start looking for solutions? Then this full Urban Permaculture Design Course accredited by the Permaculture Association Britain (PAB) is for you.

Held over 5 weekends, in central London (border zone 1 and 2), it provides a broad introduction to the ethics, principles and applications of permaculture primarily from an urban perspective, and is for anyone who believes that we need to find ways to care for ourselves, for each other and for the Earth.

The course will give you a detailed understanding of permaculture tools, which will allow you to realise your own sustainable designs, be it buildings, food growing, communities, economic systems, retrofitting urban house, etc. Upon completion of the course you will receive a permaculture design certification qualification accredited by PAB and become part of a local permaculture support network.

The workshop will be taught by Graham Burnett from Spiralseed and Rakesh Bhambri, plus up to 5 specialist teachers. Graham is one of the most senior permaculture teachers in the London region and author of several books on sustainability, permaculture and community activism. Rakesh has a diverse background of experience, including IT, natural medicine, yoga, and of course permaculture. He has spent much of the past 7 years facilitating permaculture, forest gardening and low impact living workshops in Croatia, which culminated in starting an off-grid eco village. He is currently in London setting up several sustainable community projects.

Dates
Week 1     26+27 March
Week 2     9+10 April
Week 3     16+17 April
Week 4     14+15 May
Week 5     28+29 May

Location: The workshops will take place at Lilian Baylis Old School, Lollard Street, SE11 6PY, we will also have a few hands on practical workshops which will be walking distance from the main site.

Cost
* £550 Full payment
* £400 Low income discount
* SPECIAL OFFER £350 if paid before 11th March

For more information on what to expect on the course
http://www.transitiontownbrixton.org/?p=3173

How to register
https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dFdjeUVDVENNSHYyOXczMENHWXFaSXc6MQ
If you have trouble registering or need more info, feel free to email or call
Rakesh 07575 009 322 rootsmanrak@yahoo.co.uk

What to expect

The course will start with an introspection of why you are on the workshop, asking you to creatively look into yourself to establish your life journey, your ethics, your guiding principals. This helps you to establish your goals, your purpose, your reason for studying permaculture, which will help you get more from the workshop.

We will cover the history and definitions of permaculture. We will cover the ethics and principles of permaculture, which are the bedrock upon which permaculture and sustainable living/design is built. This will be covered several times throughout the 10 days, and in different ways (including some games), so they embed themselves in slowly but surely.

We will cover many design and analysis techniques, so you are capable of using and adapting a design or analysis technique for almost any situation.
You will learn the beautiful art of observation.

We can cover various smallholding design and food growing concepts if people wish, but we anticipate most people on this workshop live in the city and probably do not have access to large pieces of land. We will therefore concentrate more on how to work with nature in designing urban spaces. We will look at community gardening, urban forest gardening and community forest gardens.

We have a unique module in which you look at your day to day energy consumption, and how you can tweak your day to day life to become more energy and time efficient.

We will cover food production, including soil fertility, water retention. We will cover how to design efficient growing spaces. We cover building and retrofitting houses and other structures, including urban techniques of cleaning waste water, making composting toilets, etc.

There will be several practicals, including
Helping to design and or make a green roof on a row of council garages
Survey and mapping a site where we will design a forest garden and food growing project
Making a wormery or compost
Pollarding or coppicing trees
Making a self sufficient raised bed system
We will cover transition towns (delivered by Duncan Law, a founder member of Transition Town Brixton).

We will include resilient economics and right livelihood. We will also include a module on using permaculture to design resilient, ethical, businesses.

You will be taught several surveying and mapping techniques, which you will then have plenty of opportunities to put into practice.

We will have a module on natural bee keeping, and be given a chance to help on some new local bee keeping projects.

There is potential for a lot more, and have built flexibility into the syllabus, so if someone from the course has a specialist subject and the group wants to hear about we can give them the space.

All the workshops will be delivered using participatory and accelerated learning techniques, so it will be a mix of different styles (people learn in different ways), so we use games, discussions, modelling, practicals, as well as a few lectures.

The course is designed to remind and reinforce subjects, so the concepts embed themselves. All the learning culminates in a group design exercise, which for most people is the best part of the workshop. You are split into small teams and each is given a project to design, over the last 4 days of the workshop. You are given the tools to hold a client interview, analyse the information and create a design. The designs are then presented back to the entire group, with feedback, followed by a celebration.

There will also be scope for optional extra activities, such as film showings, yoga classes, etc.

How to register
https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dFdjeUVDVENNSHYyOXczMENHWXFaSXc6MQ
For more information email or call Rakesh
rootsmanrak@yahoo.co.uk
07575 009 322

Training for Transition - Places available this weekend

2011-02-25T13:11:00.002Z

Training for Transition

Event Date & Time

Saturday, 5 March 2011 - 9:30am - Sunday, 6 March 2011 - 5:30pm

Location

THE HUB

5, Torrens St,

LONDON EC1V 1NQ

United Kingdom

Event organiser

Steph Bradley

Message Event Contact

Map

Satellite

Hybrid

Details

STOP PRESS
Very exceptionally we have several places left on our 2 day training for transition course in London 5/6 March.

This course costs £105, but concessions are always available.

"one of the best training workshops of any kind I have been on" (participant Nov 2010)

Training for Transition is a 2-day "fundamentals" course for those wishing to know how to set up, run, and maintain a successful Transition Initiative. It is packed with imaginative and inspiring ways to delve into both the theory and practice of Transition - download the course overview below.

The first Training for Transition was held on 19/20-Oct-07 in Totnes, and there have now been more than 70 further trainings in the UK and internationally. There are now training pools offering Training for Transition in Canada, the USA, New Zealand, Australia, and Japan. In addition we have run trainings in Italy, Hungary, Ireland, Holland, Brazil, Germany, Belgium, and China - with further trainings planned for Spain, Portugal, France, and Denmark.

This two day workshop is both a practical and informative introduction to Transition and a powerful personal journey to greater personal resilience. It weaves together practice and theory, information and experiential, our inner Transition with our outer Transition, and personal and community Transition. The feedback from participants indicates that this two day journey holds for many key insights, understanding, and awareness to help them to contribute to the most important journey of our times; the journey to a peaceful and resilient world.

Our intention in offering this training is to inspire, encourage, and inform people who wish to undertake Transition. There is plenty of glowing feedback, and now increasing evidence that those initiatives who attend the training find setting up and successfully creating a Transition Town an easier, faster, and more convivial process. By learning the nuts and bolts of what has worked in other Transition Initiatives, it empowers you to creatively apply Transition in your town, city, hamlet, or island.

Many people do this training when already involved in Transition and find it enriches and adds to their experience as well as providing opportunities for sharing experiences with others on the same journey.

Venue:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=the+Hub+Islington&fb=1&cid=2504808908679429095&li=lmd&z=14&t=m

Contact Steph Bradley training@transitionnetwork.org to book.

Next Film at Green on the Screen - Wednesday 2 March 2011

2011-02-25T12:01:00.000Z

Green on the Screen

Moors Bar, Park Road

Crouch End

Doors Open @ 7pm

Film Showing @8pm

Suggested Donation £3

The Turning Point: a return to community

The Nature Sanctuary at the Findhorn Foundation Community

The Turning Point: a return to community explores the vital importance of community in the 21st century and its role in helping us to create a life-sustaining society.

The film takes an inspiring look at some of the sustainable community solutions that have grown up over the last 20 years around the Findhorn Foundation community in Scotland. This multi-faith spiritual community, ecovillage and international centre for holistic education aspires to foster a new human consciousness and to create a positive and sustainable future.

The film also explores Community Supported Agriculture, the localisation of wind energy, egg, cheese and bread production, ecological sewage treatment, a Transition Town community garden, car pooling and adopting a local currency.

You can see clips from the film here

To RBS or not to RBS - Should we get involved in Climate Week?

2011-02-18T12:57:00.003Z

This year's Climate Week takes place from 21-27 March with Tescos, the headline partner,and with support from Aviva, EDF Energy, Kelloggs and RBS. You can see the two logos side by side (Tescos and Climate Week) on the publicity material with the Tescos's slogan, Every little bit helps standing out.

Tescos have pledged to 'become a zero-carbon business by 2050.' They plan to reduce emissions from the products they sell and in addition, help customers work on their own carbon footprints. All very worthy and we like to hold Tescos to account - see the recent Hornsey Journal article pointing out the discrepancy between their policy on food waste and their dumping 400 loaves bread during Christmas period.
http://www.hornseyjournal.co.uk/news/muswell_hill_tesco_bread_outrage_1_767211

Tescos are not offering funding but participating organisations can have their events listed or apply for an award. 'Little', indeed. However organisations that sign up will become part of a media extravaganza which includes celebrities and politicians, and a well-publicised campaign in schools and workplaces.

Tim Schmit, founder of the Eden Project in Cornwall appearing on Saturday Live last week said, 'One mustn't confuse the brand with the people that are inside it' and in 2007, he argued that the organisations 'that might make your tummy turn' were the 'very ones capable of changing the world.'

On Saturday's programme he seemed less convinced that these behemoth corporations are going to save the world: the imperative of every public limited company is to maximise profits for their shareholders, which scuppers any move to equip themselves for change. Nevertheless he still believes that these organisations contain people who were once idealists.

And there is a problem with getting the Climate Change message across, as Jolyon Jenkins found out in Radio Four's In Denial - Climate Change on the Couch.( http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00y92mn)

Too terrifying, too austere, too distant a vision of the future makes people switch off. Nomalising the idea of climate change so that it becomes discussed during ordinary day to day activities may work better. So the project, Stirling Going Carbon Neutral hopes to reach 35,000 people through rugby clubs and knitting circles; Solitaire Townsend from Futerror 'sells the sizzle' at a swishing event in Brixton.

George Marshall of Climate Change Outreach Network explains how the green agenda of climate change can actually undermine the move towards common understanding. Its assumption of a leftwing liberal stance narrows the discussion and fuels rightwing arguments of bias. He argues for example that the much loved image of the polar bear is actually counterproductive. The image is associated with the environment, but a distant environment, nothing to do with us.

So is there an argument for piggy backing on a household name, Tescos or would we be contributing to a cynical campaign that promotes their 'green credentials?'

Would we be creating a communal effort, reaching a wider audience through the media and the workplace, or are we just propping up a consumerist society through our alligning ourselves with a supermarket and a bank?

What to do?

Introduction to Permaculture at the Meadow Orchard Project

2011-02-15T17:29:00.000Z

Introduction to Permaculture
Sat 19th &o Sun 20th March 2011
9.30 – 5.30pm
Meadow Orchard Project (access at back of carpark through health centre)
Hornsey Health Centre, 151 Park Rd, Crouch End N8 8 JD

A weekend course to learn new skills and practical approaches to living in a more sustainably way in all areas of your life. The course will cover the underpinning philosophy, ethics, principles and practical tools of permaculture – an approach that is being used by individuals and grassroots community groups globally to provide some of the solutions to our common environmental, economic and social challenges.
The Meadow Orchard Project provides an interesting and inspiring venue to illustrate these principles in practice to gain insight and reflect on our actions, as well as a chance to get hands-on.

Course teachers are
James Taylor and Kate Allardyce
Meadow Orchard Project members
Cost for course £50 or £30 concession (limited further concessions available)

To register for the course please email meadoworchard@virginmedia.com or phone 07947 617563
This course is subsidized so priority will be given to regular Meadow Orchard Project volunteers and local residents. We hope to run more courses in future.
To sign up to receive regular updates for the Meadow Orchard Project see http://shepherdscothealinggarden.ning.com/

Transition Crouch End Steering Group Minutes (7.02.11)

2011-02-14T22:14:00.000Z

Transition Crouch End (TCE) Steering Group Meeting

Monday 7 February 2011, The Maynard

Present: Andy, George (Chair), Gillian (Minutes), Patrick, Rebecca, Tilly

Apologies: Catriona, Kate, Rachel

Agenda

1. Minutes

2. Magnificent Revolution Bike Workshop

3. CSA

4. Website

5. TCE AGM

6. HVCC Events

7. AOB

1. Minutes

Several matters were arising from minutes – see below.

2. Magnificent Revolution Bike Workshop

Green Lens Studio can host the workshop for £200 a day, including tea and coffee. Magnificent Revolution normally charge £40 per person, aiming to attract 20 people; it is not clear whether this includes the price of the venue. The funding from Pennies for Plastic could be used to cover the costs of the room or subsidise places on the course.

Action:

· Gillian to negotiate prices with both parties and contact Transition Finsbury Park and Belsize to assess interest.

· Rebecca to pass on Bart’s email, a TFP member who has links with cycling networks.

3. CSA

The number of farm boxes is now 12, which is not sustainable in the long term (although alternative drops at Muswell Hill and Archway have been discussed). It would be useful to feedback to the farm any issues or suggested improvements.

Action

· Sam to provide a leaflet to distribute at networking events.

· Gillian to produce a survey on the farm box to be circulated around the original list.

· Rebecca to investigate Loyalty Scheme

4. Website

The domain name can be linked to the blogspot and then migrated to a website later.

Action

· Tilly to buy domain name, www.transitioncrouchend.org.uk and link to www.transitioncrouchend.blogspot.com

· George and Gillian to explore the possibility of expanding the blogspot (or wordpress site) to include other materials e.g. events and photos.

5. TCE AGM

The most likely date will be Sunday 3 April from 2-5, including a break for tea and cakes. There will be 5 minutes input from different projects associated with TCE.

Action

Invites to the AGM as follows

Rebecca: Kathryn (River of Flowers), Caroline ( Knowing Thru Growing), Foodcycle, Debra O’Brien (Farmers’ Market)

Tilly: Sarah (Capital Growth)

George: Kate (Meadow Orchard Project), Fred (Muswell Hill Sustainability Group)

Gillian: Azul (Food from the Sky), Andrew (Pennies for Plastics), Sam (CSA), Jo (Growing in Haringey)

6. HVCC Dates

Sunday 20 March 2011 – Clean up day at the Centre, including planting the Bike Racks, and HVCC Kitchen Garden Day

Saturday 26 March 2011 – Gardening Day linking local Capital Growth spaces

Monday 30 May 2011 – May Gala – TCE to help in cafe

Early June -Table Top Sale and Give and Take Event

Permission was granted to include pictures of the HVCC Garden Day in the Newsletter.

7. AOB

Deadline for SAGRA Newletter is 1/4/11

Transition Finsbury Park plan to unleash their initiative at the Well Oiled Festival in September. Possible date for TCE would be Apple Day.

Skill Share video

2011-02-11T14:51:00.002Z

Short film about the 6 Feb 2011 Skill Share (transport and energy) & Seed Swap in Tottenham by Ilaria Vecchi.

SKILL SHARE AND SEED SWAP

2011-01-15T16:59:00.003Z

The next Sustottenham Skill Share event is on Sunday 6 February 2011, 1-5pm at Tottenham Chances, 399 High Road, N17 6QN. The theme will be transport and energy and the event is coupled with Haringey's Annual Seed Swap. The event is free.

Full programme to be posted soon, but here's a taster of what to expect:

Get your bike fixed and brought up to peak performance by Dr Bike
Cycle training tasters (weather permitting)
Your local car club explained
A presentation on DIY draught-busting
How to make money by installing solar energy on your house
A presentation by a free solar energy installer (they put up the money, you get discounted electricity bills)
Take part in an audit of Tottenham High Road
Information stall
The latest Transition Books at cost prices
Free puncture repair kits

Seed Saving Workshop?

2011-01-14T20:05:00.001Z

Summer 2011 – July to October

Why not hold a

Seed Saving Workshop?

We start with a relaxed introduction and scene-setting discussion, over a cuppa and refreshments:

* Who are we all – welcomes and introductions

* Why save seeds? Local and traditional varieties; lore, law and culture of seed-saving

Out into the host garden to look at:

* Choosing which seeds to save – good species and plants

* When and how to collect the seeds

* Selecting and improving your own varieties

Final session, over refreshments again:

* How to clean, process and store seeds

* What else to do with saved seeds – seed swaps, seed arts, edible seeds…

Practical activities will be based on the plants growing in the host garden, weather and stage of season. These are ‘knowledge-sharing’ sessions, which encourage participants to share their own experience as gardeners, tips and lore. They work best with small groups (6-12 participants).

You can run your own seed-saving workshop, or invite Seven Sisters Permaculture to lead it – offered free, donation to Growing In Haringey appreciated. You will need to provide: comfortable indoor space for initial and final discussion; refreshments; garden. Participants can be invited to bring along: samples of plants from their own garden; paper bags/envelopes; rubber bands/string; pen and notebook (cameras optional), sensible footwear. Gardening gloves and seccateurs can come in handy. Two hour session.

2012 Haringey Seed Swap – Sun 11 February

http://sevensisterspermaculture.wikispaces.com/

7SPC is part of the Growing in Haringey and Sustainable Haringey networks

Become a London Leader | London Leaders | LSDC

2011-01-14T13:01:00.000Z

Become a London Leader | London Leaders | LSDC: "Applications for the 2011 London Leaders programme are now open.

The 2011 programme will run from February 2011 to February 2012.

Successful London Leaders will receive bespoke support from the London Sustainable Development Commission and London Leaders programme team at the GLA to develop and deliver a project that demonstrates sustainability in action."

Notice from Capital Growth - Local Lead Funding -

2010-12-14T16:22:00.000Z

We have announced an exciting new opportunity for groups that already are, or would like to, run local food growing networks. Read on to find out more.
Applications from suitable organisations are invited, for a chance to receive up to £1000 per borough towards costs for being a Capital Growth Local Lead organisation. We envisage that this may fit with current activities for a number of organisations and enhance the activities you are able to deliver, or for others it may provide the opportunity to launch a network.
In particular we are encouraging community-based organisations to apply and would expect suitable organisations to already have links within their local area or to have started to build relations with local groups.
Please visit the website for more information, guidance notes and to download the application form. Deadline for submission is Friday14th January but we will be inviting further applications later in the year for boroughs where suitable organisations have not been identified.

The Capital Growth team

Peter Picking Pears...

2010-12-11T03:52:00.001Z

in the Hornsey Library Car Park,
autumn 2010

www.UrbanHarvest.org.uk

Calling all Permaculturalists, Transitioners & Visionaries of a sustainable future.

2010-12-08T14:00:00.000Z

Calling all Permaculturalists, Transitioners & Visionaries of a sustainable future.

London Permaculture Festival 2011- are looking for representatives from London's Transition initiatives and other London green groups to join the steering group,
which will plan and commission next year's event.
We're starting early, so we can really make the festival as dynamic and inclusive as possible.
Come along to the meeting to offer your expertise & support, and please let others know who may be interested.
Last year’s event was a roaring success, attracting a capacity house of over 900 people.
Next year promises to be even better.
Be a part of building a positive, sustainable vision for London.
Everyone welcome.
Our first meeting is on Tuesday, 14th December at 7-9pm
(or come at 6pm and bring some food to share).
Cecil Sharp House,
2 Regents Park Rd
London
NW1 7AY

Seed Swap Sunday -- 6 Feb 2011, noon-4pm at

2010-12-04T19:41:00.001Z

Seed Swap Sunday -- 6 Feb 2011, noon-4pm at
Tottenham Chances, 399 High Rd, N17,
as part of Sustainable Tottenham 'Skill-share' day.
(5 mins walk north of Seven Sisters station)

If you're coming along to the Skillshare Sun 5 Dec, noon - 5pm, at 
Chances, helpful if you can bring along to help make the Hyperbolic 
Crochet Coral Reef:

-- clean plastic shopping bags

-- crochet hooks -- large sizes best

(We should have enough scissors, fingers crossed, which are the other 
essential tool)

Hope to see you there -- and hope you'll join in making some coral 
creatures for the Haringey outcrop of the global Reef....

Judith


Judith Hanna
Seven Sisters Permaculture

Seed Swap Sunday -- 6 Feb 2011, noon-4pm at
Tottenham Chances, 399 High Rd, N17,
as part of Sustainable Tottenham 'Skill-share' day.
(5 mins walk north of Seven Sisters station)

Eat your weeds

2010-11-25T23:54:00.000Z

Sat 20 Nov 2010
We enjoyed a foraging ramble in Crouch End Open Spaces, (even found a bay tree), then went back for a tasting session, washed down with home-grown fennel tea.
Very satisfying eating our freshly picked salad in late November... let's see how we do in December!
www.UrbanHarvest.org.uk

Church Farm, Ardeley's 'More than a Box' Scheme

2010-11-24T23:13:00.002Z

There’s a farm called Misery, but of that we’ll have none
Because we know of one
That’s always lots of fun (Ha ha!)
And this one’s name is Jollity; believe me, folks, it’s great
For everything sings out to us as we go through the gate

All the little pigs, they grunt and howl etc, etc

Yes indeed, Church Farm is a jolly farm. If you visit, you will meet the farm you once knew from childhood stories and games. Animals graze on fields planted with a well tried mix of grasses and flowers, creating a rich mosaic of colour and textures. Glancing through a hedge to the field next door, the contrast is striking: all there is to see is the uniform expanse of an industrial monoculture.

The farm covers 175 acres which includes 30 acres of woods, 10 acres of orchard, and 2 acres of nesting grounds. There are around 150 sheep, cows and pigs, and the farm, which is also a family business, prides itself on its long tradition of rearing rare breeds. The number of poulty is in the thousands, but here again the hens and turkeys are allowed to range freely in designated places such as the orchard. One of the delights of the farm is the piglets, who can be seen playing and scrapping with each other in the feeding area. As the visitors leave, the hope is that they will have been reminded of the very real connection between land and food.

In the meantime, there is a farm called Misery. It hasn't been built yet but the planning permission for Nocton 'Mega Dairy' in Lincolnshire was passed yesterday, with the concession that they will have 3,770 cows instead of the 8,100 of the original proposal. These cows will rarely see a blade of grass. The intensive system leaves them open to many health problems, including lameness, mastitis and bacterial infections.They will be expected to produce 10,000 or more litres of milk each per year. In energy terms, that is the same as a human being running a half marathon every day for ten months of the year.

Compassion in World Farming are running a campaign to raise awareness of this first attempt at industrial farming and you can contact them on the address below. But you can also choose to source your food from a place whose aim is to 'treat the land, wildlife and animals, as they should be treated, and grow great food'.

You can find out more about the Church Farm and Crouch End box scheme by popping into the Haberdashery, Middle Lane on Thursday between 5.30 and 7pm.

For more information on the Church Farm Box Scheme: http://www.churchfarmardeley.co.uk/farmstoreandcafe/gallery/tailoryourbox.html

For more information on the Nocton Dairies:
http://www.ciwf.org.uk/news/beef_and_dairy_farming/nocton_dairies_new_application.aspx
The lyrics are from the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band.

Ooh ah Cantona

2010-11-23T23:22:00.000Z

You may have read over the weekend about Eric Cantona's latest interview in which he called for people to withdraw their cash from their banks en mass. The Guardian reported it here. The film of the interview has become a You Tube hit and spawned a campaign for a protest withdrawal.

Some commentators have pointed out that such a protest would have little affect because of the limited funds high street banks actually carry and that it would have no impact on the investment banks that were instrumental in causing the current crisis. Fair point, but there is a clear piece of direct action you can take if you are disgruntled with you bank, assuming of course you bank with one of the 'big' names. Switch you account to an ethical based bank operating on a mutual or cooperative basis, or a local Credit Union. This is a clear message you can send out to support the move toward a responsible and fair financial system.

Supporting a Credit Union is particularly beneficial as it is their aim to bring affordable credit facilities to the poorer members of our communities who are often denied access to conventional banking and are forced into the hands of loan sharks and other forms of highly undesirable money lending outfits. There is a move to establish a Credit Union in Haringey and you can pledge your support for it here.

So go on strike a blow for fair banking, support your local Credit Union and put your money where your mouth is!

The Fabulous Haringey Fungus Foray - 31 Oct 2010

2010-11-10T23:23:00.001Z

Fantastic free fungus foray, held every Autumn by the London Natural History Society.
And at the end of the day they cook and serve the edible ones!
If you're keen on mushrooms, here's the group for you: http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/londonfungi/

www.UrbanHarvest.org.uk

Flash apple mob!

2010-11-10T22:38:00.001Z

guerilla juicing by the clocktower in crouch end on 18 sep 2010, to publicise apple day
www.UrbanHarvest.org.uk

Harvesting apples & pears in Bruce Castle Park 2 Nov 2010

2010-11-10T19:04:00.000Z

to join in, see www.UrbanHarvest.org.uk

Sustainable #Tottenham skill share in full effect on Twitpic

2010-11-09T12:44:00.001Z

Sustainable Haringey got "down with waste!" at the ReFuse! Skill Share on 7 November at Tottenham Chances. Follow us on twitter @SustHSkillShare.
Sustainable #Tottenham skill share in full effect on Twitpic

Pirate ship made from a recycled milk bottle at sustainable t... on Twitpic

2010-11-09T12:24:00.001Z

Pirate ship made from a recycled milk bottle at sustainable t... on Twitpic

Down with Waste! Skill Share 7 November 2010 @ Tottenham Chances

2010-11-01T13:23:00.003Z

DOWN WITH WASTE! @ Tottenham Chances, 399 High Road, N17 6QN
TIMETABLE

11:00-1:00 Autumn Gathering
Meeting of the Sustainable Haringey Network – next steps
ALL WELCOME!

1:00-2:30 - LUNCH
(delicious food to share together)

2:00–4:30 Skill Share Workshops & discussions

4:30—5:00 Closing Circle

WORKSHOP PROGRAMME

* Fashion show of second hand clothes
* Children’s workshop on recycled art
* Quiz on what does and doesn’t go into
council recycling green box
* Knitting using yarn made from plastic bags
* Build a pirate ship from a plastic milk bottle
* B.Green: design new clothes recycling your jeans
* Display of bookmaking re-using A4 paper
* Children’s workshop drum making and
playing from recycled materials
* Furniture & art displays from recycled
products
* Presentation on “cutting waste, cutting
carbon and creating jobs”
* Model-making demo from rubbish by 8 year old Josie Smith
* Film: Material Resource Facility (where green box items are sorted)
* Trouble shooting workshop for computers and electronic equipment
* Treasure basket for babies and toddlers

4.30—5.00 - CLOSING CIRCLE

Organised by and for local residents -

Meeting 28th October: Skill Share @ Tottenham Chances

2010-10-26T17:46:00.002+01:00


Our next meeting to discuss the upcoming ReFuse! Skill Share is this
Thursday, 28th October 7pm at Tottenham Chances, 399 High Road, N17 6QN

All welcome!

Please get in touch if you can contribute time to help make this a
wonderful event: Wendy 07908 705 377 or email Joyce Rosser:
jrosser@lineone.net

Please see minutes of the last meeting and our latest Flyer here:
http://haringeyskillshare.wikispaces.com/Re-UseCyclePair

Council officer makes pride of Britain shortlist: Haringey Council

2010-10-25T11:46:00.000+01:00

Neighbourhood's officer Leyla Laksari is one of four Londoners shortlisted for this year's Pride of Britain awards.

She will be featured in ITV's London Tonight on Monday 25 October, 6pm, where a short film will showcase her achievements in developing the Living Under One Sun (LUOS) healthy living project in Haringey.

Leyla works within the Northumberland Park and White Hart Lane Neighbourhood Management Service and has 28 years as a parent, school governor, teacher, community activist and project officer behind her.

Northumberland Park is one of the most deprived areas in the country with Neighbourhood teams tasked with helping often disaffected groups access services and engage with community activities.

Leyla describes her work as "actionism" and revels in the challenge her job brings.

The Living under One Sun (LUOS) healthy living project is one of Leyla's most impressive achievements.

It was set up to help reduce crime and vandalism at the local adventure playground, bringing mothers and local women of different ethnicities to meet, cook and share stories of their lives.

Soon this developed into a platform for accessing services, training community leaders and founding more community projects.

LUOS embraces the core values of Haringey's Sustainable Community Strategy which puts communities right at the heart of change, shaping and driving developments.

Council officer makes pride of Britain shortlist: Haringey Council

Transition Crouch End: We are all in this together; whether we like it or not!

2010-10-23T22:31:00.000+01:00

With the release of the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review the media is full of talks of cuts and speculation on how different social groups or individuals will be affected. Appropriately there is concern expressed across the media on how the poorer sections of society and particularly those on welfare benefits will fare as a result of these public spending reductions. However what I want to consider is not what these cuts will mean to your economic circumstances but how they will affect your wellbeing.

Transition Crouch End: We are all in this together; whether we like it or not!

Apple Day fun

2010-10-22T19:45:00.000+01:00

Films Coming up in Haringey

2010-10-22T17:54:00.002+01:00

Following the success of the screening of “The Age of Stupid” last December we are pleased to announce we will be showing two Environmental Films this year, one in November and one in December. We would welcome representation from Sustainable Haringey at these events and if you could be kind enough to forward to your members or any other interested parties details of the event it would be appreciated. These films will be shown at the Marcus Garvey Library and admission is free, refreshments will be served, details are as follows.

Thursday 11th November @ 7pm

Manufactured Landscapes directed by Jennifer Baichwal

In the 21st century, industrial expansion has taken a devastating toll on the environment. From China's mountains of computer waste to the overcrowded skylines of Shanghai, commercial development has left an indelible mark on the landscape. Jennifer Baichwal's touching film draws on the work of renowned photographer Edward Burtynsky to illustrate her point. MANUFACTURED LANDSCAPES treads similar ground to eco-docs AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH and THE 11TH HOUR, yet still manages to inform and inspire.

Thursday 9th December @ 7pm

‘A Crude Awakening’ directed by Basil Gelpke

A Crude Awakening is the kind of film that, if it doesn't give you at least a nightmare or two, then it's hard to imagine what exactly would frighten you. A scarifying work that's less a documentary than an extended debate or lecture (like An Inconvenient Truth without the slideshow and studio audience), the film tries to answer a question that seems to have mostly fallen by the wayside in much of the recent discussion about the environment and energy policy. It's a two-part question, actually: When is the oil going to run out, and what's going to happen when it does?

Apple Day 2010

2010-10-21T11:14:00.001+01:00

Crouch End's second annual Apple Day on 16 October 2010 attracted over 400
people. They came to drink apple juice, fresh from the press, and to
taste over a dozen different varieties of English apples and
pears. Children were encouraged to press their own juice, take part
in the Longest Peel Competition and make vegetable monsters, which could later
be turned into nutritious soup.

Source Transition Crouch End Apple Day 2010

More about sharing schemes

2010-10-20T13:16:00.001+01:00

Described here, with lots of links!

Why buy stuff when you can share it with your neighbours?

Budget Day protests - Wednesday October 20th

2010-10-20T12:12:00.001+01:00

>A reminder about the local anti-cuts Budget-Day lunchtime demonstration at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CoHENEL), Tottenham High Rd at 1pm (organised by the teachers union branch there) - all welcome.

This will be followed by 2 London-wide marches to Downing Street:

- Trades Unions and community groups assemble 4.30-5.30pm - Lincolns Inn Fields, WC1 (Holborn tube). Rally with speakers starts 5pm.
- Students assemble 4pm outside University of London Union, Malet Street.

Then both will march to 10 Downing Street for another rally at 6pm, where speakers include Tony Benn, Caroline Lucas MP, Rev Jesse Jackson, Jeremy Dear (NUJ) and Dot Gibson (National Pensioners Convention)

OVER 200 PEOPLE TAKE TO THE STREETS OF HARINGEY AHEAD OF BUDGET CUTS ANNOUNCEMENT

2010-10-20T11:49:00.003+01:00

OVER 200 PEOPLE TAKE TO THE STREETS OF HARINGEY AHEAD OF BUDGET CUTS ANNOUNCEMENT

Report from Indymedia 19th October 2010

Over 200 people took to the streets of Haringey to protest against proposed cuts to public services. Local residents and workers responded to a call by Haringey Alliance for Public Services, and marched to the Civic Centre in Wood Green.

At the rally, on Monday 18th October, protestors called on Haringey councillors to demand adequate government funding, reject privatisation, and oppose and refuse to implement cuts – or resign.

Haringey Sustainable Foodnews

2010-10-17T19:51:00.001+01:00

SusTottenham and Sustainable Haringey present
Sunday 7th November
At Tottenham Chances, 399 Tottenham High Road, N17
Entry free – why not drop into the morning or afternoon sessions, or both!
11am – 1pmAutumn Gathering
Meeting of the Sustainable Haringey network – the next steps…
1pm – 2pmLunch - sharing food together
2pm – 4.30pm Down With Waste!

Skill Sharing and discussions…

Refuse * Reduce * Re-use Repair * Recycle

Presentations, workshops to join in, and displays to take in and enjoy including:

Fashion show of second hand clothes
Children’s workshop on recycled art + children’s clothes swap shop
Wood works wonders – using recycled wood
What does and doesn’t go into the green box?
“How to build a pirate ship from plastic milk bottle” workshop
Interactive skill share wall
Council recycling information
Food waste and home composting
What is a Material Resource Facility?
“Cut waste, cut carbon and create jobs” – Friends of the Earth
Children’s workshop on making drums
Knitting with “pharn” (yarn made from plastic bags)
And Techie stuff

All welcome – why not come and share your skills and learn new ones!

HARINGEY ALLIANCE CALLS 'EVE-OF-BUDGET' MARCH AND RALLY ON MONDAY OCT 18th TO RESIST CUTS AND DEFEND VITAL LOCAL PUBLIC SERVICES

2010-10-17T19:45:00.003+01:00

Local residents and workers to march to Full Council session, calling on Haringey Councillors to demand adequate government funding, reject privatisation, and oppose and refuse to implement cuts.

- Assembling 5.30pm at Wood Green Library. Marching to Civic Centre, N22 for a rally there at 6.30pm.

A recently formed alliance is urging everyone who lives or works in Haringey to join together in resisting central government cuts to local services. The Government will be announcing its controversial National Budget on October 20th. The Haringey Alliance for Public Services (HAPS) is calling on local people to show their opposition to proposed cuts by joining a march from Wood Green Library (5.30pm) to a rally outside Wood Green Civic Centre (6.30pm) on Monday 18th October where the Council will be holding a full meeting of all the borough's Councillors.

Over 120 anti-cuts protestors braved a very wet autumn evening on September 14th to show their opposition before the last Council Cabinet meeting. HAPS are hoping for a good turnout again on Monday 18th. Community groups and trade union branches are being encouraged to bring their banners and to speak at the rally about the services they provide and use.

Haringey Council estimates it will make £60m cuts over the next four years. This is on top of the £17m which Central Government has already cut from our local services in the last 4 months. If these cuts go unchallenged, threatening further privatisation of our public services, it will prove devastating for all sections of our local communities. This is why HAPS is encouraging everyone from across the borough to get involved.

HAPS is also supporting the national anti-Budget mass protests in Central London on Budget Day (Oct 20th) and the following Saturday (Oct 23rd)

Joan Curtis of Haringey Friends of Parks Forum (affiliated to HAPS) said: “Friends of parks groups have worked hard to rescue our local green spaces from the scandalous state they got in after Government cuts in the 1980s. We must not let this happen again, and urge all residents to attend the demonstration and to speak out.'

Michelle Lawson of HAPS Publicity Group said: “These cuts are not inevitable. The Government's propaganda and myths are being increasingly challenged as local campaigns like ours spring up throughout the country.'

Background

1. This press release has been produced by the HAPS Publicity Group. For more information contact: Dave on 020 8211 0916 or Jane on 07817 483167. Or email haps@haringey.org.uk

2. Haringey Alliance for Public Services has been set up as a network of local residents groups, trade unionists, political organisations, community activists and other concerned individuals - it is open to all those living or working in Haringey. We support opposition to the running down, closure or privatisation of any local public services, and support campaigning for improvements.

3. Contrary to current Government propaganda, the current level of public debt is not unusual historically (being in fact on the low side compared to the last 200 years). Moreover, if Government is claiming it needs to 'balance its books', there are alternatives to the cuts already proposed – for example, at least £80bn could be saved by scrapping Trident nuclear weapons, the colossal subsidies from public funds earmarked to prop up the banking system could be redirected to our vital front-line services, tens of billions could be raised by ending systematic corporate tax-evasion, and the richest 1,000 people in the UK (who between them own a shocking £330 billion according to the Sunday Times 'Rich List') could be properly taxed. The fact that none of these are being considered, let alone implemented, indicates that the Government has chosen to embark on an ideological war against public services and the welfare state.

4. People interested in regular updates can sign up at the new HAPS website: www.hapsnews.net

5. The following is a list of groups whose members have attended HAPS meetings so far: Friends of Downhills Park, AJAMU, Communication Workers Union, Public & Commercial Services Union, GMB, Haringey Green Party, North London Community House, Day-Mer, Haringey Unison (local government & health), Haringey TUC, Haringey Solidarity Group, Haringey Federation of Residents’ Associations, Better Local Healthcare Campaign, Socialist Party, Socialist Workers Party, Socialist Resistance, Unite, CoHENEL University and College Union, Haringey Friends of Parks Forum, Sustainable Haringey, Haringey Forum for Older People, Noel Park North Residents' Association, Woodlands Park Residents' Association, Haringey Age Concern, Burghley Road Area Residents' Association, National Union of Journalists, National Union of Teachers, Muswell Hill & Highgate Pensioners' Action Group, Friends of Woodside Park, Bounds Green Ward Labour Party.

We will need ‘2 Earths’ to sustain our lifestyle | Metro.co.uk

2010-10-15T09:23:00.000+01:00

Our take up of food, land, natural minerals and animals has doubled in under 50 years, says new research.

Britain came 31st in a list of countries based on their ‘ecological footprint’ – the amount of land and sea each person needs to provide the food, clothes and other products they consume.

The country has ‘improved’ from having the 15th biggest footprint two years ago – but this is down to an increase in other countries’ impact rather than a reduction in Britain.

Wildlife in tropical countries is also under huge pressure, with populations of species falling by 60 per cent in three decades, the report by WWF, the Zoological Society of London and the Global Footprint Network said.

We will need ‘2 Earths’ to sustain our lifestyle | Metro.co.uk

The Crude Awakening - this Saturday, Central London, 10am!

2010-10-14T20:50:00.000+01:00

fwded from: www.climatecamp.org.uk

The Crude Awakening - this Saturday, Central London, 10am!
Together, on 16 October, let’s give the oil industry a really Crude Awakening....

Our climate system is rapidly sliding into crisis, as oil companies destroy people's lives and the environment to keep sucking up their profits. Oil saturates every aspect of our lives. Oil profits lubricate the financial markets and its sponsorship clings like a bad smell to our cultural institutions. It flows through pipelines to the petrol stations, airports and factories of our cities.

The failure of the UN COP15 process showed us – if there was ever any doubt – that government and industry can’t tackle climate change. It’s up to us. It’s time to up the ante.

As a movement, our actions against coal and aviation have made a real difference. Now oil’s time is up. Together, on October 16, let's give the oil industry a Crude Awakening.

Meet in central London [See how and where, below]. Be ready to move, to HOLD A SPACE and to leave that space in a way that shows we've been there.

Be creative. Be prepared. Be there.

Find out more, get involved and sign up for text alerts at www.crudeawakening.org.uk Facebook: http://bit.ly/c6S0kg
Twitter: @crudeawake

Crude Awakening is part of the Climate Justice Action global week of action for climate justice. Crude Awakening is supported by: Space Hijackers, Climate Camp, Plane Stupid, Rising Tide, Liberate Tate, Laboratory of Insurrectionary Imagination, UK Tar Sands Network, and Earth First.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is it. 3 days to go. Oil - time's up!

So this one is going to be short and sweet. Here's your final checklist.

1. Sign up to your bloc. Will it be Dirty Money, Building Bloc or Body
Bloc? The choice is yours - but do it now, because sign ups close at
midnight on Friday night. If you don't have a phone, not to worry, just
turn up on the day - there will be plenty of people around you receiving
texts and word of mouth will do the trick.
http://www.crudeawakening.org.uk/node/12

2. Pack your bag. Bring a zone 1-2 travelcard or Oyster card (unregistered
or not, your call). Tuck a tenner into your wallet and you can stay away
from overpriced tourist food. If we get held up somewhere for a bit, it
might also be sensible to have your own food and water with you. Don't
bring anything that could be construed as a weapon or that won't easily
fit on the tube.

3. What to wear. The forecast is looking good, but this is London in
October: prepare for whatever the weather might throw at us with warm
clothes and waterproofs. The Space Hijackers will be running a mobile
'climate laundry', so you could bring old jackets, jumpers, etc. to swap
for the latest in activist chic... which could also come in handy for
staying low-profile.

4. Stay in touch. Bring your phone to receive text alerts (of course!). If
you've got a fancy phone that can tweet and take photos, follow us on
twitter @crudeawake and use the hashtag #crudeawake in your tweets. You
can also email photos to us at crudeawakening2010@gmail.com and we'll
upload them to the online photo gallery. Although as always, be careful
when taking photos and video of people taking direct action, and make sure
any footage that goes public won't get anyone in trouble later on.

5. Know your rights. Read the legal briefing and follow the advice given.

6. Stick together. Bring a friend! Your flatmate, your sister, your
work-mate... you never know who might be up for it. Pair up with your
'buddy' (or find one on the day) and agree to watch out for each other
throughout the day. Keep close to your buddy and/or your affinity group,
and stay in your bloc as we move through London.

7. Keep calm and carry on. We'll be on the streets and on tubes surrounded
by members of the public. Let's act purposefully - because we are here for
a reason. Things may get chaotic, but if we keep calm, act strategically,
and work together to overcome whatever barriers may stand in our way,
we'll get to our destinations, and - fingers crossed - pull off an
incredibly effective and inspiring Crude Awakening.

8. Get inspired. Talk to your friends. Check out the website for thoughts
on why we're doing this, and some great videos that give you some how-to
tips. Make something beautiful to bring along. Get ready to make your
mark.

See you on the streets! The forecast says sunshine. We can't wait...

Waste Skill Share in North London

2010-10-10T21:38:00.001+01:00

SusTottenham and Sustainable Haringey present

Sunday 7th November

At Tottenham Chances, 399 Tottenham High Road, N17

Entry free – why not drop into the morning or afternoon sessions, or both!

11am – 1pm Autumn Gathering

Meeting of the Sustainable Haringey network – the next steps…

1pm – 2pm Lunch - sharing food together

2pm – 4.30pm Down With Waste!

Skill Sharing and discussions…

Refuse * Reduce * Re-use Repair * Recycle

Presentations, workshops to join in, and displays to take in and enjoy including:

* Fashion show of second hand clothes

* Children’s workshop on recycled art + children’s clothes swap shop

* Wood works wonders – using recycled wood

* What does and doesn’t go into the green box?

* “How to build a pirate ship from plastic milk bottle” workshop

* Interactive skill share wall

* Council recycling information

* Food waste and home composting

* What is a Material Resource Facility?

* “Cut waste, cut carbon and create jobs” – Friends of the Earth

* Children’s workshop on making drums

* Knitting with “pharn” (yarn made from plastic bags) – demonstration

* And much more!!!!!

All welcome – why not come and share your skills and learn new ones!

www. sustainableharingey.org.uk - http://haringeyskillshare.wikispaces.com - sustottenham.wikispaces.com

Organised by and for local residents, based on freely-given time and effort. Financial support from Haringey Council

Autumn Gathering: Refuse * Reduce * Re-use * Repair * Recycle

2010-10-10T21:24:00.003+01:00

SusTottenham and Sustainable Haringey present

Sunday 7th November – Gathering & SkillShare

@ Tottenham Chances, 399 High Road, N17

Entry free – why not drop into the morning or afternoon sessions, or both!
11am – 1pm Autumn Gathering
Meeting of the Sustainable Haringey network – the next steps
1pm – 2pm Lunch - sharing food together
2pm – 4.30pm Down With Waste! Skill Sharing and discussions…
Refuse * Reduce * Re-use * Repair * Recycle
2pm – 4.30pm The afternoon session is for practical presentations, workshops to join in, and displays to take in and enjoy including: Fashion show of second-hand clothes; Children’s workshop on recycled art, + childrens clothes swap shop; Wood works wonders using recycled wood; What does and doesn’t go into the green box?; How to build a pirate ship from plastic milk bottles; Interactive skill share wall; Recycling information; Food waste and home composting; What’s a Material Resource Facility?; Cut waste, cut carbon and create jobs; Children’s workshop on making drums; Knitting with pharn (yarn made from plastic bags) demonstration... And much more. All welcome. Why not come and share your skills and learn new ones?!

Organised by and for local residents, based on freely-given time and effort. Financial support from Haringey Council
http://haringeyskillshare.wikispaces.com - sustottenham.wikispaces.com - www.sustainableharingey.org.uk ►►►

The SPTechBlog: Where Is SharePoint Heading?

2010-10-09T08:06:00.000+01:00

The SPTechBlog: Where Is SharePoint Heading?

'It’s moving into the cloud. “That’s a win-win economically for Microsoft and our customers,” Spataro said. “It’s a new way to abstract away the complexity of keeping SharePoint up and running. We want to lead the drive into the cloud.”'

10 Things You Can Do to Reduce Carbon!!!

2010-10-09T08:02:00.000+01:00

We all cut our carbon by 10% starting this year. You, me, your work, your school, the council, the church, the chip shop. Everyone.
In our homes, in our workplaces, and in our hospitals, our galleries and football clubs and universities, we’ll be helping each other take the first steps towards a better future.

Ten things you can do to save yourself money (and lower your carbon use)
1. Find your house thermostat and turn it down
2. Draught proof your windows
3. Look in your loft – is the insulation sufficient?
4. Line your curtains and close them at dusk
5. Don’t leave appliances on standby
6. Dry clothes outside not in the tumbledrier
7. Use tap water not bottled water
8. Change to low energy light bulbs
9. Have at least one meat free day a week
10. Walk or cycle part of your journey to work

WHY NOT JOIN US? Sign up on our website www.sustainableharingey.org.uk or the 10:10 website www.1010global.org

Crude Awakening - Stand Your Ground

2010-10-08T09:40:00.000+01:00

Tim Jackson's economic reality check | Video on TED.com

2010-10-06T15:01:00.000+01:00

Tim Jackson's economic reality check | Video on TED.com

Rober1236 Jua the Cyber Trekker of Second Life

Come and join us at the Sustainable Food Skill Share for a feast of sustainable food activities

2010-10-01T08:12:00.003+01:00

11am - Foraging Walk. Meet Mill Mead Rd, N17 at the Corner of Ferry Lane

11am-1pm

- Collective food preparation event; bring your own home grown produce to share
- Library, Children's Activities
- Film showing, Tea/coffee and cake . . .

1pm-2pm
- Lunch

2-4pm
- Workshops - details HERE

4-4.30pm
- TALK: Where next for community food growing projects

4.30-6pm
- Open Space to discuss where next for local food growing

6pm-late
- Dinner and self-organising entertainment . . .

New book on 'collaborative consumption'

2010-09-28T14:57:00.004+01:00

Reviewed and described here, this ought to be of interest to people interested in sustainability -- even if some of it is a bit heavy with internet jargon. A lot of it is obvious when you think about it - why buy tools that you only plan to use once in a while when you can share them with your neighbours? New media and social networks does make this easier, though if we lived in more community-minded neighbourhoods then a noticeboard and a hanging pencil would probably work as well.

There are lots of initiatives like this starting at the moment, some of which seem to have a presence in Haringey - I've joined a local Streetbank group. Ecomodo seems to do the same thing, and I wish someone would do a comparison of the two. Justfortheloveofit.org proclaims itself the world's fastest-growing alternative economy - again, a bit of a delusion of grandeur, but worth a look.

Ultimately, green 'unconsumerism' is just the flip side of green consumerism - finding ways not to buy stuff is good, but it doesn't lead to an alternative economic system that provides us with livelihoods, pensions, and a properly funded welfare state, as well as the stuff that we want. For that we really would need to re-engineer the economy from top to bottom.

Lots of juicing

2010-09-15T23:41:00.000+01:00

The Urban Harvest press had an outing to St Ann's hospital in the morning, then the Margaret McMillan Nursery School in the afternoon - both have fabulous gardens full of fruit, and we made delicious apple and pear juice.

Cheers!

2010-09-09T19:32:00.001+01:00

The Urban Harvest Apple Press gets its first outing - juicing apples and pears at the forest garden in Crouch End

Skills Share

2010-09-06T22:42:00.000+01:00

Streetbank...

2010-08-30T08:00:00.001+01:00

...looks like the sort of thing Sustainable Haringey People ought to know about. Have a look at the web site - http://www.streetbank.com/

The Lordship Rec Community Festival 2010

2010-08-23T16:39:00.000+01:00

Incorporating the 'Make A Change' sports extravaganza and the 'Tottenham Green Fair'
Lordship Rec, Lordship Lane, Tottenham N17
Saturday Sept 11th
1pm-5pm (sports from 12noon)

Activities include: Tottenham Flower & Produce Show, Dog Agility Show, Cycling Activities & Dr Bike, Fun Run, Performances & DJ, Community Cafe, Skateboarding/BMXing, Football Tournament, Netball, Tennis, Aerobics, Martial Arts, Rugby, Arts and Crafts for Under-5s and for older children, Pedal-powered Stage, History Displays, Pond-Dipping & Bug Hunt, Adventure Play, Children's Procession, Picnics and Community Stalls

Showcasing our communities and the potential of Tottenham's largest park
- Tottenham residents organise showcase festival whilst awaiting £4m Lottery funding final decision on Sept 28th!

Once again the annual Lordship Rec Community Festival will be showcasing the talents and concerns of Tottenham's communities. Co-ordinated through the Lordship Rec Users Forum, this year's festival incorporates the Council's 'Make A Change' sports extravaganza and the 'Tottenham Green Fair' organised by Back 2 Earth. As always, the emphasis is on active particpation in the wide range of activities at the event, including the Tottenham Flower & Produce Show, Dog Agility Show, Cycling Activities & Dr Bike, Fun Run, Performances & DJ, Community Cafe and Cream Teas, Skateboarding/BMXing, the Andre Linton Football Tournament, Netball, Tennis, Aerobics, Martial Arts, Rugby, Arts and Crafts for Under-5s and for older children, Pedal-powered Stage, History Displays, Pond-Dipping & Bug Hunt, Adventure Play, Children's Procession, Picnics and Community Stalls. Over 70 local volunteers will be helping the day go smoothly.

We will also be showcasing the potential of Lordship Rec and encouraging more people to use Tottenham’s largest green space. The Lordship Rec Users Forum has co-ordinated years of discussion, public consultation, and partnership-working between the Friends of Lordship Rec, the Council, Back To Earth projects, and other groups. Due to those community-driven efforts, and massive support from local people, the park has now been provisionally earmarked £4m from the Lottery. We’ll get this as long as the HLF are satisfied with the additional 'match-funding' that's been raised and with the detailed designs for the planned improvements. The HLF will decide on September 28th 2010!

The plans include a new environmental centre, a city farm, restoration of the river, the Shell Theatre and model traffic area, improved maintenance and management… and much more! Together over the last few years we’ve already created new active play areas, some new pathways and flower beds, a new children's playground, the restoration of the lake area and woodlands, and on-site staffing.

' These are exciting times for Tottenham's largest park - we’d like as many people as possible to help publicise the festival and the community-led regeneration plans, and to get actively involved.' - Dave Morris, Chair of the Lordship Rec Users Forum (Festival Joint Co-ordinator)

Festival Contacts:
Lordship Rec Users Forum: dmorris@onetel.com
Back 2 Earth: felix@back2earth.org.uk
Make A Change: tanya.adair@haringey.gov.uk

General Info:
For more info, and to get actively involved in the regeneration of Lordship Rec, check out...
Friends of Lordship Rec: www.lordshiprec.org.uk
Haringey Council: www.haringey.gov.uk/lordshiprec

UK government axes its sustainability watchdog

2010-07-22T15:03:00.000+01:00

BBC News - UK government axes its sustainability watchdog: "The UK government is to stop funding the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC), its independent environmental watchdog and advisory body."