Permaculture courses in Bristol, some starting soon - places available!

Hello, These courses are booking up, but there are still places, including concessionary places available and some starts oon, please also pass this on to any friends, family etc who might be interested. Thanks and best wishes, Ruth O'Brien

*Introduction to Permaculture, The Create Centre, Smeaton Road, Bristol
8weekly sessions, 6.30-8.30pm, Tue evenings (6pm-8pm on Tue, 22th Sept)& 2 Sat morning sessions on 10th Oct & 7th Nov, from 15th Sept2009

*Introduction to Permaculture Weekend at Windmill Hill City Farm, Bedminster, Bristol
Oct 17th-18th, 2009

*Practical Introduction to Permaculture, Windmill Hill City Farm, Bristol
10 weekly sessions, 9.30am-12.30pm from Tues Sept 29th & Thurs 4th May 2010

*Residential Weekend at Ragman's Lane Farm, Forest of Dean
November 13th - 15th, 2009

PLEASE SEE BELOW OR http://ruthobrienpermaculture.wordpress.com FOR MORE INFO ON TIMES, COST, BOOKINGS ETC, CHEERS

Come and find out more about Permaculture. From the ethics and philosophy to the principles and design, with inspiring examples of Permaculture inpractice, these courses aim to give you a good basic understanding of what Permaculture means. Get together with others to share common interests and explore how you can start to put Permaculture into action in your own lives. No experience necessary, just an interest in sustainability and working towards it.
All courses are informal, relaxed and participatory. Most courses involve indoor and outdoor sessions including talks and discussions, slideshows, nature walks,visits, group work, practical projects, games.

Taking an introductory course will enable you to go on to do a Full Design Course later.
Please see below for listings.

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Introduction to Permaculture Weekend at Windmill Hill City Farm, Bedminster, Bristol
Oct 17th-18th, 2009
Fromthe ethics and philosophy to principles and design. Informal, relaxedand participatory courses with inspiring examples of how it works inpractice and some practical work on the permaculture plot at the CityFarm.
Weekend intro courses are a good way to meet people in your area who are into sustainability.
Cost £65-£25 on a sliding scale depending on income. Please email course_enquiries@yahoo.co.uk or phone Ruth on 07949 294364 for more information and bookings.
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Practical Introduction to Permaculture, Windmill Hill City Farm, Bristol
10 weekly sessions, 9.30am-12.30pm from Tues Sept 29th & Thurs 4th May 2010
Runjointly with the WEA (Workers Educational Association) these 10 weekintroductory courses are practical and participatory ( you have to getinvolved!).
We spend some sessions indoors exploring whatPermaculture is, talking about our experiences, doing group exercises,looking at slides of permaculture projects, playing games and generallyhaving fun.

Outdoor sessions are spent out and about on the farm, particularly at the permaculture plot which we have been given todevelop. Examples of the kind of practical work the course may involveare making and planting a deep mulch raised bed, taking fruit bushcuttings or making a worm composter to take home. We also go on walksto observe nature in the local area and on a fantastic trip to othercommunity gardens and allotments in Bristol to see permaculture inaction.
Cost £110 (to be confirmed) or £15 concessions for thosewith under £15,000 income. Please contact Windmill Hill City Farm on0117 9633252 for bookings.
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Introduction to Permaculture, The Create Centre, Smeaton Road, Bristol
8weekly sessions, 6.30-8.30pm, Tue evenings (6pm-8pm on Tue, 22th Sept)& 2 Sat morning sessions on 3rd Oct & 7th Nov, from 15th Sept2009
This course is run through the adult learning service,based at the Stoke Lodge Centre. You can either register and pay online(and find more info about the course) atwww.bristol.gov.uk/adultlearning (the course is called introduction topermaculture, the fees are £40/£80, and the course code is WB7060ACC),or you can get hold of a prospectus at local libraries and council runcommunity centres etc (it is A4, titled Adult Learning Service) orangecover with lots of portraits of people doing course activities). Thephone number of Stoke Lodge is 0117 9038844.
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Residential Weekend at Ragman's Lane Farm, Forest of Dean
November 13th - 15th, 2009
Coursecosts: £110 - £65 on a sliding scale depending on income, concessionrate places are limited. The cost of the course includes accomodation,two evening meals and breakfasts. Weekend courses are from Friday night(6pm onward arrival) until Sunday 5pm. Please email course_enquiries@yahoo.co.uk or phone Ruth on 07949 294364 for more information and bookings.

Parks Events

> Community Networking Fair Saturday 26 September 2009
>
> Bristol Civic Society has organised a networking fair for all
> Neighbourhood Planning Network and other community groups to meet each
> other and exchange information on issues that affect a number of them. All
> park groups are invited. The fair is intended to get local groups working
> together on issues, such as the Ashton Gate stadium, the south Bristol
> Tesco, the Regional Spatial Strategy housing development proposals, or the
> Bus Rapid Transit, that affect many parts of Bristol. Many groups working
> together as a united front are far more effective than are individuals
> tackling the issues piecemeal.
>
> Date: Saturday, 26 September 2009
>
> Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
>
> Place: The main hall, Southville Centre, Beauley Road, Southville, Bristol
> BS3 1QG
>
> Schedule: Alison Bromilow, Administrator for the Bristol Neighbourhood
> Planning Network, and Alan Morris, Chair of the Bristol Civic Society,
> will make opening remarks at 10:00 a.m.
>
> A more detailed timetable will be available nearer the date.
>
> Description: Tables will be set up in the hall for local groups to display
> information about their organisations and the work they do. Groups are
> welcome to bring as little or as much as they like (leaflets, posters,
> display boards, etc.) though the centre imposes an additional charge if
> electricity is required. Lunch will not be provided, but the centre has a
> café on site, just outside the main hall.
>
> Purpose: The networking fair will be a chance for members of local
> organisations to meet and mingle with other community-based groups in an
> informal, social atmosphere.
>
> For further details please contact Janine Derry
> janine.derry@googlemail.com 0117 907 8798
>
> ---------------------
>
> Community Green Spaces Seminar Sat 5 September Eden Project
>
> Sorry about the late notice for this...
>
> A series of inspirational talks, discussions, and practical activities
> which will explore the benefits of community owned and managed green
> spaces.
>
> This informal seminar will provide an opportunity for members of local
> communities and community practitioners to share experiences and develop
> and implement ideas for local green spaces.
>
> The day will include talks from local projects and organisations which are
> using green spaces to bring the community together around growing, sharing
> and socialising.
>
> Entry is free for community groups.
>
> More details at www.bristolparksform.org.uk/CommunityGreenSpaces.pdf
>
> ---------------------
>
> Play Pathfinder Project
>
> There is a new website featuring the play areas in Bristol's parks that
> are receiving investment from the Pathfinder scheme. See
> www.goplacestoplay.org.uk
>
> If these schemes are being implemented in your park we would like to hear
> your views on the consultation process and the results.
>
> ---------------------
>
> Parks Welcome Notice
>
> In an earlier email I suggested a format for a welcome sign giving contact
> details for Bristol Parks, the Police and Park Groups. If you are thinking
> about producing a similar sign please check with your CPO before you
> include their name or names of other people in Parks. It is my view that
> the names of those responsible for managing and maintaining parks should
> appear on such signs but it seems that some people in Parks disagree.
>
> ---------------------
>
> Bristol Tree Forum
>
> The next Tree Forum is on Sat 12th Sept , 9.30a.m. at Windmill Hill City
> Farm. Membership criteria is the same as BPF i.e fairly loose, but with
> only 1 rep per group. If you would like to go along email
> info@bristolparksforum.org.uk and your email will reach Hugh who is chair
> of the Tree Forum as well as being Vice Chair of the BPF. Minutes of the
> last meeting can be found via links at
> www.bristolparksforum.org.uk/trees.htm
>
> ---------------------

Knowle West Futures Conference, 8 Sept 2009, The Park

Click on the image to see a larger version.

Organic Fortnight - 5-20 September 2009

http://www.soilassociation.org/Takeaction/Organicfortnight/tabid/244/Default.aspx


Organic Fortnight - 5-20 September 2009


Organic Fortnight is a nationwide campaign highlighting all the great
things about organic. Up and down the UK, people in shops, schools,
cafes, churches and farms will be hosting events and raising awareness
about why organic is the healthy choice, the best for animal welfare
and the right thing for the planet.


Organic values on a budget
As we all look to make each pound go further, organic offers genuine
good value. The benefits stretch far beyond great-tasting,
additive-free food and drink. If we want food, beauty products or
clothes which don’t just taste, look and feel good, but which are
environmentally-friendly, healthy and have the highest animal welfare
standards in the UK too, then organic gives us just that.


For more reasons why organic offers so much for your money, check out
our ‘five reasons to choose organic’. For advice on making your
shopping basket work harder and how to shop organic for less, have a
read of our guide to buying organic on a budget.


Get involved - Host an organic dinner
We’re all socialising at home a bit more at the moment, so if you’re
passionate about organic issues, why not raise awareness by hosting an
organic credit crunch dinner for friends? As Jamie Oliver said, ‘Pass
it on’. You can brush up on your organic facts and get ideas for
cooking organic for less by visiting our guide to buying organic on a
budget.


Visit the Dinner4Good website below for more details about becoming an
organic host. If you’re keen to support campaigns against the use of
pesticides and GM, you can also help raise money to support the Soil
Association charity in its work. If you fancy putting together
something on a bigger scale, check out our events planning guide for
ideas and tips on organising and promoting an event.


Organic food festival
http://www.theorganicfoodfestival.co.uk/2009/


Held September 12-13 at Bristol's scenic Harbourside, the Organic Food
Festival is organized in association with the Soil Association and
with the
generous support of Yeo Valley. It is Europe's largest showcase of the
organic community, with hundreds of organic products, cooking
demonstrations
with Raymond Blanc and other top chefs, childrens taste workshops and
a lively Street Food Bazaar and Organic Bar.

Knowle West Food Festival, Sunday 5 July, 11am-3pm

Please come to our 3rd annual:

Knowle West food fest

Sunday 5th July

11-3pm

Knowle West Media Centre

Highlights of the day include making our very own healthy fizzy drink!
A contradiction in terms you say, we say come and try it! We will also
be firing up the earth oven, running pizza making workshops with all
ingredients being locally sourced from Project Agricola, a community
campaign.

Local gardener and community campaigner, Mil, will be showing us how
useful our ole friend the potato is- do you know how many different
ways there are to plant a spud? Come along and find out, maybe you
have your own suggestion….prize for the most creative spud plant out!

Other activities include sugar free sweet making, cycle powered juice
making, and community swap shop, local and organic BBQ, big brother
diary room food confessions.

Finally, everyone can burn off the food
treats at a belly-dancing workshop run by local woman, Imane.

Local residents will be given an opportunity to creatively express and
share their skills on film. This will contribute to the development of
a new arts project "the University of Local Knowledge" with
internationally recognised artist Suzanne Lacy in collaboration with
Knowle West Media Centre and Arnolfini.

For further information please contact Misty@kwmc.org.uk or telephone
0117 9030444

Thanks to those of you who have already volunteered however we still
really need more help to make this event stand out on the Bristol
events calendar!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Misty Tunks
Carbon Makeover project Coordinator
phone: 0117 9030444 ext 211
http://www.kwmc.org.uk/carbonmakeover

Knowle West Media Centre Leinster Avenue, Knowle West, Bristol BS4 1 NL
Company No. 4358350, Charity No. 1092375, fax: 01179030 445

Events June 2009

Rent a meeting room at KWMC - Competitive rates available :email katie@kwmc.org.uk

Free Internet drop-in sessions - Every Weds morning from 10am-11.30 am
at KWMC

Mobile e-democracy workshops - Tell the council your views online and
affect change. Request workshops with your group / join existing ones:
email makala@kwmc.org.uk

Car Share Website - The environmental team at KWMC are proud to
announce that the South Bristol Car Share website is now live: http://www.southbristol-carshare.org.uk/

Please visit our website for further information on any of the above http://www.kwmc.org.uk/

Green Footprints website proves a successful example of community-design

News from Knowle West Media Centre, Leinster Avenue, Bristol, BS4 1NL

Bristol residents use design to sow the seeds of environmental change

Anthropologist Margaret Mead once said, ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, concerned citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.’ Residents of the Knowle West estate in south Bristol are taking steps to prove the truth of this statement, by using an interactive community-led website to encourage others to join them in tackling climate change and sharing their passion for home-growing.

Graphic and web designers based at Knowle West Media Centre (KWMC) have assisted local resident Mil Lusk [pictured] in setting up a website for her project Green Footprints, which acts as an online portal to promote and facilitate home-growing on the estate.

Through the website http://www.green-footprints.org.uk/ , Mil provides advice and guidance about sustainable living, as well as managing orders from budding gardeners, cultivating seedlings for them to grow at home. Mil commented, ‘it’s all about having fun and enjoying yourself’, and she encouraged prospective gardeners, saying: ‘keep growing until you find out what works for you […] everyone has a plant they can grow.’

Green Footprints developed out of the Carbon Makeover project run by KWMC, which saw 70 homes across the neighbourhood pledge to reduce their carbon emissions by making manageable alterations to their lifestyles. Mil is one of four Community Campaigners and, with the support of KWMC, she has become empowered to continue her work beyond Carbon Makeover. All campaigners attended a Digital Media workshop to help them utilise the digital technologies available to them and Green Footprints is one of three websites KWMC Design have developed for the project. With the help of a digital strategist, KWMC Design created websites addressing the specific needs of each campaigner, actively seeking the input of local people in order to provide high-quality, accessible solutions that can empower the community.

The Green Footprints website has provided Mil with a digital platform to manage her project and enabled the local community to access a range of services and information about healthy, sustainable living. As the result of her collaboration with KWMC Design, Mil has seen her website evolve from an idea into a vital resource that benefits both the environment and the Knowle West community.

For more information please contact Romy Purshouse (Design Programme Manager) on 0117 3532746 / romy@kwmc.org.uk or visit www.green-footprints.org.uk / http://www.kwmc.org.uk/index.php?department=2

Notes

Knowle West Media Centre (KWMC) is a Social Enterprise charity. The charity commands international respect as a producer of high-quality media work and as a provider of exciting experiences for young people in Knowle West, South Bristol – one of the country’s most socially disadvantaged wards.

KWMC Design is a professional print and web design team that sits within Knowle West Media Centre. The experienced designers use ethical and environmental design practices and any profits made go directly back into the local community. Please visit http://www.kwmc.org.uk/index.php?department=2 for more information.

Carbon Makeover is run by KWMC and aims to support local people, using media as a tool, to develop sustainable campaigns, projects and initiatives within the local community and reduce their carbon footprint. Carbon Makeover has facilitated the development of four community-led projects. Team FAB (‘Fight Against Bags’) are committed to making Knowle West free of plastic bags and meet weekly to sew reusable cloth bags. ‘Green Medicine’ promotes the cultivation and use of medicinal plants, whilst ‘Green Footprints’ encourages home-growing by selling seedlings to local people. ‘Project Agricola’ established a fruit and vegetable stall in an area of Knowle West that lacks a greengrocers, providing a hub for social interaction and the promotion of healthy, sustainable living.

For a full press toolkit for KWMC with images, background info, quotes, case studies, architectural and environmental information go to: http://www.kwmc.org.uk/index.php?project=42

Community facilitators jobs in Knowle \ South Bristol

An exciting opportunity to be a website community facilitator.

• Get training
• Learn new skills.
• Work around other commitments
• Build confidence
• Add to your C.V

Do you have an interest in the environment and things that affect your local area?
Would you like to learn more about having your say on online forums?
Do you like to talk with friends about things that are happening in Bristol that affect you?

We are looking for four community facilitators, who will keep an eye on what people are saying on an online discussion forum and promote discussion.

www.askbristol.com is a council website which promotes discussion about issues that affect people living in Bristol, so these views can be passed on to people making the decisions.

Past discussions have included cycling, excessive drinking, the council's budget, and recycling to name a few. Go to http://www.youtube.com/bristolcitycouncil to see videos of some of the things we have talked about in the past.

The website currently has a focus on traffic noise pollution, as part of a project to raise awareness, highlight problems and solutions, and encourage people to tell us about quiet areas where they enjoy spending time. Find out more here www.askbristol.com/noise

What is involved?
You will be employed for two hours per week for six months and paid £8.23 per hour through the City Jobshop. If you are claiming benefits you will need to declare this work so find out in advance if this will affect your benefits payments.

You will need to have access to a computer and internet connection at home, or be able to access the free computers at the library (which can be booked for up to two hours a day on week days) or anywhere else you know of where you can use a computer with internet. As well as work on the Internet, you will spread the word about the website by chatting to people you know and any groups you are part of, and by distributing leaflets.

For further information please contact: Makala Cheung at Knowle West Media Centre email makala@kwmc.org.uk or telephone 0117 3532895

Closing date Friday 29th May 2009

CREATE Centre Events: Eco-renovation; Design

Book now for two popular forthcoming events at CREATE:

'Eco-renovating your Home' lecture: CREATE Centre, Tuesday 2nd June 6
- 8.30 pm, Tickets: £5

with Dave Hampton 'The Carbon Coach' and Lucy Pedler of The Green Register

In these times of recession why embark on refurbishing or making
changes to your home?

Does it make sense to sit on your savings or begin an eco-renovation
project?

This event will address the key things to consider at the outset, and
hear from those who have taken on these construction and lifestyle
challenges. Whether your interest is saving energy or finding
alternatives, reducing water usage or making other greener living
improvements, join us to find out more..

Those attending will receive a FREE copy of the new edition of 'The
Sustainable Home' advice leaflet.

To book email: create@bristol.gov.uk

tel: 0117 925 0505

.......................................................................

'Re-design' seminar: CREATE Centre, Monday 8th June 4 -5.30 pm
Tickets: £6

Facilitated by [re-design] http://www.redesigndesign.org/ and part of the
Bristol Design Festival

What is Design for? Climate change presents designers with a massive
responsibility - and opportunity. As creative thinkers and doers,
designers are uniquely placed to review, rethink and remake the
products, services and systems that shape our future.

This hands-on seminar focuses on the strategies and tools available to
forward-thinking designers across the design spectrum.

The event is followed by the Bristol Design Festival Eco-design Awards
(6 - 8.30 pm) which you are welcome to attend.

http://www.bristoldesignfestival.com/

To book email: create@bristol.gov.uk

tel: 0117 925 0505

CREATE Centre
Smeaton Road
Bristol
BS1 6XN

Greener homes and buildings and a zero carbon country

Greener homes and buildings show, 6 and 7 June 2009, Royal Welsh Showground, details from:
http://www.greenerhomeshow.co.uk/


Zero Carbon Britain from Zero Carbon Britain on Vimeo.

More going green websites

Car sharing in South Bristol:

http://www.southbristol-carshare.org.uk/

Green medicines for minor ailments:

http://green-medicine.org.uk/

Choose the vegetables you want to eat and get the seedlings grown for you:

http://www.green-footprints.org.uk/

Second Consultation for the redevelopment of Torpoint Road, Kingswear Road and the College site on Marksbury Road

2nd Consultation for the redevelopment of Torpoint Road, Kingswear Road and the College site on Marksbury Road

>Date: Saturday, 18th April, 2009

>Time: 11.00am-3.00pm (drop-in event with presentations at 12 noon, 1.00pm and 2.00pm)

>Location: Reception, 1st Floor, City of Bristol College, Marksbury Rd

>Contact: Sean Griffiths, tel: 020 7251 6735, email: sean@fat.co.uk

>Description: Second open event in a series of three considering options for redevelopment of Kingswear Rd, Torpoint Rd & the Marksbury Rd College site. Architects FAT will present three redevelopment options and discuss the ideas behind them. Drawings will be on display and team members available throughout to discuss people's views and answer questions. Design proposals based on the most successful ideas will be presented to residents and stakeholders at a third consultation event in summer.

TravelSmart job vacancies in Knowle

Job vacancies
Change the way south Bristol travels

Sustrans, the UK’s leading sustainable transport charity, is recruiting a team of people to work on its TravelSmart project aimed at cutting car use in south Bristol. Jobs include:

Packing - £5.85 per hour
Approximately 2 hours per morning Monday - Friday
Assembly of travel information packs

Data entry & admin - £5.85 per hour
Up to 4 hours per day between 10am and 2pm Monday - Friday
Database work, filing and other administrative work

Delivery - £6.05 per hour
Approximately 4 hours per afternoon/evening Monday – Friday Delivery by bike of travel information packs to households

Home visit advisor - £11.50 per visit
Occasional afternoons and evenings Monday - Saturday
Home visits to households to provide advice on cycling, walking and/or public transport

Employment dates are May – June 2009. All jobs will be based from an office in Knowle.

For an information pack please contact Laura Bridges on 0117 926 8893 or email: jobs@sustrans.org.uk , quoting ref: NCN677V.

Closing date for applications: Thursday 26 March 2009

Newsletter on Bristol local food

Bristol's local food update: The newsletter on all things food in Bristol has been given a new look. The newsletter helps community groups and projects in Bristol to share information about what they're doing, to promote courses, events, training & skill-sharing, and advertise jobs & volunteering positions. The newsletter covers food issues from plot to plate, and in this issue, there are details of lots of "growing" courses in Bristol.

To have future issues of the newsletter delivered to your inbox, send an email to Claire Milne at claire.milne@bristol.gov.uk with a subscription request.

Or to download a copy, go to:http://www.bristollocalfood.co.uk/

20 mph for Knowle, and all of Bristol, in residential areas

20's Plenty For Us was formed in order to campaign for the implementation of 20 mph as the default speed limit on residential roads in the UK.

Research has shown that the vast majority of the public would like 20 mph on residential roads. Recent changes in Dept of Transport guidelines have relaxed the recommendations and in many residential areas 20 mph limits may be set without any physical measures at all.

Portsmouth have taken the initiative and implemented a default 20 mph speed limit throughout their town in all except main arterial routes.

http://www.20splentyforus.org.uk/

http://www.20splentyforbristol.org.uk/

Litter pick and area tidy: 10am, Sat 21 Feb, Tesco, Callington Rd (meet at recycling area)

Report from the Bristol Evening Post website,

A footpath in Brislington that is frequently strewn with abandoned bags, wrappers and other litter will be cleaned up on Saturday by a team made up of community groups, the city council and Tesco employees.

Sustainable Brislington has teamed up with Sustainable Knowle, Friends of Callington Road Nature Reserve, Sustrans volunteers, Bristol City Council's Clean and Green team and Tesco to organise the litter pick and vegetation clearance on the footpath area around Tesco in Callington Road.

Glenn Vowles, 47, from Sustainable Knowle said: "This is a great opportunity to tidy up an area that lots of people use but is frequently litter-strewn.

"By working together with other community groups and businesses we are demonstrating that people power can make a difference."

Colette Linehan, 49, a Sustrans volunteer ranger, said: "Residents have decided that it is time to clear up the area to make it a cleaner and more pleasant place to walk.

"We are really eager to create a pleasant environment by cutting back vegetation, removing litter and planting wild flowers so that people are more inclined to walk through and enjoy what can become a lovely area."

If you wish to get involved, turn up at the recycling bins at Tesco at 10am tomorrow wearing sturdy shoes and warm clothing and armed with secateurs or shears.

Bristol City Council and the Sustainable Communities Act

What is the Act and why should you get involved?

Developed by a coalition called Local Works following a five -year campaign, the Sustainable Communities Act gained Royal Assent in October 2007. It aims to promote the sustainability of local communities and it ‘begins from the principle that local people know best what needs to be done to promote the sustainability of their area, but that sometimes they need central government to act to enable them to do so’. It gives local communities the ability to put forward policy suggestions to central government, via their council, before 31 July2009 to promote the sustainability of their area. Anyone can submit a suggestion, but it is likely that suggestions will be made by organised groups such as community groups, resident associations and local branches of national organisations. Local Strategic Partnerships can submit suggestions. The remit for suggestions is broad and must aim to improve the economic, social or environmental wellbeing of an area or areas in Bristol. Social wellbeing also includes suggestions that will promote participation in civic and political activity

Further information

On the 26th February the Council's webpage on the Sustainable Communities Act will go live. The page will give information about the Act and how you can go about making suggestions. The Act and guidance from the Department for Communities and Local Government is available at http://www.communities.gov.uk/ For further advice about the Act and how you can be involved pleasecontact Graham Starmer, Programme Co-ordinator, Sustainable Communities on 0117 922 4917 or e-mail graham.starmer@bristol.gov.uk

The Power of the Community: film show and discussion 27 Feb

Open Meeting: Film and discussion

The Power of the Community
- how Cuba survived peak oil

Southbank Club (formerly Holy Cross)
Dean Lane
Southville

Friday 27 February 7pm to 8.30 pm
(doors open 6.30pm)

When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1990, Cuba's economy went into a tailspin. With imports of oil cut by more than half – and food by 80 percent – people were desperate. This film tells of the hardships and struggles as well as the community and creativity of the Cuban people during this difficult time. Cubans share how they transitioned from a highly mechanized, industrial agricultural system to one using organic methods of farming and local, urban gardens. It is an unusual look into the Cuban culture during this economic crisis, which they call "The Special Period." The film opens with a short history of Peak Oil, a term for the time in our history when world oil production will reach its all-time peak and begin to decline forever. Cuba, the only country that has faced such a crisis – the massive reduction of fossil fuels – is an example of options and hope.
http://www.powerofcommunity.org/cm/index.php

Speaker: Wendy Emmett – environmentalist and follower of the Cuba experience. Just returned from leading an environmental study tour of Cuba.

Free entrance (bucket collection proceeds go to the organisers, Bristol South Green Party and Bristol Cuba Solidarity).

Bar Available!!

Torpoint Road, Kingswear Road & the College, Marksbury Road: Consultation on Redevelopment 14 Feb

Sustainable Knowle will be represented at this consultation. Matters of particular interest to us are: relationship to the Area Green Space Plan process; can new green spaces be created and/or existing ones improved; is 'mixed development' possible; how green will building standards be; any 'special' features possible eg use of rainwater collected, or 'super-insulation'; affordable/social housing...

Consultation Event: Redevelopment of Torpoint Road, Kingswear Road & the College Site on Marksbury Road

Date: 14th February 2009Time: 11am-3pm (this is a walk-in event)

Location: City of Bristol College, Marksbury Road, Bedminster, Bristol BS3 5JL

Contact: Sean Griffiths, 02072516735, sean@fat.co.uk

Description: Meet the team to discuss proposals for the development of Kingswear Road, Torpoint Road and the College Site at Marksbury Road. Bristol City Council, Knightstone Housing Association and the Homes and Communities Agency have employed architects FAT to come up with ideas for the redevelopment of the site. There is potential to provide new homes and new community facilities. Before work starts on the design proposals we would like to hear your views on the area.

Word cloud for this blog

Finding greener products

Where do you go to find greener products? Are they really that green? Here are a few places you could begin looking - though often the greenest option is just to consume all products less and share more!

http://www.green-providers.co.uk/

http://www.bristolgreenstore.co.uk/

http://www.biggreenswitch.co.uk/

Activities update

Sustainable Knowle is planning to do a litter pick in and around the Callington Rd Tesco area. We also plan to: contribute to the current council consultation on noise pollution; produce a rough estimate of the ecological footprint of Knowle to put a scale on the local sustainability challenge. We are already part of the consultation process which is drawing up an Area Green Space Plan for Knowle/Windmill Hill/Filwood wards under the council's Parks and Green Spaces Strategy and are campaigning to prevent a local pub, The Friendship Inn from being turned into a Tesco Express (we may well support/object/comment on other planning applications in Knowle and have linked up with the Bristol Neighbourhood Planning Network). We have quite a few things under discussion, including: film shows (The Carbon Weevil; End of Suburbia...); looking at use of lighting locally via night walks; supporting campaigns to end plastic bag use in local shops...

Contact us for further details of the above.

Free download: measure your personal and household environmental impacts

Free download of some great software for assessing your personal and/or environmental impacts - see Earth Aware.

Alternatively you could try out WWF's online ecological footprint calculator.

Both are great for raising your awareness, putting a scale on your impacts, indicating where you can be greener and healthier. Cutting out waste through efficiency eg of energy or food, can save you money too!

Google group list

Sustainable Knowle members and supporters communicate with each other via a google group list. If you are interested in becoming a member/supporter either contact us via the details in the right hand margin or alternatively go to:http://groups.google.com/group/sustainableknowle

Knowle's profile

Find out about the demographics, ethnicity, employment, poverty, democracy, environment, health, housing, social services, community, youth, education and crime profile of Knowle in this very interesting document, put together by bristol City Council. All the figures are here:

http://www.bristol.gov.uk/WardFinder/pdfs/knowle-profile.pdf

Get involved in any plans for your neighbourhood!!

In the coming years there will be many developments proposed in/near Knowle, in Bristol and all around it. Tens of thousands of houses are supposed to be built in the city for instance.

This is a great website for advice and involvement in planning matters. Its 'a support network of voluntary neighbourhood groups across Bristol who promote public involvement in the planning system' http://www.bristolnpn.net/index.htm





Council information on planning here:


http://www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/environment-and-planning/planning/

Save energy, save money, gain choices

This is a great project, run by the Knowle West Media Centre. I'm proud to be a part of it. Why not find out more and join in? Save energy, save money, gain choices as a result.

Glenn Vowles

Going green websites

Useful websites for CASK members and/or supporters:

http://www.biggreenswitch.co.uk/

http://www.goingcarbonneutral.co.uk/

http://www.transitionbristol.org/

http://www.storyofstuff.com/

Likely areas of work for CASK

All the areas below contribute greatly to: local footprints; wellbeing; and quality of life.

CASK is likely, over time, to work for:

Far better, cheaper public transport

Much better cycling and pedestrian provision

Protecting, enhancing and if possible increasing Knowle's open, green, natural spaces

The retention and improvement of locally available facilities, services, and jobs

Education for sustainable living

Local energy saving and the micro-generation of energy

More local, ethical and organic food availability

Home and allotment grown food

Higher land, air, water and environmental quality

People taking personal responsibility to be more environmentally-friendly

Broad based public participation in community life...

There are many other possibilities, to be explored and decided on by a consensus of CASKs members at regular, publicly advertised meetings.