We are inviting all local residents to come along to a lunch picnic at Warrior Square Gardens on June 18th (1-4pm). We’re taking part in the UK’s annual get together organised by the Eden Project and Great Get Together (In celebration of Jo Cox’s belief that we have more in common).
See our event page for more details.
TTH Meeting 24/05/18
Attending : Alison, Sherry, Sally Reeves, Benjamin, Kate Meakin, Katie, Mick, Rod, Sarah, Karen
Introductions
Hastings is well known for its passionate support of the environment, and for addressing the impact of climate change. We realise we are an important part of the solution – lead by example and show others what is possible. Transition Towns are now a global initiative encouraging communities to address the challenges they face by starting locally.
Transition Town Hastings was originally started in 2006, and gathered pace in 2015 when frustrations about an issue no government seemed to be taking seriously came to a head. The Transition Network or Movement offered a productive, all inclusive, a-political approach.
Over the last two and a half years, TTH has run numerous events to raise awareness of the issues. There was an initial Vision Day, on which the public were invited to come along and share their vision for a healthier, more sustainable Hastings. We’ve hosted a number of well attended ‘Pot Luck Dinners’ and shown many inspiring films including ‘Inhabit’ – an introduction to Permaculture which included a Q&A with the director Costa Boutsikaris, and ‘Demain/Tomorrow’ – a story presenting positive solutions to our ecological, economical and social crisis. We have also hosted inspiring guest speakers such as Jeremy Leggett (founder of Solar Aid), Pop-ups at St Leonards Festival, several swap shops and much more.
TTH started a Community Garden at St Leonards Warrior Square Train Station (North Side) which produced its first harvest last year. Feel free to come along to a gardening session (every weekend) to get involved, find out more or pick something for your dinner! There are many exciting plans for this year: the garden will be part of the Chelsea Fringe Festival which runs from 20th May – 4th June and on Sunday 4th June the station community garden will host ‘A Day to Clear Your Head and Clear Your Shed’ from 11-3pm. Donate an old rake or bring something unusual to plant something in. There will be music too.
TTH are also developing a project to tackle polystyrene take-away food packaging and the use of disposable plastic cups given out by local pubs during public holidays and events. We often see these littered on the seafront or on the beach, and when they get into the sea, they cause huge damage to marine life. We’d like to help local businesses come up with a solution.
All TTH projects rely on volunteers. We need a constant flow of people in order to keep these projects moving, so if you want to be a part of something special, either to volunteer on the current projects, fundraise or set up a project of your own please email info@transitiontownhastings.org.uk. Equally if you’d like to learn more about any of the above please visit our website www.transitiontownhastings.org.uk or email us at info@transitiontownhastings.org.uk
Find us on Facebook: Transition Town Hastings
Or Twitter: @TTHastingsUK
We’re teaming up with the Greenhouse Group in Alexandra Park and the Bohemia Walled Garden to put on some garden events in Hastings during Chelsea Fringe.
At St Leonards Warrior Square Train Station we will be hosting a garden swap shop and planting sessions for adults and children from 11-3pm. Bring your unwanted garden tools, plants, seeds and other garden related stuff. (read more about dos and don’ts for our swap shops).
Throughout the day we will be planting in containers so come along with your old teapots, wellies, tins and ceramic pots, anything waterproof and frost proof. Surprised us!
Also expect some musicians to drop by and play some tunes, share in a pot of tea and you will be able to try some produce, directly from the garden!
http://www.chelseafringe.com/event/a-day-to-clear-your-shed-clear-your-head/
Events
TTH Meeting 22/3/17
Attendees: Sherry Clark, Sarah Macbeth, Ken Kitson, Chris Petts, Rebecca Helbick, Alison Cooper, Sassie Yasamee
Apologies: Roz Cran, Steve Savage, Kathy Bor
Last Sunday, in less than half a day, our team of eager volunteers put together a beautiful garden bench. We created a ‘Proposal Bench’ for the #JaneEyreProject which takes place in St Leonards from Feb 21 to March 7.
We are inviting visitors to the garden to sit, enjoy the space and write a proposal.
So come down to the garden at St Leoanrds Warrior Square (north platform), see what we’ve been creating and write some words.
Take a look at the video for the Hastings Midnight Run, an event we took part in last autumn. See if you can spot someone you know!
The Midnight Run is a walking, arts-filled, night-time cultural journey through a city. It gathers strangers and local artists/activists to explore, play and create whilst the city sleeps.
The Hastings Midnight Run from Inua Ellams on Vimeo.
Commissioned by the Hastings Storytelling Festival, this event featured:
ARTISTS //
FILM MAKER – Joe Kaufman
BARGAIN STUDIOS – Alfie, Amy & Danielle
STORY TELLER – Gareth E. Rees
COMMUNITY GARDENERS – Transition Town Hastings.
MUSICIANS – MAGIC CITY MOONFLOWER – Lynda, James & Ross.
Facilitated by IMOGEN BUTLER COLE
TTH Meeting 25/1/17
Matters arising:
Outstanding actions-
• Chris to formulate email & garden map area for all gardeners to read and sign.
• Chris to contact Southeastern direct to ask about the maintenance of buildings.
• Naomi to contact Southern Water re. water butts
• Poster- Chris will do next week
• Catherine Pinhorn to send 20 MPH campaign email.
Events
———-
Green Drinks
TTH was part of a Green Drinks event on Jan 18th at Bargain Studios, Kings Rd. Still a very popular event. We now need a new venue as Bargain as no longer in 20 King’s Rd. Rock House Basement is a possible venue or the back room at the Palace Pub.
Actions: SM to ask Gareth in rock House about basement, AC to ask Palace Pub. Proposed date: Feb 8th.
HVA Sustainable Transport Forum
Actions: Sarah and Chris to attend. All welcome and
Site visits
Clayton Farm (Organic) in Mayfield. 4 Open days a year.
Produces organic dairy chees that sells at Borough Market, London.
Action: Alison to research and advise others on open days.
Dungeness Power Station
Action: Alison to research
Peacehaven Wastewater Treatment Works
State-of-the-art wastewater treatment works is covered by one of the largest green roofs in Europe.
Action: Tom to research site visit.
Veolia incinerator and recycling sites
Action: Sarah to book first available site
Film shows
Two films that we are interested in showing. Demain/Tomorrow and Inhabit
Actions: Sassie will ask about screening of Inhabit and talk by filmmaker, Sarah and Sassie to check on distribution costs for Demain. Alison to ask Palace Pub about free screenings.
Food and/or Swap shop at Christchurch in Ore
Saturday 18th Feb Richard has use of the church for free (part of a week long event giving energy advice to residents). We could run a junk food café and/or swap shop.
Actions: Sarah, Alison and Sassie to visit swap shop in Rye (sarah to email details) to see how it’s run. Richard to advise of other dates and events where he is giving energy advice (possible event end of Feb). All to follow up with ideas for activities at Christchurch, Ore. Cake making an option to raise funds for TTH.
Note: Churches locally are keen to see community use of their buildings.
Projects
————–
Community garden
Winter, not much growing, lots of clearing and making compost area.
Actions: Alison to look into scaffolding planks or palettes.
Tom can get palettes and deliver. Alison/Chris to let him know if they are needed.
Alison meeting Natalie on Feb 7th and will hassle for access to room and locked area on far end of platform.
Alison to research slimline water butts, sometimes in Freecycle. Old chemical drums also possible for water storage.
Mosaic
Actions: Alison and Tracy (Johnson) to do more door knocking beginning of Feb to get more residents opinions on the mosaic project. All welcome to get involved.
Waste/packaging project
Chris and Laurie leading this in Karen’s absence. Currently doing visits to food outlets. Have done half a dozen already. Need more people to get involved in asking outlets questions about their packaging use.
This project ties in with the garden and the need for compost/some packaging is biodegradable.. Chris keen to research community composting. Larger scale compost may not be an option at the garden die to flytipping and rats. Need to pressure council on food waste.
Actions: Chris to collate info on packaging and waste options.
Ursula interested. SM to pass on Ursula’s email to Laurie.
Richard to send around questionnaire on food waste as not really any food waste collection in the area. Alison/Sarah to do mailout asking for more help with the survey.
Notes:
We need to keep in mind a possible anaerobic digester (produces gas and, therefore, heat) at the hospital to deal with all their food waste.
Sassie mentioned Olio an app that helps people share surplus food. https://olioex.com/
Tom mentioned Rye Biofuels supply biodiesel at Rye Harbour.
[Further info from Tom by email :
There are 4 collectors of used cooking oil operating around Hastings. All of it will get turned into biodiesel somewhere.
Rumsey: http://www.rumseyoils.com/mindex0.html (not sure this website works…) He has the old Bedford lorries, he sells it to someone who ships it to the continent
Edible Oil Direct / Rye Biofuels: http://www.bioenergy.direct/ – collected and turned into biodiesel locally
Olleco: http://www.olleco.co.uk/services/uco-collections – who collect it and turn it into biodiesel somewhere in the north west
St Mickalos: http://www.st-mickalos.com/ – I know very little about this company
Olleco do offer food waste collection as well, though I have no idea if they do it around here (they’re a national company).]
Litter picking
John Funnel keen to start litter picking sessions around the station garden area. Feb 12th could be a trial event. He will use Streetlife as an engagement tool. Pickers currently in temp station room.
Actions: Alison to hand over key to temp room. Alison/Sarah to add litter picking date to mailing list. John to ask other picking groups for advice and tips on process etc (eg ChristChurch in St Leonards). Sarah to check people will be covered by insurance.
AOB
Anna Locke keen to get involved in green directory (also Mark, Scott and Laurie). Also interested in researching info about local organic farms and what organic supplies are available locally. Running growing/permaculture course in spring.
Sassie has been researching local fruit growers/suppliers.
Richard mentioned 1066energy campaign, launching later this year. Aiming to establish 1066 solar roofs in 1066 area.
Enid – proposed National Vegetarian Week in May. Most (except vegans!) happy to go ahead if Enid can lead.
Alison: Gail from Explore the Arch wants to know if TTH would like to be involved in a Jane Eyre production that will happen throughout the town.
Kathy would like TTH to set up a Food Assembly activity. https://thefoodassembly.com/
Actions: Sarah to organise Green Directory meeting. Sarah to share local food pamphlet produced by last TTH group. Alison to follow up with dates for Jane Eyre event. Sarah to add Anna’s courses to newsletter and website. Sarah to share Transition London and SE event in Feb in London.
Next Core Meeting- Weds 22nd Feb 2017, 7.15pm-Rock House, 49-51 Cambridge Road, TN34 1DT
TTH Meeting 21/11/16
Garden Meeting with Natalie 2nd Nov 2016
Actions- Alison to get a date when room back.
• Chris & Alison to get quotes for work & make proposals
for water access.
• Chris to formulate email & garden map area for all gardeners to read and sign.
• Chris to contact Southeastern direct to ask about the maintenance of buildings.
• Sarah and Sassie are working with SCC tutor to produce signage for garden with adults with learning difficulties.
• Help yourselves signs done with slates & markers on the site.
• Alison to ask Naomi re continuing contact with Southern Water & assistance?
• Large funding pot not open yet- Natalie will let us know.
• Next Garden Meeting do a doodle poll with gardeners (after a garden session)
• Poster- Sarah & Chris to do asap
Waste
£800,000 possible funding for HBC from Dream Seas- will know by end of this week?
HBC want to do marine litter campaign, getting schools involved, kids will take stewardship of various areas etc and want to work with TTH.
Foreshore Trust has money that we could go for if not.
Vegware- has an Infinity Scheme- Discount?
First step is with surveys to businesses themselves, why do they use biodegradable packaging, what’s the incentive & another for consumers- to see how they would feel & would they buy?
Café in Park buy Vegware from Bidfest- They said cost difference is negligible.
Should be council’s responsibility – as they need to gather it up after and deal with it.
Aim campaign at takeaways and include Cash & Carry’s
WRAP- The Waste & Resources Action Programme- Jamie to research?
What are HBC Environmental Policies?
‘The Most Green café’ competition in the local paper?
Stickers? Get college/schools involve in designing
Incentive to be in TTH Green Pages- advertising.
Get someone to talk about their bio-degradable packaging at business meetings?
Lobbying HBC to only give licences to shops who use bio-d packaging?
Next Waste meeting 28th- 7.15pm-Rock House
Geoff- Amazing marine plants growing together nr Pett but it’s full of rubbish- can it be cleaned?
Kathy- ‘Beach schools’- educational link?
ACTION- Misha to email Geoff info on conservation group nr Pett?
Green Drinks-
TTH was part of a Green Drinks event on 3rd Nov at Bargain Studios, Kings Rd- great success! About 40 passed through.
So will have decided to have a Xmas one- maybe do Pot Luck Meal too! More info to follow but date is: Dec 14th weds 7.30pm-9.30pm.
Ore Community Land Trust have land to build on with the community:
Come to find out more at the Bridge Community Centre Café on Sat 26th Nov 2-4pm public consultation and In evening free BBQ & music etc from 5-9pm @ Old Power Station Site, Broomgrove Rd. Access via Firtree Rd by car. Encourage people to get train there. Or fill up your car!
Sunday 27th Nov at 2pm- Protest that Park Bike Lane hasn’t been started/done- from main entrance on bikes or bike bits, ride the route, bling up your bikes & bring noises, bells, horns etc- lead by HUB. And Greenway Walk – on Sunday too – to push for the greenway links carried out by ESCC?. Action- To share all these events at wkd on FB- Sarah
AOB-
Catherine P- Pushing for 20 mile an hour zones in Hastings- focus on lobbying ESCC- who’s interested? Can TTH put something on our mailing list. There Is a website & petition already. Catherine says they want to go from door to door in key roads to get them to sign up. Geoff recommended Payton Rd. Geoff & Misha offered to help in this campaign. Action- Catherine to send in short piece via email to us. Let us know about meetings we can advertise.
Misha- mentioned a book (sorry I didn’t catch this)?
Sarah- Action- can you put all minutes on website?
Put meetings etc on too?
Hastings Midnight Run- TTH involvement- people doing some guerrilla gardening and sowing seeds/bulbs at garden, watched Seaview film and café was open to serve people! We made £100!
Sarah is trying to organise visit to incinerator and recycling depot- yeah!
Sarah reminded us and let new people know, TTH have:
Newsletter monthly out
FB Page
Minutes on website
Can be on Google group email list too
Next Core Meeting- Weds 25th Jan 2017, 7.15pm-Rock House, 49-51 Cambridge Road, TN34 1DT
We are currently in the planning stages of developing a campaign to support and encourage local takeaway food outlets to make the transition to sustainable packaging.
Too many times have we walked along the seafront and seen those dreaded polystyrene food containers blowing their way along the beach, or we go into a new and recommended cafe, only to be disappointed when they serve up your takeaway in a polystyrene box.
From speaking to businesses who’ve already made the transition, it was relatively easy and cost effective. Let’s make Hastings stand out as a green flagship town!
If you’d like to be involved please get in touch by email.
A one stop online space to join conversations, learn more about our meetings and projects.
