The first year of the Transition Town Lewes Village Connections group...

Village Connections

The Village Connections group welcomes everybody to get involved in transition projects in an informal atmosphere, learning from each other how to become more resourceful as we face an uncertain future.

The aim is to improve communications between those living in Lewes Transition Town and others who are interested in developing positive community resilience - including those who live in the surrounding villages.

Joined up transition thinking means that we have a broad and ever growing range of interests; hoping to inspire transition to a low carbon future in a serious and strategic way that is positive, down to earth and yet still fun.

Our regular Transition Treks have proved to be very popular. Conversations around environmental themes often develop en route and you never know who’s going to turn up - we’ve been joined on several occasions by surprise experts and speakers.

Getting Connected - We are developing connections with: individuals in transition; other transition towns, environmental, education, voluntary and business organisations; including Lewes District and Town Council; Lewes Town Partnership; East Sussex County Council; Sussex University; Sustainable Sussex and The South Downs National Park...

The original idea - by Susan Thompson for a Village Connections group was greeted with warm enthusiasm by all at the 10:10 Open Space meeting. Inspired by: new widespread engagement with environmental issues; everyone signing up to the 10:10 campaign; fresh enthusiasm for a more active, down to earth approach to transition at the TTL Setting the Compass meeting; the diverse range of talks and exhibitions at the New Economics Foundation's Bigger Picture event and the realisation that there are many varied transition paths...

The first year of Village Connections....

Winter 2009

Encouraging people to think about low carbon living at Transition Town Lewes stalls: at the TTL 10:10 stand; the Newhaven Isn't it Bonkers day and at the Priory school Engage event.

Making connections at the Bill's World Cafe with others interested in the need for mapping the food produced in our villages and in promoting local food security.

Gathering together the best of local artisans from Plumpton, Kingson, Rodmell, Iford and Swanborough at the first Village Connections Village Green at the All Saints Transition Christmas Do... which was a great success.

Winter 2010

The First Winter Wonderland Transition Trek - and the gathering of around forty people to visit the new Ashcombe windmill - an underground passive house which will generate electricity for the national grid. We planted crocuses for Ruth O'Keefe's Little Gardens and enjoyed home made chocolate chip cookies en route back to the Swan for lunch.
Valentine’s Day trek - into the Lewes Heart of Reeds with interesting introductions to Land Art by our local land artist Chris Drury, and to the fascinating biodiversity of the evolving Railway Land by Jon Gunson.

Attending the Power of Yes - All Party Climate Change Committee event at the House of Commons.

Spring 2010

Developing the Market Tower local produce market project with the Market group. Selling home made soup and recycled stationery to raise funds for the Food group at Seedy Saturday.

Making village connections in the global village thanks to our links with the Empowering Society MA and Jethro Petit at the Institute of Development Studies at Sussex University. Our first project was based on the setting up of the TTL Market.

Mount Caburn Trek - an ascent with our dogs.. for the windswept views across the flooded Ouse valley towards Firle, the Downs and the sea. No sign of the Glyndebourne turbine.

Ouse Valley Trek - Lewes to Newhaven - a long walk exploring the tangle of paths through the valley and then alongside the river to the sea, a pub stop and return by train.

Continuing to promote the inclusive approach of the Sustainable Communities Act by encouraging support for making crucial changes to the act before the general election.

Summer 2010

Visiting the London Festival of Architecture Cycle Stations exhibition and discussion about the future of cycling organised by Oliver Lowenstein of Lewes based Fourth Door review.
Consultation and collaborative work for the Transition Town Lewes submission for the Local Development Framework for Lewes District Council.

Vanguard Way Trek - from Newhaven to Seaford, TTL talk about plans for the redevelopment of the port and the new Rampion offshore wind farm. Afternoon tea at the Seaford beach cafe.

Developing plans for a regular artisan craft market for the Market Tower and encouraging more outlets for new and existing small local makers during times of relative austerity.

Autumn 2010

Supporting the Lighter Later Campaign.

Attending the Transport for Life Conference and contributing to ESCC Transport and Environment consultation at a Sustainable Transport workshop,

Cycle Trains from the villages around Lewes to a free breakfast in the town to celebrate Fume Free Friday for those taking up the Lewes Cycle Challenge.

Encouraging plans for an Ouse Valley Greenway to link the new Ringmer cycle path with the Route Verte in Dieppe, encouraging utility and leisure cycling... and more sustainable tourism for a low carbon boost to our local economy.

Contributions invited to the East Sussex County Council Draft Environmental Strategy and to the new white paper shaping The Nature of England which has the enthusiastic support of both the Sussex Wildlife Trust and the green business link group - Sustainable Sussex.

Consultation of Village Connections contacts for comments about the restructuring of TTL.

Winter 2010

A regular programme of transition treks, cycle tours and travels is now being produced including connections to others doing the same thing - all suggestions welcome on the new website.

All are welcome to get involved in helping to create our brand new interactive website site by simply signing up and making vibrant village connections http://villageconnections.ning.com/

Singing at the TTL Glyndebourne concert!

Contact: Susan Thompson susan@artboxdesign.co.uk

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