Concerned about climate change and resource depletion but don't know what to do about it? Do all the problems (and solutions) seem very big scale, Protocol Copenhagen like and distant?
In 2007 a group of people living in and around Forest Row came together to find ways of creating a better future. Part of an international network of Transition groups, the Transition Village group in Forest Row now has over 170 members (most of whom live in the area) who have come together through shared concerns of climate change and depletion of the earth's finite resources. The idea of the Transition movement is for people to work together in communities to find paths to more sustainable ways of living, working with other established groups and networks as opportunities arise. The whole should be more than the sum of the parts, and the path should be positive, open to all and fun!
Over the past three years we have organised films, community debates, seed swaps, gardening and jam making, a children's festival, permaculture courses, camps and coppicing days. We have made bags at the community market, started using electricity monitors, and run a local food week including a networking 'business breakfast', and workshops on chutney making and chicken keeping. In spring 2009 we produced, published and distributed 'Forest Row in transition - a community work in progress' - a document of ideas describing how Forest Row could transition to become a low carbon, resilient community and also a Local Food Guide.
There are groups focused on different topics - for example: Food and Land, Car club, and Energy. These groups are fluid and meet dependent on the members of the group and their focus, ideas and concerns.
The fourth National Transition Network conference will be held in Forest Row in May 2010.
To find out more about the Forest Row transition group, to view forthcoming events or get involved in discussion, visit: www.transitionforestrow.org
To find out more about the UK and international transition network visit: http://transitiontowns.org and to find out more of the nature of the movement visit: www.transitionculture.org
