Monday 15 September 2008

Time for Hay to Become a Transition Town?

We've got Fairtrade Status, we're trying to ban plastic bags, and a new Friends of the Earth group recently started here - so it seems a logical step for Hay to join the Transition Town movement.
Transition from what to what, though?
Well, at the moment, our entire civilisation is addicted to oil - and the oil is running out, and becoming ever more expensive. We need to find another way of living that is not dependant on oil, and we need to do it reasonably quickly. It all ties in with climate change, as well - finding ways of living with the planet instead of just on the planet (and as if we had a couple of spares we could move to if this one goes wrong).
Enter Simon Forrester, who is organising a meeting at the Parish Hall to start a Transition Town group.
It's at 7pm on October 2nd, with a film about how Cuba is coping with a drastic reduction in oil (the answer being really quite well - and their organic gardens are wonderful - and now I sound like Peter Sellers in the old film I'm All Right Jack, extolling the virtues of the Soviet Union with "all those cornfields - and ballet in the evening"!)
Gareth Ratcliffe, our County Councillor, will be there to give a short speech (fresh from trying out the sharp end of delivering Council services - there are photos of him going round with the bin men in the window of the butcher's on Broad Street).
Entry is free, and snacks will be provided, but people are asked to bring their own drinks along.

It won't be the first Transition Town locally; Presteigne is already doing this, and I think Brecon is too.
And anyone interested in learning more can go to www.transitiontowns.org or contact tthay@gmail.com

Should be an interesting evening!

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