Oue annual plant swop stall at the farmers market will this year be on May 13th. Bring any spare veg, or fruit seedlings or seeds to the stall to swop with something you don’t have. This is a good chance to try something knew or replace failed crops, you never know what you might find !
This year we are also asking for pollination plants for bees and other insects. If you have nothing to swop don’t worry – just give a donation !
Once you saw them – now you don’t. Gone from the south side entirely and double yellow lines should stop thoughtless parking which used to endanger cyclists’ lives and risk vehicle collisions. Time will tell if NCC has at last got the right balance.
Hopefully a future post soon will be informative re the new cycle paths around the A68 roundabout east of Riding Mill. NCC have been asked to provide the rationale.
Well maintained green spaces perform important functions which have an economic value, such as absorbing pollution, which provides people with clean air and reduces pressures on public services. These functions are known as ‘ecosystem services’.
By understanding what an area of land is made up of, its quality, how it is managed, used and the functions it performs, we can better understand the value it provides to a local or wider area, to businesses, communities and society. Natural Capital Accounting is a recognised way of demonstrating this in physical and monetary terms.
TT Meeting-Forum Cinema 1st March 2017-03-02
Present
Sue H-Chair
Kate B
Wendy B
Jane B
Phil C
Matty
James S
1-Battle Hill Shop Window Display-Update. Going to be there until 28th April-Sue, Kate and Laura Hull have been instrumental in setting it up. TT contact details discussed. Former Pudding Parlour shop in Fore St may become available in future. No potential new TT members at the meeting.
2-Car Club Update. 1 new potential member has been referred. Newsletter imminent. All TT members to use word of mouth to try and increase take up. Kate to look at leaflets and posters held and decide if info still correct and best way to distribute/display. Jane B to contact Co-Wheels to get redundant sign at Wentworth CP re-sited or removed. Helen Graysham of BID to be contacted by Sue/Wendy to see if BID could promote to businesses or even themselves become a member. James to contact Blackall Mill Community Group to find out their experience.
3-Edible Hexham-Saturday 4th March work party needed at Wentworth CP for tree planting being organised by Sue. So far the scheme has received approx. £500 from the Waitrose Green Tokens and £1000 from the RHS-Tesco Plastic Bag fund to be approached. Sue/Kate to explore potential Facebook presence with Laura Hull. All to note that Gareth will tweet info for TT.
4-Proposal for Talks and Visits –since proposal made at AGM Matty has been researching possible venues. No decisions made and options discussed. 4 potential talks discussed-Vertical Veg, a Todmorden speaker, Green Branch WEA (Matt/Energy Saving in the Home), Mark Siddell (Passifhaus). Concensus reached that Vertical Veg could be the first as it has a querky side to it . Phil has Mark Siddell contact. Discussion of relative merits of charging for tickets versus asking for a minimum donation. The QH at one end of the spectrum could both sell tickets and promote but may be expensive whilst a venue like the Trinity Methodist Hall would be relatively inexpensive but TT would need to do all the ticketing and promotion. Further proposals to come to next TT meeting.
Potential of TT members visit to look at the sustainability criteria used by ESH Homes on the Corbridge Road. Conclusion reached that individual interested members could call in any day of the week and see the show house. Do not leave it too long as only 4 homes unsold.
5-Venue for future TT meetings. –The relative merits and costs of various venues discussed (Forum Café, Bin 21, Heart of Northumbria, RAFA Club and the Tans Café) No conclusions reached but the Tans new meeting rooms to be appraised/costed (Helen Milner is the contact.)
6-Spring Festival-22nd April-Discussion of TT presence options eg Car Club promotion. Loraine to be contacted by Sue as to availability of stalls or Gazebo space.
7-Salmon Tails (interpretation associated with the fish pass project). HLF bid going in for interpretation and walking routes. TT asked to provide letter of support which Jane B has written. NCC currently doing some bank stabilisation works.
8-TT ‘Doing more stuff’– Phil introduced some ideas he had been thinking about.
9- Variable Systems Model and other Transition organisations governance documents introduced by Phil. Not time to discuss but agreed to pick up at next meeting after attached 4 documents have been looked at.
Another bed at the Wentworth was planted this weekend near to the existing beds by the Wentworth cafe. Thanks are due to Northumberland County Council staff for clearing the bed for us and to Matty, Phil, Roger, Ted and Angus who gave up their Saturday afternoon to help plant it up.
This is a fruit bed with apple trees, blackcurrants, gooseberries and strawberries to look forward to in the autumn !
Two new planters are also planned for Priestpopple this year – look out for them later in the spring.
On March 4th the great Edible Hexham volunteers planted up the 3rd bed at the exit of the Wentworth car park. The latest bed has 2 apple trees, black and redcurrants, gooseberries and strawberries in it – lots of delicious fruit for everyone to try.
Hexham was once a famous fruit growing area with many market gardens and orchards – in fact the present Wentworth car park is built upon former allotments and Tesco was a market garden and nursery only 30 years ago. Our 3 Wentworth beds are a tribute to these days and a reminder that anyone can grow their own fruit on their own garden–its so easy !
Many thanks are due yet again to Ted and Angus, Matty, Roger and Phil for their great efforts. We are always looking for more volunteers so if you are interested in helping please email Sue at suehick3@gmail.com
before
planted !
Congratulations on a job well done ! Time for a well earned cuppa!
I hope everyone has seen and admired the window display along Battle Hill .
Space was provided by Hexham Spaces and the display put up by Laura Hull, Kate Bramfitt and Sue Hick and runs until 10th march.
Many thanks are due to them for a fine display illustrating the work we are doing . Hopefully it will attract more volunteers with more ideas to work towards our vision of a sustainable, thriving town !
If you know of anyone who would like to become involved then please invite them along to our meetings – all are welcome !
Transition Tynedale Limited will be holding their Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 8th February, 2017 at Scott’s Café, Forum Cinema, Hexham.
This page explains the processes that we follow when electing our Directors, and Officers.
You’re invited to join our wassail on Saturday 7 January
Event starts from 12 noon
We invite you to join an event which continues an ancient tradition while planting a legacy for the future.
The physic garden is open from 12 noon – 2pm. Please feel free to bring snacks and sandwiches; there are plenty of benches to sit on, or lawns to lie on if you bring a rug.
From 1pm – 2pm, join in song and ceremony to toast our orchard trees.
Wassail is an Old English word meaning ‘be healthy’ or ‘be whole’ – ‘hale and hearty’. Wassailing the trees in the orchard wakes them from their winter sleep and brings a bountiful crop of fruit in season. This ancient tradition recognizes the importance of our relationship to nature.
Local druids will toast a chosen fruit tree with an offering of cider poured over its roots. This is followed by a sharing of the wassail bowl, and the singing of carols, led by members of the local community choir. We encourage the making of much noise by all present! A family event, come in costume if you wish – but remember your weather proof footwear!
Transition Tynedale provide the cider from recent apple pressing days.
From 2-3pm, you can join in a weather dependent walk through Dukeshouse Woods to Hexham Middle School, where tree planting takes place from 3:15pm. Sound therapist Johanna Sheehan will be leading a reflection on our connection to the earth during this final part of the event.
Transition Tynedale’s blog can be accessed here
This event is open to all and unticketed. Donations to the physic garden, an independent, local charity, will be much appreciated.
For more on wassailing, please click here and here.
Participation in all activities is at the individual’s own risk.
