The talk will be held at the usual venue of the Hereford Friends Meeting House at 7:30pm on the 7th of November 2011.

Bee Aware

‘The decline in the bee population is well covered in the media, but it’s not only honeybees that are suffering. In this inspiring and informative talk, Brigit Strawbridge explains the importance of (and difference between) social and solitary bees, the problems they face and how you can help them out in your back gardens and allotments’.

Brigit is also planning a one day ‘Bee Aware’ conference/seminar/workshop. It will cover: the importance of (and difference between) honeybees, bumblebees and solitary bees including their life cycles & behaviour; natural beekeeping; habitat loss and neonicotinoid pesticides and what you can do to help. It will be somewhere in the Malvern area, on a Sunday, and she would probably have to charge a small amount to participants to help cover her costs (around £10 per person) If you are interested in coming along please contact Brigit ( brigitstrawbridge [at] gmail [dot] com )

You can follow Brigit’s activity on her blog or her facebook profile

The film will be shown at the usual venue of the Hereford Friends Meeting House at 7:30pm on the 3rd of October 2011

‘The Economics of Happiness’

globalization vs. localization (2010)

‘Going local’ is a powerful strategy to repair our fractured world—our ecosystems, our societies and our selves

Economic globalization has led to a massive expansion in the scale and power of big business and banking. It has also worsened nearly every problem we face: fundamentalism and ethnic conflict; climate chaos and species extinction; financial instability and unemployment. There are personal costs too. For the majority of people on the planet life is becoming increasingly stressful. We have less time for friends and family and we face mounting pressures at work.

The Economics of Happiness describes a world moving simultaneously in two opposing directions. On the one hand, government and big business continue to promote globalization and the consolidation of corporate power. At the same time, all around the world people are resisting those policies, demanding a re-regulation of trade and finance—and, far from the old institutions of power, they’re starting to forge a very different future. Communities are coming together to re-build more human scale, ecological economies based on a new paradigm – an economics of localization.

We hear from a chorus of voices from six continents including Samdhong Rinpoche, the Prime Minister of Tibet’s government in exile, Vandana Shiva, Bill McKibben, David Korten and Zac Goldsmith. They tell us that climate change and peak oil give us little choice: we need to localize, to bring the economy home. The good news is that as we move in this direction we will begin not only to heal the earth but also to restore our own sense of well-being. The Economics of Happiness restores our faith in humanity and challenges us to believe that it is possible to build a better world.

official trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkdnFYDbiBE
website: www.theeconomicsofhappiness.org

The film will be shown at the usual venue of the Hereford Friends Meeting House at 7:30pm on the 5th of September 2011.

Dhamma Brothers

click on image to download poster

East Meets West in the Deep South (USA, 2007, 76 minutes)

East meets West in the Deep South. An overcrowded maximum-security prison—the end of the line in Alabama’s correctional system—is dramatically changed by the influence of an ancient meditation program.

Behind high security towers and a double row of barbed wire and electrical fence dwells a host of convicts locked away from the outside world for life. But for some of these men, a spark is ignited when it becomes the first maximum-security prison in North America to hold an extended Vipassana retreat, an emotionally and physically demanding course of silent meditation lasting ten days.

THE DHAMMA BROTHERS tells a dramatic tale of human potential and transformation as it closely follows and documents the stories of the prison inmates at Donaldson Correction Facility who enter into this arduous and intensive program. This film, with the power to dismantle stereotypes about men behind prison bars also, in the words of Sister Helen Prejean (Dead Man Walking), “gives you hope for the human race.”

The film will be shown at the usual venue of The Friends Meeting House, 21 King Street, Hereford, 7:30pm

Bhutan – Taking the Middle Path to Happiness is a documentary on the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan and its development policy of “Gross National Happiness.”

Imagine a country where the peoples’ happiness is the guiding principle of government. Imagine a people who see all life as sacred, a land with abundant renewable energy, a nation committed to preserving nature and its culture. Imagine a country where the government’s goal is “Gross National Happiness.” Where is this Shangri-La? Bhutan.

But can a place like Bhutan really exist? Can such ideals be realized? Can this small, geographically isolated country tucked away in the Himalayans truly protect its environment and culture as they open their doors to the West?”

The concept of taking “the middle path” is one rooted in the Bhutanese view of the world, a simple message: happiness lies in the middle path. Neither overindulging in the world’s pleasures nor rejecting the world’s goodness can lead to a prosperous and peaceful society. Happiness can only be found by taking the middle path – the path that provides the needs of mankind without sacrificing the life generating diversity of nature.

But now with Bhutan’s entry into the global marketplace, the introduction of television, advertising and the social pressures of consumerism can Bhutan maintain this delicate balance?

Viewers of “Bhutan – Taking the Middle Path to Happiness” are left to make that decision themselves.

trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhWkTiMVWVI

Herefordshire Council are conducting a ‘Review of Subsidised Bus Services’ … problem is that many elderly bus users are not online so have no idea that it’s happening and that they have to respond by 15th July!

Please see attached a lovely eye-catching poster for you to put up in as many places as possible to encourage people to ask in their nearest Council Office for a hard copy.

And please respond to the survey yourselves too – it will only take a couple of minutes: just click here before the 15th July.
More info from Gillian Menzies of Transition Hereford at:
weloveourbus (at) live (dot) co (dot) uk

The Garden Festival 2010

Last year’s Festival attracted more than 2,500 visitors who enjoyed over 50 exhibitors, informative and engaging talks, local and organic lunches and teas, a beautiful setting, ambient music, imaginative children’s activities including ‘Garden in a Teacup’ and ‘Paint your own Bunting’ and much more…

The Mayor of Hereford will open the Garden Festival on Saturday at 10am and will join us all at the launch of the Transition Hereford GardenShare Scheme.

Another of the features is a hand-cranked, charcoal burning forge and there will be demonstrations of tool sharpening – so bring your garden tools and kitchen knives along to get a keen edge.

Matt Cutts, Ecological Inspired Sculptor, will be bringing a couple of pieces to the Festival and working on a piece during the weekend.

Everyone is invited to contribute to a creative sculpture that will be constructed over the 2 days of the Festival that will reflect the views and thoughts of the greatest garden of all, the planet, by one of our resident sculptors, Jim Ursell.

for more information go to: www.thegardenfestival.co.uk

Hellens Manor, Much Marcle, Herefordshire, HR8 2LY

click for full size poster

This Month’s ’1st Monday of the Month’ Film Showing takes us to Brazil for a look at how cities can transition..

A CONVENIENT TRUTH: Urban Solutions from Curitiba, Brazil is an informative, inspirational documentary aimed at sharing ideas to provoke environment-friendly and cost-effective changes in cities worldwide. The documentary focuses on innovations in transportation, recycling, social benefits including affordable housing, seasonal parks, and the processes that transformed Curitiba into one of the most livable cities in the world.

Cities should be a solution not a problem for human beings. The city of Curitiba has demonstrated for the past 40 years how to transform problems into cost-effective solutions that can be applied in most cities around the world.

watch the trailer here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swQTTG3NcYY

see the upcoming films in our Summer of Solutions series here

please come along. there will be some time at the end of the screening to discuss the issues raised by the film.

click to zoom in

Volunteers at Aylestone Park in Hereford are organising a festival to celebrate boats using the canal in the City for the first time in over a century. The Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal Trust, a voluntary organisation, have been busy building a slipway, to original specifications, allowing boats to be launched into this short stretch of the canal. The Trust aims to, eventually, fully restore the entire 34 miles of canal to the Over basin at Gloucester.

The festival will include boats, historic vehicles and a variety of stalls, stands and activities. There will be canoes and coracles, trail boats and, maybe, even a steam powered boat! The local fire brigade are also demonstrating their water borne skills during the day.

Two 1920s steam lorries have been invited together with a variety of other interesting cars. The newly formed Hereford Austin Seven Club will be showing at least six Austin Sevens and an Austin 12/4.

Also, Maggie Setterfield will be hosting a space with information about Transition Hereford’s GardenShare project.

The general public are invited from 10.30 in the morning – throughout the day – to enjoy the displays, exhibits and entertainment whilst also having the opportunity to explore the entire park ands its expansive views from the lookout point over the Lugg meadows. The festival will not only be fun, interesting and educational for children but will also give adults the opportunity to re visit the bygone age of our canal and steam heritage.

see also: www.h-g-canal.org.uk/html/aylestone_boat_gathering.htm
and for more about the Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal see Wikipedia

click to download the poster

1st Monday of the Month is back following the Mayday break;

We will be showing the films: A Convenient Truth, A New We & Bhutan, Taking the Middle Path to Happiness on the 1st Monday of June, July & August respectively.

June 6th:

A Convenient Truth: Urban Solutions from Curitiba, Brazil

An informative, inspirational documentary aimed at sharing ideas to provoke environment-friendly and cost-effective changes in cities worldwide. The documentary focuses on innovations in transportation, recycling, social benefits including affordable housing, seasonal parks, and the processes that transformed Curitiba into one of the most livable cities in the world. Cities should be a solution not a problem for human beings. The city of Curitiba has demonstrated for the past 40 years how to transform problems into cost-effective solutions that can be applied in most cities around the world. Includes exclusive interviews from world renowned Curitiba’s mayors Jaime Lerner and Cassio Tanigushi, as well as other brilliant minds who made Curitiba a world class model.

trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swQTTG3NcYY

July 4th:

A New We presents an in-depth overview of several communities which exercise values and lifestyles harmonious with nature.

As governments the world over, announce their intention to create low-carbon communities, A New We is an important resource which explores the positive aspects of its subjects and the challenges which are revealed, resulting in a comprehensive overview.

A New We presents what is perhaps the most important topic in the world today as we consider the future of our communities, the planet as a whole, and of generations to come.

trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YyNjAs-nHo

August 1st:

Bhutan – Taking the Middle Path to Happiness is a documentary on the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan and its development policy of “Gross National Happiness.”

Imagine a country where the peoples’ happiness is the guiding principle of government. Imagine a people who see all life as sacred, a land with abundant renewable energy, a nation committed to preserving nature and its culture. Imagine a country where the government’s goal is “Gross National Happiness.” Where is this Shangri-La? Bhutan.

But can a place like Bhutan really exist? Can such ideals be realized? Can this small, geographically isolated country tucked away in the Himalayans truly protect its environment and culture as they open their doors to the West?”

The concept of taking “the middle path” is one rooted in the Bhutanese view of the world, a simple message: happiness lies in the middle path. Neither overindulging in the world’s pleasures nor rejecting the world’s goodness can lead to a prosperous and peaceful society. Happiness can only be found by taking the middle path – the path that provides the needs of mankind without sacrificing the life generating diversity of nature.

But now with Bhutan’s entry into the global marketplace, the introduction of television, advertising and the social pressures of consumerism can Bhutan maintain this delicate balance?

Viewers of “Bhutan – Taking the Middle Path to Happiness” are left to make that decision themselves.

trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhWkTiMVWVI

All the above films will be shown at the Friends Meeting House, 21 King Street, Hereford, 7:30pm

Entry by donation (suggested £3 – £10)

click to view/download/print poster

The programme of talks and presentations throughout the day will be finalised just before the event to give everyone the opportunity to contribute as the reality of this opportunity filters through;

It is to be a family friendly rural event so please bring homely homes, with welcoming drinks and a child-friendly version of your activity/campaign stall.

Several Cycle/Walk groups will be coming this year including the Tour de Presteigne big ride!

You are welcome to camp with your stall;
some cyclists will camp before heading onto Presteigne for their main event on Sunday 8th – the fancy dress bike ride in the town from 4:30pm.

HiT Alliance Spring Conference in a field – lots of discussion & forum ideas brewing from Transition Farming, a Marches Permaculture Network, Marches Green Gathering 2013 Transition Trees, Forest Schools, Community Wind Power, Green Economics & Livelihoods, Implementing the Sustainable Communities Act, the Local Development Frame-Up, Deep Ecology workshop, Meet the neighbours of Powys, Shropshire and beyond!

contact: springgreens@live.co.uk or 07777 661252