Friday, 29 October 2010

3 Things for November

  • Thing no.1: your regular LCW meeting, Thursday 4th, 8pm in the Plough

 

  • Thing no.2: Big Climate Connection , Friday 5th, 5pm in the Jam Factory

Tim Nicholson islocally helping to organise the Stop Climate Chaos Big Climate Connection event - a mass lobby of MPs regarding climate change with some specific requests.  Loads of information on their website here: http://www.stopclimatechaos.org/the-big-connection

 

“The Stop Climate Chaos Coalition is calling for people across the UK to connect with others in their communities on 5th-6th November and lobby their MPs.  With supporters from more than 100 organisations coming together in their communities for the Big Climate Connection, we’ll show MPs that people from all walks of life – from environment to development groups, from unions to local community and health groups - are calling for action on climate change.”

 

For Oxford West and Abingdon    there is a meeting arranged with Nicola Blackwood MP on Friday 5th November at 5pm at the Jam Factory (http://www.thejamfactoryoxford.com/). 

PLEASE sign up via the website: http://www.stopclimatechaos.org/the-big-connection

 

  • Thing no.3: Runaway Climate Challenge, Sat 13th, Oxford University Centre for the Environment, South Parks Rd; ***URGENT -  book now! ***    

From Jo Hamilton at ClimateXchange, et al:

We’re really looking forward to the upcoming Runaway Climate Challenge on Sat 13th November, and we hope you are too.

If you’re planning on coming, please could you register as soon as possible so that we know how many people to expect, and to help with room allocation - we’ve extended the early bird registration until the end of October. Below you’ll find 1) an overview of the day, 2) the agenda and 3) full details of the workshops.  We hope to see you on the 13th November.

 

People who have registered so far are coming from: Sustainable Blewbury, Hailey Parish Action Climate Team, Canalside Environment Group, Sustainable Wallingford,  Re-Boot Oxford, Sunnymeade CAG, Kidlington vs climate change, Low Carbon West Oxford, Transition Chipping Norton, Oxon Fed of WIs, Transition Eynsham Area,  Henley in Transition,  Oxcar; Low Carbon East Oxford, Oxford Diocese Environment Group, Abingdon Carbon Cutters, Drayton Parish Council, Climate Outreach Information Network... plus from further afield: Hyde Farm Climate Action Network, West Berkshire Council, Transition Wargrave.

What attendees are brining to this year’s event:

“The village is embarking on a community plan and I am interested in the extent to which it may be possible to inject concern about climate change into the discussions about housing, employment, transport and recreation.”

“Interested in the psychology of change, engaging the disengaged to face up to climate change, mobilising group action, social enterprise.”

“I would like to gain advice/contacts to help kick-start a community renewable project in Kidlington.”

 

*We’ll be sending out final details of the event, including attendees and interests, on Fri 5th November.*

With best wishes,

Jo Hamilton (ClimateXhcange), Simon Kenton (CAG Oxfordshire) Tom McCulloch (Oxfordshire Rural Community Council)

 

1) Overview

Runaway Climate Challenge

Oxfordshire’s Community Climate Conference: Providing stimulation, inspiration and support for taking community action on climate change

Sat 13th November, 10am – 4.30 pm, Oxford

Oxfordshire is at the forefront of community led climate change action. Whether you’re a new or existing group, this event will provide stimulation, inspiration and support for your group to take action on climate change.

Aims of the event:

·         Learning: To meet and learn from other groups, strengthening work and sharing best practise

·         Skillshare: To skill share specific ideas to involve communities in carbon and waste reduction

·         Support: To provide inspiration, ideas and support for starting up new projects and community groups,  and to showcase local agencies and organisations that can provide support

·         Movement: Taking stock of the achievements of the diverse numbers of organisations, groups and businesses that are active on climate change locally.

·         Wider action: To encourage cross-sectoral links and leadership

Date and time: Sat 13th November 2010, 10am – 4.30 pm. Optional post-event networking from 4.30 – 5pm

Venue: Oxford University Centre for the Environment, South Parks road, Oxford, OX1 3QY

 

Cost: To cover costs for the event, the charge will be £5 if you register before 31st October , £7 per person afterwards. Workshop presenters, facilitators and helpers have free places.  Concessions  are available, please contact event organisers.

 

Further details: For full details about workshops, timetabling and to register in advance, please see www.cagoxfordshire.org  or contact: 01865 275 856 / jo@climatex.org / simon.kenton@resourcefutures.co.uk

 

Organised by:  Oxfordshire ClimateXchange, CAG Oxfordshire and Oxfordshire Rural Community Council, with support from Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford University’s Environmental Change Institute. 

Please register in advance by going to www.cagoxfordshire.org

 

2) Agenda

 

10.00 am

Reception / Tea Coffee

10.30-11.00

INTRODUCTORY  PLENARY SESSION

11.00-12.30

MAIN WORK SHOP SESSION 1

Workshop 1: Including everyone

Workshop 2: A strategy for a Greener Oxfordshire

Workshop 3: The emotions of climate change

Workshop 4: Case studies from Oxfordshire

12.30 – 13.30

LUNCH BREAK / INFORMAL NETWORKING

13.30 - 14.00

MINI-WORKSHOPS SESSION 

 

 1.Science and politics updates

2. The Local Authority Low Carbon Manifesto

3. Online networking: Community Central

4. Internet tools for community groups

5. Walk the Walk

6. Polar Explorer / Climate Change Educator

7. Faith responses to climate change

14.10 – 15.40

MAIN WORK SHOP SESSION 2

 

Workshop 5: Finding and generating funding for your projects

Workshop 6:  Overview of engagement models

Workshop 7: Demystifying marketing : if you can do it with leg  ulcers, you can do it with low carbon living.

Workshop 8: Climate Reach: participatory approaches on climate change learning and action in Oxfordshire

Workshop 9: Space available for issues arising on the day

 

15.40 – 15.50

Comfort break

15:55 – 16:30

Final plenary session

16.30 – 17.30

Optional post-event networking from 4.30pm.

Wine / soft drinks will be served

 

Sunday, 3 October 2010

Festival Feedback

As the AGM of the Festival Committee draws near (2nd November) we are looking for feedback about the summer festival and any of the events.  Next year's theme is 'Flight' so we are looking for good ideas of events to organise around the theme.  There is also a feedback form on the main website if you want you comments to be more private.  Just click on Comments. Thanks

Saturday, 2 October 2010

Apple Day and bad weather

Well after all the preparation the weather has scuppered Apple Day for the for the first time I can remember.  The problem is that we have loads of apples to unfreeze and that process takes 48 hours.  So we can't cancel at the last minute and risk having tons of squishy apples and nobody to drink the juice.

Jo is planning an alternative Christmas Fair on Saturday December 4th in the Baptist Church hall.  Look out for details on the Wolvercote Calendar later.  Stalls will be there to sell the orchard produce and possibly other Christmassy things!