Wolvercote Blog

June meetings

2011-06-05T15:45:00.000+01:00

Oxford North Community Renewables – Launch Meeting

Monday 6^th June

7.30pm

Cherwell School Sixth Form Centre

Become part of a community initiative to invest in North Oxford’s future and put photovoltaic panels on the Cherwell school’s roofs this summer. The project will reduce carbon emissions by 22 tonnes annually and it will generate clean renewable electricity in Oxford. It will give the school great educational opportunities and it will generate funds for shareholders and for further carbon reduction activities.

To see the share offer document go to: www.oncore.org.uk

For any questions please email: info@oncore.org.uk

Low-Carbon Living Programme – Drop-in public meeting

Low Carbon Oxford North

Thursday 9^th June

6.30 – 9pm

North Oxford Association (next to the Ferry Leisure Centre), Summertown

Find out about this positive empowering programme being launched in Oxford North for the first time. Participants get a detailed carbon footprint, an electricity monitor and access to six carbon busting workshops. The programme is free and runs for year starting in June.

More details on the website: www.LCON.org.uk/activities/low-carbon-living-programme/ or contact tim.nicholson@LCON.org.uk 07798 725 077

Diana Wynne Jones

2011-03-28T20:59:00.000+01:00

Diana Wynne Jones who died last Friday was writing about an imaginary Wolvercote in a parallel universe yonks before Philip Pullman set an entrance to a parallel Oxford in Sunderland Avenue. She lived in Oxford for many years.

"Charmed Life" is a fantasy about an orphan boy living in a magical Wolvercote, where his parents drowned in the river. He is sent to a strange big house where he is taught magic by sorcerers ( sounds familiar? Predates H. Potter by 15 years). "The Wolvercote Warlock" is a story about a no good member of a Wolvercote coven who comes to grief.

The obituaries somehow fail to mention the Wolvercote connection

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/mar/27/diana-wynne-jones-obituary/print

Lorna

Goodbye Wolmads, hello 'Acoustic Night'

2011-01-25T16:03:00.000Z

Well, Wolmads wasn't that catchy was it? And the noise at the Plough meant that all we could do was to bash out songs leaving no room for the more gentle contributions.

So with the permission of James Knox at the Red Lion. 'Acoustic Night' starts on Friday 4th February at around 8.30 in the restaurant. We are hoping for a good turnout for the relaunch of songs and stories over an ale or two.

So come along to share your songs or stories, to join in or simply to have a pint and listen.

On 4th March, Moonrakers are performing at the Holywell so we will miss that date but afterwards we hope to repeat the evening on the first Friday of the month.

See you there!

3 Things for November

2010-10-29T10:36:00.000+01:00

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 5^th 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 13^th 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 13^th 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 5^th 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 13^th 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 13^th 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 31^st 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

Festival Feedback

2010-10-03T16:13:00.000+01:00

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

Apple Day and bad weather

2010-10-02T10:53:00.000+01:00

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!

June - The Wolvercote and Wytham Festival

2010-06-02T17:30:00.001+01:00

June is the month of the Wolvercote and Wytham Festival. Our eighth Festival looks back at life during the Edwardian era - often portrayed as a romantic period of long hot summers, garden parties and big hats. But this was also a period of great change. This was a time when Britain's rigid class system was about to be shaken by the emergence of socialism, women's suffrage and the first world war. The period brought us music from Elgar as well as the Music Hall, the Art Nouveau movement and books from H.G Wells and Beatrix Potter. New technologies emerged to record music on wax cylinders and moving pictures on acetate film. Einstein and Freud were producing their famous work whilst Eglantine Jebb founded the Save the Children Fund. Marconi sent the first wireless signals across the Atlantic and the Wright brothers made their first flights. The Titanic set sail on it's fateful maiden voyage. Children played with hoops, teddy bears and hobby horses whilst the better off constructed with Meccano and took pictures with the Box Brownie camera.

If you are interested in more local history, some reflections of Edwardian life in Wolvercote have been made into a leaflet for the festival by Ann Spokes Symonds and is available for sale at the Post Box.

This year we are pleased to welcome Wytham village into the festival and we look forward to their events. Friends of All Saints are delighted to be invited to host the craft exhibition and there is great excitement about the ‘Ashes’ cricket challenge between Wolvercote and Wytham

The Festival spans two weekends with events in the midweek evenings. On the second Saturday, the Children’s Parade and Morris dancing lead from the Baptist Church Hall to the St Peter’s Church Fete, linking both parts of the village.

The events are free unless stated. It is not a fundraising event in itself, aiming only to cover costs, but if money is raised beyond what is needed to stage the events, then donations are made to local organisations.

We look forward to seeing you there and hope you enjoy it.

LCW in May

2010-04-29T09:08:00.002+01:00

Some things to do in May:

Come to a debate on food supply: Feeding Oxford: Investing in a Food Supply Fit for the Future. Speaker: Mark Winne

Tuesday 4th May, 8pm at Vaults and Garden, Radcliffe Square, Oxford

Admission is Free, but space is limited, so RSVP to: Ruth West info@CampaignForRealFarming.org (see attached flier for more details)

Then come to the LCW meeting and have a drink at the Plough, Thursday 6th May at 8pm.

Then on Sunday 9th May, come with neighbours & friends on the Wolvercote Wander. See http://www.wolvercote.org/LowCarbonWolvercote/LCW.htm and poster attached. It's a celebration of the small, low-tech things, as well as the big projects so if you have any ways you're living a lower carbon life, tips, stories, etc - please tell Michael Buck (tel: 515777; e-mail: sheilabuck@btinternet.com ) so that they can be mentioned, and perhaps pointed out, during the Wander. Thank you.

And in the meantime, watch this film about plastic bags by a campaign to reduce their use.

Plastic: Where do you think it goes? Please watch our short film (it’ll only take 30 seconds) : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoL3v6pqJ9M

Greener upon Thames wants YOU to help reduce plastic bag use in the UK.

Why?

Plastic bags last up to 1,000 years
Each person uses on average 20,000 plastic bags in their lifetime
Plastic bags do NOT biodegrade
They kill wildlife and marine life
They act like a sponge absorbing toxins and passing them into the food chain
The “Pacific Plastic Stew” - waste accumulating in the Pacific Ocean - is now six times the size of the UK
It is EASY to live without them – take a reusable bag with you

Back us in getting the new Government to ban or introduce a national levy on single use plastic bags.
HOW CAN I HELP? Please watch our 30 second film, sign our petition at http://www.greeneruponthames.org and forward this email on to your contacts.
THANKS SO MUCH – together we can do this!

Wolvercote Wander - Sunday 9th May

2010-04-23T14:31:00.012+01:00

Join us on Sunday 9th May for a gentle wander around the village to celebrate the innovative ways of living a low carbon life including: food hub; solar energy generation; solar water heating; air source heat pumps; compost toilets; wells; common land resources; and local food production.

The Wolvercote Wander will start from the Farmers Market at Wolvercote Primary School at approximately 11:30. We will be stopping at various locations where you will be able to find out more about how Wolvercote is on its way to becoming a Low Carbon communities - and end up in the Plough at about 1.30 for a drink and chat (food orders taken up to 2.30).

See http://www.wolvercote.org/LowCarbonWolvercote/LCW.htm more details, including the route map http://bit.ly/awolvercotewander

Please pass this date + links on ...
Best wishes.

Madeleine Metcalfe
on behalf of Low Carbon Wolvercote

Wolvercote.org

2010-04-16T12:17:00.003+01:00

I've now set up a central calendar on the website. The original notice board I produced in 2004 did not succeed because it relied on me to keep it updated. The new calendar can be updated by anyone - provided I authorise the contributors email address.

Likewise, with this blog we can have multiple contributors. So come on you lot, why not email me and get involved! n.malden@gmail.com

Photographs

2007-06-27T08:03:00.000+01:00

There has been some concern about us publishing photos of the Festival containing images of children. Our guidelines are that the names and addresses of all people - including children - will never be published thus reducing the possibility of predators from identifying individuals. During a public event it is not possible to get individual consent. Does anyone disagree?