Caring about the future of our community
in Thornbury and the surrounding villages

ST Bulletin

This is the first of our periodical bulletins. The idea is to inform Sustainable Thornbury supporters what we are doing and what we are planning. We hope you like it. We have been sending minutes and agendas to all members, but we hope the bulletin will be easier and more attractive to read. You won't get minutes and agendas any more unless you come to general meetings or contact the secretary on info@sustainablethornbury.org.

It is much easier and cheaper for us to circulate the bulletin by email, but we can print it and post it to you if required.

Farming film show - Thursday 18 March

The last in our series of talks and films in the villages will be a film show in Falfield Village Hall about farming on Thursday 18 March, starting 7:30pm. The film is called "Farm For the Future", and is about sustainable ways of farming. The film will be followed by a discussion with an expert panel.

The February talk in Olveston by Ian Page on Peak Oil was very well attended, and gave us pause for thought as Ian explained how soon oil production will fall short of demand.

EcoFair - Saturday 22 May

We are holding our first EcoFair on Saturday 22nd May 2010, in The Chantry in Thornbury. Open to all, it will be a fun way to find out about eco-living and the positive choices we can all make towards enjoying a low carbon future. For more details click here.

This is a major event for Sustainable Thornbury to put on, and we need the help of members in organising the event, both before and on the day. If you haven't responded to the request for help, we would be grateful if you would let us know one way or the other by emailing the secretary or ringing 01454-416778.

EcoFair workshop - Saturday 27 March

There will be a workshop to try out some activities, make things and plan the details at the Chantry on the afternoon of Saturday 27 March from 1pm to 5pm. Please bring some lunch to share. These events are usually good fun, and all willing hands are welcome.

Give-It-Away Take-It-Away Day - Sunday 13 June

This year will be our third Give-It-Away Take-It-Away Day. It will be an opportunity for the people of the Thornbury area to pass on their unwanted but usable goods, and a chance to pick up some goodies for free. It will be in Thornbury's Rock St car park.

The provisional date is Sunday June 13th, but we may change this - watch for publicity or check on the website nearer the date.

Thornbury local food veg boxes

Some members of ST have been working with others for some time towards setting up a local food scheme in Thornbury. It will start off as a vegetable box scheme and we are expecting to start producing boxes this summer. We are now at the stage when we need to know who is interested in joining in, so if you want to buy good local food and support local growers please read on and let us know you are interested. This is an exciting chance to be in at the beginning of a new sustainable project.

For the moment, we only need to know whether you are interested, so you are not making a commitment at this stage. If you are interested please email to csa@sustainablethornbury.org by Monday 15 March, saying whether you are mildly interested, interested, keen or very keen.

Meetings

ST general meetings are on the third Wednesday of every month at 7:30pm at The Chantry. The next three meetings are Wed 17 March, Wed 21 April and Wed 19 May. All are welcome.

The Grow Your Own Food group has a meeting most months. Click here for details. See under Notices below for details of the spring community orchard pruning.

Tip of the Month - Bottle Out

Did you know that to make a gallon of mineral water, two more gallons must be used in purification processes? Give water resources a break and drink tap water instead - a penny buys enough to fill 50 glasses, so it's also much better value than expensive bottled brands.

Notices

"Food Inc" film show

Two members of Transition Minchinhampton saw the film Food Inc in Bath (it was sold out, having premiered in the UK the previous week) and they felt they had to show it in Minchinhampton. They said, "For anyone who eats food, seeing this film is a must"! It was the biggest selling DVD in the US last year and we feel everyone should realise how food is being produced.

The film will be shown in Minchinhampton Market House on Tuesday 6 March starting 7:30pm. See the poster (PDF 530KB). To book, email transitionminch@btinternet.com or ring 01453 885707.

Community Orchard Pruning Day

There will be a pruning day on Sunday 28 March 2pm to 4pm, to learn and practise pruning of fruit trees, in the Community Orchard opposite The Anchor pub in Gloucester Road, Thornbury

Environment Forum - Wednesday 10 March

South Gloucestershire Council is holding an Environment Forum on Wednesday 10 March at the Ridgewood Conference Centre, 244 Station Road, Yate from 7pm to 9pm. The topic for this Forum is street lighting and the pilot project in Charfield to turn off street lights in the middle of the night.

If you would like to go please email sustainability@southglos.gov.uk

Film "The Last of the Honeybees" on TV channel More 4 Tuesday 2 March 10pm

Major pollinators like the honeybees and bats are disappearing and /or dying and this raises serious ecological issues , not least for our food supply. If you missed this important film in November, this is another chance to see it.