EcoSutton
By Victoria Elmore, Head of Features at NewsWaves
What is EcoSutton?
EcoSutton is a transition group based in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham. The group started late last year during the autumn season; since then EcoSutton have expanded and they’re now working on various projects in the local community.
What is Transition?
A transition group looks at finding ways of changing a community and making it more eco or sustainably friendly.
Stephen Lynes, a member of EcoSutton said:
“Transition is a return to more community involvement, it’s all about the community getting together to solve local problems. I believe we have to bring people together and educate them on issues such as climate change and help them have small practical things to do; transition is all about making things fun.”
What does EcoSutton do?
- Films – The group have screened films about the environment and community at various locations in Birmingham, in an attempt to highlight the issues that affect our villages and towns and learn about sustainable community solutions.
- Talks and Workshops – EcoSutton have held several discussions on practical knowledge and skills relating to transition and effective ways to help the community.
- Events – The group often attend and join in with Birmingham based events to raise awareness of how others can get involved and show their commitment to their local area.
- Local Groups – EcoSutton engage with local groups in Birmingham, from energy to transport, they aim to create a well connected voice within Birmingham.
Stephen Lynes added:
“As a group we are trying to move Sutton Coldfield to a low carbon economy. With the recession, what happens in America affects us, but if local people produced more of their own produce, we wouldn’t be affected by the issues occurring abroad.”
Current Projects at EcoSutton
Anita Bridges, from Eco Sutton commented:
“We currently have several projects running: Stephen has newly taken over the maintenance of several planters on Erdington High Street, where he grows fruit and vegetables; we are also planning to have a stall at this year’s Sutton Coldfield Carnival, to show our presence in the local community and get children involved in fun activities and, finally, we are looking to start holding talks on transition, the environment and sustainability in local schools, to show children and teenagers ways they can make small changes to help.”
Stephen Lynes further added:
“With the cuts, there have been talks that Birmingham City Council is planning to take out local planters, yet nothing has been confirmed in writing; this would be a great shame to local communities in the West Midlands.”
EcoSutton’s Aims:
- To raise awareness in the Sutton Coldfield and surrounding areas by holding regular meetings and events for different sections of the community.
- To promote sustainable living to save finite resources.
- To network with a variety of groups including: food, energy, recycling, transition and sustainability.
- To undertake training to increase knowledge and skills.
- To hold regular planning meetings to discuss current issues, events and ideas.
- To work towards ‘Transition Town’ status in 2012.
Anita Bridges concluded:
“As a group, we are hoping to start garden sharing; we have many residents that live in flats that want a garden, but simply don’t have the facilities to do so and there are also people that have gardens that are too big for them. I think a garden share would help both parties share the work load and the produce. This initiative could grow out of the ‘Gardening Organic Master Programme’; they train people and help residents in the local community with ways to better their gardening and improve their produce.”
What is the future for EcoSutton?
EcoSutton hopes to eventually become part of the national ‘transition movement’; members of the group have already attended courses, which are essential for achieving such an award.
Stephen Lynes concluded:
“We work to get rid of ourselves; we’ll work until we’ve set up groups on food, transport and energy which we endeavour will each become self-supportive. Effectively we are working for our own extinction; we hope to develop many groups built on individual interests and then we will have effectively accomplished what we set out to achieve.”
The Core Members of EcoSutton
Anita Bridges, Stephen Lynes, Dawn Blakeway, Pat Dunn, Malcolm Dunn, Sue Fenoughty, John Heywood, Harry and Barbara Staples.
Tags: charity, climate change, environment
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