Welcome to Eastleigh Transition Network

Transition is a community-led response to pressures of climate change, fossil fuel depletion and increasingly, economic stagnation. It all starts off when a small collection of motivated individuals within a community come together.

Eastleigh Transition Network aims to support everyone living or working in the Borough of Eastleigh to plan for a ‘transition’ from our current total dependency on fossil fuels – to support our local economies and move towards a more viable and sustainable future.  This includes supporting our local producers and businesses.

Please take some time to view the list of our current groups that you may be interested in. If you are interested in starting a group or would like to contact us at all, please email info@etnet.org.uk

If you’d like to be part of our mailing list and receive emails about what’s going on, you can sign up here: ETNet Mailing List

Home Parties

Somewhat similar to the old “Tupperware” parties, the idea is for somebody to host a party in their home, the theme of which will be home energy efficiency.

During the event there will be a number of practical demonstrations of draught proofing products and there will be enough for guests to take home and install themselves. 4 host homes will have a free, professional energy survey of their home and there will be a discussion about the experts’ recommendations and some expert (or at least informed) advice.

Apart from the lucky 4 who get the energy survey, there will be a substantial amount of draught proofing material for the host and some non alcoholic refreshments and nibbles to help a good social atmosphere. To avoid flooding the host home with a lot of strangers, there will be no publicity for these events outside of the Transition Network. Instead we are hoping that the host can invite a good crowd of friends and neighbours and welcome fellow Transition members who they may not have yet met.

If you would like to host a working party, please get in contact with The Environment Centre. They can provide you with some printed leaflets for you to distribute to friends and neighbours. If you think that an energy survey would be good for you and interesting for your guests, please get in touch with The Environment Centre.

Open Party

The Environment Centre are looking for community centres or groups where they can host an ‘open to the public’ style workshop. They are in the process of creating a DIY Energy Efficiency display, and will have someone there to give practical demonstrations. If any ideas of suitable places come to mind, please contact The Environment Centre.

To help get you thinking of ways we can save water, we’ve put some tips together:

• Run your washing machine and dishwasher only when they are full. You can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.
• Turn off the taps whilst cleaning your teeth. You can save 25 gallons a month
• Put a timer on whilst you are in the shower to ensure you have shorter showers. Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you’ll save up to 150 gallons per month
• Replace your showerhead with a water-efficient model. They’re inexpensive, easy to install, and can save you up to 750 gallons a month
• For cold drinks keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap. This way, every drop goes down you and not the drain
• Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap
• Collect rainwater outside using a bucket or waterbutt and use to water your plants inside and outside.
• Check for leaks and repair immeditately. Ensure you do not have any dripping taps. Fixing a leak can save 300 gallons a month or more
• Use a water-saving-bag in your toilet to save water on your flushes
• When running a bath, plug the tub before turning the water on, then adjust the temperature as the tub fills up
• Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean
• Turn off the water while you shave and save up to 300 gallons a month
• When you give your pet fresh water, don’t throw the old water down the drain. Use it to water your trees or shrubs
• When you are washing your hands, don’t let the water run while you lather
• Keep a bucket in the shower to catch water as it warms up or runs. Use this water to flush toilets or water plants

The presentation covered the current Eastleigh Transition Network projects, along with a list of projects that had proven to be successful in other Transition initiatives in the UK. The aim was to inspire people about the potential of communities coming together to tackle the challenges we face. Ideas included community tree planting, The Great Reskilling, and an energy monitor loan scheme. If you’d like to see the presentation, please leave a comment or send an email to Transition Chandlers Ford.

The golf course at Boorley Green, near Botley, has been earmarked for 1,400 new properties in Eastleigh Borough Council’s draft local plan – but proposals are still in the early stages.

However, landowner Macdonald Hotels, architects John Thompson and Partners (JTP) and developers Ashill Development and S&R Developments have organised a “Community Planning Weekend” – inviting residents to create a “vision” for the area.

Botley Parish Action Group, which is campaigning against the development, say the event gives the impression the new homes have the go-ahead.

Chairman Sue Grinham said: “I think it’s premature.

“The developers seem to think it is a done deal if they are spending money on this type of interaction.

“They want to know what the people of Boorley Green want – well we have already stated unequivocally in surveys that we do not want a development.”

The organisers of the event say they are keen to engage with residents.

Charles Campion, from JTP, said: “The community planning events have been designed to give local residents the opportunity to shape any future proposals for their area.”

A consultation process run by Eastleigh Borough Council into the plans, which are included in proposals for a total of 9,400 new homes in the borough, has recently finished.

The council’s Cabinet is expected to discuss a revised version of the plan this summer.

Council leader Keith House said the community planning events had nothing to do with the council – but advised people to attend.

He said: “It is the developer trying to win support for their own proposals.”

The Boorley Green community planning weekend takes place on Friday, February 24 from 2pm to 6pm and Saturday, February 25 from 11am to 4pm at the Botley Park Hotel.

There is a similar event regarding proposals for 40 homes at Pylands Lane, near Hedge End, on Thursday, February 23 from 4pm to 8pm at St Johns Church in Hedge End. There will be a further meeting about the proposals at 7pm on Tuesday, February 28 at Botley Park Hotel.

For more information call 020 7017 1780.

Information courtesy of Daily Echo

If you can spare a hour or more to walk round a set route around our woodland between April and September then please contact Boyce at Test Valley bjeffery@testvalley.gov.uk or 01264 368823 for more info.

For those of you who are regular volunteers there will be a second route set up this year so a bit of variety!

Thrive is a small national charity which offers training and practical solutions,  so that anyone with a disability can take part in, benefit from and enjoy gardening.

Their Growing 4 Life project aims to cater for people aged 55 and over (although younger people are always welcome), to improve mental and physical health, reduce isolation and bring people together to improve a local green space for the benefit of the community.

Carl Harney (Thrive Project Officer) said:

“Gardening offers a range of tasks and irrespective of age or ability can support people in reaching their goals. It can improve psychological health and for those who garden in a group there can be additional positive effects on their self esteem and self worth.”

“There are also the social benefits; people make new friends and often will improve their social and communication skills. Research has also shown that access to the natural environment promotes recovery from stress and helps restore the ability to focus attention.”

Thrive has transformed an unused plot at the Moorgreen Road allotment site in West End, building raised beds, compost bays, a patio and tool shed.  In its first season, 23 different types of fruit and vegetable were grown, including giant pumpkins.

Thrive will be starting another six month programme at the Moorgreen allotment site, starting on February 28. The project is open to people who live within a 5 mile radius of that site.

If you are interested in joining the project please contact Carl Harney on 0118 988 5688 or email to carl.harney@thrive.org.uk.

Currently, ten companies own 55% of the world’s seed markets and their control is expanding. The introduction of genetically modified seeds further threatens biodiversity as genetically altered pollen mixes with, and permanently alters the gene pool of seeds that have evolved over 10,000 years of agriculture. Seed companies have a word for saving seed. They call it “piracy” and farmers have been sued for millions, even when the seed saving was out of ignorance or accident. Yet, the true pirates are the seed companies that are stealing a resource that belong to the people.

Garden Organic, the UK’s leading organic growing charity, has been at the forefront of the organic horticulture movement for 50 years and is dedicated to researching and promoting organic gardening, farming and food. They have created The Heritage Seed Library (HSL), which aims to conserve and make available vegetable varieties that are not widely available.

You can offer to be a Seed Guardian. Seed Guardians agree to raise seed of a chosen variety or varieties. Some vegetables are more difficult to save seed from and it will be necessary to isolate them to ensure they remain pure and true to type.

One idea would be to create our own Seed Bank with Seed Guardians across Eastleigh Borough. There are thousands of Seed Banks across the World, each storing seeds which can be made available for the community to share and swap. Please get in touch with us if you are interested in this.

They are looking for community spirited volunteers who will become Police Support Volunteers and work with the Police to monitor speeds of vehicles at specific locations using speed indication devices. Anyone who wishes to support local communities within Eastleigh should get in touch.

Volunteer skills

• Team work
• Literacy
• Interpersonal skills
• Administration

Benefits to Volunteers

Bringing communities together for a safer environment. Full training for volunteers will include use of the equipment as well as Health and Safety.

Contact:

Debbie Vickers
Volunteering & Work Experience Coordinator
Tel: 023 9289 6744 or 0771 7878 775
Debbie.Vickers@firstwessex.org

Meeting & Presentation from Hampshire Constabulary on 29th February 4pm – 5.30pm at:

Charlotte Yonge House
Tollgate
Chandlers Ford
SO53 3YP

Did you know?

• On average, cyclists live two years longer than non-cyclists
• Regular cyclists are as fit as an average person 10 years younger
• Cyclists breathe in less pollution from traffic than car drivers
• Cycling firms the thighs and bottom, and can even help tone the tummy muscles
• Cycling raises your metabolic rate, helping you to keep the weight off.

Arrive Fashionably Early

Beat the queues with your own pedal power. Cycling is the fastest way to get around town and if you arrive by bike, double yellows or traffic wardens needn’t concern you. More often than not, you can park right outside your destination.

Did you know?

• In cities cycling can often be twice as quick as driving and your journey time won’t vary with traffic, so you can normally arrive on time
• Free parking – it costs you nothing, as long as you don’t park where you’re not meant to.

Spend your money on you

Unlike a car, a bike does not need road tax, an MOT or breakdown cover and, above all, there aren’t any fuel bills. A good bike will only cost you around £75 a year on maintenance, and even less if you pick up the spanner or allen key yourself. If you cycle regularly, you’ll save yourself a fortune, so there’ll be more cash to spend on the finer things in life, like you!

Did you know?

• The average cost of maintaining a car each year is £273 compared to just £75 for a bike
• An average household in the UK spends one in every six pounds on travel – think how much you’ll save if you travel by bike.

Why not burn calories instead of carbon? Did you know?

• Cycling is the least polluting way of travelling after walking
• A cyclist’s emissions only bother the person behind!
• 2kg of carbon are saved for every short journey that is made using a bike instead of a car
• Ten bikes can be parked in the space of one car
• Cycling uses 0.03 mega joules of energy per kilometre, 70 times more energy-efficient than the average car
• More of us are doing it every day – going by bike puts you at the cutting edge of the cycling revolution!

Information provided by Sustrans – Why Cycle?
To find out more visit or call: www.sustrans.org.uk or 0845 113 00 65