Transition Towns WIKI

children damaging crops through playing on site Fences need repair Health and safety

Longer term - Fast growing hedging plants, eg, hawthorn, or mixed native hedging – cheap and fast growing, but needs to go in very soon if to be planted this year – bare rooted stock needs to be planted by end of March at very latest. Obtainable from BTCV or maybe London Wildlife Trust nursery in Peckham?? Logistics of planting – would need a dedicated work day. Another advantage would be increase in bio-diversity/wildlife habitat value. Possible drawback – once well established could provide cover for less desirable activities on site?? Maybe explore edible hedging plants, eg, gooseberry, blackthorn, worcesterberry, bramble (blackberries), or combine with hawthorn/mixed hedging options? Supervise younger children when on site Encourage older youths to take 'ownership' of and pride in site, Out reach work needed, eg, M.J? Mathew? Film project to pull in the youth? Get or check first aid kit

Organise fencing day or get someone to do... Order some prickly hedge. (specify/design) Liaise w Abike re CRB checks. Set ground rules for supervision and safety Risk assessment Liaise w MJ/M

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Sowing/potting/growing on – balconies, etc may not be ideal due to lack of adequate light – ie, seedlings may grow 'leggy' if they don't get enough light

Lockable shed on site for tools? may be a vandal magnet??? Try seeds on balconies and see?? Plastic mini-greenhouses easily obtainable, eg, £15 in Wilkinsons, but need somewhere to be sited. Again a potential vandal magnet unless secure Brockwell park greenhouses, but probably too far from project to be successful Get cupboard in community centre for site box.

Annaliese and Matthew work out logistics for BPCGreenhouses liaise w Fabrice/Vinnie in time for early March meeting.

Drip irrigation systems using plastic bottles Use mulches and other moisture conserving techniques Add organic matter to improve soil structure and water holding properties (see 'fertility' below) favour drought-resistant crops and varieties – perennials that need less watering once established?? Improve access to mains water supply – can stand pipes or water troughs be installed? Costs?? How have/do previous gardeners (eg, Curtis) solve this issue?

Commission GT review of downpipes order mulch, plan to make. Order compost from Aardvark (liaise about green/kitchen waste collection liaise w John Bloss about water installation talk to Curtis

Soil contamination issues??

Import compost? City farms for manure, etc Green manures Plant comfrey beds Rotation practices Investigate site history – how have gardeners managed the site in the past? Inputs and outputs? Were their practices organic? Send soil samples for testing?

Order some manure Order compost (above) PLAN AND DESIGN Order comfrey Plant green manure. Liaise w cranfield/Lisa re testing

Doesn't seem to be a clear plan of where we are going at the moment – lots of starting something, then thinking of something else, then going off and doing that for a bit rather than following through on agreed tasks Balance 'something seen to be happening'/enthusing stuff with long term and grounded sustainable planning Ongoing Horticultural skills Education program Exit strategy for ABUNDANCE/TTB/FUF

Formulate 'outcomes statements' Clear lines of communication Prioritise Timelines Time keeping tighter? Teach basics of vegetable gardening/horticulture, maybe a series of workshops through the year? Email lists communication w Annaliese

Views/agendas/anxieties of many disparate 'players' and stake holders People sometimes saying one thing but body language or actions sometimes suggest something else is going on?? 'Busy lives' of estate residents – food growing not their first priority? Other more pressing concerns might be crime, drugs on the estate, rubbish dumping, bored youth, etc, etc... Or just want to relax and chill in front of the telly after a hard day's work??? How are 'professionals' and non-residents involved with the project perceived by residents? What are the project 'drivers', ie, is the impetus coming from the 'grassroots' (ie, estate residents) or from 'outside' – is it top-down or bottom-up? Needs clarity. Participatory consultation and inclusive group design workshops, preferably as part of community events People need to feel that they are listened to and their ideas and concerns are heard if they are to come on board Role of 'professionals' and others coming from 'outside' the estate (eg, ABUNDANCE, Transition Town Brixton, Food Up Front, etc) clearly needs to be about ENABLING, FACILITATING and EMPOWERING rather than imposing 'our' agendas or pre-conceived ideas. “Experts on tap, not experts on top...” 'Professionals' and 'outsiders' to 'sit on their hands' more, or contribute suggestions and guidance rather than being 'prescriptive' or seen as 'experts' 'Professionals' and 'outsiders' to develop philosophy of 'non-attachment' to their own ideas – recognise that project might end up quite different from what was originally envisaged! “Let it go where it wants to go” -Rob Hopkins, Transition Towns Primer Need to demonstrate that healthy eating, local organic food, etc has wider links with a healthy society as well as personal well being – other benefits of community food growing include exercise, socialising and community reconnection, fresh air, less pollution due to reduced road haulage to supermarkets, strengthening local economies, etc, etc – promote 'the bigger picture' Respect and include 'elders' as well as youth, be aware of 'territorial' issues

Advertise in time and sufficiently. Involve estate people Food Music Having an ASK.

Liaise w Graham Publicity plan Poster, make, print, put up 28 stairwells etc. liaise book room food, order, barbecue music, drumming, sound system, accoustic? Things Wanted list posted up