PL:21 (previously known as Transition Town Ivybridge).
PL:21 is a Transition Initiative which aims to encourage more ‘Positive Living in the 21st Century’ for Ivybridge and the surrounding area. Its name being derived from the postcode.
PL:21 will work towards helping people use less fossil fuels, in order to combat climate change and conserve oil and gas supplies within the global economy. PL:21 is seeking to make our society more resilient and sustainable. This involves using less oil, growing more of our own food, creating our own energy and building our own economy.
PL:21 is supported by the Ivybridge Town Council working in partnership with the Ivybridge Environmental Action Group. One of its objectives is to create more cohesion between existing groups in our community already working to combat climate change as well as instigate new initiatives preparing people for change, uniting everyone interested in regenerating the local area.
A host of projects are planned as part of the initiative, all aimed at balancing the negative effects fossil fuel consumption has had on our planet. All linking to the PL aspect of the brand name: Plant Lots, Power Less, Produce Local, Parliament Liaison, Parish Linked, Party Like, People Love, Pound Local, Picture Life and Process Litter are to name but a few.
On Wednesday 21st May 2008 we instigated our first main event, which highlighted one of the side effects of high oil consumption, how plastics (in particular plastic bags) have contaminated our environment.
Following on from the good work already started within Modbury. PL:21 showed the film ‘Message in the Waves’ filmed by Modbury’s very own Rebecca Hosking, and presented a talk by Dr. Richard Thompson of the University of Plymouth, which highlighted what affect plastic has had on both ourselves and our marine life and what is needed to be done in order to help stop this process, looking to ‘Process Litter’ far better in the future.
The event was well publicised with both Tess Wilmot and myself Simon Blackler appearing on Radio Devon and canvassing all the local shopkeepers and business owners resulting in 43 people attending the event.
The most positive thing coming out of the first event is the creation of the Ivybridge Bag. Which is totally recyclable, being made from off cuts from a local bed manufacturer, Vispring. The bags are made by the PLUSS organisation in Plymouth who employ people with learning disabilities to do the work. The logo being kindly donated by the Arjo Wiggins Paper Mill in the town itself. The bags are now being stocked in the Ivybridge Watermark Centre and are on sale for £1.99.
For more information on the PL:21 initiative or to get involved yourself please contact either myself Simon Blackler on 01752 690651 email: simon@setyourspiritfree.com or Tess Wilmot on 01752 892676 email: tess@tesswilmot.eclipse.co.uk