Bright Ideas
As we go through the Transition, and especially when it is all new and exciting, we are finding we are coming up with so many (too many!) bright ideas. We can't put them all into practice so here is a space to list and explain them. As people join the process they can find ideas in this space to put into practice, supported by the Transition community.
If you're new to Transition Stroud, make sure you also check out the list of working groups at the end of the Homepage.
Shared Bikes
We need a system of bike shelters around the Five Valleys where you can pick up a bike to borrow, leaving it in one of the other racks. Possible sites are Stroud town centre, Nailsworth, Cainscross, Slad Road, Thrupp, and so on. We need to get people to donate bikes and then paint these all the same, distinctive colour, say yellow. We also need somebody to repair them.
Transition Cafe
This is one from Andy . . . in the War there was a system of cafes called Britannia Cafes where good, nutritious food was cooked and sold for a reasonable price every lunchtime and evening. It was to save energy and ensure people got to eat even when they were busy. Now we are facing our next serious challenge as a community we need something similar in Stroud.
Time Bank
A time bank helps to share skills and build community. We have lots of expertise and support but need somebody to take on the project of setting up a time bank for Stroud. You can find out more about how it works here: http://www.timebanks.co.uk/
Gardening co-operatives
We need to link up older people who have gardens they are finding difficult to manage and plenty of skills and experience, with younger energetic people who want to learn gardening skills. Also perhaps groups of people work together in each of their gardens in turn.
Woodchip Manufacture
In spite of the well-known positive qualities of wood-chip boilers, where are very few in Stroud so far. Partly this is because there is no local supply of the woodchip pellets. This is a yawning business opportunity awaiting a green entrepreneur.
Humour is a carbon-free resource
If you can draw, please help. I need cartoons to go in my presentations. I have the ideas but can't draw. For example, I want one that has the caption 'One day, son, all of this will be yours' and shows a devastated planet outside the window. And so on. Contact Molly molly@gaianeconomics.org
Midwife support
My friend Nadia is visiting from the Czech Republic and tells me that she has a friend who is a dula. This is somebody who looks after pregnant women, keeps them healthy and happy, and supports them during the labour. This is obviously a job we need to create here. Any ideas?
Polytunnel Co-Operatives?
Please add your own ideas . . . the zanier the better!