Transition Eynsham Area (TEA or Green TEA) is working in the community to raise awareness of how to cope with the transition from a global, fossil-fuel based, polluting and vulnerable economy, to a more sustainable lifestyle based on clean, renewable energy and local produce.
A number of working groups have been formed to take the initiative forward.
1. Eynsham Area Waste Watchers (EAWW) was founded in September 2008 as an independent CAG.
They agreed to affiliate with TEA and have become the waste working group for TEA.
They have held 6-monthly SwapShops in both Eynsham and Aston. They are working on a directory card for recycling addresses.
Eynsham Area Waste Watchers had their first swap shop during the County Wide Swap Shop event in March 2008 and have supported this event each year since.
The aim of Eynsham Area Waste Watchers (EAWW) is to encourage waste minimisation by arranging public events and raising awareness of environmental issues. We run swap shops (Bring or Take) in Eynsham and Aston.
2. 10:10 Challenge Group was founded in June 2009 as a 'Hearts & Minds' group. They have adopted the 10:10 Challenge and are conducting a household carbon footprint survey with 'Champions', as a start for measuring energy reduction in the community.
3. Food Working Group was founded in August 2009. They started with a Community Local Produce Picnic and have progressed to an allotment mentoring scheme in Cassington with input to a private mentoring scheme in Eynsham. They have formed an 'Orchard Subgroup' with plans to plant verges and fields with fruit and nut trees. They are liaising with local businesses about local sourcing.
4. Policy Group was founded in September 2009 as the Council Liasion Group. The new convener, Debbie Haynes, will keep an eye on climate and fossil-fuel related plans at governement and local authority level. She would be glad of input from supporters. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
5. Energy Working Group was founded in October 2009. They have an ongoing plan for a PV array on a local church roof and they are in the process of approaching local businesses for further PV installations. They have launched a Green Electricity initiative to encourage residents to transfer to 100% green-power schemes. They have also been researching microhydropower.
6. Transport Working Group was founded in April 2010 and has a convener.
In the news: TEA with David Cameron
On 12 March 2010, just prior to the election, Green TEA organized a meeting between David Cameron and local climate groups within his Witney constituency to demonstrate the strong feelings that groups have on environmental issues. The small room was overflowing with 42 people and more would have come if possible!
Each group gave an outline of their aims and activities and a very varied picture emerged of the measures communities are already taking in order to mitigate the effects of climate change and the prospect of diminishing supplies of oil. Questions ranged over the topics of 'Climate as Priority', Energy, Food & Agriculture, Waste and Transport.
TEA encourages other groups to make sure that their elected representatives know what is going on in their constituencies and meet or write to their representative with issues.
(http://findyourmp.parliament.uk)
Anyone in the area of Eynsham, Cassington, Aston, Standlake, Long Hanborough, etc can join the group; to help, support or offer ideas, and to go on our mailing list.
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