Facilitated by Danny Balla, former Training and Group Support Lead for Transition Together
and a founder member of Permaculture Wales/Paramaethu Cymru
Refreshments available
If you can’t come, please share your thoughts and suggestions with someone who can, or by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.or Facebook (Llandrindod Transition)/Facebook Messenger
Background and Discussion paper
What IS Transition?
‘The process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another’ (Oxford Reference Dictionary)
The Transition movement began in 2006 in Totnes, Devon, UK, initiated by Rob Hopkins and Naresh Giangrande, originally focusing on the need to transition away from fossil fuels and respond to climate change on a community level. It has since grown into an international network seeking ‘Local solutions to global problems’.
It is only at the level of community that we are able to imagine and create resilient and thriving living conditions that actually work within a turbulent transition era. We can’t (just) rely on others any more.
Transition emphasises local, community-led actions. It explores new ways we can work together to create communities that are fair, strong, and healthy for everyone. (Transition Network)
The UK’s network is Transition Together (https://transitiontogether.org.uk/) which is a great medium for sharing ideas and inspiration between groups. It was recently funded for a limited period to expand its work but is currently in the process of establishing a powerful, entirely voluntary network to maintain the momentum.
Trawsnewid Llandrindod Transition started in 2008, since when it has spawned several successful projects including the Repair Cafe, Pomarium Community Orchard, Incredible Edible and Seed Library which are largely self-organising, the newsletter and website. Our overall organisational structure is very ‘flat’ with no more formality than strictly necessary. The thread tying it together remains a monthly Steering Group open to all members to contribute and a programme of monthly public meetings on diverse relevant topics along with occasional special events.
However, over the years the core of people actively taking part in organising that thread has reduced and attendance at most public meetings declined considerably. Our membership (mainly defined by people signed up to the email list) and core is predominantly and increasingly ‘of a certain age’. Across the whole spectrum of our projects there are very few ‘young’ people, in contrast to some other Transition groups, and we largely fail to reach some important local communities which have a significant investment in and impact on the environment such as farmers.
Moving forward - or not?
So where does the thread wind from here, if you feel a new sense of direction may be needed? Ideas and questions which have been made so far (in no particular order):
- Stay as we are, with the risk that the core continues to shrink with fewer and fewer people trying to hold things together, eventually shrivelling up altogether
- Spin off the projects as independent groups and wind up the ‘core’
- Connections - actively seek and make connections in the community which serve Transition objectives
- Cooperation/Partnership working – more emphasis on working with other organisations (we have some experience e.g. with Tir Coed, PACE, Llandrindod Town Council, Powys CC, Tools for Self Reliance Cymru)
- Change our name. Perhaps it doesn’t speak to a contemporary local audience across the age, class, etc spectrum. Not all Transition groups use the word in their title.
- Meet less frequently but focus on higher profile topics/speakers/events?
- New projects to raise enthusiasm (e.g. a scheme to increase Solar Panel take-up)
- What kindred things go on now which complement or even replace potential Transition activities e.g. PACE (Powys Action on Climate Emergency)?
- Improve publicity
- Create a Transition noticeboard
- Set up a ‘Hub’ to bring together people, information, etc
- More emphasis on ‘fun’! There are examples of this among other local, broadly ‘environmental’ groups.
THANK YOU – YOUR VIEWS ARE ESSENTIAL!
