Notes on 1st  Greener Teign Meeting       TVCH,  30 July 2009

 

 

Present

Adrian Canvin; Adrian Sargood; Anthony Hyman; Briony Falch; Cath & Phil Sleigh & daughters; Geoff Hearnden; Hilary, Dave & Poppy Wright; Jan Deane; Jan Williamson; Jerry & Rosemary Horsman; John Lund; Louise Baber; Mary Roddick; Mike Rosenbloom; Mr & Mrs Peter La Trobe; Pip Hayes; Richard Lemon; Ruth Stevens; Suzie Ackford; Tony & Penny Clapham; Vanessa Miles.

Speakers: Andrew Shadrake, Martin Rich

 

Proceedings

Mary Roddick discussed the important role that climate action groups can play and introduced the concept of 350 parts per million (ppm) being the upper limit of CO2 in the atmosphere to avoid catastrophic effects from climate change.  The current figure was 390 ppm and heading upwards by 2 ppm a year.  A global 350 day of action was to be held on 24th October and it was suggested that Greener Teign participate by staging a visually dramatic event on that day.  The Community Hall and Sports field had already been booked.  Mary showed 2 short cartoons illustrating the effects of rising CO2 and showing some 350 events that had already been staged.  An embryonic Greener Teign website, www.greenerteign.org.uk, was already running and contained useful links to pressure group and350 websites.

 

Mary then introduced Andrew Shadrake, Treasurer of Bovey Climate Action (BCA) and Chairman of Dartmoor Circle Ltd, an umbrella organisation encompassing climate action group around Dartmoor.  Andrew gave an inspiring talk highlighting the power that individuals and communities can exert.  He discussed the way Bovey Climate Action had been formed and developed and recommended that Greener Teign structure itself as an association with a constitution and at least 3 officers, preferably more.  In this way it would be possible to access grant funding.

 

After a break for tea and delicious cakes, the meeting discussed ideas for a 350 day of action.  Ideas were proposed by:

Vanessa   negotiating with the Observer for a feature on Dartmoor 350 events

Briony      something on Haytor where very visible (but BCA already proposing something with schools there)

Mary        dance group in 390 formation changing to 350, schools very interested, Doddi school already signed up.  Also Dunsford dancers and Kalash belly-dancers.

Louise      something big, visual, and long-lasting (? in keeping with Kate Broughton’s 350 mosaic idea but in plants/trees/valley road hedgerows)

John        church bells ringing all at once

John        something involves scouts (John is group scout leader)

Pip           350 logo on side of car

Mike         publicise at Christow show and in Newsletter

Andrew     event for 2 Moors Low Carbon Festival 9th-11th Oct.  £500 funding available

Mary        Fly banner from Haldon Belvedere for 2 weeks; Trustees have agreed provided we do not inconvenience those renting the Belvedere flat

 

Martin Rich from the Community Council of Devon then spoke about CCD’s role in supporting ‘catalytic’ projects.  For example they have funded a local community to look at the impact of severe weather events from climate change which then developed into an assessment of the future of the community as a whole.  CCD has limited funding for these enabling projects which is open to Greener Teign.

 

Mary then asked if there was support for setting up a formal Greener Teign organisation with officers and a committee.  It was unanimously agreed that Mary should be interim chair and that a steering group be set up which would agree the other officers needed.  6 others volunteered as steering group members:

Jan Deane, Briony Falch, Vanessa Miles, Jan Williamson, Mike Rosenbloom and Adrian Sargood.

It was also suggested there be a Parish Council representative, that the steering group agree a constitution (Andrew offered BCA’s as a basis) and that a grant application be made for an event as part of the 2 Moors Low Carbon Festival.

 

The final part of the meeting was taken up with deciding which of the 350 proposals should be pursued (included those proposed by people not able to be at the meeting) and who should act as a lead on each.  It was agreed to take the following forward:

  • Mosaic or other in plants/trees/hedgerows lead: Louise, Suzie + ?Kate B
  • Banner on Belvedere                               lead: Mary
  • Litter pick by scouts + others                  lead: John
  • Bell ringing                                            lead: Mike
  • Stand at Christow show                          lead: Adrian
  • Dance event                                         lead: Mary + another
  • Artworks at Doddi Art Show                     lead: Suzie to liaise c Henrietta

 

 

AJS     1-8-09