Transition Newton Abbot

Transition Newton Abbot has emerged from the energy and enthusiasm of people living, working and caring about the environment and community of the town and surrounding area of Newton Abbot.

Starting from deep concerns around the issues of Peak Oil and Climate Change, the Group is setting up projects in our own locality. We are part of a worldwide movement of over 453 official initiatives plus 377 places mulling it over (Mullers) in 34 countries (set up since 2006!) and the movement is still growing.

At the same time, our group is growing rapidly and the more people we have to help, the more we can achieve.

Transition Newton Abbot is about practical action. It is about local people caring for their own environment and getting out there and doing something about it. The problems created by Climate Change and Peak Oil are real and are happening. Transition is about positive action and doing things in our own locality that make a difference.

Some of this work is practical, such as the community garden, some is about relaying the message, such as the events. For more details contact  Postie@TransitionNewtonAbbot.org.uk

TNA’s Response to the Teignbridge LDF Core Strategy (Preferred Options) Consultation Jan/Feb 2012

Transition Newton Abbot CIC has been working with members of the Spatial Planning team since the 2009 NA stakeholder workshop held on the 16/17th July which was attended by some of our members. Our LDF coordinating team and several members of the TNA CIC have responded to consultations and provided input during a number of joint meetings since then.

Our understanding has always been that an LDF is designed to manage new development in a sustainable fashion to meet the current and future needs of the town, its surrounding settlements and hinterland. We were constantly assured that the LDF will provide a set of policies to achieve the vision and aspirations expressed by the community and reflected in the council’s own inspirational statements, both verbal and written. In effect the LDF CS would provide a definition for the term ‘sustainable development’ as it applies to Teignbridge. Follow this link to download the full document.

Teignbridge strategy under scrutiny: to build or not to build?

To build or not to build? Is that really the right question? Teignbridge Transition groups respond to the current Local Development Framework Core Strategy.

Naturally we are all concerned about the latest development proposals for the Heart of Teignbridge. Rightly so, as these proposals will affect all of us directly or indirectly for a considerable time to come. One thing is certain, if there is no Local Development Framework (LDF), then it will be a free-for-all with unchecked, piecemeal development. We are sure no-one, neither planners, councillors, nor residents, relishes that prospect. Whatever you think, we urge you to make your voice heard during this consultation period.
Follow this link to see the whole article on the excellent People’s Republic of South Devon website.

Kingsteignton Transition Together

We have been very fortunate to receive a grant from Awards for All, Big Lottery Fund for a project called “Kingsteignton Transition Together”.

We have now appointed a Facilitator to manage the project, more information to follow soon.

TNA party and community garden open day

The TNA party and community garden open day went off well. We had plenty of people of all ages join us for our celebrations : people from within our own network and friends of the garden as well as passers-by who were just curious. We were also joined by Sally Henley , the Town Development Manager and members of the Magpies pre-school group who tend a patch of the community garden as part of their weekly activities. Members of the Transition group from Teignmouth and the Bovey Climate Action Group (the ones we linked up with for the Moving Planet Cycle Ride you featured previously) also came along.

We celebrated in true Transition style with pressing of local apples. All our visitors were invited to try their hand at making their own apple juice; all apples from Newton Abbot of course, including russets which make a wonderfully sweet juice. Everybody was involved from preparing the apples to the pressing and then the tasting. We had intended that visitors took some juice home but it was all consumed there and then.

The food we cooked was a lot of produce from the garden with a few extras. Herbs we had a plenty and chard plus squashes, marrows and potatoes which we baked over an open fire.Truly delicious and proving that you can have a lovely barbie with your own produce. Part of the philosophy of the garden is to show people how much you can grow for yourself and how satisfying it is come harvest-time when all your hard work pays off. If anyone would like to get involved just contact the garden group via postie@TransitionNewtonAbbot.org.uk or simply pop along any Sat morning.

Alternative ways to get involved are our Energy Group which has been going strong for the past couple of years or come along to our lively Book/DVD discussion group or join the Local Food Guide initiative. There’s so much to do and we’re a friendly, enthusiastic bunch. Hope to see you at one of our gatherings. Let’s make the next years in the life of Transition Newton Abbot the best yet.