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The meeting was immensely successful. Rob Hopkins gave us a brilliant exposition of the present energy situation and presented us with compelling arguments as to why we should act now. He also introduced us to the concept of Transition Towns and everything he said chimed well with an audience who, here in West Wales, have the privilege of living in a beautiful countryside with communities still operating at the human scale as they have done for many generations. So when he talked about the two towns where some of these ideas are being implemented on a practical level, Kinsale in County Cork, Ireland and Totnes in South Devon there were many points of potential harmony with the places we live in. Perhaps the key messages for us are: just get stuck in, communicate, work with others, initiate and pursue do-able jobs which contribute to the overall objectives of the community. In Totnes in particular it was about using good local food, thinking of the spiritual and physical well-being, looking for direct practical ways of saving energy and many other ideas and initiatives each sustained by different people and groups affiliated to the whole undertaking: a kind of federal structure. A good way to catch up on this is to explore the websites where these ideas and activities are very well chronicled. A good route in is: http://www.transitiontowns.org/Totnes
Then there was a formal debate with a panel of: George Monbiot, an author and journalist, now living in Machynlleth, whose major research and interest centre on the causes and effects of global warming; Margaret Dalton, a local farmer recently named Welsh Farm Woman of the Year and a highly respected figure in the agricultural community hereabouts; Patrick Holden himself; and John Lloyd Jones, Chairman of the Countryside Council for Wales and Chairman also of our meeting. What emerged very quickly was that there was already a huge amount of activity out there in the community, but also that there was not always agreement about the detailed interpretation of what the future had to hold nor what was the most important course of action to take. Despite these differences there was a strong recognition, first, that there was still an enormous job to do together to persuade those, perhaps still the sceptical or antagonistic majority, who were not represented in that audience, and, second, that there was powerful energy in the room linked with a feeling that the time was right to push forward. Afterwards we talked about the ideas and what we heard over cawl, a traditional dish, produced from local materials by the University cooks. It was a chance also to network and meet people and organisations whom, perhaps, we have never met or come across before. The buzz was tremendous and many took the opportunity to write down what they thought and indicate their willingness to help take the concept forward in the communities of West Wales. A summary of these written responses can be found in the next section. Finally we met again formally and there was a lively discussion between the floor and the panel. The outcome was a vote, unanimously carried, to carry this idea forward and the Steering Committee was charged with identifying the next steps and getting back to the people who had registered and attended. This newsletter is that communication because the Steering Committee has now met and we have some recommendations.
Summary of the written responses at the Meeting
Over 80 people from a variety of places in West Wales and further afield (including Switzerland) were keen and filled in the forms, on behalf of themselves and organisations to which they belong, to offer their help and expertise to this endeavour. They are too many to list here, but the committee holds these specific expressions of support and they will be followed up in the months to come as various schemes begin. We, of course, have many more names and contact details for you all on the attendance register, but we will want you to identify what you are willing to do to help by contacting us again or by coming to our next public meetings, as each town moves forward. We also asked some questions:
1. After what you have heard today, in what ways do you think peak oil/climate change is a threat or an opportunity?
2. What can you and your community do to respond positively to peak oil and climate change?
3. What help do you need to take the next steps?
4. Since most of the respondents were people already supporting green aims, we had a lot of specific ideas about how to implement Transition Town ideas. It is noticeable that a lot of responses came from people with very specific interests or advocating very specific modes of action sometimes as very local initiatives, but often also they were parts of larger movements.
5. Threat and Opportunity: All agreed that it was both threat and opportunity. Many saw the chance for communities to act together and holistically and thus to improve the quality of life as well as achieve reductions in energy consumption. There was also some sentiment for the reawakening of old skills. Some saw this as the right moment when the message is beginning to sink in. There was some concern, however, that the agenda might be hijacked by politicians and vested interests.
6. Community and individual response: There were many diverse ideas for individual projects. Key themes were: sustainable housing; education in the schools; be inclusive and representative; intra- and inter-community communication; local energy generation; self-sufficient food production; consumption of local foods; energy-saving light bulbs; audits of individual consumption; sustainable public transport; physical, spiritual and psychological well-being.
7. Taking the next steps: This was all a lot less certain. There was clear support for action at the local and personal level and some suspicion of national and regional governmental and quasi-governmental organisations. General support for the Steering Committee to initiate the next steps, including a communication network, built off the back of the attendance and interest at the meeting.
Next steps
The Steering Committee have met and considered what to do next. Already by the time we had met things had moved on. There had been important coverage in the media and we have had several individual approaches. One of those pieces of coverage was a full-page article in the Guardian by Felicity Lawrence to be found at http://environment.guardian.co.uk/energy/story/0,,2051912,00.html.
Another internationally known journalist who came especially for the Lampeter Meeting was Rosie Boycott also from the Guardian. The Guardian feature seems to have reverberated all over country and abroad. We have received expressions of interest from South Africa, The Isle of Man and other parts of England. Associates from South Wales contacted us to express interest in doing something with a putative ‘Allotments Movement’, for farms in the West to link closer with cities in the south .
These are the main proposals for initiatives to be taken and they represent the sort of direction we feel this needs to go:
1. Three towns at least in West Wales will begin the processes of becoming Transition Towns, one in each of the counties which once formed Dyfed (both the old local authority and the ancient kingdom). These are Llandeilo in Carmarthenshire, Lampeter in Ceredigion and Fishguard in Pembrokeshire. We see these only as ‘Starter Towns’ and the hope is that others will also come forward. Each will take its own initiative according to the local circumstances and needs, but each will be part of the wider initiative. Reports form each can be found below.
2. The West Wales Soil Association will carry forward a supportive regional initiative in the production and marketing of local food. The first meeting will be in early June (see below)
3. We will create a network of information exchange and shared activities for all the various schemes and initiatives to enable mutual support, the sharing of best practice and the creation of political pressure. This will involve: the establishment and sustaining of a database of active and supportive individuals and organisations; the dissemination of relevant information and contacts; the holding of meetings from time to time which can address common issues and practices.
4. We will identify and support initiatives by other organisations which are generally and specifically compatible with the aims and objectives of the Transition Towns movement. These may range from the Welsh Assembly Government, for example the railway idea below, to whole towns and their bro and to individual schools, such as Ysgol y Deri who want to be the first ‘Transition School’.
5. We will identify and pursue sources of funding for the overall initiative and support applications by associated projects to funding bodies. We can also note, with great gratitude, the receipt of our first donation from Peter Heneker.
Transition Towns at the hustings
As part of our aim of generating political support, the Steering Committee felt that we should seize the opportunity afforded by the Welsh Assembly Government Elections on May 3rd and ask all the candidates and parties key questions about the Transition Towns ideas and to seek their support. This is what we sent them:
PREPARING WEST WALES FOR (A FUTURE OF) CLIMATE CHANGE and a future without oil
A CHALLENGE from the communities of West Wales to the new Welsh Assembly and to local government.
On 3rd April 450 people attended Lampeter’s biggest ever public meeting, held to consider the global challenge presented by Climate Change and the needs for transition to other lifestyles when fossil fuel become too expensive. Those attending represented communities and a wide range of interest groups from across West Wales. There was widespread local and national publicity. The discussions focussed on community action and at the end of the meeting it was unanimously resolved to encourage the formation of transition communities. These would use less carbon generating fossil fuel and reduce energy use overall whilst at the same time improving the quality of life for all, including young people.
Communities have committed to action and need action from their politicians!!!
All political parties have committed themselves to a greener Wales. However, words are sometimes cheap and those who met in Lampeter have committed themselves to action and expect their political people to do likewise At this important moment in the political future of Wales these communities request answers from each candidate to the forthcoming elections to the following critical questions:
TRANSITION INITIATIVES. Will you support the formation of Transition communities in West Wales by incorporating this concept into Assembly and local Government policy?
ENERGY. Will you as a candidate agree to make the reduction of energy generated by fossil fuel the central policy for rural regeneration?
CLIMATE CHANGE. Will you agree to a proposed target reduction of GHG emissions of 15% in the lifetime of the next WAG? And b) Will you ensure that all publicly funded projects are assessed for their likely for their likely carbon impact? Furthermore, will you ensure such projects are only accepted if they meet the proposed reduction target?
FOOD and FARMING. Do you support a food security strategy for Wales based on the re-localisation of food production based on sustainable systems?
TRANSPORT. At the Lampeter meeting there was unanimous support for improved public transport including the establishment of a new rail link from Swansea to the north through Lampeter. Will you support this project?
A simple “Yes or No “ answer to each question would be appreciated.
Those attending the Lampeter meeting, and the local and national Press, have been sent a copy of this questionnaire and will be sent your response. We would be grateful for your reply.
Peter Segger OBE
Chairman
We have now had responses from nearly all of them. This is a summary from Peter Segger:
The questionnaire was sent out on our behalf by the Soil Association. Many candidates replied by return. Their response is impressive given the hectic nature of their lives. 76 candidates in and Mid and West Wales were contacted. Some passed the survey to their Political leader to reply while most replied individually. The order below is when replies were received.
1. Christian Peoples Party: Long letter; YES to all questions.
2. BNP- North Wales organiser: YES to all questions with letter
3. Welsh Christian Party. YES to all questions- with short letter
4. Labour Party- Ceredigion- YES to all questions though doubts 15% carbon reduction possible in time frame. Supports railway idea. Letter.
5. Conservative Party: HQ Wales. Nick Bourne.YES to all questions if a little cautious to check out railway idea but generally in favour. Long letter.
6. Communist Party. Letter.YES to all questions except ENERGY where they want to see more coal including clean coal and carbon capture .
7. Green Party. Councillor from New Quay- would go further with better buses etc. long letter with YES to all questions. Plus Green Party mid Wales candidate- YES to all plus a very long thoughtful letter and a CD of their manifesto. The most fullsome and thoughtful of all.
8. UKIP. YES firmly to all questions. letter.
9. PLAID. local. Clear YES to all questions with full letter including wish to meet if she is reelected to take things further. Attended Lampeter meeting.
We can say that, LIB DEMS apart who have not replied despite gentle reminder, ALL parties support our Transition Plans with overwhelming enthusiasm and many of the planned and associated campaigns.
The Starter Towns
Lampeter
About sixty people from the Lampeter area attended the event on April 3rd and indicated their support for the ideas debated on that day. We have also received an important expression of interest from Ceredigion County Council who would like to consider our idea of making Lampeter a Transition Town and giving its support through the Rural Development Plan currently under consideration. We shall be discussing this very soon in a meeting between CCC, Menter Llambed and Antur Teifi, both of which organisations have given tremendous support for the ideas and, indeed, for the holding of the original meeting. We are particularly grateful to Antur Teifi who were able to provide resources to enable it all to happen.
This discussion will happen in early May and following that we will call an open meeting for all those individuals and organisation who expressed support and offered help on April 3rd. We are suggesting this meeting should be on Saturday June 16th, but let us know if this is convenient and we will send more details later. We would also like to extend our invitation to those individuals and organisations who did not write anything down for us on the day or who missed the meeting altogether. So would those who receive this newsletter please forward it to others you know might be interested? Contact for the moment, until we can formally elect a representative group at the open meeting, is David Austin on profdaveaustin@aol.com. Local organisations which expressed support on April 3rd:
• Menter Llambed Ty un nos group (part of Lammas Network)
• Rhydian Organics (Rob Hue) Lampeter Permaculture Group (Andy Polkey)
• University of Wales Lampeter UWL Students Union
• Organic Fresh Food Company Antur Teifi
• Mulberry Bush Wholefoods The May Organic Farms
• The Lamp Denmark Farm
• Ymlaen Ceredigion
Llandeilo
Following the Post Peak Oil event at Lampeter a number of people felt that it would be possible for us to work towards ‘Transition Town Llandeilo’. A few of us met on April 12th, 2007 at New Road to explore this possibility, and the following conclusions were reached. They were: Rhiannon Rowley, Anson Allen, Simon Bowkett, Jessica Griffin, Sue Weaver, John Gaffney, Annie Allen, Simon and Sandra, and Ben.
• There is great concern about an impending energy crisis and global warming. People find it difficult to respond to the global nature of the problem and while some individuals have made heroic efforts, communities, on the whole, have not pulled together to tackle the difficulties we will face in the future. The transition town concept encourages inclusiveness and group action and it was felt that the potential exists in Llandeilo to become a transition town.
• Around forty people from the Tywi valley were at the meeting in Lampeter. It was strongly felt that the next step in our journey should be a meeting to which all forty people were invited. This meeting would identify the skills, strengths, abilities and interests of those who wish to be involved in this project. Existing transition towns are all developing in different ways by drawing on local sources of expertise. Llandeilo and its surrounding area have a diverse culture and lots of resourceful people!
• Simon has come up with a fantastic idea for a logo. Transition Town Llandeilo translates at Tref Trawsnewid Llandeilo … capitals TTLL in both languages therefore TL2 (squared not 2!)
• The next meeting will take place in the Civic Hall in Llandeilo on Saturday May 5th at 2pm. The formal part of the meeting will be between 2.30 and 4.30 and we would leave at around 5. Drinks can be provided. Before coming please take some time to think about what broad based groups you would like to see becoming the ‘platform’ for a transition town Llandeilo (eg. Transport, Permaculture, Green Energy, Food and Farming) and who you feel would be the right people to invite to the following meeting which would be an Open Space event.
The contact point for the moment for Llandeilo is Rhiannon Rowley rhiannon@ninant.freeserve.co.uk
North Pembrokeshire: Newport, Fishguard and Goodwick
Early discussions have taken place among a number of individuals as well as certain key organisations including PLANED. There has been a meeting in Newport at which it was agreed to progress the idea there. This meeting was organised by Vicky Moller who was present on April 3rd. Early discussion meetings are being planned in early May for Fishguard and Goodwick by Tom Latter. Martin Powdrill, also present on April 3rd, is enthusiastic about developing the Carbon Neutral Project in St Davids into a Transition Town initiative. The contact for this early phase is Tom Latter thomas.latter@btconnect.com
Aberystwyth
A Transition Town initiative for Aberystwyth was announced by Slow Food Member Albrecht Fogel at the end of a talk by Mukti Michell (zero-carbon yachtsman) in the Tree House on Tuesday 24th April. It's intended the initiative be carried forward as soon as possible: anyone interested can contact Albrecht by email at fogelfink@gmail.com
The West Wales Soil Association
The WWSA will carry forward a supportive regional initiative for sustainable food and farming. The first meeting will be held on 2nd June at 6pm at the Tyglyn Hotel, Ciliau Aeron ( contact Peter Segger 01570 470 529) for details. Richard Heinberg from California who spoke at the Soil Association Annual Conference in Cardiff earlier this year will be the key note speaker. Richard is one of the world's foremost Peak Oil educators, with an international reputation for clarity, incisiveness and balance in his books and published articles. His books included The Oil Depletion Protocol: A Plan to Avert Oil Wars, Terrorism, and Economic Collapse, and The Party's Over: Oil, War and the Fate of Industrial Societies. He is a Core Faculty member at New College of California and was a 2006 recipient of the M. King Hubbert Award for Excellence in Energy Education. Space for 2nd June is limited to 150 people so for all those interested in sustainable farming and food from a practical and cultural perspective whether large or small scale; whether allotments, farms or cooking or whether as a consumer or “Slow fooder” - you are all warmly invited.
Transition Towns West Wales Initiative- Steering Group
This group is intended to be short-lived and will be replaced by a proper representative body after the initial steps have been taken. The names of those who have brought the idea this far are: Peter Segger, Chairman, West Wales Soil Association Anne Evans, Organic Grower, Blaencamel Patrick Holden, Director, Soil Association Martin Fitton, Consultant Environmentalist Elisabeth Luard, Food Journalist Rhiannon Rowley, Abaca David Austin, University of Wales Lampeter Greg Evans, Menter Llambed Siân Johnston, Antur Teifi Tom Latter, Organic Farmer Tom Andrews, Soil Association Richard Pitts, Richard Pitts Associates Nick Rebbeck, Director, Dysgwch ar y Fferm (Learning on the Farm) Clare Richardson, Freelance Journalist and Photographer Simon Thomas, Former MP for Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire North
Organisations whose representatives expressed interest on April 3rd
Pembrokeshire: Sustainable Agriculture Network
Pembrokeshire: Green Groups (Plaid) (1)
Pembrokeshire Organic Group
Wales and the March: Gaia Partnership
Pembrokeshire: Growing Heart Workers Co-op Ltd (Boncath)
Pembrokeshire: Tything Barn Holidays
Carmarthenshire: Owen Thurgate consultant (Llanddovery)
Breconshire: Pori Natur a Threftadaeth
The Wasteless Society Ecopsychology Network
Powys: Green Presteigne CPRW Meirionnydd
Carmarthenshire: Cwmamman Town Council Centre for Alternative Technology
Aberystwyth University Carmarthenshire: Asiantaeth Ynni Sir Gar
Reegen Ltd (Aberystwyth) Esrad (Llanidloes)
Pembrokeshire: Planed Aberystwyth Area Community Trust
ADAS Wales Dyfi Valley Seed Savers
Greenlinks, Hereford and UK Ymlaen Ceredigion
Welsh Assembly Government Environment Agency Wales
Desassartation Ltd CPRW
Brecon Beacons National Park Ceredigion County Council
Sustrans Cymru
And Finally……….
The day after the April 3rd meeting we received an email from Chris Worker in the Welsh Assembly Government who told us of an initiative which would be very much in the spirit of the Transition Towns idea: reopening the rail link between Carmarthen and Aberystwyth. If, like us, you very much welcome this, then please contact Chris at chris.worker@wales.gsi.gov.uk and let him know. This is the substance of the email:
WESTERN WALES STRATEGIC RAIL LINK
The suggested route is based on existing lines (some upgraded), plus relaying a previous route and three sections that were proposed, surveyed and authorised by parliament, but never built. Actions
Upgrade Briton Ferry – Llandeilo (Swansea ‘cut-off’) possibly with a Swansea Parkway station . Possible link from (1) to Swansea Central. New line, Llandeilo – Lampeter. Surveyed & authorised 1886 & 1908, but never built owing to competition from already existing route via Carmarthen (now closed). Re-lay Lampeter – Aberystwyth. Tunnel under Southgate (authorised 1898, but not built.) to replace longer original route just south of Aberystwyth (now blocked by buildings). Passing loop at Rhydypennau (with Park&Ride station?) to allow half-hourly meshing with Cambrian. Dyfi Jct.– Porthmadoc. Upgrade to operate fast trains between community services (ERTMS) Develop high power-weight ratio tilting-train rolling stock for this (and similar) routes, using bio-fuel or local renewably generated electricity. Gradients up to 2.5%, curves to 60m(10ch). Work with Welsh Highland and Ffestiniog Railways to develop fast Narrow Gauge trams/trains. Work with Welsh Highland Rly. to extend from Caernarfon to Menai Bridge or Bangor. Investigate possible SG route Harlech – Trawsfynydd (similar to Meirionethshire Rly route 1862) If 10 feasible, upgrade Trawsfynydd – Llandudno inc. poss. realignment south of Blaenau Ffestiniog.
Target delivery date 2025. 49 miles of Standard Gauge single track to build Llandeilo-Aberystwyth. Sample target journey times, Aberystwyth-Cardiff 2hrs30; Porthmadoc-Swansea 3hrs; Lampeter- Bangor, 2hrs30, Lampeter-London, 4hrs – the times needed to attract substantial numbers from car travel. Through workings to Wessex (over Severn Barrage) and Merthyr Tydfil via a link through Llantrisant.
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