Entries by Richard

I wondered for a while about posting this - doesn't seem 'Transitiony' at first but the more I thought about it the more I thought I should......

The Colbury & Ashurst Theatrical Society is staging its version of Three Musketeers on 31 Jan and 1 Feb (7.30pm) and 2 Feb (2.30 & 7.30) at Hanger Farm Arts Centre.  Unlike big budget blockbusters this show is a paragon of virtue!!  We have reused previous bits of set and repainted them - no new materials have been used.  We're borrowing costumes from other theatre groups and....wait for it.....recycling a lot of old jokes too!

It promises to be a great night out so get your tickets while you can......or Cardinal Richelieu will be very cross (and you don't want that do you??).

Tickets are £10 (£8 concessions) and are available from Hanger Farm Arts Centre 023 8066 7683 or the Co-op Welcome store in Ashurst (Lyndhurst Road).

Zut alors!!!

Water is a precious resource and one that is not often considered until problems occur.  The current drought situation has brought the issue to the forefront of many people's minds and we are now being encouraged to renew our efforts to save water.

A few years ago I fitted a simple, yet highly effective device to the syphon wc's (those with handles or chains, not push buttons) in my house and saw a consequent 30% drop in water consumption.  The Interflush can save around half of the 60 litres (on average) that we each flush away every day - way more effective than a hippo bag or a brick!!  It pays for itself (if you're on a meter) in a matter of weeks.

I've long been a fan of this little invention and wanted to draw it to everyone's attention again now that water shortage is a serious concern.  You can read all the details on the official web site and buy the kits there.  If anyone's interested I have a few boxed Interflushes and can arrange fitting if required (I tried to set up a small business selling and fitting them a while ago but it didn't fly sadly).  If you want more info etc email me or ring me on 023 8029 2531

On 1 January I started my year of buying nothing new.  My aims were to examine my consumer choices, develop my make do and mend skills and explore all the options that exist to buy essential things either second hand or at the very least recycled.  I decided that, other than perishable goods, items for repair and maintenance and things for personal hygiene are all ok but apart from that.....

A month and a half in and I am enjoying the 'challenge'.....  I've had a few occasions where I would have just bought something because it appealed to me (I'm a gadget person!) but resisted it.  And I've acquired new skills such as learning to hone and use a cut throat razor when my razor blades ran out!!  I now use a 125+ year old razor that I bought on eBay....a classic piece of engineering and a joy to work with....really - the blood loss has been much less than I expected

It's been liberating.  I don't waste time window shopping or reading about special deals for this and that.  If you fancy joining in there's a great Facebook group that is growing by the day and lots of people locally are doing it.

It doesn't really matter if you have the odd lapse...what's important is considering what you buy, why you buy it and whether what you buy is, in the long run, important.  C'mon - you know you want to!!

On 1 January I set out on a 'Buy Nothing New' year.  The aim is to examine my approach to consumerism and see how easy (or hard) it is to make do with either what I already have (a huge amount of stuff!!) or find second hand/recycled things when I need them.  I'm allowing myself, if I need them, new items relating to personal and domestic hygiene as well as things for repair and maintenance.

I haven't had any problems so far but as my supply of razor blades is fast running out I turned to the idea of a Straight or Cut Throat razor......read on for the 'gory' details

New Forest Transition has been contacted by a firm that has been working with a village in Cheshire on a programme to help the community become carbon neutral.  The village there has benefited from grants to build a self sufficient community centre, purchase an electric car for use by villagers on a car share basis and is planning a renewable energy project.

The energy distribution company that covers the New Forest area is interested to see if there is a community here that would like to consider something similar.  There's no guarantee at this stage but if you would like to discuss the idea some more please contact me (Richard Barnett) on 023 8029 2531 or 07791 990351 or email me

You can read about the Cheshire village here.  It's a great potential opportunity that could provide some really positive action!

A while ago a friend of mine undertook to not buy anything new for a year.  It seemed, at the time, to be a major challenge and I just looked on in admiration.  Now that it's coming up to the traditional time for making new year resolutions I'm thinking this would be a very good idea for 2012.

It would:

• challenge the consumerist culture we are all trapped in
• explore what we all take for granted
• offer an alternative to just throwing stuff away and buying a replacement
• support recycling and re-use initiatives
• save money

There would need to be some 'rules'.  Clearly food has to be excluded and maybe some items of personal and domestic hygiene?  But beyond that there are plenty of second hand and recycled options aren't there...........

I'm up for it.  Is anyone else?  Let me know if you are - there is strength in numbers! C'mon...let's do it!

Check out this great post about the idea

and this one!

The winter solstice marks the time of the year when the darkness begins to fade and the earth prepares for a new cycle of growth.
Following 2010's highly successful event come and celebrate this important moment in the calendar with us again in 2011. Minstead Study Centre, in conjunction with New Forest Transition, look forward to welcoming you for a magical evening.....
We will be in the Round House with a roaring fire. There will be tales, legends, and songs all focused on the solstice. Oh - and some seasonal refreshments too!
Please note that places are strictly limited due to the size of the Round House so advance booking is essential.  Reserve your place now by phoning or emailing Richard Barnett (023 80292531 or richard@veggiebarn.net

The response of David Cameron to Energy Companies' pricing policy was to encourage consumers to shop around for a better deal.  I took up the idea and decided that I could do better than my deal with NPower and guess what? I definitely could!!

I checked out Ecotricity and was just bowled over by what they are trying to do.  If you look at the clever advertising from the 'big six' you'd think they were the greenest companies on the planet.  But look beneath the veneer and you'll find the reality.  For every £1 spent by their customers the best any of them can do in terms of spending on green development is 4.4pence.  Most of them spend less than 2 pence per £1 - not even keeping up with the minimum legal requirement.....

Ecotricity's corresponding figure is a whopping 50p per £1

Add to that their offering of the UK's first Green Gas supply and a very generous version of the Feed in Tariff system and the result is, as they say, a no brainer....Ecotricity has to be the choice for anyone serious about energy issues.  Their tariffs are unlikely to cost you any more than you current supplier but by paying them for your energy you will help to build a sustainable energy supply for the future.

Do what I did and check it out.....then I would encourage you to take action and switch!

In March 2008 when I received my copy of the Transition Handbook I sat down and read it in one sitting.  When I had finished I was totally inspired by what was then a largely theoretical proposal suggesting positive ways of addressing the issues of Peak Oil and Climate Change.  It motivated me and thousands of others to get out and 'do something' - in my case help set up New Forest Transition.

Three years on I've just had a bit of a deja vu moment!  Rob Hopkins' new magnum opus is 'The Transition Companion - Making your community more resilient in uncertain times'.  It arrived yesterday and I have now had a chance to read it.  Once again I feel a sense of renewed energy and excitement about what the 'transition' approach to local communities can achieve.

The Ashurst & Colbury Community Group in association with the New Forest Food Challenge and Brand New Forest are holding a seed swap this Sunday (17 April) outside The Happy Cheese pub in Ashurst - 12-3pm

Lots of seeds and seedlings for swapping or a small donation. 

New Forest Marque sausages, cheese and pickles to try and.....

The Colbury and Ashurst Youth Theatre group will be operating the Human Fruit Machine!

Hope to see you there!!