Christchurch

Thursday 19 January, 7.30 to 9.30pm
Main Church, Christchurch Baptist Church, Bargates, Christchurch
Long Live the Credit Crunch! From Economic depression to happiness
Stef Kling continues his look at the world's financial system and asks, what happens when we don't grow? Stef will recap on why the current system is unsustainable, and on the emerging alernatives. He will present ideas on economics based not on profit but on adding real value. There will be a discussion on how small changes in our actions can improve our lives in the global economy and turn us back from the brink of social and environmental catastrophe. Free event, refreshments available.

Wednesday 29 February, 7.30 to 9.30pm
Rear Hall, Baptist Church, Bargates, Christchurch
Renewable Energy
George Gregory looks at UK energy usage by fuel type and application, the rationale for renewables in the UK and analyses the different technologies. He concludes with a clear recommendation of which should be prioritised in the UK. Not the technologies you might expect to be first choice! Free event, refreshments available.

Wednesday 28 March, 7.30 to 9.30pm
Druitt Hall, off High Street (by Library), Christchurch
Food Security
A key factor in building local resilience against the oil crisis, climate change and economic downturn is food security, which means that much more of our food is grown locally. Topical tips on how to get started. We can encourage our food retailers to source local food, and we plan to share information on best practice local traders. Free event, refreshments available.

Go to our website www.transitiontownchristchurch.org and join our mailing list!

Green Quiz
Wednesday 28 September 2011, 7.30pm Rear Hall, Baptist Church, Bargates, Christchurch
Come and join us for a fun evening with a green quiz. It will be a chance to chill out, socialise and share ideas. Opportunity to swap seed. Free event, refreshments available.

Films & Discussion - "Life in Make-Believe Land"
Wednesday 26 October 2011, 7.30pm, Rear Hall, Baptist Church, Bargates, Christchurch
This presentation, with film extracts, looks forward from today, whilst we still have the chance to make the necessary changes to avoid serious disruption to our lifestyles. A comparison of the perception of current environmental conditions with the underlying reality, with plenty of pointers of how we go forward positively. Free event, refreshments available.

Long Live the Credit Crunch - From economic depression to happiness
Wednesday 23rd November 2011, 7.30pm, Rear Hall, Baptist Church, Bargates, Christchurch
The world is stuck in a financial system that needs economic growth in order to function. What happens when we don't grow? What happens when Europe and the US go bankrupt? This talk will be a fascinating insight into how we can all contribute to a world economy that is sustainable and doesn't harm the environment. Free event, refreshments available.

Saturday June 18th, 4pm onwards
Garden Crawl
We’ll be visiting members' gardens in Christchurch in order to learn more about growing your own food and other sustainable projects. If you would like to come, please contact us – see below – and we can supply addresses. You don’t need to join in for every garden – just tell us what time you want to start. Car-sharing is the order of the day to keep carbon emissions down as much as possible – let us know if you need a lift or can offer one.

If you would like to show us your own garden, please also get in touch. We plan to start in the centre of town with 2 gardens, moving on to the Mudeford and Friars Cliff area between 5 and 6 pm and finishing off in Burton around 7pm. Your garden doesn’t need to be a show garden – we’re all learning and the group discussion will be as valuable as anything. Free event.

If you have anything else to show, such as wormery, solar heating, chickens, etc. we would love to know so we can publicise that too. Free event. Email us for details at contact@transitiontownchristchurch.org.

Saturday June 25th, 9.30 to 12 noon
Give and Take Day at High Cross Church Hall, Amethyst Road, Somerford
In conjunction with the Council’s Waste Department. Bring any unwanted stuff – books, clothes, bric-a-brac etc – and leave it for anyone else to take it home for free. Like a swap shop, it saves you money and prevents stuff going into landfill for the next millenia. Free event.

Friday July 29th, 7.30pm
Talk and Picnic at Stanpit Marsh Information Centre
We’ll be meeting at Stanpit Marsh Information Centre, an iconic building of its kind, complete with composting toilet! Mark Merritt, one of our supporters and also Chairman of Friends of Stanpit Marsh (which raised the funds for the building) will talk to us about it and sustainable building in general.
Free event. Bring your own picnic (on the Rec).

To find out more about any of these events, or about Transition Town Christchurch, email us at contact@transitiontownchristchurch.org.
or look at our website at www.transitiontownchristchurch.org

Saturday morning 12th or 19th February - time and venue to be confirmed
How to Grow your own Vegetables
Come and learn to make a raised bed or an earth box - it is so easy when you watch this demonstration. With gardeners on hand there will be plenty of stimulating ideas and lots you can learn. Email us at contact@transitiontownchristchurch.org to book and we will confirm date, venue and time.

Wednesday 23rd March, 7.30 to 9.30pm, Druitt Hall (next to Library), High Street, Christchurch
A Fun Veggie Food Night
For the already converted and those tinkering with the thought. How to make fabulous food with simple, cheap and delicious ingredients - beans, lentils, couscous, rice and Quorn. Sample the delights produced by local veggies. Free event, refreshments available.

Saturday morning 9th April, New Forest - exact time and venue to be confirmed
Forest Foraging for Free Food
Come foraging for free food in the wilds of the New Forest with Lucie Cowles, well known as a local expert. Strictly limited numbers so pre-booking is essential - email us at contact@transitiontownchristchurch.org to book, and we will confirm time and meeting point. £3 per person.

Thursday 28th October, 7.30 to 9.30pm, Baptist Church, Bargates, Christchurch
Trees and Hedges
Learn why we should be planting more trees and hedges, and protecting the ones we already have. Trees are not only the lungs of the planet, but are at the heart of the ecosystem. Without hedges there would be no wildlife corridors – yet we are killing them off with pollution and felling them faster than ever before.
Free event, refreshments available.

Wednesday 24th November, 7.30 to 9.30pm, Rear Hall, Baptist Church, Bargates, Christchurch
Short Film evening …
Tonight there will be short films and plenty of time to discuss the films that Colin will be showing us. As usual, have your say: ask your questions; give something to the group and take away something. Free event, refreshments available.

There will be no event in December

Thursday 27th January 2011, 7.30 to 9.30pm, Baptist Church, Bargates, Christchurch
Seed Swap and Celebration Event
Come and swap your seeds so that produce can grow throughout this year. Look back on what has been achieved in the locality in 2010. Let’s celebrate all that we have achieved over the past year and plant seeds for the future. We will be looking ahead, so come and share your vision of the future. Free event, refreshments available

Thursday 29 July, 7.30 to 9.30pm, Baptist Church, Bargates Christchurch
Green Journeys around Town
Come and talk about alternative travel options in and around Christchurch. Let's look at the possibilities and see if we can make a difference. This Open Space forum allows everyone to have a say, but we will also have speakers on cycling and sustainable travel. Free event, refreshments available.

Monday 23 August, 7.30 to 9.30pm, Baptist Church, Bargates, Christchurch
Green Gadgets Great and Small ... what works for you?
To help you through the maze of what is out there in terms of realistic alternative energy and gadgets for our homes, come along to this information evening. Basic facts will be provided, with website references for your further research. Please bring along your own favourite energy-saving device for information-sharing. Free event, refreshments available.

Monday 20 September, 7.30 to 9.30pm, Baptist Church, Bargates, Christchurch
Make do and Mend: Learning from the Past
Bothered about our throw away society? Come along and join in the discussion as we learn from others how things used to be done, as well as considering what positive changes we could make to our lives in Christchurch by living with less. Free event, refreshments available.

Wednesday 21st April, 7.30 to 9.30pm, Baptist Church Hall (rear of main church), Bargates, Christchurch

Transition – in Bitesize Pieces!
Come and learn what Transition Towns are about and why we are building one here in Christchurch. We will also be looking at our ecological footprint, water conservation and why sustainable living is so important. FREE event, refreshments available.

Saturday 29th May, 10 to 4pm, Christchurch Community Celebration, Druitt Gardens, Christchurch

Transition Goes to the Party!
We will be having a stall at the Christchurch Community Celebration. Come and find out about Transition Towns, take away some seeds and seedlings, and maybe even learn a crochet stitch or two in our “re-skilling” zone!

Monday 28th June, 7.30 to 9.30pm, Druitt Hall, off High Street, Christchurch

Re-Skilling Christchurch for the Future
One of the theories about Transition Towns is that in the future we are likely to need some of the skills which are currently in decline. We will be taking a look at some of these skills, such as bee-keeping, knitting … even bread-making! FREE event, refreshments available.