Invitation to our Picnic at Morwellham Quay, Sunday 10th August
After the decision to close Westden was reversed in April, the new trustees and coordinator are getting to grips with Westden’s administration and we are sorry not to be able to offer any new projects at the present time.
The good news is that we are organizing a social event for members, supporters and friends. This is a PICNIC at MORWELLHAM QUAY, near Tavistock, on Sunday, 10th August, 11am - 5pm. Entrance is now free to this engaging restored mining village but there is a small parking charge and you can buy tickets for the mine train and other living history events which take place during the day. You are welcome to bring a picnic or you can buy refreshments and ice creams at the café or Ship Inn. We’ll have an informal discussion with Roger Creagh-Osborne about Transition Towns at 2pm (see www.transitiontowns.org) and show an inspiring film called “The Power of Community – how Cuba survived peak oil” (53 mins) at 11am and 3pm (see www.powerofcommunity.org). There will also be a ‘bring and buy’ table so bring your plants, seeds, home-grown veg, cakes, books, and information, etc. to sell or swop.
In November we are organising a two-day Exhibition on Renewable Energy and Recycling for households, businesses and schools which will include workshops, speakers, films and information stalls. This will take place on Sunday 2nd and Monday 3rd November at The Wharf, Tavistock. Watch this space and let us know if you would like to be added to our email information line.
Regarding projects, we are concentrating on a ‘waste to energy’ project which complements the West Devon Borough Council initiative collecting household food waste. Our aim is to collect commercial food waste from restaurants, pubs, nursing homes, supermarkets, and have it taken to Summerleaze at Holsworthy (formerly Holsworthy Biogas) where it will produce methane which in turn is converted into electricity. Not only is a waste product producing energy but the by-product is given back to the farmers to enrich the soil.
Other projects include school and community gardens and Lopwell Camping Barn.
Please let us know if you have ideas or projects which we might be interested in and any volunteer help with administration or projects will be most welcome. For your information the new trustees are: Chris Avent (BTCV), Trish Carrington (Peninsular Waste Savers), Chris Jenkins (West Devon Borough Councillor), Christopher Kirwin (Tavistock & Villages Development Forum) and Martin Taylor (Devon Conservation Forum).
The Coordinator is Geri Laithwaite who can be contacted at admin@westden.co.uk, 0845 345 5077 or 07775 918655.
