Archive for February, 2007
Totally nuts
Those Totnesians, eh viewers? They’re full of ideas. Their latest ‘initiative’ is winningly titled Totnes, The Nut Tree Capital Of Britain, and is launched tomorrow with the planting of two walnut and five almond trees in the centre of Totnes.
Proposed by Transition Town Totnes, in association with the Dartington-based Agroforestry Research Trust, the project aims to explore how the move to a lower energy society might come about.
Since its launch last September at The Official Unleashing Of Transition Town Totnes (Totnesians certainly have a flair for the dramatic), the scheme has triggered a huge amount of activity in the town.
There have been talks, film screenings, community brainstorm events, evening classes and even baking classes.
And the Totnesian enthusiasm has had far reaching effects. Transition Town groups are popping up around the country, in Lewes in Sussex, Stroud in Gloucestershire, Falmouth and Penwith in Cornwall and Lampeter in Wales.
But we know what you’re thinking. Why nuts? Well, walnuts and sweet chestnuts can produce as much protein and carbohydrate per acre as wheat and barley, while simultaneously locking up carbon and providing very high quality timber.
They will have a vital role to play in the near future when energy is not so cheap or abundant, and we will be looking more towards local sources of food. Hey, and they taste pretty good too.
To find out more about TTT (as the kids are calling it), check out the funky site.
Posted by Thin White Duke
February 28th, 2007
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In the Picture
Citizens of the People’s Republic will probably want to check out a new web-based video channel which boasts over 340 clips of global experts in climate change - and Annie Lennox! ANNIE LENNOX!!
What more do you need to know?! Flip over to D+CFilm for the whole enchilada (whatever the hell that is).
Posted by Thin White Duke
February 28th, 2007
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Playing fair
The Big Lottery Fund announced last week that Teignbridge District Council and Torbay Council are among the first of 32 local authority areas from across England to benefit from the £124 million Children’s Play programme.
The wheeze, run as part of the Play England project, aims for all children and young people in England to have regular access and opportunity for free, inclusive, local play provision and play space.
Ben Ward, Play England regional manager for the South West, told PRSD: “We are really pleased that all the South West bids were successful this time around. The grants will make a huge difference to our communities. Part of the money will go to employing playworkers who have fantastic results in encouraging children and young people to get outside and play.”
Playworkers, you say? That sounds like the best job ever! Now who’s up for a big game of kiss chase?! Anybody?! Ach, looks like it’s just you and me again, Captn…
Posted by Thin White Duke
February 28th, 2007
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Heat treatment
After looking at the prickly problem of climate change, those clever chaps at Schumacher College in Totnes have agreed to, like, totally save the planet.
The group of participants, whose ages ranged from 25 to 80 and whose homes ranged from Devon to Nepal, attended a course called Climate Change: Seeing The Whole Picture.
So inspired were they by the whole thing, they pledged to find ways to reduce their carbon footprint by one tonne over the coming year (presumably by not flying from Nepal to Totnes to attend courses on being environmentally friendly).
Anyhoo, Tony Juniper, director of Friends of the Earth UK and one of the tutors on the course, says: “We really need action now at every level including the individual as well as real effective political leadership.”
Thanks for that, Tony! We assume your advice on the course was a little more constructive.
Posted by Thin White Duke
February 27th, 2007
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Resting on your laurels
Oscars (registered trademark) eat your heart out. We here at the People’s Republic of South Devon are up for a prize at the Plymouth Media Partnership innovation awards for our Melting Pot sessions in association with AEON and Trilogy - have a listen on the downloads page, they’re good.
Sharing our category is something from the Plymouth Herald and a bunch of monied others as well as a rather nifty offering from . But enough about the competition (go Plymouth Music Zone - if not us, you), how about a shout out to the people who we know and love who’ve also made it to the finals.
Blind Ditch, those nomads of bringing film to the masses - both making and watching - are shortlisted. And the Exeter Phoenix media centre has had a hand or two in some of the entries - last year’s bursary winners being up for best films by Emma Kempton and Dave Shaerf, who are also up for best newcomers along with Yolanda Grigorenko (who has hung around the Phoenix too, apparently).
So, huzzah to them. We know them, or we feel we know them. And to the rest… well, good luck. As long as we’re all working together to make the People’s Republic of South Devon an even better, even more vibrant place to live, work and be creative, who are we to split hairs over relative worth of projects?
Oh, did I mention we’re up against major sponsors of the event too? You’ve got to be stoical about these things.
See you on the rostrum…
Posted by Cptn
February 26th, 2007
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And the winner is…
If you’ve got a hankering for some Oscar (registered trademark) action, you don’t need to stay up watching those movie types swagger down the red carpet. You can get involved by just popping along to ‘a cinema near you’ to watch some of the nominations in action. Find out where, and even see the trailers on the D+CFilm arthouse listings page. Why not compare and contrast the stunning performances in the top actress section? It’s particularly strong this year.
There’s even a loose South Devon connection to the Oscars (registered tradmark) this year. Newton Abbot’s Guy Dyas worked on Superman Returns, which is up for Achievements in Visual Effects - it’s close enough for me.
Oh, and if you’re caught up in the whole swagger thing, don’t spill your popcorn on the way into the pictures.
But if you’re talking about nominations for awards, then look no further than the People’s Republic of South Devon. But more on that… later
Posted by Cptn
February 25th, 2007
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A funding crisis for charities and other groups in the People’s Republic is predicted if the National Lottery’s funds for good causes are ‘raided’ to meet any overspend on the 2012 Olympics.
The lovely chaps at South West Forum, who big-up the region’s voluntary and community groups, estimate that the South West could lose over £20 million if more lottery cash is diverted to help fund the Olympics.
The Forum says: “Lottery funding has been crucial to the survival of many groups in the South West and any reduction in funds could be disastrous.
“Already lottery programmes are massively over-subscribed. For some programmes groups have just a one in eight chance of being successful.
“Funding has already been reduced because of changes in European programmes and many local authorities and health trusts are cutting back.
“Less lottery money will exacerbate an already very difficult situation.”
Which is why the South West Forum is urging concerned citizens to sign an
e-petition on the Downing Street website and to hassle their MP to sign an early day motion (no 695) on the subject.
As the lottery is already gonna contribute some £1.5billion to the Olympics, it’d be nice if the Government didn’t dip into the region’s much needed lottery dosh. Besides, everyone knows that sport is boring as hell, eh viewers?
Posted by Thin White Duke
February 24th, 2007
What can you get from a fella with a fiddle and a handful of film? Find out in the D+CFilm review of Futureshock at the CCANW.
Posted by Cptn
February 24th, 2007
Citizens of the People’s Republic will probably want to check out a new online guide launched by South West Tourism which helps identify eco-friendly holidays in the region - and offers a hefty dose of leftist-smuggery into the bargain.
The guide features all the Green Tourism Business Scheme award holders in the South West and recognises companies which use local produce, support the community, minimise their waste, water and energy use and take care not to, um, build chalets on bunnies and stuff.
Neil Warren, sustainable tourism manager for South West Tourism, told PRSD: “With people becoming increasing concerned about the environmental impact of overseas holidays, this new guide makes holidays in the South West a simple and attractive option.
“It’s constantly being updated as new businesses join the GTBS scheme and we are hoping that it will become an essential reference for visitors who are keen to learn about how they can feel good about their holiday in the South West.”
So, when people ask you where you’re going on your holidays this year, you can loudly proclaim ‘Torbay!’ and run away, laughing heartily.
Posted by Thin White Duke
February 23rd, 2007
Animated Exeter is getting a bit of a rep for increasing involvement and understanding in that stop/start art of errr… animation, so it was no surprise that the gang behind it decided to push the animated envelope and get a star-studded cast to talk about the Big Small People project and whether creativity can affect social change.
Well can it? Read D+CFilm to find out.
Posted by Cptn
February 22nd, 2007
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