Peoples Republic of South Devon

Totally nuts

February 28th, 2007

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

Entry Filed under: Society