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Transition Llambed is an unprecedented, community-led, exciting
project aimed at addressing the twin challenges of Peak Oil and
climate change. Peak Oil is when oil production equals oil demand
which will result in dramatic price rises of fossil fuels such as
petrol. After Peak Oil, demand will exceed supply as the world’s oil
supplies gradually decline. This needn’t be a bad thing and the idea
behind the Transition Town concept is that if we all act together,
we can plan our ‘energy descent’. Thus we can devise a life for
ourselves which, yes, is more eco friendly but ultimately, is much
more fun, abundant, joyful and rewarding than life before Peak Oil!
Rob Hopkins initiated
the Transition Towns movement in Kinsale, Eire. He then moved to
Totnes, Devon, which became the first Transition Town in Britain.
Lampeter embarked upon the process of becoming a Transition Town in
April 2007 following a massively successful conference entitled
Preparing West Wales for a Future without Oil. This was hosted by
the Soil Association, the University of Wales Lampeter, Menter
Llambed and Antur Teifi and was supported by several local
businesses namely Ty Nant, Rachel’s Organics, Organic Fresh Food
Store, Abaca, Caws Teifi Cheese, Blaencamel Farm, Llanllyr Source
and Gorwydd Caerphilly.
In April 2008, Lampeter became an official Transition Town and we
are currently in the process of beginning to plan for our Official
Unleashing. Lampeter and Llandeilo were two of the first Transition
Towns in Wales. The concept of Transition Towns is
spreading like absolute wildfire and if you look on the web pages of
www.transitiontowns.org/TransitionNetwork, you will be
astonished to see just how many towns in Britain and across the
world are either official Transition Towns or considering the idea.
In June 2007, under the auspices of
Menter Llambed, a steering group
was set up and this has led onto the formation of various sub-groups,
four of which meet regularly to address assorted ‘Transition’ topics
:
Local Food;
Environment;
Health & Sustainability; and
Language
& Culture. We are also soon to set up sub-groups for
Housing,
Transport,
Education, Youth & Community,
Energy,
Business, History and Heart & Soul.
Our steering group have taken on two projects,
Bag Llambed and
a
local currency project (Arian Lleol/ The Lampeter Pound). We are in
the initial stages of both of these.
At present, we have a floating steering group membership of around
35 people and a wider membership of approximately 250 people, mainly
from the local area who are either actively involved at this stage
or who would like to know more.
So far, we have received a small amount of funding from CAVO, we are
in the process of applying for Awards for All Wales Lottery funding
and together with indispensable help from Ymlaen Ceredigion, we have
put in a considerable funding bid via Ceredigion County Council for
RDP (Rural Development Plan) funds. Menter Llambed have provided
funding and support for this project from the start and have been
responsible for payment of the Development Officer on a contractual
basis.
The idea of Transition Llambed has already received letters of
support from : our local AS and MP for Ceredigion, Mark Williams;
Lampeter Town Council; the University of Wales Lampeter; Ysgol Y
Dderi, Llangybi; Countryside Council for Wales; Shared Earth Trust;
Lampeter Permaculture Group; Longwood Community Woodland; and
Mulberry Bush Wholefoods.
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