Transition town plan is unveiled

11:16am Thursday 17th April 2008

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A RADICAL plan has been launched to turn Dorchester green.

A movement has sprung up which aims to make Dorset's county town more sustainable by turning it into a transition town.

People are being encouraged to find out more by attending two important meetings in the town next week.

The transition town concept is based around the fact that the age of cheap oil is drawing to a close and with it the affordability of many things we take for granted. So there has to be a shift away from fossil fuels and more of a focus on growing food and producing electricity locally.

"The question is whether we try to get ahead of the game before the price of oil starts going through the roof," said Bill North, spokesman for the newly-formed Transition Town Dorchester group.

He added: "This is about getting everyone together to figure it out - about tapping the fantastic reservoir of skills and ideas and enthusiasm that our local community has in spades.

"There's no need for anyone to feel helpless about the future - we're all in it together."

He invites people to attend the next meeting of Transition Town Dorchester at United Church Hall in Charles Street at 10am on Saturday, April 26.

The viability of making Dorchester a transition town will be discussed at a meeting the following day organised by the Dorchester LETS scheme. LETS (Local Exchange Trading System) allows people to trade goods and services without the need for money.

The Dorchester group is inviting everyone along to the talk at The Youth Centre in Lubbecke Way at 2pm on Sunday, April 27. Entry is £1.

Members of the public will also be able to find out more about the LETS scheme, calculate their carbon footprint, browse stalls selling goods and local produce, and take part in a good-quality clothes swap shop using a token system.