Will Fidel attend Environment Exhibition?

Forget the will he/won't he rumours about Barack Obama attending The Copenhagen Climate Summit. The question that is now on everyone's lips is 'Will Fidel come to the 'Deal With It' Library Exhibition?'.

The odds are on that Fidel (Deal Library's only feline member) will not miss this exciting event, given he is a highly intelligent cat, no doubt concerned that mankind seem intent on ruining the planet not only for themselves, but for every other species too.

The exhibtion at Deal Libray starts on Saturday 19th December and runs throughout the Christmas period. Please come down and have a look at our displays and information, including what 'Deal With It' have achieved this year, activities by other local organisations as well as pointers on how you too could make 2010 a greener year.

Cat lovers who haven't read Fidel's story click here.

Christmas at the Calyx

On Friday 18th December The Bay Trust and Village Energy Group welcomes you to 'Christmas At The Calyx'from 4 til 6pm. Come along for mulled wine, mince pies and a few hearty carols.There will be lots of festive cheer with story telling and live music for children.

At 5pm a brief presentation will illustrate the progress made in St. Margaret's over the past 18 months in reducing carbon footprints, saving money on energy bills and other efforts that have contributed to a more sustainable future for the village. A positive local response to the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit!

The Stupid Show

With just 25 days left till the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, which many say is our last chance to get the treaty which could bring global emissions down fast enough to avoid triggering runaway climate change, the makers of the environmental film 'The Age of Stupid' now believe it is urgent to channel their energy into maximising our collective chance of success at Copenhagen.

Hence, the Stupid Show - a 20 min daily web TV show, produced by AoS team, live from the Copenhagen climate summit. Hosted by Mark Lynas, climate change author and Franny Armstrong, AoS director - their mission is to make the talks comprehensible to ordinary mortals.

But the team need your donations to help finance the show. For more information go to: http://www.ageofstupid.net/money

Power to the People

On Friday 30th October Deal With It and the Greenerway Cluster were very pleased to welcome the Rt.Hon. Michael Meacher, the distinguished Labour MP, to a crowded meeting in St.George’s Church. Mr Meacher who has served 29 years on the front benches and who has been called the “greenest ever Minister for the Environment” spoke on renewable energy.

Never mincing his words and refreshingly truthful for a politician, he explained where we are now, which is just about bottom of the European league, only producing 1% of our energy from renewable sources compared with 18% in Germany and 47% in Finland. He went on to describe where we could be, and what the obstacles were to achieving a more acceptable target. He felt this was a depressing and shameful position brought about by vested interests and lack of Government will to change. However Mr Meacher raised our spirits by pointing out that the technology to meet our needs with clean energy already exists and that we are favoured by both our natural island geography and our natural inventiveness.

So what is standing in our way? A failure at all levels to address the problems we face and to wake up to the fact that we are heading for catastrophe and must change course. He continued by outlining the huge economic advantages of making that change, both at the personal and national level. He stressed that change in both the way we think, and the way we live was essential. He also praised Deal With It, with it's “brilliant name”, for what they were doing at the local level and for the warm atmosphere of community.

Alistair Gould of the Pines Calyx, long-term local activist on issues of Sustainability spoke next on “Power from the People - How generating clean energy from within our own communities can be practical and affordable”. He explained how this can be achieved and told us of the progress they are making at St.Margaret’s Bay, stating that they are within 2 or 3 years of achieving their goal of making the community energy independent. The meeting ended with questions from the audience and a sense of being inspired to redouble our efforts.

'Celebrate Your Deal'

A beautiful autumn day welcomed hundreds of visitors to the Landmark Centre yesterday to celebrate all that Deal has to offer. Our first 'Celebrate Your Deal' event, was classified an unprecedented success by both stall holders and visitors who were given the opportunity to buy from and network with, an amazing range of local businesses, artists, community groups and craftspeople. The two large halls in the Landmark centre hosting stalls were packed with people almost from the time the doors opened and the atmosphere was one of fun with a huge helping of community spirit thrown in.

Children were entertained with pumpkin design competitions by Rippledown Environmental Centre, creative writing workshops from Gary Studley of Deal Writers and face painting and portrait sketching by local artist Penny Bearman. The theme for food was definitely “local” with Kent Produce showcasing their locally sourced fruit and veg, Bistro Oregano putting on a delicious spread of home made goodies and Petham Vale promoting local honey and cider. Delicious locally made chocolates were also available from Kieran Renihan of Chocolution while Vicky Feldman spoke about the clear benefits of keeping whole grain in your diet- benefits that were ably supported by her wonderful range of whole grain bakery items.

The community was well represented with amongst others, stalls from North Deal Community Partnership, the Astor Theatre Group, Deal United Nations Association and The Deal and Walmer Lions. People could learn the arts of spinning, fabric making, pottery and stained glass and there was entertainment inside and out by the Hoodeners, Bill Howarth and Mac Mckean and Driftwood.

Helen Reeve-Stoffer who co-ordinated the event said “The aim of the day was to demonstrate that you don’t have to go far to find everything you need and that supporting your local community is hugely important to long term sustainability”. “Everyone seemed to have a smile on their face which to me indicates that the day was a success.”

Click on the link below to see photos of the event. To see them in slideshow format click the screen icon in the top right after clicking on this link:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43967078@N03/

Walmer Picnic On The Green

‘Deal With It’ joined lots of other community groups for the annual ‘Community Picnic on Walmer Green’ and enjoyed a beautiful sunny day on Saturday 8 August.

As this was a free event, it was a great opportunity for community groups to advertise themselves and to recruit new members. Vicki, with help from husband Tony, had put together a board with photos showing all the things that ‘Deal With It’ had done and was joined on the stall by Rosie and Becky. We gave out numerous leaflets and even managed to sell some of our cotton bags! We had a very interesting visit from Luci Ransome from Transition Scotland, in the area visiting family, who will come and talk to us when she visits again in September.

Other ‘green groups’ present were Rippledown Environmental Centre and Friends of the Earth and there was plenty of interest from visitors to the stalls.

Many people had come along to the green, in large family groups, bringing picnics with them, attracted by the lovely weather, music from the Kingsdown Band and other attractions. A very good afternoon was had by all.

'Celebrate Your Deal'

The autumn winds of October will herald the hottest event of the DWI calender. It's time to get ready for the first 'Celebrate Your Deal' - a show that will bring together all that's great about Deal. 'Local' and 'Sustainable' are the key themes and the event will raise awareness of what sustainability means and why it's important for happy, thriving communities. The Landmark Centre, Deal's buzzing community space plays host for the day to all sorts of independant businesses, local producers, artists, musicians and community groups. They'll all be there, showing off their wares, demonstrating their skills and getting to know their public even better.

This is a free event that will be a great day out for the whole family. The Landmark is a huge venue and we'll be making full use of it, with all the spaces chock full of things to see, do, buy and try - they'll be free samples in the food hall, fun workshops, a mini-cinema, live music, thought provoking presentations and demonstrations by the experts ...from bee-keeping to bike maintenance to jewellery making.

We've already started the search for stallholders and community groups. If you would like to be part of making a great day happen, get involved and get in touch celebrateyourdeal@yahoo.co.uk

What A Makey-Do!

Come to Sandwich Guildhall on Saurday 11th July for a day of craft workshops, hands-on activities and handmade goodies for all ages.

The event is supported by BASH - Bringing Alive Sandwich Heritage, a not-for-profit group of volunteers that include teachers, artists and craftspeople, youth workers and individuals with an interest in history, heritage and culture.The BASH committee works alongside community groups and the STARR regeneration group to deliver projects in the town.

Bring the whole family and shop, create, relax and eat cake in the company of other relaxed crafty types.

If you're one of the first through the doors at 10a.m you'll receive a wonderful goodie bag.

Eat, Drink and Be Merry - It's Festival Time

Kent’s best festival, ‘Lounge On The Farm’ returns for it’s fourth outing on the weekend of 10-12th July 2009. Set in the idyllic surroundings of Merton Farm in Canterbury, ‘Lounge On The Farm’s rustic charms will play host to 160 bands spread across 6 stages, from local heroes to renowned heavy hitters.

The festival is about having fun, good tunes, local food, drinks in the sunshine and above all has something for everyone who appreciates a good musical cocktail and a lot of laughs among friends.

LOTF is a local festival aiming to involve as many local businesses, community groups, artists and producers, in an effort to reduce its carbon footprint and promote local sustainability. A wonderful selection of local foods will be on sale over the weekend, meaning less food miles. The organisers have also got their eye on green travel. Shuttle buses from both of Canterbury's train stations will be provided and there will be secure parking for bicycles.

It's very much a family festival and it's not just about music - there will be a whole field dedicated to theatre, cinema, green issues and kids' stuff. Transition City Canterbury will be represented, as will Canterbury Greenpeace. So come along and bring your best mate, your favourite auntie, all the kids and granddad and get ready for lounging on the farm!

http://www.loungeonthefarm.co.uk/