Page last updated at 15:16 GMT, Thursday, March 1 2012

Community Climate Action in Eastleigh

There is a growing number of groups within Eastleigh Borough who are joining together to reduce their environmental footprint.  This page will highlight some of that action and give details for those that wish to join.

If you wish to start a group that wishes to take action on climate change, or to undertake other environmental projects, the Council would like to hear from you.  We may be able to offer some support.

The Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) offers a set of films that can help green and community groups to set up green projects, work with your local council, set up a Community Interest Company (CIC) or an Industrial and Provident Society (IPS), and other useful subjects.

Another useful source of information is VolResource which can offer a wide range of guidance on legal issues, management, working with people, software, and more.

Energyshare Website  If you'd like to find out more about community energy projects, bid for funding for your own project,  invest in community renewable energy, or just look at your own household's fuel use compared to national , and find ways to lower your bills, have a quick click on the website.

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Environmental Film Club - a collaboration between Eastleigh Transition Network and Eastleigh Borough Council

A number of Films [doc] with a difference will be shown once a quarter at The Point, Leigh Road, Eastleigh.  The films are selected by the Eastleigh Transition Network and the Chandler's Ford Transition Group to highlight, entertain and inform about important topics such as environment, climate change, or social justice.  There will be time for lively discussion afterwards (the bar will be open!) for those that wish to explore the issues raised in more depth.  The dates are now 5th October and 1st December -  at 7pm.    Entry is free and you don't need to book, but donations to the Transition Group will be welcome.  The film to be shown on 5th October  is "End of the Line" about current fishing fishing practices that are both cruel and are leading to the collapse of many endangered marine species.  What can we do about this?
 

If you wish to book FREE tickets, call 02380 617262.  Or, if you have any questions or suggestions for future films to be shown, please contact the Eastleigh Transition Group or Chandler's Ford Transition Group (see below for contact details).

Eastleigh Transition Network (EtNet)

The Eastleigh Transition Network is a local group which is part of the growing "Transition towns" movement.  The transition groups bring people together to look at how they can reduce their energy use, especially their use of oil whose availability is thought to be on the decline  - a phenomenon known as 'peak oil'  From their website:  "

Eastleigh Transition Network aims to support everyone living or working in the Borough of Eastleigh to plan for a ‘transition’ from our current total dependency on fossil fuels – to support our local economies and move towards a more viable and sustainable future.  This includes supporting our local producers and businesses.

Please take some time to view the list of our current groups that you may be interested in. If you are interested in starting a group or would like to contact us at all, please email info@etnet.org.uk

Chandler's Ford 'Transition' Group

The Chandler's Ford Transition Group, part of the Eastleigh Transition Network (ETNet), aims to bring local people together to use and develop their skills in helping to bring about a positive future for Chandler's Ford in a future beyond cheap oil (known as peak oil).  They are looking at projects which will encourage local public transport, local food, conservation and biodiversity and more.  If you live in or near Chandler's Ford and would like to find out more, email transitionchandlersford@gmail.com  or visit the Eastleigh Transition Network website (as above).

 Local Food Co-operative being formed by Eastleigh Transition Group at Highbridge Farm.

Many thanks to Mr Russell, owner of Highbridge Farm, who is allowing the Group to use a two acre field on his farm.

Dr Andrew Ross takes visitors on a tour of the allotment site (left)

Photo:  Howard Sheffield

The Greening Campaign
There are two 'Greening Campaign' groups within Eastleigh Borough - Bishopstoke and Fair Oak and Horton Heath, as well as the 'Greening Hampshire' group.  If you live in these areas you may wish to join or you could consider starting a new local group. 

Artopia

a participatory art display

a vision of a climate chaos free future

a collaboration between artists and the public

a day of workshops and conversation

Oxfam is working with Eastleigh Borough Council and community on projects to think more creatively and constructively about climate change and what we can do about it.  We will be planning projects in 2011, so watch this space!

Oxfam held Artopia in Eastleigh on Thursday 29th July 2010.  The resulting artworks have been shown in the local Oxfam shop in Eastleigh Town Centre, and as part of the Swan Centre's Eco Weekend on the 25th and 26th September 2010. 

For information about any of these initiatives, please contact Katy Joyce, the Community Climate Change Coordinator, on 023 8068 8274 or by emailing Katy.Joyce@eastleigh.gov.uk.