How’s the Electric Pony going?
October 22, 2011 in apricot centre, Food, local economy, Marina, markets, organic, organic orchard, peak oil, reskilling, reskilling project, sustainability, The Great Reskilling, transition town initiative, transition valley, Uncategorized
Hello, I thought I’d let you know how the ‘electric pony’ aka Wallace and Edward 3-wheeler milk float renovation project is going. As you may remember the Electric Pony was conceived during a ‘Ways and Means’ walk through the Dedham Vale as part of the Reskilling Project in March 2010. I was inspired by Val Belsay’s (Green Lanes) description of how produce and resources were moved through the valley and marketed in years gone by, using; green lanes, packhorse and ponies for transporting fruit and vegetables as well as other important resources. 
They seemed also to have the networking role of sharing news across the valley also.
This led to the idea for an ‘electric pony’, a retro-modern vehicle, to move and market local seasonal foodstuffs through Dedham Vale and the surrounding area. Later that year we found a 1946 Wallace & Edwards 3-Wheel Electric Milk Float. The float was purchased from a farm just off the M25/A12 when it was found on Ebay.
The vehicle is looking much the same, however we have done alot of work stripping down the components and having them tested. The good news is that it is mechanically sound, and even the electric motor is working! The downside, which was expected is that the lead batteries are no longer working, and this will be the most expensive thing to replace.
This year (2011/12) the Apricot Centre has collaborated with other organic producers and sellers in and around the Dedham Vale and is working on the Dedham Vale Food Hub researching the possibility of providing a wide range of organic foodstuffs (the whole basket), educational visits, seasonal celebrations etc.. And the Electric Pony is planned to play a role in delivering to local venues, schools etc.. reaching out to local communities from the hub.
We hope to gain some further funding in January 2012 towards completing this project and bringing this delightful vehicle to fulfill the dream of linking up local communities with local organic food, and local news.
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A few years ago Marina and I ran a course called the HNC in Sustainable Environments – The Ecology of People and the Land, in which we explored various approaches towards sustainability. It was a magical time in many ways, and many of the students still remain in touch.
