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by popmoc

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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by Mark

Reskilling the Valley

January 8, 2010 in reskilling, The Great Reskilling

Dear friends,

During recent months we have been working here at the Apricot Centre on a project called ‘Reskilling the Valley’ (Part funded by the Dedham Vale AONB Sustinainable Development Fund). This project is based around researching the skills for sustainability in the local Dedham Vale area, interviewing the skill holders, and then developing workshops, demonstrations and a booklet on the various skills and stories. We would love to invite you to come and participate in any of the following events if you feel interested. It would be great to see you there. More details of the project, including the google map showing where the skills are located can be found at… http://www.apricotcentre.co.uk/reskilling.html

The events are listed with other Apricot Centre Events at… http://www.apricotcentre.co.uk/events.php

We would be grateful also if you would pass this email to anyone else who may be interested.

Warm regards,

Mark and Marina O’Connell, and Aidan Barty (researcher)

 
The Idea
Over the next 20 – 30 years the way we live in the Dedham Vale and Stour Valley will have to change dramatically to a “post peak oil” and “climate change” lifestyle, one that is re-localised and less dependent upon oil and carbon sources of energy.  Some of the changes will use modern technologies and ideas but some will draw on skills from the past – and so “Re-skilling the Valley” was born…
 
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The Apricot Centre for Sustainable Living
With the help of a Sustainable Development Fund grant The Apricot Centre (www.apricotcentre.co.uk) are researching available skills and techniques to support a sustainable and local lifestyle in the Stour Valley.   The project aims to find the keepers of these skills, personally interview and record them and then start the process of transferring these skills to the younger generation in a style which is creative and fun for all involved.   We will be working with local schools, the Transition (Stour) Valley group (www.transitionvalley.com), and other interested organisations.
 
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The Dedham Vale AONB & Stour Valley Project
For more than 20 years the Dedham Vale and Stour Valley Project has been at the heart of a partnership between local authorities, government agencies, national organisations and local people. The aim of this partnership is to conserve and enhance the special qualities of the area. It is essential that we continue to build upon the success of this strong partnership working, if we are to conserve the area for the benefit of future generations of residents and visitors.
 
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Circle of Home Skills Workshop – 30th January 2010
Come and sit and sew or even knit, repair and darn with members of the Old Hall community.  Whether you’re new to home skills or a veteran of “make do and mend” you’ll be certain to find a friendly atmosphere.
Venue Old Hall, Rectory Hill, East Bergholt
Time 10.00am – 1.00pm

Green Woodworking Demonstration – 20th February 2010
Richard Bates will demonstrate pole lathe work and the art of bodging.  Richard has worked with Ben Law, of Channel 4’s Grand Designs fame, in making a home from local coppice woodland.  Richard is also skilled in making furniture from local green wood.
Venue Monks Farm, Coles Oak Lane, Dedham
Time 10.00am – 1.00pm
Renewable Energy Demonstration, open house afternoon – 27th February 2010
Visit just some of the many homes and locations in the area that can offer an insight into renewable energy.  An exciting opportunity to go behind closed doors to see all types and scales of implementation to discover what’s possible and maybe spark the idea of a project for your own home.
Venue A map of the places that are open will be sent to you via email, or by post after you make your booking.
Time 1.00pm – 4.oopm
Preserves Making Workshop – 13th March 2010
Learn how to make your own jam and cordial along with how to bottle and pasteurise juice.  Guided by Marina O’Connell you will use local fruit and ingredients where possible to create .  Please bring a recipe to share.
Venue The Apricot Centre, 83 Hungerdown Lane, Lawford
Time 10.00am – 1.00pm
Edible Gardens Walk, discovering local food production – March 20th 2010
A walk through a selection of the edible gardens that can be found in the Dedham Vale.  You will be guided through the first day of Spring and all the bounties it will soon provide.  And finish at the Sun Inn, Dedham where you can taste the best of local produce with an optional meal, at additional cost.  Pre-booking for the meal via The Apricot Centre is required.
Venue Details of the meeting point will be sent to you via email, or by post after you make your booking.
Time 9.30am – 12.15pm
Sustainable Building Techniques Workshop – 25th March 2010
A workshop looking at sustainable building materials, sustainable building design and the concept of retro-fitting an existing home.  You will look at some sustainable buildings both on-site and through a presentation of photo’s.
Venue Assington Mill, Assington, Near Sudbury
Time 6.30pm – 9.30pm
Ways and Means, a demonstration of local transport systems – 3rd April 2010
A guided walk with the countries leading green lanes author Val Belsay.  Discover how goods, materials and people moved about before the days of the car.   Learn about where goods were sold and marketed and how far they travelled.
Venue Details of the meeting point will be sent to you via email, or by post after you make your booking.
Time 10.00am – 1.00pm
 
Booking Instructions
Booking is essential as numbers are restricted for some of the venues.  Where numbers are restricted priority will be given to residents of the Dedham Vale area.  Payment is due with your booking and is charged at £10 per person, per event, children under the age of sixteen are free when accompanied by a paying adult.

 

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by Mark

Reskilling the Valley – Mapping out skills search

August 22, 2009 in reskilling, The Great Reskilling


Mapping out skills search
Originally uploaded by popmoc

Reskilling the Valley project is now officially underway. This article appeared in Friday 21 Aug Manningtree and Harwich Standard inviting people to come forward and let us know about skills for sustainable living within the Stour Valley and Dedham Vale region. We are also interested in skills outside this area in the Valley region as a whole.

If you search Reskilling the Valley on google maps you will gradually see the linked skills appearing on the map. This map can also be seen on www.apricotcentre.co.uk

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