Photo by YoTuTu
This Transition Cafe event was on Wednesday 18 April 2012, from 7:00-9:30pm, at the lovely Harland Cafe.

The focus for the evening was Sheffield's Food Plan. Chris Shaw, Director of Health Improvement at Sheffield City Council, described the progress of the plan (see presentation).

He expressed regret that the progress of the plan had been impacted by cutbacks etc., but thought that awareness about some transition concepts had begun to filter into discussions of those implementing the plan (e.g. with attention now being paid to food poverty and to wellbeing).

Questions from participants initially focused on the practical implementation of the plan, for example, whether a survey of available land for local food growing had been considered; how cumbersome public food procurement processes could be simplified to enable local organisations to participate; and whether the sustainable food cities award would actually bring any benefits. There was also a request to speed up the setting up of real partnership work with other local organisations interested in the food agenda. This is something which was raised a couple of years ago and hasn't been achieved.

However, on a more positive note, a Conference is planned during the Food Festival in September 2012. Chris promised that rather than simply being consumer-focused, this will include consultative and awareness-raising elements. Transition Sheffield will be helping to organise these with the aim of moving to more sustainable, resilient food systems in Sheffield. If you are able to help in any way, or your organisation would like to be involved, please contact rickwatson50'AT'hotmail.com.

Wishing everyone good cheer as the long winter days start to shorten again. Hope you are keeping warm and well and in good spirits. Now's the time to make sure you know where your thermals are, and maybe break out the blackberry wine!

Heart by seyed mostafa zamani

Our Winter Social will be on 6 Dec, at the Showroom Cafe. This will be chance to share news with sustainability minded people and enjoy a great evening.

The next Transition Cafe will take place from 7pm-10pm on Wednesday 28th September at Cafe Euro.

During the evening we will be discussing questions and suggestions for Transition Sheffield representatives to present to Sheffield Council the following week.

* Do you have a question about climate change, peak oil and/or the economic growth agenda that you would like to ask Sheffield Council?
* Do you have ideas for how communities in Sheffield can progress towards a low carbon economy?
* Do you want to find out more about Transition in Sheffield and help shape its agenda?

Transition Sheffield is hosting four Skills for Sustainability workshops on the weekend of 1st and 2nd October.
There will be workshops on making chutney, creating a low energy home, growing soft fruit and low impact living.

1. Planting soft fruit, growing your own garlic: a simple introduction
Saturday 1st October 10am-12.30pm
Contact details: Jerry Simon 0797 631 3642
jerry.simon@hotmail.co.uk

2. Low Impact Living: From technical fixes to lifestyle changes
Saturday 1st October 2pm-5pm
Fireside Housing Co-op, Melrose Road, Burngreave
Contact: Rick or Terry on 0114 2725908
rickwatson50@hotmail.com

3. Chutney Making
Sunday 2nd October 1.30-4pm
Contact Ruth Davenport rudek@tiscali.co.uk

4. Creating A Low Energy House
Sunday 2nd October 2-5pm
Contact Amyan MacFadyen on 01142681148 or amyan@gn.apc.org

Each workshop costs £2 for unwaged/£3 for waged.
Open attachment below for more details

Sheffield Social Centre is organising a second free school at the Sheffield Social Centre.

This complements our own skills workshops really well (see below for more info on these), and includes a range of workshops from growing your own food and bicycle maintenance through to yoga and workplace rights.

See http://sheffieldsocialcentre.org.uk/ for more info.

There'll be a Futures North Conference on Wednesday 2nd November in Sheffield.

On behalf of Transition Sheffield I'd like to make an offer of accommodation and/or meeting up in a local pub on the 1st or 2nd to discuss transition matters with anyone who is interested. Please contact susannah@transitionsheffield.org for info.

All welcome at the Crookes Community Garden on Sunday 18th Sept from 12pm-5pm.

The afternoon will start with a harvest lunch of soups, salads and puddings made from the garden's produce.
We will also be planting out winter veg and building plant supports and a rainwater harvesting kit for autumn.

Drop in at any time for lunch, to help with the building and planting, or just to have a look.

The garden is at the back of 16 Hallamgate Road, S10 (through the white gate).

Call Clare on 07507 778675 for directions or further details.

Come and join us at the Crookes Community Garden on Saturday 20th August where we will be holding a workshop on sowing and planting vegetables for winter.

Drop in at any time between 2pm and 5pm. We'll be showing which crops can be sown now for winter, and you'll have the chance to sow your own choice of seeds to take home.

The garden is at the back of the house at 16 Hallamgate Road, S10, through the white gate on the left side of the house.

If you'd like more information or directions call Clare on 07507 778675.