Transitioners needed for the Royal Bath and West show
By Ed Mitchell 27th May 2010
Calling all Transitioners in the South West of the UK region – do you want to come along to the Royal Bath and West Show and do some hosting on the Transition Town Tea stall in the show’s EcoZone? The event runs from 2nd to 5th June, and is one of the South West’s great traditions.
The organisers are kindly offering free tickets to Transitioners in return for a bit of being around for a chat, pouring tea, and sharing ideas and experiences about what it is to be in transition. It’s a great chance to meet people unfamiliar with the Transition concept, help spread the word, and open new eyes to the need for community resilience for the times ahead.
If you do, please get in touch with Archie Montgomery via email or on the phone (07768 856 974 or 01963 440462). In the meantime, here is his outline of the EcoZone:
Nearly 160,000 people visit each year the Royal Bath and West four day rural show. One of the central areas they will see, which has grown sharply in importance and interest over the last few years is the “EcoZone”. Here there are a large variety of stands displaying all aspects of sustainable practice to the public visitor.
There will be stall holders selling all sorts of gadgetry, from wind turbines to light bulbs, from compost to solar panels. there will be displays and working models of all sorts of things from solar boats and electric bicycles to wood-fuelled boilers and straw bale walling.
There are advice centres on insulation, energy economy, and waste reduction, in amongst displays which just help the public to have fun playing with renewable energy, and by doing so perhaps get a little closer to appreciating the issues.
Of the new stands this year is an area given over to advice on allotments, and a large timber building where the upstairs room and balcony area make a scenic haven. Here the public can have a cup of free “Transition Town Tea” (brewed by solar panels on the roof) while hearing first hand from enthusiasts with experience what it means to be in transition, and how to start to go about the process.
The intention has been that a different transition town might be represented on each of the four days, with perhaps four people attending the stand, allowing two at any one time to go and see the rest of the show. There is no cost of attendance and entry tickets to the show will be provided. The only catch is that transitioners will be expected to pour their visitors a cup of tea (all provided) from the urn.
The show has commitment from people at Chard so far to help, and are waiting to hear from others…