Transition Nottingham

Live local

‘Space for Life’ was a joint event between Transition, Freeconomy and Land Roots and was held on the last weekend of February at the Art Organisation near Nottingham rail Station.

The aim of the event was to create and hold a wonderful space where people could meet, learn, share information and have a really good time.

I will concentrate on the Transition element in this article. Relating the aims of the event to the Transition Principles the event focused on four of them in particular:

• Inclusion and Openness
• Enable Sharing and Networking
• Inner and Outer
• Positive Visioning

 The idea grew out of working out how to broaden the reach of Transition, so creating an attractive opportunity for people on the edges of Transition to engage with Transition, and also from those within transition to meet each other. In permaculture terms looking to ‘use edges and value the marginal’.

The basis of the event was a loose temporary team of self selecting groups delivering what they wanted to do which included a Transition Tales area where individuals and groups came to share their story; we also had a rolling programme of films.

 It was a great weekend with about 300 coming – Saturday was very buzzy and busy, Sunday calm and relaxed. It was really interesting to meet Transitioners and fellow travellers in the Transition Tales area – all local groups were represented (we think) plus some out-of-towners  – Keyworth, Bingham, Newark (and others we think too) and also further a-field; Waltham Forest, Leytonstone and Chepstow and we also had information sent in from Totnes, Clitheroe, Chester, North Howe and Hackney.

 It was really good to have conversations with those on the edges of Transition, learning of their perceptions and also with who felt excluded from Transition groups and so a great opportunity to talk and learn and understand; as well as those just wanting some like minds to share with - not forgetting those bouncing and beaming

There were some great and really positive conversations, including those on a deeper level. Some people felt a real need to have a safe place to share some negative experiences as well without censure, valuing ‘heart and soul’, again both within and outside Transition.

 These conversations could take place because people felt free to talk at their own pace, be heard and listened too. Having the chance to make and create the display (just like we did at the annual Transition Conference last May) was part of opening up the opportunity for the conversations to take place.

 Here are some comments from people who came to the weekend:
“An awesome space, put a smile on my face to share ideas, of a future without fears”

“Yurtastic!”

“We can grow!”

“Community, Unity, Inspiration, Celebration”

“Explorative, Exploration, Evolvement, Encouragement”

“Lovely Atmosphere! Awesome weekend Thank you!”

“It’s like an indoor festival, colourful, fun, informative, lively, sharing food and music… there has been time for me to listen and learn and also to express myself…the mix of people from all walks of life has been an eye opener…I want to be in this kind of gathering often…Space for Life – that’s a good name for it! Thank you”

 We had a great time! Nic has created a fantastic video which is posted up on YouTube which gives a flavour of the all aspects of the weekend, and further details of the event are on the Land Roots website: www.landroots.org – and yes we plan to do something similar at sometime in the future – ideas always welcome.YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwPrY02ShMY

 Iain, Sharon and Mike on behalf of the ‘Space For Life’ Temporary Event Team

 Ps Further info on the Transition concepts and principles are on the new website: www.transitionnetwork.org