It was hosted by Transition Town, a grassroots initiative that began last year through a permaculture teacher working in Kinsale, Ireland. 

Permaculture

1. an innovative framework for creating sustainable ways of living. 
2. a practical method for developing ecologically harmonious, efficient and productive systems that can be used by anyone, anywhere.

'Transition' has captured many peoples imagination and is empowering us to engage responsibly and creatively in reducing our carbon footprint. It is now spreading throughout the U.K like an amazing virus that feels good rather than bad.

On the Wednesday of that week someone who works within the sustainable energy business had given a lecture on what that means, involves and what kind of a future we may experience. Then on the Saturday a workshop was held to explore the ideas that were raised.

I'd never attended a workshop like this before - it was very relaxed and well planned - nobody told me what to do and yet somehow we were all guided into knowing exactly what to do! This felt independent and empowering and created a space where ideas and information could be exchanged lightly, yet with depth and it was fun.

We sat in a circle and were asked to write on a piece of paper what we would like to explore in smaller groups during the day. Subjects like Hydro power for the community and How do we efficiently insulate our homes on a low income and How do we discover and educate within our communities and a more holistic approach to energy that I wanted to explore How will we use and support our own energy to cope with change.

This was the most smooth working, illuminating and enjoyable workshop I have attended on an issue like this - I thought it would be dense and difficult to engage with however what happened was that my faith in human nature and community is being revived.

Town councillors, a sustainability officer, business/shop people, consultants, university lecturers, an ex mayor, a homeless, a composer, a doctor, a journalist , artists, farmers were amongst those who made up this group of about thirty people that I felt was reassuringly representative.  

There was three of us from Transition Village in Forest Row that is slowly forming and growing.

If you would like to find out more in depth about the Transition Town initiative and what was discussed in detail in Lewes it will all be posted up on the Transition Town Wiki website this week.

The Power of the Commnunity, set in Cuba, is a film being shown this Monday night at Hambro Hall by Transition Village.

 Angie