Apologies if this is of no interest to you. Normally we don't forward on events other than our own, but we thought many of you would want to know about this, as it is an attempt to form a movement in County Wickow towards transition towns an optimistic approach to one of the challenges of our time. Please let your friend and contacts know about this event.

 

 

An Tairseach

You are invited to an Information Session on Transition Towns on Tues May 27th from 2.30-5.00p.m. in the Dominican Ecology Centre, Wicklow Town. Davie Phillips of the Cultivate Centre, Temple Bar will facilitate the Session.

Enquires phone 0404 61833

 

What is a Transition Town (Village, Community) http://www.transitiontowns.org/

A Transition Initiative is a community working together to look Peak Oil and Climate Change squarely in the eye and address this BIG question:

"for all those aspects of life that this community needs in order to sustain itself and thrive, how do we significantly increase resilience (to mitigate the effects of Peak Oil) and drastically reduce carbon emissions (to mitigate the effects of Climate Change)?"

The resulting coordinated range of projects across all these areas of life leads to a collectively designed energy descent pathway.

The community also recognises two crucial points:

• that we used immense amounts of creativity, ingenuity and adaptability on the way up the energy upslope, and that there's no reason for us not to do the same on the downslope

• if we collectively plan and act early enough there's every likelihood that we can create a way of living that's significantly more connected, more vibrant and more in touch with our environment than the oil-addicted treadmill that we find ourselves on today.

Don't forget, coming up at Carraig Dulra we have Weekend on the Mountain - in Association with CELT

The way this one works is we will run any of the courses (listed below) that fill. As we need a good few people on a course before one is offered you might try to get a few friends to come along too. So far drystone walling is looking good, with a few on Herb Lore and Stone Carving.

Come camp with us for a weekend while taking your choice from courses in environmental and ecological trades for all levels. If you already have basic skills in one of these areas, you are welcome to develop your skills further with the guidance of highly qualified tutors. Courses are open to age 14+. The children's woodcraft course is open to children 8-14.

Dry Stone & Lime Mortar Walling
Traditional dry-stone walling construction techniques - also garden features (retaining walls, raised beds, seats, steps) plus an introduction to the use of lime mortar which allows a building to 'breathe' letting out water-vapour but preventing rain from getting in. Steel-toe-cap boots are recommended. We will be working on a wall within Carraig Dulra's herb wheel or a proposed mini amphitheatre
Course Tutor: Bob Wilson

Coppersmithing / Tinsmithing
Making basic containers using recycled materials. This is a unique opportunity to gain basic skills in coppersmithing using simple hand tools - Materials charge € 10

Herb-lore
Plant Magic- Exploration of our native wild and garden plants includes edible and medicinal uses, folklore, gardening tips, herb walk, seasonal recipes, herbal tincture and ointment making.
Tutor: Kes Clarke

Ti-pi making
Have a nice chilled weekend learning everything you could want to know about Tipi Construction and lifestyle from' Tipi Dave.'
With over 20 years of tipi experience, Dave can teach you how to make the best of the most beautiful and sacred of natural shelters. On the course you will (using hand operated, singer sewing machines.) construct a scaled down 7ft diameter tipi cover and inner liner. You will have hands on preparing a set of poles, pegs and pins.
This size tipi is a practical, manageable size to make in a workshop environment. However the technique once learned can be applied to any size tipi.
Optional materials cost applies to this course if you wish to bring your finished work home.
Course tutor : Ti-pi Dave

Felt making
Learn to make brightly coloured felt mats, hats and bags from sheeps' fleece. Please bring wellies, waterproof leggings, a towel and a cushion. Materials charge 15 euros.
Course tutor : Joan Casey

Native trees and intro to Coppice Crafts
An introduction to our native trees and shrubs, how to survey a woodland and how to draw up a management plan.

Coppersmithing / Tinsmithing
A unique opportunity to learn the skills of a master cratsman and make a jug or other container using simple hand tools and recycled materials. Materials charge 10 euro.

Greenwood Furniture
Selection of different types of native green hardwoods and using them to make interesting furniture using the natural shapes and grain of the wood. Materials charge 20 euro.

Wood Carving
Using local timber, participants will learn carving techniques and use/care of hand tools. Materials charge 7 euro. Carve an ogham panel or oak leaf panel in 2d (2 dimension)

Spinning and Weaving
Introduction to the age-old craft of spinning and weaving wool to make a small bag, hat or similar.

Stone Carving / Cutting
This stone carving workshop involves an introduction to the tools of stone carving, methods of using them, and a relief carving of a natural form on panel. Participants should have a relief sculpture in limestone / sandstone to take home with them.

We attended a great CELT weekend last year ourselves, and so we are very pleased to be working with them to hold this training weekend at Carraig Dulra. For those who haven't attended a CELT event in the past, this is a chance to try out some of these traditional skills at an east coast venue.

Tea, coffee and food available (additional cost) or bring your own. Camping free, or stay in a local B&B/hotel/hostel if you prefer.

For more information please contact us. For booking, go to the booking page.

This event has received support from the Heritage Council under the 2008 Grant Scheme

14 Jun 2008 - 15 Jun 2008

13 Sep 2008 - 14 Sep 2008

Next volunteer day May 31st hope to see you there.