Projects
As we develop, we expect that we will operate through a series of project working groups. At the moment we have two such groups.
Planning
We have a working group looking at the proposed development of 1000 new homes at Broadbridge Heath. We want to try and and ensure that all major new developments in Horsham minimise reliance on fossil fuels and promote the development of healthy community life. This means being built to high standards of energy efficiency, good use of renewable energy, space for growing food and the sort of facilities to enable the community to meet its needs locally.
Communications
Spreading our message is one of the most important things we need to do. A working group is looking to improve our website and make sure we use all the other channels open to us.
Other projects
Other projects have emerged from discussions in our Steering Group. We'd love to get them underway if enough volunteers come forward. These are initial ideas which can be changed and developed by the people who get involved. Please contact us to register your interest in any of them or to suggest other potential projects you'd like to start. We know people have limited time and we want to encourage you to contribute to any aspects which interest you without feeling under pressure to do more than you can. We want to ensure that nobody is overloaded and that the Transition process is allowed to develop at a sustainable pace. We'll post any developments on this page, so keep checking!
1. Cycling
Working group to promote cycling and create a vision for safer, more enjoyable cycling around Horsham district. To work on identifying where problems currently exist and to suggest improvements. Ideas include special events such as cycle-to-work days, cross-district group cycling events and bicycle maintenance workshops.
2. Local Energy
Working group to explore how to expand local micro-generation, for example solar power and air souce heat pumps. Initial ideas include forming a support group to help with low-cost DIY solar panel installation and producing simple energy saving kits. (Click to view Lewes' Local Energy Services Company)
3. Productive green spaces
Working group to explore possible community gardening projects using unused land and a garden share scheme where people who would like to see their gardens used more productively can be matched with committed growers (click to view Totnes' scheme). Another potential project model is Food up Front, where people are supported to grow fruit and vegetables in their unused space such as front gardens, balconies and window sills.
4. Skill Sharing
Working group to encourage volunteers to pass on their practical skills to people interested in learning how to repair and produce. Could include knitting, sewing, woodwork, simple DIY, cookery, or whatever else volunteers are prepared to offer (click to view Sumac Skill Share for inspiration).
5. Permaculture
Working group to develop and pass on their knowledge of permaculture both to the local community and to guide the other Transition Horsham groups about the relevance of permaculture priniciples to their projects.
