Deal With It Today

Deal Foodbank Meeting 20th June

2012-05-27T12:26:00.001+01:00

Deal Foodbank's next meeting is on the 20th June at 8pm at Cafe Eden, St Richards Mill Hill. #Deal_foodbank

You can follow Deal Foodbank now on twitter here

For info the foodbank movement around the country see http://www.trusselltrust.org/foodbank-projects

Richborough Energy Park Consultation

2012-05-26T21:33:00.003+01:00

Richborough Energy Park (Low Carbon Renewable Energy to Power Kent) is having another two consultation exhibitions to explain their revised plans.

These will be held on Friday 15 June at Cliffsend Village Hall (3 - 6pm) and on Saturday 16 June at the Bell Inn Hotel, Sandwich (9.30am -12.30).

Further details from richboroughinfo@cascadepr.co.uk and at www.richboroughenergypark.co.uk

--

Thanks to Charles for the Info

Bread Making at the Chequers

2012-05-25T19:41:00.001+01:00

Pieter of The Chequers Inn and Stephanie from Whole School Meals are working together to create an exciting range of Cookery courses.

May 2012

Issue: 1

The Art of Bread-Making

Dear Steve,

We are delighted to invite you to Pieter van Zyl's Art of Bread Making course at The Chequers Inn on Wednesday 6th June from 9am to 1pm. Just eight places are now available to book.

In This Issue

Bread Making Course

Summer Cookery Courses

The Art of Bread Making

Wednesday 6th June, 9.00am to 1.00pm

Join Chef-owner of The Chequers Inn, Pieter van Zyl, to learn his secrets of bread-making, followed by a light lunch. Learn how to prepare and bake a selection of delicious breads including a range of flavours from olive to walnut, in a variety of shapes, sizes and forms.

Pieter will lead you through every stage of bread making so that you can create delicious, wholesome bread whenever you wish, whether it is for everyday or for special occasions.

After baking, enjoy a lovely light lunch in the restaurant, sampling Pieter's freshly baked bread with cheeses, ham, salad and a glass of wine, beer or soft drink. Take your own baked bread home to impress and delight your loved ones!

Just eight places are available on this course at a cost of £60 per person. Book now or enquire further by email or by calling Stephanie on 07960 471427 or 01304 362563.

Forthcoming cookery courses

Pieter will be leading Cookery Courses at The Chequers Inn throughout the summer. Look out for his Fish Master Class, South African Dinner Party Menu and Tapas Style Entertaining - more details to follow. Register your interest to get advance notice of dates and details.

These courses are a partnership between Pieter van Zyl and Keen2Cuisine. We hope you will be happy to receive occasional updates about our local courses at The Chequers Inn, Deal.

Best wishes,

Stephanie Hayman
Keen2Cuisine

Keen2Cuisine is an initiative by Whole School Meals Ltd. Whole School Meals Ltd is located at Almond House, Broad Lane, Betteshanger, Deal, Kent CT14 0LX and is registered in England and Wales as company number 5721609

Pieter van Zyl

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Cooperative showing Gaslands on 9th July

2012-05-25T08:55:00.000+01:00

The Co-operative as part its national campaign against shale gas and its negative impact on our environment is running a series of special showings of the Gaslands - theaward-winning film by Josh Fox showing the impact of shale gas in the US.

There will be one in Canterbury on Monday 9th July at 6:30pm at Anselm Theatre, Christ Church University, Canterbury

You will need to register at the Cooperative here

We understand there will be speakers from the Co-operative, Keith Taylor Green Party MEP and East Kent Against Fracking

Solar Array due at Little Mongeham

2012-05-24T20:30:00.003+01:00

A small 34kwh solar array based on agricultural land is going to planning at Dover District Council next month.

The application by 'Little Mongeham Ltd based at Manor Farm, Little Mongeham (CT14 0HR) is for 140 ground based panels which is estimated to produce 27,000kwh pa.

Planning ref is 12/00353
http://planning.dover.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=DCAPR_219468

Alternative Conference for the Rio Summit

2012-05-22T19:25:00.004+01:00

Alternative Conference for the Rio Summit

Saturday 16th June to Sunday 17th
(the weekend preceding the summit Wednesday 20th to Friday 22nd)
To register a place at the conference click here.

Organised by the Campaign against Climate Change with the School for Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) Department for Development Studies.

Taking place at the central London Universities - SOAS, the Institute of Education (IOE) and University College London (UCL). Opening plenary in IOE, Thornhaugh Street off Russell Square, Russell Square Tube. Map here.
This is a free event but donations to help the campaign would be appreciated.
If you would like to steward at the conference please click here.

Rio to Rio: 20 wasted years?

Between 1992 and 2012:

The global surface temperature has risen by 0.38C.
The Arctic sea ice has decreased by 2.94 million square kilometres.
The CO2 in the atmosphere has risen by 35.19 PPM.
30 661 900 hectares of Brazilian forest have been lost.
More than 431,215.08 million tonnes of CO2 have been emitted.
The amount of CO2 emitted per year has risen from 21,421.45 to 30,398.42 million tonnes.
A wide range of workshops and seminars - and an exciting main plenary - are planned.
Titles include :
“Food Security how can we stop a tragedy unfolding?”
“Green Energy versus ‘Extreme’ Energy”
“One Million Climate Jobs”
“Inequity is not only bad for society but a barrier to dealing effectively with the ecological crisis”
“Renewing Political Commitment to win the global battle against eco-calamity: a lost cause or is there a way forward?”
“We will not achieve environmental justice without a fundamental shift in values”
“New legal frameworks for a new era of environmental progress and justice”
“Can London lead the way in the fight against climate meltdown?”
and more workshops on: Green growth vs De-growth; bioenergy and land grabs; forests and biodiversity; aviation; geo-engineering; oceans; Zero Carbon Britain by 2030; arctic methane time bomb; generational justice; climate refugees;civil disobedience; “fracking”; population, gender and climate change; false solutions; TREC: energy from the deserts…and more.

Confirmed speakers include:

John McDonnell MP (Labour), Jean Lambert MEP (Green Party), Deborah Doane (World Development Movement), Jeremy Leggett (Solar Century), Jenny Jones (Green AM & Mayoral candidate), Aniol Esteban (New Economics Foundation), Derek Wall (Green Party/Green Left), John Stewart (chair Airport Watch, HACAN etc) Stephen Tindale (ex-Director, Greenpeace), Oliver Tickell (author Kyoto 2), Mayer Hillman, Mel Evans (Platform), Prof Peter Mollinga (SOAS), Hannah Smith (COIN & Refugee & Migrant Climate Forum), Keith Taylor MEP (Green Party), Deepak Rughani (Biofuelwatch), Murad Qureshi (GLA & Bangladeshi community), John Lanchberry (RSPB), Rich Hawkins (PIRC), David Powell (Economics Campaigne, Friends of the Earth), George Barda (Occupy LSX), Centre for Alternative Technology, Action Aid, Native Spirit Foundation, UK Tar Sands Network, David Wasdell (Meridian Project), Andrew Lockley & Tim Kruger (on geoengineering), John Maclaverty (GROW Campaign, Oxfam), Suzanne Jeffrey (CCC Trade Union Group), Debi Wagner (US Citizens Aviation Watch via skype), Chris Baugh (assistant General Sec Public & Commercial Services Union), Peter Challenor (National Oceanography Centre), Danny Chivers, Chris Church (Low Carbon Communites), Speaker from the Eradicating Ecocide Campaign, Gerry Wolfe (TREC-power from the deserts), Muzammal Hussain (Wisdom in Nature), Susan Roaf & Fergus Nichol (on built environment), Terry Reintke (co-spokesperson FYEG- Federation Young Euro- Greens), Melanie Strickland (Wild Law, Occupy), Ian Mason (Wild Law), Daniel Scharfe (Greenspeed), Tim Emerson, Christian Ecology Link, Emma Biermann (350.org), Neva Frecheville (WWF), Dan Plesch (Director, Department of International Studies and Diplomacy, SOAS), Harald Heubaum (CISD, CEPES, SOAS)… and more invited.

Timetable:

Saturday
9.00 - 10.00 Registration, Coffee
10.00 Conference opens: intro at Institute of Education Students' Union
10.30 Session 1
12.00 Plenary in UCL
1.45 Lunch
2.45 Session 2
4.15 Session 3
5.30 End of sessions
Coffee, drinks, music in IOE SU bar

Sunday
11.00-12.00 Registration, coffee, stalls
12.30 Session 4
1.45 Lunch
2.30 Session 5
4.00 Session 6
5.30 People's Assembly
6.30 Ends.
Ongoing discussions, drinks, music in IOE bar.
To register a place at the conference click here.
See you there !

Permaculture and much more at Rippledown

2012-05-21T22:00:00.000+01:00

Rippledown - the local environmental centre just outside Deal at Ringwould has a bumper set of courses and events to get in involved in year ... Please try to support this fantastic resource for the whole of East Kent. @rippledown

Canterbury Transition

2012-05-21T18:55:00.000+01:00

Sunday saw a packed meeting at the farmhouse to re-launch Transition Canterbury with a film show of the new Transition film.

A good cross section of Canterbury with a lot of willing hands to make it happen.

Lots of support from transition groups in East Kent - including Whitstable, Faversham, Hythe and Deal plus good news of groups forming in Folkestone and Thanet. Looks like a loose network for transition to be setup in east kent.

TC will be having a open organising meeting on 26th May at Farmhouse at 2pm - TC are on facebook here and at their website at http://www.transitioncitycanterbury.blogspot.co.uk/

Next DWI meeting - Community Energy Update

2012-05-19T11:04:00.002+01:00

Come and find out about some of the dozens of CORE projects that have blossomed around the country recently.

CORE or community owned renewable energy offers energy security, income for community projects, less carbon-sourced energy.

Are there still opportunities for communities to set up CORE projects in 2012/13 or has the stable door shut ?

What are the ingredients for an effective project ?

Deal With It Tuesday 22 May - 7.30 -9 pm – Dealability, Victoria Rd, Deal

see link around the country here

Victoria's Green Matters - 18th May 2012

2012-05-17T20:22:00.004+01:00

Deal With IT's Secretary Victoria Nicholls writes a regular column in the East Kent MercuryA consequence of last year’s Japanese tsunami is the vast amount - about 4.8million tonnes - of debris that is travelling around in the world’s seas. Some pieces have already been washed up on the shores of Alaska and Canada. Thousands of tonnes are expected to land on North American shores later this year. The largest piece of flotsam was a fishing boat, floating off the coast of British Colombia, which has now been sunk by the US Coastguard. The islands of Hawaii are thought to be in line for large amounts of debris.

Most of this debris is expected to join the North Pacific Garbage Patch which is a huge area of floating rubbish which continues to increase in size. It is made up of tiny bits of plastic which has formed a thin film on the surface of the ocean. It is a marine desert where few organisms can survive. Despite Hawaii having little local pollution, its beaches are littered with plastic rubbish from around the world.

We live in a world that seems to depend on plastic. In every part of life we use plastic; from the kitchen to the car and into the largest machines. We will not go backwards and live without plastic until all the raw materials have been used up. Perhaps plant based plastic will take over then.

Until this happens we must ensure that all our waste plastic is disposed of properly and does not end up joining the rest in the Pacific Ocean.

Victoria Nicholls. Deal With It.

You can still squeeze on the permaculture course this weekend

2012-05-16T18:57:00.001+01:00

Still some space on the 'Introduction to Permaculture' course this coming weekend at Rippledown

Tel Steve on for detail s01304 364 854
http://rippledown.com/permaculture-courses/

Pines Calyx 2012 timetable...Sustainable building.

2012-05-15T19:06:00.002+01:00

There is tons to do and learn especially on sustainable building at the Pine Calyx, East Kent's award winning eco centre and gardens in St Margarets-on-Cliffe this year http://pinescalyx.co.uk/sustainable-living-courses-kent

DWI at the Canterbury Climate Fair

2012-05-13T16:18:00.001+01:00

We had a successful day at the third Canterbury Greenpeace Climate and Fair Trade market.

Big thanks to Charles, Caroline, Sue & Adrian and Steve for running both the DWI and EKAF stalls.

Meet a lots amazing people who were interested in what we are doing - much interest in the re-launch of Transition Canterbury next Sunday 20th May 5pm at the Farmhouse

Great flashmob at lunchtime video is here if you cannot see the one below

Thank You Canterbury Greenpeace for the invite and a great day

Deal With It in Sunday Express

2012-05-13T13:30:00.000+01:00

Deal With It's Rosie Rechter is in today's edition of the Sunday Express talking about fracking threat at Woodnesborough

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/319733/-Gas-drilling-will-destroy-garden-of-England-

Reminder: MCS Beach Clean Today

2012-05-10T22:00:00.000+01:00

The MCS beach clean is today Friday 11th May at 9:45pm - meet opposite the Three Compasses.

This one is not one of the normal DWI ones but a national one organised by the MCS & M&S

Richborough Action Group Leafletting in Deal

2012-05-10T21:13:00.000+01:00

The Campaign group resisting the closure of the Richborough Recycling Centre will be in Town on Saturday leafletting in the High Street.

The Closure of the centre will mean more traffic at the Deal and Dover sites. In the case of Deal that means going through an already busy residential area.

Please pop down and show them your support.

Victoria's Green Matters - 9th May 2012

2012-05-10T09:06:00.000+01:00

Deal With IT's Secretary Victoria Nicholls writes a regular column in the East Kent Mercury:Two somewhat related matters this week. A recent study has warned that both issues of consumption and population must be considered as vital if the world’s growing population wants to achieve long and healthy lives.

Lloyds of London, the world’s biggest insurance company, has warned investors of the dangers of drilling for oil in the Arctic. Lloyds has said that it is highly possible that this will disturb ecosystems already under stress from climate change. The environmental consequences of an accident similar to the Gulf of Mexico cannot be foreseen in a pristine area such as this.

While the numbers of people on the planet has never been higher, their consumption of raw materials is increasing at an alarming rate. We in the developed west are responsible for our profligate way of life, wasting resources and wanting more and different goods, so creating a waste mountain.

Oil companies are ever on the lookout for more places to drill for oil to fuel this lifestyle to which we have become accustomed. China is developing so quickly that they will probably overtake the USA as the largest manufacturing nation in the world in the near future. Developing countries, particularly in Africa, will have population increase to match their development. Education about contraception is paramount if these people are to be given a chance to live as well as we do. We must learn to rebalance society so that there is more sharing of resources between developed and developing countries

Kent Wildlife Course - Butterflies

2012-05-09T23:56:00.001+01:00

Canterbury Climate Fair Saturday 12th May

2012-05-09T09:14:00.000+01:00

Deal With It will be having a stall at the Canterbury Climate and Fair Trade Market on Saturday 12th May 10-4pm.

There will be dozens of stalls on green energy, campaigns, lifestyle plus some great food and music.

Volunteers for the stall are welcome - contact Steve at press@dealwithit.org or just pop in and say hi

Garden Waste collection - get neighbourly!

2012-05-07T21:30:00.000+01:00

We have heard of a great response to Dover District Council's imposition of a £40pa charge for Garden Collection waste - Talk to your neighbours!

We know of local reactions to the new charges by neighbours in at least three streets in the district is to cooperative in paying for one collection and sharing the filling of the bags.

Not only voting with their feet but building a real local community, if not at the grass roots at the least the cuttings ;)

Reminder: East Kent Against Fracking meeting

2012-05-07T21:10:00.001+01:00

East Kent Against Fracking are having their next meeting on Friday 11th May at 7pm at the United Reformed Church nr Guildhall in Sandwich

More details at www.eastkentagainstfracking.org.uk

Brighton Energy Coop launches....

2012-05-04T18:18:00.000+01:00


Brighton Energy Coop launches 120Kw solar scheme - 16th May Hi Everyone, I have some great news — our community-owned renewable energy scheme is ready to launch for the second time! You may recall that back in November we were forced to postpone the launch; since then we've been working hard to make sure that the scheme can still go ahead. Large cuts in the price of solar panels mean solar is once again a viable technology in the UK - click here to here to read the dramatic story of the solar market over the last six months, and how we’ve overcome these difficulties. We’ve locations at several sites around the area; we are now raising more than £200,000 from the community to install solar arrays on these buildings. The revenue from the panels will go to our members and to supporting more locally-owned energy projects, just as many other schemes around the country do. We aim to raise this by offering you the chance to buy shares in Brighton Energy Co-operative. By investing, you’ll be buying solar panels that deliver a return on your investment, and also deliver the funds to support further green energy initiatives in the city. Our share launch event takes place at 7.45pm on the 16 May at the Friend's Meeting House in Brighton. Green MP Caroline Lucas will be speaking, and newly-elected leader of the council Jason Kitkat will also say a few words. Then the Directors of Brighton Energy Coop will outline the scheme, and answer any questions you might have. And why not pledge an amount you would like to invest on our website (don’t worry, there’s no binding commitment if you pledge; it just helps us see how much we might be able to raise). Many thanks for your continued support - It's been a long journey, and we have learnt a huge amount along the way. Please feel free to invite anyone who might be interested to our launch event, and do email me if you have any questions. Best Will Cottrell Director, Brighton Energy Co-operative info@brightonenergy.org.uk ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Why not one on Deal ? Come the Deal With It meeting on Tuesday 24th May to join in the discussion

Victoria's Green Matters - 3rd May 2012

2012-05-03T09:00:00.000+01:00

Deal With IT's Secretary Victoria Nicholls writes a regular column in the East Kent Mercury:

Energy security is always an important consideration and green energy security should be foremost in our minds. Climate change and peak oil demand that we have reliable, constant and renewable sources of energy for the future.

A recent newspaper article reported that discussions were ongoing with Iceland regarding its large supplies of geothermal energy and the possibility of connecting it up with the UK to supply us with electricity. Geothermal energy is literally ‘heat from the earth’ and could even-out electricity produced by our wind turbines and when we have excess wind energy, that can be exported in return. So those Icelandic volcanoes are not always bad things!

Plans are already underway to connect several areas of Europe together, thereby ensuring consistent supplies of renewable energy from different sources. This European ‘supergrid’ consists of numerous sea-floor cables called ‘interconnectors’ which can carry high voltage, direct current electricity over long distances with only small energy losses as opposed to the large losses of our alternating current carrying national grid.

It is hoped that by connecting us up to the supergrid, we will be able to access the cheapest energy available at any one time, so keeping household energy bills as low as possible.

It is very important that investment in these sources of energy should go forward despite our difficult economic situation. It would be foolish in the extreme to call a halt to these negotiations when our future energy security depends on them.

Could your school go solar ...

2012-05-02T22:03:00.001+01:00

Could your local school go solar?
So now it's time to go bigger. Our Solar Schools team are rolling this out to 100 schools nationwide, and you could play a big part. Here's how

Want to be a Solar School?
If you work at a school or sit on the PTA, you can put your school forward for the programme today! You're not committing to anything yet – we'll get in touch and help you decide if Solar Schools is a good fit.

Visit www.solarschools.org.uk/apply/ to get started.

Rob Hopkins on Transition ....

2012-05-01T21:44:00.000+01:00

Great TED video from Exeter on Transition Totnes with Rob Hopkins

or see the link at http://youtu.be/r3L9n20myqk

Deal With It Today

Deal Foodbank Meeting 20th June

Richborough Energy Park Consultation

Bread Making at the Chequers

Cooperative showing Gaslands on 9th July

Solar Array due at Little Mongeham

Alternative Conference for the Rio Summit

Alternative Conference for the Rio Summit

Rio to Rio: 20 wasted years?

Between 1992 and 2012:

Permaculture and much more at Rippledown

Canterbury Transition

Next DWI meeting - Community Energy Update

Come and find out about some of the dozens of CORE projects that have blossomed around the country recently.

CORE or community owned renewable energy offers energy security, income for community projects, less carbon-sourced energy.

Are there still opportunities for communities to set up CORE projects in 2012/13 or has the stable door shut ?

What are the ingredients for an effective project ?

Deal With It Tuesday 22 May - 7.30 -9 pm – Dealability, Victoria Rd, Deal

see link around the country here

Victoria's Green Matters - 18th May 2012

You can still squeeze on the permaculture course this weekend

Pines Calyx 2012 timetable...Sustainable building.

DWI at the Canterbury Climate Fair

Deal With It in Sunday Express

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/319733/-Gas-drilling-will-destroy-garden-of-England-

Reminder: MCS Beach Clean Today

Richborough Action Group Leafletting in Deal

Victoria's Green Matters - 9th May 2012

Kent Wildlife Course - Butterflies

Canterbury Climate Fair Saturday 12th May

Garden Waste collection - get neighbourly!

Reminder: East Kent Against Fracking meeting

Brighton Energy Coop launches....

Brighton Energy Coop launches 120Kw solar scheme - 16th May

Victoria's Green Matters - 3rd May 2012

Could your school go solar ...

Rob Hopkins on Transition ....