Dear friends,
During recent months we have been working here at the Apricot Centre on a project called 'Reskilling the Valley' (Part funded by the Dedham Vale AONB Sustinainable Development Fund). This project is based around researching the skills for sustainability in the local Dedham Vale area, interviewing the skill holders, and then developing workshops, demonstrations and a booklet on the various skills and stories. We would love to invite you to come and participate in any of the following events if you feel interested. It would be great to see you there. More details of the project, including the google map showing where the skills are located can be found at... http://www.apricotcentre.co.
The events are listed with other Apricot Centre Events at... http://www.apricotcentre.co.
We would be grateful also if you would pass this email to anyone else who may be interested.
Warm regards,
Mark and Marina O'Connell, and Aidan Barty (researcher)
The Idea
Over the next 20 – 30 years the way we live in the Dedham Vale and Stour Valley will have to change dramatically to a “post peak oil” and “climate change” lifestyle, one that is re-localised and less dependent upon oil and carbon sources of energy. Some of the changes will use modern technologies and ideas but some will draw on skills from the past - and so “Re-skilling the Valley” was born...
Over the next 20 – 30 years the way we live in the Dedham Vale and Stour Valley will have to change dramatically to a “post peak oil” and “climate change” lifestyle, one that is re-localised and less dependent upon oil and carbon sources of energy. Some of the changes will use modern technologies and ideas but some will draw on skills from the past - and so “Re-skilling the Valley” was born...
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The Apricot Centre for Sustainable Living
With the help of a Sustainable Development Fund grant The Apricot Centre (www.apricotcentre.co.
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The Dedham Vale AONB & Stour Valley Project
For more than 20 years the Dedham Vale and Stour Valley Project has been at the heart of a partnership between local authorities, government agencies, national organisations and local people. The aim of this partnership is to conserve and enhance the special qualities of the area. It is essential that we continue to build upon the success of this strong partnership working, if we are to conserve the area for the benefit of future generations of residents and visitors.
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Circle of Home Skills Workshop - 30th January 2010
Circle of Home Skills Workshop - 30th January 2010
Come and sit and sew or even knit, repair and darn with members of the Old Hall community. Whether you’re new to home skills or a veteran of “make do and mend” you’ll be certain to find a friendly atmosphere.
Venue Old Hall, Rectory Hill, East Bergholt
Time 10.00am - 1.00pm
Time 10.00am - 1.00pm
Green Woodworking Demonstration - 20th February 2010
Richard Bates will demonstrate pole lathe work and the art of bodging. Richard has worked with Ben Law, of Channel 4’s Grand Designs fame, in making a home from local coppice woodland. Richard is also skilled in making furniture from local green wood.
Venue Monks Farm, Coles Oak Lane, Dedham
Time 10.00am - 1.00pm
Renewable Energy Demonstration, open house afternoon - 27th February 2010
Visit just some of the many homes and locations in the area that can offer an insight into renewable energy. An exciting opportunity to go behind closed doors to see all types and scales of implementation to discover what’s possible and maybe spark the idea of a project for your own home.
Venue A map of the places that are open will be sent to you via email, or by post after you make your booking.
Time 1.00pm - 4.oopm
Time 1.00pm - 4.oopm
Preserves Making Workshop - 13th March 2010
Learn how to make your own jam and cordial along with how to bottle and pasteurise juice. Guided by Marina O’Connell you will use local fruit and ingredients where possible to create . Please bring a recipe to share.
Venue The Apricot Centre, 83 Hungerdown Lane, Lawford
Time 10.00am - 1.00pm
Time 10.00am - 1.00pm
Edible Gardens Walk, discovering local food production - March 20th 2010
A walk through a selection of the edible gardens that can be found in the Dedham Vale. You will be guided through the first day of Spring and all the bounties it will soon provide. And finish at the Sun Inn, Dedham where you can taste the best of local produce with an optional meal, at additional cost. Pre-booking for the meal via The Apricot Centre is required.
Venue Details of the meeting point will be sent to you via email, or by post after you make your booking.
Time 9.30am - 12.15pm
Time 9.30am - 12.15pm
Sustainable Building Techniques Workshop - 25th March 2010
A workshop looking at sustainable building materials, sustainable building design and the concept of retro-fitting an existing home. You will look at some sustainable buildings both on-site and through a presentation of photo’s.
Venue Assington Mill, Assington, Near Sudbury
Time 6.30pm - 9.30pm
Time 6.30pm - 9.30pm
Ways and Means, a demonstration of local transport systems - 3rd April 2010
A guided walk with the countries leading green lanes author Val Belsay. Discover how goods, materials and people moved about before the days of the car. Learn about where goods were sold and marketed and how far they travelled.
Venue Details of the meeting point will be sent to you via email, or by post after you make your booking.
Time 10.00am - 1.00pm
Time 10.00am - 1.00pm
Booking Instructions
Booking is essential as numbers are restricted for some of the venues. Where numbers are restricted priority will be given to residents of the Dedham Vale area. Payment is due with your booking and is charged at £10 per person, per event, children under the age of sixteen are free when accompanied by a paying adult.
