Taking Out The Trash

Green on the screen

So the running order for the village's mini eco film festival has been finalised. Four films screening over about six weeks with talks afterwards.

Deciding on which films proved difficult and I realised that it's difficult to get this right. You don't want to be too worthy; you don't want to be too obscure but you want to offer something a little different.

I read The Guardian's review of The Road which will be coming out soon and I recall George Monbiot saying what an important but depressing book it was. Both sound amazing; but I'm not sure I want to be depressed. I think I'd like to be motivated.

For what it's worth here is our line up. A mix of the popular, the local and some retro horror. Among those films which didn't make the cut where Erin Brokovitch and Big River Man. Did we get the mix right. Was there something obvious we missed?

Thursday October 29, 8pm: Age of Stupid
Starring Peter Postlethwaite this film, which was released this spring, is set 2055 as one citizen looks back on how inaction led to the wrecking of Planet Earth.
It will be followed by a discussion on how people in Colerne can contribute to December’s climate change conference in Copenhagen
Cost: £3.50 per head (which buys you a glass of wine and nibbles)

Thursday November 12, 8pm: Bringing up Baby
Award-winning Wiltshire-based wildlife film maker Mark Fletcher shows his film which explores the new science of animal emotions. It becomes clear from the footage that not only do many animals feel emotions as we do, but that all mammals and many birds are conscious, aware of their feelings and themselves. It will be followed by a discussion on the issue raised.
Cost: £2.50 per head (which buys you a glass of wine and nibbles)

Wednesday November 25, 8pm: The End of the Line
Released this summer, this documentary is powerful indictment of modern fishing practices and has proved a global hit. It will be followed by a talk and discussion led by a speaker from the Chippenham-based Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society.
Cost: £3.50 per head (which buys you a glass of wine and nibbles)

 

Thursday December 3, 8pm: Doomwatch
This 1972 film is a spin-off from the television series of the same name. It stars Ian Bannen as a government investigator of ecological mysteries. He is sent to a remote Scottish island where an oil tanker spill has caused unexpected side effects.
This event doubles as ecolerne’s December meeting and Christmas party. All are welcome.
Cost: £2.50 (which buys you a glass of wine and nibbles)

If you want to come along you'er more than welcome. We'll be showing them at the back room of the Fox & Hounds pub in Colerne.

More on hitchiking

Some weeks back I posted about an initiative we're considering in the village to solve our lack of public transport - hitchiking.
It follows on from a scheme in Washington State in America.
Liza has from San Juan Island has just sent me a ncie email commenting on this which is below.
I really think this could be adopted in different places. For one thing people in Britain are generally polite and helpful - which is what you need if this is to work.
For another I think it would help break down some of those fears that have grown up that this country is dangerous and you can't go out without putting your life on the line. A bit more social interaction instead of us isolated in our cars is no bad thing.

Just noticed your comments when I googled our website. The sjRideshere program is going well here on San Juan Island, Washington state. Our county council and town council are behind us 100%.
 If you would like any support materials or if yoyu think your local councils would like a guest speaker on this program let us know!!! England is not really far away..
 Also i enjoyed seeing a similar program underway in Golden bay new Zealand last year.... It Works!!

Update: Liza adds "...there is a similar program called Go Geronimo in Marin Co California."

Rule of Thumb (pt 2)

I posted recently about plans in the village to set up hitchhiking points for people without access to cars or who simply wanted to travel greener.
And, via the Total Politics Local Government Blog, I got sent a link to a similar though much more organised scheme in Washington State.
Thank you Robino for the tip.
We should think about importing this idea; simple, cheap, community-orientated and it should also encourage people to feel a bit safer about their environment by confronting the perception that the worst is happening.

Transition Colerne

Saturday morning saw ecolerne host a meeting about Transition Towns.
Attendance was OK, but it was as much for the committed as for those who knew nothing about transition ideas.
The film End of Suburbia went well, although I was chatting and flitting about so much I barely caught any of it. The creche also worked well.
If I'm honest, I'd hoped numbers would be greater, but as the transition people say:

"However many people turn up for the meeting is the right number."

Which is a good, Zen-like motto to organise by.
Thanks to Paula from Transition Bath for speaking and sourcing the film.