Maggie

Nice website Paul! Sounds like a good project.

Thats a good idea, I have applied for one and await with anticipation.

Oswestry Chamber of Commerce response to SamDev threat to Old Oswestry. http://oswestrychamberofcommerce.wordpress.com/2013/03/20/oswestry-chamber-response-to-samdev-hillfort-housing-proposal/

here is the agenda for Wednesday's meeting: Delivery Group Meeting Agenda, Wednesday 20th March 2013 , 7.00pm, Gobowen Scout Hut 1) Apologies for absence 2) Declarations of interest 3) Minutes of the meeting 18th February 2013 and matters arising 4) Budget 5) Website – progress report, and protocols for posting updates 6) Business Forum Development 7) ‘Quick Wins’ projects – progress update 8) Partnership development – discussion of ‘Code of Conduct’, ‘Values’ and ‘What the Partnership does’ - summaries distributed. Make commitment to the Partnership if agreeable. 9) Feedback from ‘priorities questionnaire’ currently being piloted 10) Development of the ‘Vision’ and ‘Operating priorities’. 11) Youth Forum – progress report 12) Date of next delivery group meeting, and venue

We got £200 from LJC, which will pay for room hire for some meetings.

Well done!

yeah thanks for posting picture of me slumped in a corner!

Are any chaps in Weston Rhyn interested in getting together and forming a Mens Shed group? I'm just back from Islington where I visited various 'growing It' projects (Big Local event). One community building had a very active Mens Shed Group, who made things, (lot of recycling going on), used the computers, played darts and snooker, went on trips (to pubs) or just hung out . I thought it was a great idea, What do you all think? Here is a link to a website, (but the Islington one was more leisure based) http://menssheds.org.uk/

happy belated birthday Simon.

I'm looking for people to get involved. Really tired and just back from London, but seen lots and talked to people... Growing foodstuffs and eating them is an opportunity for people to learn, and take control over the source of something that intimately affects them... an opportunity to make steps towards an ethical use of the planet's resources. I want to use this possible funding to show what can be done with a few quick wins, like planters of herbs and vegetables placed where people can use them and can help look after them (with support). I believe once people see what can be achieved they will want more! There are amazing pots and containers of food around Islington in the most unlikely spots, making use of tiny spare bits of ground amongst tower blocks. Realized very quickly that we had a lot of possible places to plant out here, but to start small and grow organically was the model! We also need to be more considerate of the natural environment, e.g. plant cherry trees to support insects, I'm not too keen on putting foodstuffs into environments with pollution such as beside busy roads, These could be sites for wildflower planting, which is another possible project for someone.

I've been invited down to London for a Big Local event called 'Growing It!. I feel like country mouse going down to meet all the town mice, but hey I should learn a lot. Will report back to community online.

This sad person rarely goes out to eat because there is so little vegetarian choice in the Oswestry area. There are only so many nut roasts and avocado bakes one person can eat.

As a charitable trust you are allowed to receive donations. You could get round the trading rules by having a donations bucket, and serve teas etc with suggestion that people donate!

How did it go? Any nice photos?

We are getting people who have never used a computer to download patterns and ideas in Knit and Natter, an Internet cafe with a bit of computer support would be great for the village.

We could all become bankers!

Well said that man/woman! Also people need food, increasing numbers going hungry... Huge increase in take up at Oswestry Food Bank. We need a credit union (chase Wonga from our streets) and think of ways to address our 'rural' poverty. (everything costs much more if you live in the countryside). Rowntree Trust recently estimated that cost of living was 20% higher in rural areas than urban, and when you then add on the much lower average wages in rural areas, well it is obvious something has to give, and that is people's ability to adequately feed clothe and heat their families. Think of the costs of transport, which you need to access anything (schools, banks, food, etc etc) Last week I was amazed that the bus in Manchester from the railway station was all free. One problem is that rural poverty is often statistically hidden because of its close geographical proximity to wealth. In lots of ways it is better not to have ghettos but means it that the problem isn't recognized. I know when I had no money and was living on 'hedgerow clippings' I was too ashamed to say anything to anyone, so again this problem is well hidden by people not wanting to admit that they are struggling...somehow we think it is our fault, not the rotten bankers who got us into this in the first place! http://www.jrf.org.uk/media-centre/minimum-income-rural-households We have the opportunity with this Big Local money to make lasting improvements... Lets come up with things that will help, not just fritter the money away with grandious schemes which don't get to the roots of our problems.

Well most of us also sew... any interesting materials?

The Institute is ideally placed to serve as a community cafe (internet cafe). It is central, but unlike St Martins, there is no other cafe facility nearby. Lots of us meet up in Morton Garden Centre for a chat, would be good to be able to do it in the Stute with Internet access! It would also attract visitors down from the Quinta.

We've got enough to do with all the wool we have. If anybody wants a knitted headband (great for windy days) let us know colours etc. We want to raise money, for the Stute and to keep the group going.