Permaculture Design Course

This course will be based at Canalside site for its duration, with design projects at Canalside as well as other locations nearby. Participants will gather from 5pm on Friday 15th, with the course starting properly on Saturday 16th and finishing on Thursday 28th July. Further details below; a full course description is available from cazingall@gmail.com



'During this internationally recognised certificate course we shall cover every major topic in Bill Mollison's Permaculture: A Designer's Manual. Living simply on the land we will be building community and experiencing new ways of connecting with each other and creatively solving problems together.

'Accompanied by film evenings/skill shares to extend the learning, this course offers life changing new ways to positively engage with the communities and landscapes around us. An outline of topics includes:
- Philosophies and Ethics underlying permaculture
- Permaculture principals and how they shape things in general
- Patterns in Nature and how to use that in design; methods of design; how to go from a damaged piece of land to having an idea for how to move forward with it
- Climatic factors and how to work with them
- Trees, forests and why we want to mimic their systems
- Water: catchment, usage, importance and conservation
- Soil, minerals, micro-organisms, building new soil and conservation
- Permaculture Gardening
- Earthworks: How to shape the land to help it achieve the goals we are aiming for
- Aquaculture, utilising water for high efficiency production
- Natural Building
- Alternative systems: community living, and other ways of choosing to live differently that work well for people and the planet

'Fast paced and intensive, yet creative and dynamic, the course breaks away from traditional education and is an inclusive and collective learning journey! With plenty of 'hands on' practical learning to back up the class studies, this course is fun and engaging for all, whether you are new to Permaculture of wishing to extend your skills.

'On completion of this course you can practise as a Permaculture designer or go onto further studies on accredited courses.

'£420 Certificate Course including 12 days camping and organic food.

'For more details see www.integralpermanence.org or email for information pack integralpermanence@gmail.com'

Music session on 15 May / Bring Back Folkwaves Campaign

There will be a traditional music session next Sunday 15 May at the Prince of Wales pub in Moseley. All musicians are welcome to come along and share a few tunes. More information on our website www.tradartsteam.co.uk/music/musicsession.htm

If you want to help bring back the popular Folkwaves programme, presented for over 25 years by Mick Peat and Lester Simpson on BBC Radio Derby, now is your chance. Over 1,000 signatures have been collected so far on a petition for presentation to BBC Local Radio Management to show the tremendous support from East Midland BBC licence payers - but the larger the petition the better. If you would be willing to collect signatures, please download a copy of the petition from www.tradartsteam.co.uk/folkwaves.html, get all your friends to sign it, and send it back to Bring Back Folkwaves Campaign, Prospect Cottage, Upper Lea, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 5GR

All the best - Pam

--
PAM BISHOP

Traditional Arts Team
19 Springfield Road
Kings Heath
Birmingham
B14 7DU

tel 0121 247 3856
pam@tradartsteam.co.uk

The Traditional Arts Team runs activities in the Midlands relating to traditional song, music, storytelling and dance, and publishes the Folk
Monthly magazine.

More info at www.tradartsteam.co.uk

Community allotment in need of volunteers

Judy Steele says:
We have a fantastic allotment in Lillington at Black Lane and are looking for volunteers to help to maintain it. There are families who are keen to come with children, but are unable to give the time to the preparation needed. We grow mostly fruit and vegetables and have a large polytunnel for tomatoes and cucumbers.
If you can help please get in touch with:

Judy Steele
judy@dmac.co.uk
South Warwickshire Local Food cic
01926 887119
07786 137770
Please leave a phone message if you can't get through, or use text or email, as I may not be able to answer immediately.

Canalside features in CPRE report looking at local food webs in Kenilworth

As part of the Big Lottery funded 'Making Local Food Work' programme reports, mapping local food webs in 6 locations in England, have been produced by CPRE - the Campaign to Protect Rural England. Kenilworth was one of the locations studied and Canalside features in a case study, with quotes from our two Kenilworth veg members.

This is the summary of the report. To download it as a PDF, copy and paste the link below to go to the CPRE website.

Kenilworth, a small, relatively prosperous market town, demonstrates a promising, yet not too extensive, food web. Recently, redevelopment of the town centre introduced the first Waitrose in Warwickshire alongside other national chain shops and food outlets. These co-exist with a variety of small, traditional outlets including a butcher, greengrocer, baker, delicatessen, farm shops and a weekly retail market, which offers some local food. Over 30 outlets are servicing public demand for locally sourced food coming from over 75 producers. Many of the independent outlets selling local food were found to help raise awareness among customers of where their food comes from and how it is produced. Food outlets provide valuable local jobs with, we estimate over 175 jobs at outlets in the study area and a further 580 at local suppliers supported by sales into the town. Local food sales in Kenilworth amount to an estimated £3.2 to £7.5 million annually.

http://www.cpre.org.uk/what-we-do/farming-and-food/local-foods/update/item/1660-our-new-research-shows-the-value-of-local-food-webs

Canalside Barn Dance, Sat 9th July - ticket now on sale!

Summer is in the air and that means our Barn Dance is on the horizon, with July 9th fast approaching! Tickets are now on sale!

Make your way to Gaia, or leave your order with payment by cash or cheque (payable to Canalside Community Food Ltd) in my blue pigeon hole in the yurt.
Adults: £8, £6 Canalside members
Children under 12 free

Free camping available on-site to anyone who is attending.

It was a fab night last year, and I have high expectations for an equally good night this year.
Ali

Amnesty International - collectors needed

A request from Xandra - one of our Canalside members:

We have been given permission to collect money on behalf of Amnesty International on the following dates:
Leamington Centre – Saturday 7 MAY – Organiser Xandra Gilchrist
Warwick Centre – Saturday 14 MAY – Organisers Denise Fowler and Simon Lieberman
Kenilworth Centre – Saturday 21 MAY- -Organiser Barbara Jones

If you could spare an hour [2 would be a bonus!] please contact me indicating which town and any preferred times:
xandrajmgilchrist@gmail.com Tel:07796948211/01926315823

STORYTELLING CAFE and TRADITIONAL ARTS TEAM NEWS

April 2011
www.TradArtsTeam.co.uk

We have something for everyone in April including a music training workshop

Mondays 7:30
STORYTELLERS STUDIO in Birmingham
Weekly storytelling training, rehearsal and performance opportunities with BIRMINGHAM VOICES
Contact 0121 247 7607 or email info@tradartsteam.co.uk for more info

Sunday 17 April, 8pm
Traditional Music Session
Prince of Wales, Moseley, B13 8EE
www.tradartsteam.co.uk/music-sessions.html

Wednesday 20 April 7:30
Birmingham Storytelling Cafe
GRAHAM LANGLEY & AMANDA SMITH - Heroes All
Kitchen Garden Cafe
Tickets £7.00 from KG Cafe, 0121 443 4725
Doors 6:30 for delicious food and drink
www.tradartsteam.co.uk/Birmingham-Storytelling-Cafe.html

Wednesday 27 April 8:00
Tales and Ales Storytelling session
Lamp Tavern, 157 Barford Street, Birmingham B5 6AH
Share stories in one of Birmingham’s finest real ale pubs
www.tradartsteam.co.uk/tales-and-ales.html

The Traditional Arts Team runs activities in the Midlands relating to traditional song, music, storytelling and dance, and publishes the Folk Monthly magazine. It receives support from Arts Council England.

More info at www.tradartsteam.co.uk

Barn dance in Kings Heath this Saturday 26 March!

This Saturday, 26 March, there will be a Barn Dance with Cuckoo's Nest at All Saints Church Hall, Vicarage Road, Birmingham B14 7RA. Food and light refreshments available but unlicensed, so bring your own alcohol. Doors open at 7:30, dancing starts at 8pm.

If you don't know how to do English country dancing, you will soon learn, as the caller will explain the steps before the music starts and will remind you what to do next - it is great fun, even if you get it wrong! Our caller this weekend is the fabulous Jo Freya of Blowzabella and Token Women Fame - so you will be in for a really good time.

Tickets £7 (children £3.50) from 0121 246 9873

This dance is organised jointly with All Saints Centre - more details at
http://www.tradartsteam.co.uk/calendar.html?a=viewevent&id=160

We look forward to seeing you there!

--

Traditional Arts Team
19 Springfield Road
Kings Heath
Birmingham
B14 7DU

tel 0121 247 3856
pam@tradartsteam.co.uk

The Traditional Arts Team runs activities in the Midlands relating to traditional song, music, storytelling and dance, and publishes the Folk Monthly magazine.

More info at www.tradartsteam.co.uk

The Traditional Arts Team is supported by Arts Council England

TRADITIONAL ARTS TEAM MUSIC NEWS MARCH 2011

www.TradArtsTeam.co.uk

Here are a few music and dance events coming up shortly. For more information click through to our website.

Traditional Music Session
Sunday 20 March, 8-10pm
Prince of Wales, Alcester Road, Moseley, Birmingham, B13 BEE
www.tradartsteam.co.uk/music-sessions.html

Moseley Village Band
Thursdays 24 March, 14 April, 7:30 to 9:15
St Columba's Church Hall, corner of Chantry Road, Birmingham B13 8D
All musicians welcome, £3 per session (first session free)
www.tradartsteam.co.uk/Moseley-Village-Band.html

Barn Dance with Cuckoo's Nest, caller Jo Freya
Saturday 26 March, 8-11pm
A social event for all the family, and for all ages and backgrounds. If you don’t know how to do English country dancing, you will soon learn, as Jo will explain the steps before the music starts and will remind you what to do next – it is great fun, even if you get it wrong! Food and light refreshments available but unlicensed, so bring your own alcohol. Tickets £7 (children £3.50) from 0121 246 9873
www.tradartsteam.co.uk/calendar.html?a=viewevent&id=160

Traditional Song Session
Thursday 7 April, 8-10pm
Kitchen Garden Café, York Road, B14 7SA
www.tradartsteam.co.uk/song-sessions.html

Newfoundland Tunes Workshop
Sunday 10 April, 1pm to 4pm
mac, Cannon Hill Park
As a part of their Shore to Shore tour, Fergus O'Byrne and Jim Paynes will lead musicians in the playing of Newfoundland dance tunes and the steps that go with them. Presented in partnership with Wren Music and mac - there will be a full Shore to Shore concert in the evening. Tickets £12 (£10 for those holding concert tickets) from mac or call 0121 446 3232
www.tradartsteam.co.uk/calendar.html?a=viewevent&id=161

The Traditional Arts Team runs activities in the Midlands relating to traditional song, music, storytelling and dance, and publishes the Folk Monthly magazine. It receives support from Arts Council England.

More info at www.tradartsteam.co.uk

FOOD INSPIRATION ALERT - food events in Oxford this week

The following food events are happening this week as part of Conversations with the Earth, Community Festival in East Oxford at the Old Bookbinders, Green Street, Oxford. See full programme below and www.wix.com/conversationsearth/festival (Please copy and paste link - thanks, Ali)

Would appreciate you emailing your food & agriculture tribe to publicise these inspiring food related events ..

thursday march 17th
TOWARDS FOOD SOVEREIGNTY with Michel Pimbert
7.30-10 pm at the Old Bookbinders, Green Street, East Oxford
Michel Pimbert, IIED Food and Agriculture Programme & InsightShare
How do we protect agro-biodiversity? How can international organisations contribute and what are the implications for local communities? A talk about projects in Mali, Iran and India followed by videos made by Andean community members.

saturday march 19th
FEED THE SOIL, FEED THE PLANET with the Ecology of Food Tribe
2.30 - 5.30pm
Share ideas and experiences through making collages and conversation to explore a lively food culture which honours the earth.
A Convivium within a Soil Shrine to savour a taste for change with Miche Fabre Lewin, Flora Gathorne - Hardy, Johnnie Letts, Nick Saltmarsh and friends to celebrate food, soil and community.

Join us before at noon for a nourishing Deep Soup Ceremony celebrating local organic food producers, soil and community.

Trust you can make some of these gatherings.
love
miche and flora

Potato and Parsnip Dauphinoise recipe

Here's another recipe, this time from Galina, one of our veg members. A different way of using some of those staples we're so reliant on at this time of year!

Thanks Galina!

Potato and Parsnip Dauphinoise recipe
Serves 4-6

Ingredients:
1kg potatoes, thinly sliced
450g parsnips, thinly sliced
1 onion
2 garlic cloves
50g/4 tbsp butter
125g Gruyere or Cheddar cheese, grated
fresh nutmeg, grated
salt and pepper
300ml/1.25 cups single cream
300ml/1.25 cups milk

Method:
1. Set oven to 180 Celsius and grease a large shallow oven dish.
2. Layer the potatoes with the onion and parsnips. In between each layer, dot the vegetables with garlic and butter, sprinkle over most of the cheese, add the nutmeg and season well.
3. Heat the cream and milk together in a saucepan until it is hot but not boiling. Slowly pour over the veg.
4. Scatter remaining cheese over and grate a little more nutmeg on top. Bake about an hour until tender and golden.

Galina says, "I also sometimes add my own spices with the seasoning, like curry powder for example."

Winter vegetable storage tips

Potatoes
- need to be kept in the dark to prevent green patches forming, which are toxic when eaten raw
- best kept in a cloth or paper bag in a cool, dry place

Dry alliums - i.e. onions/garlic
- best kept in a paper or cloth bag
- best kept in a cool, dry place, such as a cupboard or garage

Uncut squash
- store in a moderate temperature

Salad and other leaves
- best kept in a plastic bag in the fridge or very cool place such as the garage

Everything else - carrots and other roots, leeks, cut squash
- as a general rule keep in plastic to preserve humidity or paper/cloth to reduce
- they all need somewhere cool to cold

Additional, more detailed information on this website:
http://www.vegetableexpert.co.uk/RefrigerationAndColdStorage.html
Please copy and paste as HTML linking isn't working.

Pumpkin/squash curry recipe

Xandra, one of our veg share members has sent me this recipe for this delicious sounding curry - she thought you might find it useful if you want some ideas for using squash, especially as there will be squash in the share this week!

Thanks Xandra!

Pumpkin/squash curry recipe

Ingredients:

onion - chopped
garlic.ginger} fresh or frozen
chillies frozen or fresh
tomato 1or 2 chopped
squash or pumpkin chopped into chunks
chickpeas
spinach
salt
garam masala 1 teaspoon
cumin seeds or powder 1 teaspoon
turmeric 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon


Method
Fry the chopped onion in a little olive oil and little butter until
onion starts to brown. Add garlic and ginger and chillies. Add cumin
seeds. Add tomatoes. Add the dry spices - if the mixture is dry and
sticking add a tiny amount of water. You should have a sort of pasty
mixture. Add squash and let it cook for a few minutes. Add chickpeas
and spinach and cook until squash is tender. Don't add any more water
as there will be plenty from the spinach. If you want the dish to be
dry cook without a lid as the lid will just keep in the water from the
spinach.

Nicole Foss: 'We Need Freedom of Action To Confront Peak Oil' from You Tube

Hi folks,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvoFJsqF1wQ&feature=related (Please copy and paste to see this as I can't get an HTML link to show up. Ali)

I wanted to forward this link to you all, because what Nicole has been speaking about for several years now is -

1) So pertinent to what Canalside is doing.

And -

2) So clear-seeing about the reasons why the team who now have Canalside airborne, and are flying it higher as fast as they can go, are doing exactly the right thing. When you're slogging grimly through the winter mud and cold, and wondering why you're breaking your back for little pay, you need to be reassured as much as ever possible that this is precisely the right thing to be doing, to prepare as well as maybe for the unprecedented upheavals and crises which are already happening, and which, assuredly, will get much fiercer over this next decade. This is, quite literally, a matter of life and death for many people just a little way down the line; like it was in Soviet Russia after 1989.

May I asks whoever first fields this email to tell and show it around the Leasowe Farm people -- and of course all the sharers who want to see it -- as much as you can. Thanks.

Rhisiart Gwilym (Canalside veg share member)

Squash tips

I froze some chopped up Crown Prince squash raw (my own garden one actually). Opinion on the internet was divided about whether it would work or not, or whether it should be cooked before freezing. I roasted it from frozen and it was fine. Thought it might be useful for some of the members to know.

Also, very impressed with the quality of the celeriac and swedes. Where can you get an English organic celeriac as late as this and how on earth much would it cost?
Judy

Part-time grower post at Canalside

Still time to get an application in! The deadline is on Friday 11th February.

Details on earlier post:
http://canalsidecommunityfood.blogspot.com/2011/01/job-opportunity-at-canalside-for-part.html
Please email Ali on mail@canalsidecommunityfood.org.uk for full job description, or to send CV and covering letter.

TRADITIONAL ARTS TEAM - DANCE NEWS

Keep an eye on our new website, check out your favourite event and then have a little look round the rest of the site to see what else is going on.

Barn Dance with Cuckoos Nest and caller Jo Freya
------------------------------------------------
Sat 26 March, All Saints Church Hall, Vicarage Road Birmingham B14 7RA
Doors open at 7:30, dancing starts at 8pm
Food and light refreshments available but unlicensed, so bring your own alcohol.
Tickets £7 (children £3.50) from 0121 246 9873
More info at www.tradartsteam.co.uk/calendar.html?a=viewevent&id=160

Newfoundland Dance Tunes workshop
---------------------------------
And for the musicians among you, here's advance notice of an afternoon workshop on 10 April at mac, Birmingham. As a part of their Shore to Shore tour, Fergus O'Byrne and Jim Paynes will lead musicians in the playing of Newfoundland dance tunes and the steps that go with them. We're organising this event with Wren Music and mac. Tickets are £12, and there's more info at www.tradartsteam.co.uk/calendar.html?a=viewevent&id=161

TRADITIONAL ARTS TEAM - MUSIC NEWS, FEBRUARY 2011

Keep an eye on our new website, check out your favourite event and then have a little look round the rest of the site to see what else is going on.

Moseley Village Band has its February meetings on Thursday 10th and Thursday 24th from 7:30 to 9:15pm at St Columba's Church Hall, Alcester Road, Moseley. If you play an instrument, particularly a bass line instrument (tuba, trombone, bass clarinet, cello, double bass), why not come along and give it a try? More info and photos at www.tradartsteam.co.uk/Moseley-Village-Band.html

There will be a traditional music session on Sunday 21 January at the Prince of Wales pub in Moseley. All musicians are welcome to come along and share a few tunes. More info at www.tradartsteam.co.uk/music-sessions.html

And here's advance notice of an afternoon workshop on 10 April at mac, Birmingham. As a part of their Shore to Shore tour, Fergus O'Byrne and Jim Paynes will lead musicians in the playing of Newfoundland dance tunes and the steps that go with them. We're organising this event with Wren Music and mac. Tickets are £12, and there's more info at www.tradartsteam.co.uk/calendar.html?a=viewevent&id=161

Job opportunity at Canalside for part-time grower

Canalside Community Food, a pioneering CSA based outside Leamington Spa, is looking for a new part-time grower to join our team, producing organic veg for over 110 members every week.

The role will be a supporting one and involves working with the head grower and Canalside manager. Experience of field scale veg production, both outdoors and in protected cropping, is ideally preferred.

The applicant will need to be flexible with their time during the week and throughout the seasons. Hours are negotiable but 3 to 4 days a week will be required from March until October dropping to 1 day a week in the winter months. £8.50 per hour (with a view to increasing this over time).

Email Ali on mail@canalsidecommunityfood.org.uk for more details and a full job description.
- Application deadline – 11th February.
- Interviews in late February to start mid-March or as soon as possible thereafter.

Transition Town Leamington Poetry and Music Evening

Saturday January 22nd at 7.30 pm

Newbold Comyn Arms, Newbold Terrace East,
Leamington Spa CV32 4EU
opposite the Leisure Centre, www.newboldcomynarms.co.uk 01926-338810 - "The House" (not the stables bar )

Featuring:
George - the eco-poet
Graham and Stuart - the blues players
Mota Singh - the voice of the Punjab
The Eco-worriers
and more…

Entrance is free
Come and enjoy yourselves and celebrate the depths of winter

Any queries contact Gitta Ashworth on 01926-316703
birgittaashworth@yahoo.co.uk

Transition Town Leamington Permaculture Course and Film Showings

Sat 29th + Sun 30th Jan
Introduction to Permaculture
“Designing a Sustainable Future”
9 am – 5 pm @ Sydni Centre, Sydenham, CV32 1PT
This 2 day introductory course is an excellent way to find out more about permaculture & provide an opportunity to actively learn about the principles
and methods of regenerative design.
Richard Perkins dynamically incorporates hands-on activities, co-operative discussion and lecture story-telling. A design exercise will focus on the Sydni Centre Community Garden.
Students are left with tangible and practical ways to creatively respond to global challenges humanity faces today, and how to benefit their community & eco-system through Permaculture Design.
This broad and interactive weekend will clarify exactly what Permaculture Design is,
and will leave you understanding clearly how you can effect positive change in your life and community.
Booking fee £12. Contact Juliet Carter on 01926 421467

Also : FREE double bill film showing of :
“A Farm for the Future” &
“Power of Community: How Cuba survived Peak Oil”
Fri 28th Jan 7pm start @ Sydni Centre

Job opportunity in Torbay

Hello ‘One Planet Food Project’ friends,

I would like to share with you all some exciting training opportunities on the ‘One Planet Food Project’ at Occombe Farm ....

We are looking for 3 enthusiastic and dedicated horticulture trainees to assist in the continuing development and running of the One Planet Food Project, a three year project which aims to provide the people of Torbay with local food, and the knowledge to grow their own. This opportunity involves working with the head grower to produce vegetables in the established Community Garden, and expand the project through the development of a Community Supported Agriculture Scheme. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a partnership between farmers and the local community, providing mutual benefits and reconnecting people to the land where their food is grown. In addition to the hands-on experience you will gain, there is also the opportunity to undertake a Level 2 work-based Diploma in Horticulture, with Duchy College. You will be based at Occombe Farm, which is open to the public and home to a thriving farm shop and a cafe, nature trail, and a busy education centre. Placements will run from March to December.

TRAINING ALLOWANCE: £50 per week (plus caravan accommodation). Lump sum of £360 on completion of placement

TRAINING BUDGET: £500

RESPONSIBLE TO: Head Grower

WORKING HOURS: 37 hours per week

DURATION OF PLACEMENT: 36 weeks (starting beginning of March)

Closing date for applications: 3 February 2011
Interviews: Week commencing 14 February 2011

For an application pack visit http://www.occombe.org.uk/mainintro.cfm?id=349
or call 01803 606035

Please forward onto anyone you think maybe interested.

Many thanks,
Best wishes,

Emily Vevers

Grower