norlets - local exchange · 0.3 million unopened packets of crisps the average household wastes...

NorLETS (Norwich Local Exchange Trading Scheme) www.norlets.org.uk 1

Dear NORLETS folks, Welcome to another edition of the all important NORLETS newsletter, full of things that will make your life better in these times of financial dismalism with no end to the merchant bankers’ big bonuses in sight. Down with the pound, long live the Loke! Firstly, thanks to Mark Womersley for agreeing to put this all together. A pre-Christmas Winter issue was intended but we were all hibernating so apologies for that and here’s a bumper Spring issue (with Prue’s Winter Warmer recipe in - thanks Prue, I am sure it will still be worth making!). If anyone wants to help with the newsletter editorial then please let us know - you’ll be paid in lokes for your time and efforts! There’s been loads of LETS in the national media, well, compared to the usual amount – i.e. nothing. I didn’t actually see or hear any of it on telly or radio but I’m reliably informed that it was all positive stuff and there was half a Tonight with Trevor MacDonald programme dedicated to LETS and a mention on Radio 4’s Today which featured Mary Fee of LETSlinkUK – hooray. There was also a thought provoking article by George Monbiot on alternative currencies in the Guardian which is reproduced in here on pages 6 & 7. The media frenzy is down to the credit crunch of course and folks up and down the UK trying to find all ways possible to make ends meet. And of course you readers already know that LETS is brilliant for that. So get on the website or scan through your latest directory and see who’s doing what and get in touch and trade!

Enjoy the newsletter, there’s lots of great stuff here from members: from a global campaign for zero carbon emissions to rescuing LOCAL chickens, and of course lots more. As ever, if you need any help with trading or want to advertise your service or skill then phone or drop us a line on one of the numbers below. Best wishes and happy trading…

Andy Croft

NORLETS COMMUNITY NEWS

Spring 2009 www.norlets.org.uk

NORLETS Contacts:

Molly Barrett - [email protected] Andy Croft - [email protected] Susanne Wardle - [email protected]

Tel:: 01603 460176 (Andy)

CONTENTS Page Join The Zero Carbon Caravan Chris Keene seeks volunteers for a journey to save the planet! 2 Calling Green Fingered People The Grow-Our-Own (GO2) shared allotment scheme Norfolk Waste Forum Roger Greengrass reports back with some disturbing statistics 3 Prue’s Winter Warmer Potato, Chickpea & Ginger Stew 4 Michelle’s Happy Hens The Little Hen Rescue scheme Transition Everywhere The latest from Andy Croft 5 A Better Way To Make Money George Monbiot 6 - 7


JOIN THE ZERO CARBON CARAVAN! www.zerocarboncaravan.net

Come with us on a journey to save the planet. A journey without fossil fuels, a Zero Carbon journey to show that we can live differently, travelling from all over the world to arrive in Copenhagen for the UN climate talks in December 2009. You don’t have to come all the way to Copenhagen, just come for a few days if you like. We will travel mainly by cycling and sailing, but any methods of travel are allowed, so long as they use no fossil fuels. We will hold Zero Carbon Conferences on the way, explaining the need to reduce our carbon emissions to zero, then discussing ways of doing just that, and Zero Carbon Concerts, using bicycle-generated electricity and audience participation – people power not fossil fuel power. Our demand will be for ‘a zero carbon world, as fast as we can’. The whole journey will have a high profile on internet media, so the politicians negotiating for a replacement for the Kyoto Protocol are aware of the pressure from public opinion. Cyclists, sailors, musicians, climate scientists, renewable energy experts, organisers, media officers, we'd love you to join us! This may be our last hope. To join in, and for more information, please contact Chris Keene at: [email protected] Tel: 01603 614535

CALLING GREEN FINGERED DISABLED PEOPLE The Grow-Our-Own (GO2) Allotments Scheme are looking for disabled people who are interested in growing their own vegetables. GO2 have allotments that have raised beds for wheelchair users, with a plot measuring 1.3 X 1.2 metres costing £5 per year (October 2008 to September 2009) which includes the cost of seed, plant, muck and tools. We provide gardening tools specially designed for disabled people. The GO2 scheme at Bluebell South Allotments, Norwich started in the autumn of 2004. The main aim of the scheme is to help those who are interested but have little or no experience in growing fruit and vegetables. We offer practical help and advice on what to grow, when to grow it and provide tools, seeds, compost, etc.

… AND NON-DISABLED PEOPLE There is also the Grow-Our-Own Classic Scheme which is open to everybody. Under this scheme a range of plots are available: • Mini Plot = 1 X 1.2m X 6m @ £10 per year

• Maxi Plot = 2 X 1.2m X 6m @ £20 per year • Large Plot = 5 X 1.2m X 6m @ £40 per year We have an Information Centre, picnic area and a composting toilet for the use of our members. Car parking spaces are limited and are reserved for disabled people and for parents with young children. We have ensured that the new facilities are wheelchair accessible. Website: www.grow-our-own.co.uk E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 01603 455868

Source: Norfolk Coalition of Disabled People newsletter Dec 08)


NORFOLK WASTE FORUM I attended the Norfolk Waste Partnership Conference, held at the John Innes Centre, Norwich, in October 2008. It was full to capacity with over 200 attendees.

As stands were available free of charge for appropriate organisations, I took the opportunity to request a stand for NorLETS. Molly and Andy between them kindly designed and supplied some very interesting A3 wall posters advertising NorLETS, and also provided some fifty or so handouts. On the day, in between lectures and workshops, I manned the stand and made sure that it was noticed, answering any questions that I could, and gave away a good many handouts. The stand appeared to be quite popular and must have raised the profile of NorLETS; we’ll have to hope it results in increased membership.

The theme of the conference was ‘The Future of Waste in Norfolk: Food for Thought…’

I have summarised some of the scary facts below, and also listed just a few of the tips given to help cut down on the waste we produce. Email me for further information and useful web site addresses:

In the UK we throw away 6.7 million tonnes of food every year, roughly a third of everything we buy.

Most of this is avoidable and could have been eaten if only we had planned, stored and

managed it better. 4.1 million tonnes of avoidable food waste is thrown away whole, untouched or unopened. 340,000 tonnes is still in date when thrown away. For example every day we throw away:

5.1 million whole potatoes 1.2 million sausages 0.3 million unopened packets of crisps

The average household wastes £420 p.a. And for households with children it’s even more - £610 a year.

Local councils then spend another £1 billion collecting our food waste and sending most of it

to landfill –That means you and I pay for it! The food we throw away needlessly is responsible for the equivalent of 18 million tonnes of

carbon dioxide emissions every year – that’s the same as the CO2 emitted by one in every five cars on UK roads.

Some Tips to Prevent Some of This Waste:

Shopping Buy only what you need Visit local shops – they tend to have

less packaged products Take your own shopping bag

Lunch times

Take a waste-free lunch Reuse bottles for soft drinks

At Home Measure out portions Use recipes for leftovers Compost

Recycling Options

Use one of Norfolk’s 19 Recycling Centres Use the ‘freecycle’ initiative

Roger Greengrass

[email protected]


MICHELLE’S HAPPY HENS

Here’s a photo of some chickens. Not just any old chickens mind you, these lovely hens are now full time residents in NORLETS member Michelle Jermy’s back yard supplying plentiful eggs and authentic farmyard noises. They travelled from Little Hen Rescue centre at Newton Flotman to the Jermy’s place in Norwich. Little Hen Rescue work hard to rescue battery and barn hens, occasionally taking in cockerels and other types of poultry such as turkeys, peafowl, quail, ducks and geese. They rely on the goodwill of all involved - sponsors, farmers and re-homers.

Little Hen Rescue have just been involved in a massive rescue operation involving 4,000 (yes four thousand!) hens. We hope to bring you the full story on that next time. Meanwhile, take a look for yourself at their amazing work at www.littlehenrescue.co.uk, and perhaps sponsor a hen or even do what Michelle did and give some hens a happy free range home! Little Hen Rescue also need volunteers to help care for hens, painting, shed installing, and more if you want to lend a hand. (Contact Jo on 07717 757596) Thanks too for all the replies to Michelle’s email to NORLETS members regarding transport of the henhouse – they’re all settling in nicely now!

Photo: Michelle Jermy, Article: Andy Croft

WINTER WARMER

Potato, Chickpea and Ginger Stew

2oz marge, butter or oil

2 sweet potatoes peeled and 1" cubed 2 large potatoes peeled and 1" cubed

1 medium onion chopped 3 cloves garlic crushed

2 oz ginger peeled and grated 2x 400g tins chickpeas drained, rinsed

2 veggie stock cubes 1/2 tspn turmeric

2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander to serve Pre heat oven to 170c/325f/gas mark 3. Melt fat or oil in large flameproof ovenproof casserole/pan and stir fry onion garlic and ginger until golden. Add potatoes, chickpeas and turmeric and stir well. Sprinkle over stock cubes .Add water to only just cover, season with salt and pepper and bring to the boil. Cover with lid and place in oven for 30 mins. Remove lid and cook a further 30 mins or so till liquid has evaporated to a thick sauce. Is great served with garlic bread and I sometimes sprinkle grated cheese on any leftovers. Serves 4-6 people

Prue Campbell


TRANSITION EVERYWHERE For those that saw the last newsletter, you'll already know I'm a big fan of Transition initiatives which are now popping up all over the planet! There are now over 40 Transition Towns in the UK alone. Transition is all about creating resilient local communities, which endeavour to re-localise food and energy production (amongst other things!) in order to make life more sustainable in these times of diminishing fossil fuel supplies, global warming and financial uncertainty. With little pro-activity and a general push for "business as usual" at government level, communities are taking matters into their own hands and acting locally. With over 350 people in attendance at St. Andrew's Hall at the 'Great Unleashing' on 1st October 2008, Norwich has become the UK's first Transition City (all the others so far have been Transition Towns). I'm really pleased to see that Transition Norwich has taken root, with various regular meetings of people concerned with the key areas of our lives: food, energy, transport, health, heart & soul, economics, education, reskilling and more. There are so many exciting aspects of the local Transition movement that are getting underway. The Transition idea has also got around to various other parts of the region too with Transition schemes beginning in Mundesley, Cromer, Diss, Beccles, Bungay, Dereham, Acle and more besides. These initiatives are being created by local people - everyone is needed and every skill is valuable as there are so many things happening. Transition needs good listeners, learners, gardeners, makers, menders, good parties, discussions, energy engineers, inspiring art and music, builders, planners, project managers and the list goes on! Although Transition aims to work with local councils and businesses in order to bring about major practical changes to our lives, our environment and our infrastructure, the hope is that we can all get involved as individuals in creating a better future by planning it ourselves rather than leaving all the policy decisions to politicians and businesses alone. There has never been a more crucial time to really revitalise our local communities than right now. There's a Transition Norwich website currently being developed at www.transitionnorwich.org which will tell you more about individual groups and how you can get involved, including a diary of Transition events and group meetings. If computers and websites are not your thing there are also plans afoot for a Transition magazine/newsletter for the region to be produced some time soon. Meanwhile, NORLETS member Christine Way is the telephone contact for Transition Norwich if you want to find out more by non-computerised means! (01603 614460) You can also contact me (Andy) on 01603 460176 and I'll be happy to let you know about any of the various forthcoming group meeting dates and what I've learned about Transition Towns so far. I'll be going along to various meetings including the economy group meeting. Since LETS schemes and Transition Towns share many principles and ideals it will be interesting to see if NORLETS can become a meaningful part of the Transition picture here in Norwich and the surrounding areas. I'll report back with more Transition news next time... watch this space!

Andy Croft

Rob Hopkins, founder of the Transition move-ment, has produced the Transition Handbook.


A BETTER WAY TO MAKE MONEY

It bypasses greedy banks. It recharges local economies. It's time to think seriously about an alternative currency…

In Russell Hoban's novel Riddley Walker, the descendants of nuclear holocaust survivors seek amid the rubble the key to recovering their lost civilisation. They end up believing that the answer is to re-invent the atom bomb. I was reminded of this when I read the government's new plans to save us from the credit crunch. It intends - at gobsmacking public expense - to persuade the banks to start lending again, at levels similar to those of 2007. Isn't this what caused the problem in the first place? Are insane levels of lending really the solution to a crisis caused by insane levels of lending? Yes, I know that without money there's no business, and without business there are no jobs. I also know that most of the money in circulation is issued, through fractional reserve banking, in the form of debt. This means that you can't solve one problem (a lack of money) without causing another (a mountain of debt). There must be a better way than this. This isn't my subject and I am venturing way beyond my pay grade. But I want to introduce you to another way of negotiating a credit crunch, which requires no moral hazard, no hair of the dog and no public spending. I'm relying, in explaining it, on the former currency trader and central banker Bernard Lietaer. In his book The Future of Money, Lietaer points out - as the government did yesterday - that in situations like ours everything grinds to a halt for want of money. But he also explains that there is no reason why this money should take the form of sterling or be issued by the banks. Money consists only of "an agreement within a community to use something as a medium of exchange". The medium of exchange could be anything, as long as everyone who uses it trusts that everyone else will recognise its value. During the Great Depression, businesses in the United States issued rabbit tails, seashells and wooden discs as currency, as well as all manner of papers and metal tokens. In 1971, Jaime Lerner, the mayor of Curitiba in Brazil, kick-started the economy of the city and solved two major social problems by issuing currency in the form of bus tokens. People earned them by picking and sorting litter: thus cleaning the streets and acquiring the means to commute to work. Schemes like this helped Curitiba become one of the most prosperous cities in Brazil. But the projects that have proved most effective were those inspired by the German economist Silvio Gessell, who became finance minister in Gustav Landauer's doomed Bavarian republic. He proposed that communities seeking to rescue themselves from economic collapse should issue their own currency. To discourage people from hoarding it, they should impose a fee (called demurrage), which has the same effect as negative interest. The back of each banknote would contain 12 boxes. For the note to remain valid, the owner had to buy a stamp every month and stick it in one of the boxes. It would be withdrawn from circulation after a year. Money of this kind is called stamp scrip: a privately issued currency that becomes less valuable the longer you hold on to it. One of the first places to experiment with this scheme was the small German town of Schwanenkirchen. In 1923, hyperinflation had caused a credit crunch of a different kind. A Dr

George Monbiot


Hebecker, owner of a coalmine in Schwanenkirchen, told his workers that if they wouldn't accept the coal-backed stamp scrip he had invented - the Wara - he would have to close the mine. He promised to exchange it, in the first instance, for food. The scheme immediately took off. It saved both the mine and the town. It was soon adopted by 2,000 corporations across Germany. But in 1931, under pressure from the central bank, the ministry of finance closed the project down, with catastrophic consequences for the communities that had come to depend on it. Lietaer points out that the only remaining option for the German economy was ruthless centralised economic planning. Would Hitler have come to power if the Wara and similar schemes had been allowed to survive? The Austrian town of Wörgl also tried out Gessell's idea, in 1932. Like most communities in Europe at the time, it suffered from mass unemployment and a shortage of money for public works. Instead of spending the town's meagre funds on new works, the mayor put them on deposit as a guarantee for the stamp scrip he issued. By paying workers in the new currency, he paved the streets, restored the water system and built a bridge, new houses and a ski jump. Because they would soon lose their value, Wörgl's own schillings circulated much faster than the official money, with the result that each unit of currency generated 12 to 14 times more employment. Scores of other towns sought to copy the scheme, at which point - in 1933 - the central bank stamped it out. Wörgl's workers were thrown out of work again. Similar projects took off at the same time in dozens of countries. Almost all of them were closed down (just one, Switzerland's WIR system, still exists) as the central banks panicked about losing their monopoly over the control of money. Roosevelt prohibited complementary currencies by executive decree, though they might have offered a faster, cheaper and more effective means of pulling the US out of the Depression than his New Deal. No one is suggesting that we replace official currencies with local scrip: this is a complementary system, not an alternative. Nor does Lietaer propose this as a solution to all economic ills. But even before you consider how it could be improved through modern information technology, several features of Gessell's system grab your attention. We need not wait for the government or the central bank to save us: we can set this system up ourselves. It costs taxpayers nothing. It bypasses the greedy banks. It recharges local economies and gives local businesses an advantage over multinationals. It can be tailored to the needs of the community. It does not require - as Eddie George, the former governor of the Bank of England, insisted - that one part of the country be squeezed so that another can prosper. Perhaps most importantly, a demurrage system reverses the ecological problem of discount rates. If you have to pay to keep your money, the later you receive your income, the more valuable it will be. So it makes economic sense, under this system, to invest long term. As resources in the ground are a better store of value than money in the bank, the system encourages their conservation. I make no claim to expertise. I'm not qualified to identify the flaws in this scheme, nor am I confident that I have made the best case for it. All I ask is that, if you haven't come across it before, you don't dismiss it before learning more. As we confront the failure of the government's first bailout and the astonishing costs of the second, isn't it time we considered the alternatives?

George Monbiot www.monbiot.com

Source: The Guardian, Tuesday 20 January 2009

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