And so it was when forty people came to the Carmelite Friary on 7th March to give their tuppence worth to the Transition process. The difference was that an adapted version of Open Space Technology was used so that everyone got to express what they thought was important in making Kinsale a more sustainable and self-reliant community.
After an initial presentation on TTK and a go round in which everyone introduced themselves, participants were asked to write ideas on post-it notes under the following headings: food, transport, energy, waste, economy, education, tourism and health. A quick coffee break followed and then participants went to various break out spaces allocated to each of these themes and small group discussions ensued. The energy in the room crackled and buzzed with the exchange of ideas and solutions to the twin challenges of climate change and energy uncertainty.
Amongst the ideas generated were:
- a roving garden club with a group market stall
- an energy advisory bureau
- growing herbs and vegetables on council green spaces
- a local carpool scheme
- and online skills sharing hub
- lighting up Chalres Fort with solar/wind power
- minibuses to and from Garretstown during the summer
- street games for children in car free streets
- education on diet for dental health and the promotion of commuity based healthcare.
And that’s just for starters! The next step is to invite those who participated to put their ideas into action with the formation of small working groups.
Thanks to David Peare and Carol Norman for supplying a tastey lunch and to Fr Michael at the Friary for the use of the facilities there.
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