All about the Billinge & Orrell Transition Group
How did we start?
We formed our group in response to a need to focus activities on a more local level. We are a subgroup of Transition Town Wigan, a small committed group that acts as a hub for Transition initiatives throughout the Wigan Borough. We held our first meeting in June 2009 at McKinsey Herbs but have since had the sense to move our evening meetings to a local pub!
What's happened since...
We have started our awareness raising with leaflets, talks and this website. We have made firm links with Orrell and Billinge Community Network, St. Lukes Church and BTCV and are working on strengthening our links with local schools. As part of our ongoing 'localisation of food' campaign we have had initial success in a joint project to begin to increase allotment availability within Billinge and Orrell. We have helped secure four individual allotments and one community allotment at St. Lukes Church.
What's happening this year?
- St Lukes Allotments – The individual allotments are up and working and the community allotment is recruiting willing helpers.
- Greenslate Farm Allotments - We are awaiting the outcome of a proposal submitted to Wigan MBC to create a community allotment site at Greenslate Farm, Billinge. If we are successful, we are hoping to create a vibrant community resource at the site which will include individual, community and school allotments and a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) scheme. If our proposal is accepted by Wigan MBC, this project will be major step along the path to building a sustainable community for Billinge & Orrell.
- Fruit Tree Census – Maybe you have a fruit tree from which the fruit is rarely used or an old fruit tree variety that is specific to this area but has fallen out of commercial use or one of unknown variety that you would like to identify. The aim of the census is to collect this information and help make the most of our existing fruit tree stock.
- Awareness Raising – Posters, leaflet distribution, talks, survey, community events: the list is potentially endless. The more people who get involved the more awareness raising and projects we can undertake.
What about the future?
This is where you come in. We need your input to help imagine and implement creative and practical ideas that focus on the key aspects of local life. Together we can build a healthy, happy and resilient Billinge & Orrell.