LETS is a system to provide an improved trading for communities. Part or all of the value of a product or service is given as a local exchange. How could this improve on anything when we have so much to spend our money on?
I think the trick to that is in the 'local' of Local Exchange Trading System (or interestingly 'Employment' as Bill Mollison called it). Keeping the value of things within a locality means it stays within that locality and is not transferred out into the coffers of major banks.
You may still need cash and it is not the most fluid of systems but all is set to change with new technology enabling a paperless, effortless system.
It's not new but progress has been slow to organise and arrange and for every two or three new comers, lets call them 'Consumers', to the system there are usually 4 or 5 'producers' or people with skills to offer. But by encouraging all to create in some fashion it can be possible to even the trade out over time, much like ebay people find things to sell or recycle.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Working Weekends on Organic Farms as it was back in Brandeau days
WWOOF or Willing Workers or as it is now World Wide Opportunities is a fab network. I've been a volunteer and a host.
The thrill of heading off to the great wide world with nothing but a letter and a few sketchy details of what to expect is something very special. As it happened this was down to Bordeaux to clear the previous years growth from 20 acres of vines in a cold January and I still remember the kiwi guy who whittled his ivy lampshade until the early hours.
Wild Garlic pulling and wild leek digging were among the bonus points, there were very many.
As it happened I was invited back and stayed for a month or more each year for the next 10 years as it became a regular holiday (never keen to simply sit on a beach) and part of me remains out in those vines.
The thrill of heading off to the great wide world with nothing but a letter and a few sketchy details of what to expect is something very special. As it happened this was down to Bordeaux to clear the previous years growth from 20 acres of vines in a cold January and I still remember the kiwi guy who whittled his ivy lampshade until the early hours.
Wild Garlic pulling and wild leek digging were among the bonus points, there were very many.
As it happened I was invited back and stayed for a month or more each year for the next 10 years as it became a regular holiday (never keen to simply sit on a beach) and part of me remains out in those vines.
group stuff - experience of waste and funding apps
There must be a formula for this and mind mapping can only go so far.
but with several really knowledgeable people on board along with a scattering of interest there is the makings of a group, if it may be a little specialised in certain fields so far.
Creating a sound and balanced approach is important to us all. We have all experienced huge waste in one form or another and so minimising that seeems well up on the list of priorities. The main focus right now is funding but it is so easy to get caught up in a merry-go-round of applications and re-application. I'm not sure it is the most productive nor creative experience in the world.
I have little doubt that there is an art to a good app but one thing we have all recognised is the need to maintain a genuine interpretation and respect to the ethics involved.
but with several really knowledgeable people on board along with a scattering of interest there is the makings of a group, if it may be a little specialised in certain fields so far.
Creating a sound and balanced approach is important to us all. We have all experienced huge waste in one form or another and so minimising that seeems well up on the list of priorities. The main focus right now is funding but it is so easy to get caught up in a merry-go-round of applications and re-application. I'm not sure it is the most productive nor creative experience in the world.
I have little doubt that there is an art to a good app but one thing we have all recognised is the need to maintain a genuine interpretation and respect to the ethics involved.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
first day proper down on the site
Having put it off for several days due to bad weather forecasts I've finally taken the plunge and set off for the site in Kent for a proper work day.
Luck was with me as the rain stayed off until after dark when I'd already moved inside the polytunnel struggling to get the rotovator going for more than the 3 seconds the temperamental beast seemed to want to run.
As I had started I decided to finish despite the wind blowing and the rain lashing and after a few minutes I sussed that the mix screw was probably the only way to get it firing regularly as it must be way out and with a tweak it fired and ran on. More time needed on this next time but for now it was good to try the machine out and cultivate at least the half of the polytunnel that was free of shelving and scattered pots.
So I finished at 6 with the rain in full force but happy to have the grass cut and tidy and the tunnel half clear.
The mower held up despite a very tough job as the grass had not been cut for some time and I decided to run it on wherever it was appropriate as the veg beds were overgrown and well neglected. This mean going through large tufts of grass on the wood chip paths and the remains of whatever was last grown on the beds themselves and the undulations of the ground which seemed a little curious. Maybe the beds had been created as an ongoing project. That mower may not hack this too many times as it is clearly well used and only a budget garden machine. Great to see the drive in all cut and tidy as this leads up to the fab stone wall that borders the site itself.
Through the afternoon I did manage to understand the layout a little better and found the sign which had proudly been hanging from the timber arch erected as a threshold to the plots. I've already thought of a great idea for that. Also the pots seemed to be a little big to me, very wide meaning there is no way to cultivate or plant without having to walk on the bed itself. As I don't want to create loads more paths I may need to adapt these a little.
Also need to chase about who and how to contact the people I was told may pop in to carry on working on the plots. It would be good to inspire this and steer their energy towards common ideas rather than everyone running off on their own. I certainly can't handle the size of this on my own and that's not the idea anyway.
Must get some parsnip seeds in. I keep having visions of large flowing beds of one veg but need to progress from this given the visit to Les and meeting his degree tutor Angus Soutar and his Presiding Diplomate George Sobol again after many years. Must start on a design.
the site as it was .....
Luck was with me as the rain stayed off until after dark when I'd already moved inside the polytunnel struggling to get the rotovator going for more than the 3 seconds the temperamental beast seemed to want to run.
As I had started I decided to finish despite the wind blowing and the rain lashing and after a few minutes I sussed that the mix screw was probably the only way to get it firing regularly as it must be way out and with a tweak it fired and ran on. More time needed on this next time but for now it was good to try the machine out and cultivate at least the half of the polytunnel that was free of shelving and scattered pots.
So I finished at 6 with the rain in full force but happy to have the grass cut and tidy and the tunnel half clear.
The mower held up despite a very tough job as the grass had not been cut for some time and I decided to run it on wherever it was appropriate as the veg beds were overgrown and well neglected. This mean going through large tufts of grass on the wood chip paths and the remains of whatever was last grown on the beds themselves and the undulations of the ground which seemed a little curious. Maybe the beds had been created as an ongoing project. That mower may not hack this too many times as it is clearly well used and only a budget garden machine. Great to see the drive in all cut and tidy as this leads up to the fab stone wall that borders the site itself.
Through the afternoon I did manage to understand the layout a little better and found the sign which had proudly been hanging from the timber arch erected as a threshold to the plots. I've already thought of a great idea for that. Also the pots seemed to be a little big to me, very wide meaning there is no way to cultivate or plant without having to walk on the bed itself. As I don't want to create loads more paths I may need to adapt these a little.
Also need to chase about who and how to contact the people I was told may pop in to carry on working on the plots. It would be good to inspire this and steer their energy towards common ideas rather than everyone running off on their own. I certainly can't handle the size of this on my own and that's not the idea anyway.
Must get some parsnip seeds in. I keep having visions of large flowing beds of one veg but need to progress from this given the visit to Les and meeting his degree tutor Angus Soutar and his Presiding Diplomate George Sobol again after many years. Must start on a design.
the site as it was .....
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