The Transition Towns movement is about communities addressing the twin problems of climate change and the end of cheap oil. Transitioners believe that in many ways life will be better after oil – more local, less polluted, more neighbourly, less stressed – and that we will be better prepared to deal with the challenges if we start working together now.

Our aim is to come up with a vision of a greener, more resilient Belsize, and then get on with creating a community where you know more of your neighbours and can rely on them to help if you have a problem. We want to enable residents to learn or relearn skills we will need in a world without oil like sewing, making new things from old possessions and food growing.

We have lots of regular events and activities including Green Drinks on the first Wednesday of the month, an Eco Film Night on the second Wednesday of the month and Saturday Skills Workshops.

The Transition Belsize Food Group is now working actively on six projects:
• Foraging – training up 15 foragers who can then take others out on to Hampstead Heath as well as mapping the Heath in terms of edible plants
• Food Growing – finding growing spaces and help residents to grow food
• Fruit Tree Mapping – mapping all the fruit trees in Belsize then negotiating with owners to help with the harvest and turn any surplus into food products
• Garden Share – matching up those who have unused gardens with those who would like an allotment – we’ve applied to TFL and the Mayor for permission to create a food growing showcase on the forecourt of Belsize Park tube
• Local Food Production – producing foods from foraged and local sourced ingredients
• Sustainable Food Shops and Restaurants – raising awareness among local shops and catering establishments about sustainability

If you’d like to get involved with one of the Food Group projects, then please contact Tom Moggach (tom[at]cityleaf.co.uk) or Sarah Nicholl (sarahnicholl[at]hotmail.com).

Transition Belsize is one of hundreds of Transition Initiatives all over the world. See www.transitiontowns.org for more on the movement. If you live, work or play in NW3, then you’re very welcome to join us. We can really only do this together.