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February, 2011

Soil Association Annual Conference – 'Food and the Big Society' - 9 February, 2011

Food and the Big Society
9 - 10 February 2011
Manchester Town Hall

This two-day event is a public debate on how organic food and farming can provide a mechanism for combating some of the major challenges that are confronting us, including climate change, health inequalities, building social cohesion and re-shaping the economy.

Addressing these issues head-on is more urgent now than ever before. With a growing population, constraints on resources, climate change, and the economy in critical condition, we need to rediscover the vital role that food can play in making us healthier, more connected to our communities, reducing our carbon footprint, and supporting local and national economies.

Drawing on practical models that enable communities to take greater responsibility for their own food choices (such as the Soil Association-led 'Food for Life Partnership' which is working in nearly 3000 schools to develop a healthy food culture), and the policy framework that needs to support adaptation to our changing environment and society, we bring together experts from across the food, farming, education, public health, political and civic realms to debate the sustainable way to feed ourselves now and in the future.

Should you have any queries regarding the conference, please contact Laura Andrews, Events Co-ordinator, on 0117 987 4586 or [email protected] (historical contact).

Location: Manchester Town Hall
Contact:
Website: http://www.soilassociation.org/Whatwedo/Conferences/Annualconference/tabid/218/Default.aspx

Wood Fuel Heating & CHP - 9 February, 2011

This course has been accredited by the Energy Institute and provides an overview of wood fuel heating and biomass combined heat and power (CHP). The day will be led by Rob Gwillim who has been working in the Renewable Energy Industry for over 18 years. By the end of the day delegates will have gained expertise in the characteristics of the different types of wood fuels, the indicators for choice of fuel, boiler sizing and system requirements together with other aspects of wood fuel heating and energy generation which will enable them to make an informed choice to use wood as a renewable source of energy.

Costs: £245 + VAT

To book visit www.nef.org.uk and go to the training pages.

For more information call 01908 256904 or email [email protected]
Location: National Energy Centre, Milton Keynes
Contact: Janine Wagner
Website: http://www.nef.org.uk/energytraining/woodfuel-CHP.htm

LSE Housing and Communities Event : Community Survival Depends on Community Infrastructure - 15 February, 2011

Reinvestment in the existing urban infrastructure within communities will help the UK reduce CO2 emissions and become more sustainable. This has many benefits including tackling fuel poverty, re-linking poorer existing communities with wider city networks, combating sprawl and enhancing community inclusion. Households don't exist as islands - many of the wider infrastructure problems of waste, water, energy, transport have to be tackled at community level along with crime, security, green spaces, traffic calming and social integration. Many key questions are yet to be answered:

How can we supply sustainable, renewable energy at community level?
How can we reduce energy demand?
How can we conserve water and reduce waste to zero?
How can we make existing places so attractive that greenfield building becomes an even smaller goal?

The Sustainable Development Commission, with backing from CLG, DECC and the HCA carried out a fascinating study, showcasing learning from over 80 model community projects around the UK.

LSE Housing and Communities will host this productive workshop to discuss the successes and difficulties communities face in developing greater resilience, given the localism agenda and the energy imperatives confronting us. Many social landlords are paving the way in addressing community infrastructure needs and this workshop will tap into the latest knowledge and experience of those working around the UK on community level renewal , and will push forward the beacon ideas that arose from the SDC study, looking at how the voluntary, and community sector can contribute alongside policy makers and practitioners in a climate of austerity, energy uncertainties and social pressures. We hope to develop an action plan of what needs to happen next.

The workshop will be practical, delivery-orientated and focused on the importance of local upgrading of neighbourhoods across the UK. It will consolidate current knowledge, and develop and present detailed case studies to show the relevance and potential of the Community Infrastructure Reinvestment approach. It is particularly timely with the government's strong focus on neighbourhoods and devolution of control.

Specific questions to be addressed at the workshop include:

Why is community infrastructure so vital to our survival and so important to energy saving?
What are the core ingredients of community infrastructure? What sustains a sense of place?
How can we adapt community infrastructure to current environmental and social need? What role can communities play?
What practical policy options do local authorities, housing associations, energy companies and government have?

Who should attend:

energy companies
environmental organisations
builders
neighbourhood management organisations
local authorities
housing associations
sustainable transport groups
schools
churches
humanities researchers
social scientists
government officials
think tanks
community groups and residents
other local organisations targeting low-income areas that stand to gain from community infrastructure reinvestment

Cost:

£95 per delegate (including all refreshments)
Special concessions to community organisations and for multiple bookings (reduced fee £75).
To book a place online please go to https://eshop.lse.ac.uk/browse/product.aspcatid=27&modid=2&compid=1

For further information about this event, please contact:

Nicola Serle at LSE, Email: [email protected] (historical contact);
Tel: +44 (0)20 7955 6330

Location: National Communities Resource Centre, Trafford Hall, Chester
Contact:
Website: http://sticerd.lse.ac.uk/LSEhousing/events/default.asp

Sustainable Development: Harnessing the energy of communities - 23 February, 2011

Sustainable Development: harnessing the energy of communities is an event that has been held annually for the last six years. The event will offer delegates from the public and private sectors a look at sustainable initiatives and promote efficient use of resources.
Location: The Barbican, London
Contact: Robyn Hansen
Website: http://www.publicserviceevents.co.uk/event/overview.asp?ID=169