conkertu | a hyperlocal eco tweetup

Savvy Citizens in the Forest

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:49:49 +0000

In line with our conversations about community involvement at the ConkerTU Local on Saturday 27th February, Savvy Citizens have just produced this excellent guide, giving a range of links for securing more information about public services.

West Street Music Project at the ampitheatre gig for ConkerTU...

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 13:30:00 +0000

West Street Music Project at the ampitheatre gig for ConkerTU Local

checking out the plantings from the first conker event with jon...

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 17:17:40 +0000

checking out the plantings from the first conker event with jon ofarrell

pictures from the conkertu.com local feb event.

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 09:33:00 +0000

pictures from the conkertu.com local feb event.

Democracy's Finest

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 19:35:14 +0000

The weather may have been less than clement, the turnout around a quarter of the 500 or so tickets booked, but we came away from the ConkerTU Local with one overriding impression: you’d go a long way to find a finer bunch of prospective parliamentary candidates than we have in South Derbyshire and North West Leicestershire!

Heather Wheeler (SDerbys Con) inspired us with her account of digital arrangements for new housing development; Paul Reynolds (NWLeics LibDem) had an incisive knowledge of and commitment to doorstep lending; Andrew Bridgen (NWLeics Con) and Ross Wilmott (NWLeics Lab) played the perfect impromptu panto in support of local volunteering and Michael Edwards (SDerbys Lab) and Alexis Diouf (SDerbys LibDem) were charmingly attentive, articulate and supportive of our suggestions to improve digital services in the Forest.

Thanks must also go to the great many local councillors who supported the event, not to mention Alison Adkin of The Forest Communities Pressure Group, David Baldaro of Community Hosts and Gerry O’Brien the Head Ranger at Conkers, for providing fine presentations.

The West Street Music Project which organised the formidable youth gig in the amphitheatre also came away with a massive petition to support future funding applications. And the Conkers Waterside cafe did a roaring trade in jacket potatoes with the young ones!

Aquila TV very kindly recorded a veritable tome of media, so whilst BT failed to install an upgrade after notifying us too late that their line would not support it, we shall no doubt have plenty to share with you over the next few days.

ConkerTU Local - events schedule

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 06:11:00 +0000

All day:

soft play; gaming zone; youth bus; 12.00-5.30: amphitheatre gig

Presentations @ 10-00-11.30 & 2.30-4.00:

hyperlocal Leics online

Moira Fire Station

Overseal Online

SDDC Digital

Community Cooperative

Derbyshire Police (am only)

Gerry the Ranger @ Conkers (pm only)

What’s on in our Forest

Break-out sessions @ 11.30-1.00 & 4.00-5.30:

local councillors & representatives

no rest for the wicked

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:17:48 +0000

Just got back from a quick chat with John Dennis of the West Street Music Project and next Saturday’s gig is looking good! Apparently The Derbyshire Youth Services Bus may be able to come down, so we’ll have to check the best location for that with Steve @visitconkers when we see him on Tuesday.

Dave Baldaro of Community Hosts has been working like crazy on the What’s best of What’s on in South Derbyshire / North West Leicestershire and he’ll be talking to us about what Overseal Parish Council has been doing in the Virtual Revolution too! Then there’s updates about the campaign to Save Moira Fire Station, Forest Communities Pressure Group, Fibre in the Forest and South Derbyshire District Council are sending some digital materials over for our benefit too.

Heather Wheeler, Leader of South Derbyshire Council and Conservative candidate for the area will be with us in the morning and Alexis Diouf her Liberal Democrat counterpart, in the afternoon. Almost all other local politicians have confirmed they’re coming though we’re waiting on precise times for the break out sessions. We’re thinking of zoning the Waterside Cafe for these, so it’s easy to spot people and relevant discussions by area, without needing to have official badges - the day’s meant to be informal.

So, less than a week to go before the ConkerTU Local and we’re getting excited. The enthusiasm around Woodville and Swadlincote whilst dishing out flyers yesterday was fantatsic - still having problems getting audioboo to post on tumblr and with Phil Campbell struck down with the flu for over a week now, I’m sure you’ll appreciate that we want him on tip top social media ninja form for next Saturday. Let’s see what magic Rob can weave…

That’s all for now folks, except to say get in there for those tickets - flyers go out through schools from Tuesday and if you thought three hundred tickets booked so far was massive, you ain’t seen nothing yet!

Flying...

Sat, 20 Feb 2010 08:43:51 +0000

ConkerTU flyers arrived yesterday, so it was out in the snow to distribute them around local community centres and retailers in Measham, Overseal, Netherseal, Albert Village and Gresley. The response on the street has been fantastic and judging by ticket bookings last night, pretty immediate too! Can we keep up with it, I wonder? If you have any problems booking a ticket, please post a comment, so we can deal with it, ASAP. More distributions today around Ashby, Woodville and Swadlincote and through local schools in the week. Looking forward to meeting you all!

ConkerTU Local: the world without borders!

oh what a night!

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 21:52:13 +0000

…and what a day as well, really!

While all you lovely readers have been merrily booking tickets on Eventbrite and Tweetvite or what have you, I have been contacting all our contributors to finalise schedules for the 27th (I should have final copy posted here by the middle of next week…)

Anyway, it has, for some time now, been an aim of ours to get the Leicestershire and Derbyshire Constabularies on board for the ConkerTU Local, because rural beats and more particularly county border beats ain’t what they used to be. Moreover, since the Forest Communities Pressure Group wants to explore optimising local resources with perhaps some combined fire and police service based in and around Moira - the fire station is, after all, open until at least other premises are built - as an exceedingly well situated resource, working towards such discussion seemed like a very good idea.

I must say, I could not have met any nicer people than the neighbourhood teams I spoke to today - huge shout outs for Officers Chris James and Trudie Bullick from Derbyshire and Pat McDonald in Leicestershire - all lovely “can do” folk :-) Both constabularies are thrilled at the idea of meeting at ConkerTU and are currently doing everything in their power to organise shifts so as to make this happen. Obviously we’re dependent on a match but it has been a delight to find the will to respond to local demand.

Not bad for a damp evening at the Oakthorpe Leisure Centre, not bad at all! And for future reference, it seems that the hot belly dancers who thrilled all at the Moira Canal Festival last summer rehearse in Oakthorpe on Tuesday nights (you heard it here first, shhhhhhh!).

I might sound tired but my heart is singing!

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 17:57:00 +0000

meh! cannot get audioboo posted… but I will find a way!

Fantastic meeting with Case-DA this morning and a fruitful afternoon confirming politicians’ attendance at the ConkerTU Local - I’ll probably post the full schedule with times for events by the middle of next week :-)

Tickets keep on going and going, which is great and by the end of the week flyers will be going out to more of the local community so it looks like attendance will be somewhere what we’re hoping for!

Hot cakes?

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 21:36:36 +0000

Looks like every time I visit this site more tickets have gone, but then we do have a great line up! Whether it’s local services or local talent that’s bringing you to ConkerTU, you can rest assured that you’ll have every opportunity to rock the Forest!

Another three bands have confirmed for the Amphitheatre gig:

Lesbian Wednesday

Bonfire on the Clump

and

Cure for Callous

bringing the grand total to eleven acts. It’s fantastic to see we have so much home grown talent.

The other great news this week is the stay of execution on closing Moira Fire Station - for at least another three to five years. But the fight is by no means over, so campaigners will be sharing the next steps for keeping vital emergency services in our area.

North West Leicestershire District Councillors John and Annette Bridges joined the digital world last week, with the launch of their Building Bridges blog. Annette is in fact the Leader of North West Leicestershire District Council, making this a huge step in the right direction to unlock democracy.

On a similar note, the Leader of South Derbyshire District Council, Heather Wheeler, has been tweeting her official engagements for some time, making her every move digitally transparent too!

If The Virtual Revolution is new to you, why not catch up with the BBC2 series on iplayer? Or, if you’re unhappy with public services and don’t know where to start, try What do they Know for step by step support with a Freedom of Information request.

All this and more awaits you at ConkerTU, connecting our communities for the future, so book your free tickets now and spread the word!

Another 25 Tickets Added Due to Demand.

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:32:52 +0000

We have added another twenty five tickets to the event. We still have some more capacity possible outside of the tickets we have left up on the site but we might have to start moving furniture around! - things progressing nicely. have a few conker video pieces and ideas i would like to post.

East / West Rock off @ ConkerTU Local on 27.02

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:55:00 +0000

Eight acts have confirmed from the West Street Music Project in Swadlincote, Derbyshire for our youth gig at the ConkerTU Local on Saturday 27th February. Performing live in the amphitheatre from midday are:

Medusa Cascade

Many More

Stereo Espionage

Radio Masquerade

Mongeyfishville

Arts & Crafts

Jaws

and

DJ Reece

We’re in talks with a number of Leicestershire Bands as I blog, so watch this space! Don’t forget to book your FREE tickets on line, as normal admission applies to anyone without an advance booking or Conkers membership.

Luvvin Local

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:54:26 +0000

Here at ConkerTU we just keep finding more and more great things going on locally that are just too good to keep to ourselves!

For some time now the local post office has been the pride of Moira - you can buy cards, gifts, basic groceries and stationary as well as exchange currency, pay for TV licences and sort out road tax - it’s great. They also have an old fashioned sweetie counter for those wanting a quarter of something special!

Every year Moira Post Office produces a range of local gifts that many folk send to friends and family overseas or keep as souvenirs of their stay in the National Forest: tea towels, fridge magnets, local Christmas cards and a calendar. This year, we thought we’d share their invitation to take part in the photographic competition with you, courtesy of the fine folk campaigning to save the fire station:

http://moirafirestation.posterous.com/moira-post-offices-new-photo-competition-to-r

ConkerTU at a crossroads

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 20:47:00 +0000

Conkers lies right at the boundary of two administrative districts: North West Leicestershire in which is it situated and South Derbyshire with which it shares a border, at Spring Cottage / Overseal. Thus, not only does the community attempt to marry services from neighbouring districts, but it is also, in effect, subject to two entirely different counties.

The National Forest aces this, stretching across 200m2 to encompass residents of East Staffordshire also. If you live in the Forest, you can quite easily find yourself with a Derbyshire post code, a Staffordshire dialling code, yet paying taxes to any of Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire or Warwicksire!

With so many shires to look after you, you would be forgiven for thinking that public service was a given, not least as we are at the heart of a transport and communications infrastructure which boasts three motorways and two international airports within a 25 mile radius, not to mention numerous distribution centres for multinational retailers and manufacturers.

Yet, live here and you will struggle to find public transport, policing, healthcare and telecomms to enable you to access such facilities. As the recent campaign to Save Moira Fire Station has shown, cross boundary considerations are not a requirement of public consultation - “insignifant” service cuts may be contrived out of statistics created to define populations.

The ConkerTU Local on Saturday 27th February intends to kick the notion of boundaries into touch once and for all. Why should we pay more to take a bus in one direction rather than another merely because a border is crossed? Why should we be charged for 8-20MB broadband when the reality is less than two? How do we find out what’s on in a neighbouring village or town?

We all know that the General Election will bring cuts that no party wants to admit and that communities like the Forest are most at risk. The good news is that local parishes, districts and parliamentary candidates recognise this plight and are ready and waiting to tackle it. All you have to do is to come along to share your views. They’ll have plenty to show you too, as ConkerTU puts the Forest firmly on the map of “Digital Britain”.

Together with Conkers, we’ve organised a wealth of activities to keep the young ones occupied – a play area, gaming zone and youth gig in the amphitheatre – so you can focus entirely on the future you want, for yourself, your families and their children too. Admission is free if you register online, otherwise normal charges apply. We look forward to seeing you on 27th!

Click here to register for free!

ConkerTU media covers Space for Life, Nottingham

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:48:31 +0000

We love the sound of this event so much that we just had to share it with you - in fact we’ll be there on the Sunday making media for the event as our ConkerTU Local in on Saturday 27th. Looks like the East Midands is really kicking butt in the sustainability stakes - this is where it’s at, folks - #notinlondon ;-)

S p a c e f o r L i f e

Spring into spring with a Big Green Weekend

The Art Organisation

21 Station Street

by Nottingham Railway Station

Sat 27th & Sun 28th Feb

A joint event linking

Freeconomy, Land Roots and Transition

This is a free event – come and enjoy !

Displays, Speakers, Skill Share, Free Shop, Circus Fun,

Green Crafts, Bring and Share Banquet,

with Live Music from Wholesome Fish + much more!

Freeconomy www.justfortheloveofit.org.uk Freeconomy helps to reconnect people in their local communities through the simple act of sharing. Mark Boyle, founder of Freeconomy has been living without money for the past year, this is a rare opportunity to meet and engage with him as he will be here for the whole weekend, he will be giving a talk on Saturday afternoon with a Q and A session afterwards.

Marks first book is due to be published soon …. “ be the change I wanted to see in the world, it unfortunately meant I was going to have to give up cash, which I initially decided to do for a year. I got myself a caravan, parked it up on an organic farm where I was volunteering and kitted it out to be off-grid…” Come and hear his story….

Land Roots www.landroots.org.uk out about this growing green movement which is raising money now towards collectivity buying thousands of acres of land around the country

Land bought by the people for the people

and protected through common ownership

and good stewardship

as a legacy for future generations.

Join your local land Collective for just £5 per week over 1 year – you too can be co-owner of land – for growing food and camping out. Affordable, Sustainable, Repeatable

For Transition Groups this is an open invitation to enjoy all or part of this fun and informal weekend, to meet up with old faces and make new friends. We are creating an area for people to find out what is going on in Transition groups far and wide, if you wish to bring a display to advertise your transition group and wax lyrical about your hopes and dreams, your creativity will be most welcome!

If your new to Transition or want to explore it deeper, there will be Transition films and an Open Space Transition workshop on the Sunday afternoon – All Welcome !

ConkerTU Local looking good for 27th February

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 20:56:10 +0000

It’s been a busy few days at ConkerTU central - aka the Paramount in Swadlincote, at least so it seems a lot of the time, as we sup lattes and hatch plans!

The great news is that almost all of the speakers and events we had planned for 16th January are now back on track for 27th February so we are delighted to announce:

A Youth Gig at the amphitheatre courtesy of The West Street Project, Swadlincote! Plenty of South Derbyshire talent is looking to collaborate with North West Leicestershire bands, so get the word out there because the kit’s all in place for a mammoth gig!

Moira Fire Station update - for all those wanting to know what’s happening with this crucial service there will be a full account of the lobbying involved in keeping the Station open and how to keep up to date with the news.

Transport Forum - trouble getting from A to B? Bus services ending too early or not taking the routes that you need? Come and share your concerns and learn how to get involved!

Meet your local representatives, local parish, town and district councillors even some prospective parliamentary candidates will be around on the day for break out discussions with local residents.

Tamworth Blog & Tamworth Twit will be sharing their experience of using social media to revitalise local communities, alongside relative newbies, Overseal Parish and the Forest Communities Group.

The ConkerTU fibre project - learn what 100MB connection is all about and how it will make a difference to life in the Forest.

ConkerTU Local: Saturday 27th February looking good and much, much more soon!

the kids are alright

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:16:10 +0000

Getting kids out in the driving rain on a January night can be a struggle at the best of times. The reward for this young lady? A top spot on http://audioboo.fm as both featured and popular boo. Beats the ex-factor anyday.

the wassail in donisthorpe @ the engine

Sun, 17 Jan 2010 16:47:00 +0000

the wassail in donisthorpe @ the engine

ConkerTU Local postponed to 27.02.10

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 23:12:12 +0000

As #uksnow has us in its grip and grit is in short supply we have postponed the ConkerTU Local to the end of February, Saturday 27th to be precise.