By Helen Gillingham

FIFTEEN years later, what did we think about "water" back in 2010?

Over the last few months, we have been looking at a report that was written back in 2010 after a Visioning event - which can be accessed here: ttw.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Report-Towards-a-Resilient-Wellington.pdf

Participants at the event were asked to imagine what it would be like 15 years in the future, exploring ideas around energy, food, housing, and water to name but a few. This was discussed with the idea of moving to a low carbon lifestyle.

Fifteen years has now passed and it has been fun to compare the differences between what we thought important then and what appears important now. This month we are focussing on water.

Reading the report what is striking, is how uncritical we were back in 2010 about the water industry, they are not mentioned. The main focus of the report is on different ways of saving water, all good ideas such as the separation of grey water from drinking water in all new builds, possible compost toilets (which are yet to be adopted in any meaningful way), and timed showers instead of baths. There is nothing about the way the water infrastructure has been allowed to deteriorate, the pollution of our waterways by release of sewage and the prioritisation of profit over the environment. In 2025 we seem to be much more focussed on the environmental damage to the rivers and streams and the wildlife that depends on them than we were fifteen years ago. Part of this concern has seen citizen science projects such as the Water Guardians project (a subgroup of TTW) develop, where the Tone near Wellington is monitored for pollutants

Water is a precious resource and after our dry summer we seem to be more aware of that fact than in 2010, and individuals actions not to waste water are as important as ever.

COME and discover the harvest and flavours of Fox’s Field Forest Garden with an evening of fun, recipe demonstrations and tasting opportunities on Thursday, November 20, 7pm to 9pm.

Helen Gillingham, main designer and community gardening sessions lead, will be talking about the forest garden: about the general concept, how it’s being created, future plans, what you can harvest now and what will be there in the future.

The talk will be punctuated with tastings of the harvest- with cocktails and mocktails, “shrub” drinks, liqueurs, jellies, jams and cordials, with instructions on how to make them all! It’s sure to be an entertaining evening, and as seats are limited please head over to Transition Town Wellington’s calendar on their website ttw.org.uk to book your ticket to ensure your seat for as little as £2. It’s a pay-what-you-feel event, bigger donations are, of course, welcome.

Location: Braziers Coffee shop, Tonedale Mill, TA21 0AW.

Doors open at 6.30pm, talk to start at 7pm.