Archive for July, 2008
July 21, 2008
· Filed under News
We are delighted to have had some new membership to our LETS come about following promotion of LETS on the BBC’s The One Show this July. The One Show investigated the old system of bartering by visiting the Yeovil LETS in Somerset. “Dominic Littlewood goes one step further in order to save you money – by showing you how you can get all manner of services, without actually spending any money at all…”. Of course, they should have visited our Dorchester LETS as well!!!
For more information on the TV show visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/theoneshow/article/2007/09/dld_barter.shtml. You can also take up their challenge of bartering for your wedding! “If you want Dom to help get the venue, flowers, cake etc, without spending a penny, then get in touch!”.
July 17, 2008
· Filed under Articles
Please post your own articles about anything to do with LETS or issues that you think Dorchester and South Dorset locals will be interested in. If you want them to appear in our printed Newsletter please contact us.
July 17, 2008
· Filed under Testimonials
Please post your own testimonials about LETS here or send to us to use in our newsletter!
July 17, 2008
· Filed under Articles
It seems that there are two themes running through the celebration of Beltane, one is the end of the Winter season, and the other – the celebration of the fecundity and burgeoning of Spring.
Beltane marks the halfway between the Spring Equinox and Summer Soltice – and the time of turning sheep, cows and other livestock out to pasture. Also known as May Eve and May Day, it is a festival that marks the return of Summer with the lighting of fires, where people could burn their Winter bedding and floor coverings, ready to be replaced afresh – so no more washing!!!
It is also said to celebrate the height of Spring and the flowering of life. The Goddess manifests as the May Queen and Flora. The God emerges as the May King and Jack in the Green. The Maypole Dance represents their unity, with the pole itself being the God and the ribbons encompass it, the colours are the Rainbow spectrum.
Beltane is a festival of flowers, purification, fertility, sensuality, union and delight. WOW!
July 17, 2008
· Filed under Articles
Candlemass is the Christianized name for a holiday which falls between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinoz. The Pagan calander has four such festivals falling between the solstices and the equinoxes. The older Pagan names for the one which falls on February 1st/2nd were Imbolc and Oimelag.
Imbolc literally means ‘in the belly’ (of the Mother). For in the womb of Mother Earth, hidden from our mundane sight but sensed by a keener vision, there are stirrings - the seed that was planted in her womb – for she is pregnant with the Summer. The alternative name of Oimelag means ‘milk of ewes’ – for it is also lambing season. So the Pagans saw this as the beginning of Spring – the fire of Spring is lit in secret whilst the Winter still rules the earth above.
The holiday is also called Brigit’s Day, in honour of the great Irish Goddess Brigit. At her shrine, the ancient Irish capital of Kildare, a group of 19 priestesses (no men allowed!) kept a perpetual flame burning in her honour. She was considered a goddess of fire, patroness of smithcraft, poetry and healing (especially the healing touch of midwifery). This tripartite symbolism was occasionally expressed by saying that Brigit had two sisters, also named Brigit. Incedentally, another form of the name Brigit is Bride, and thus She bestows her special patronage on any woman about to be married or handfasted, the woman being called ‘bride’ in her honour.
July 17, 2008
· Filed under Articles
New Beginnings
By Chris Slade
I had a message from the lovely Kate
That at the New Year Party at her home
In order properly to mark the date
She’d like me to compose a sonnet poem.
So many of her friends are in the LETS
And pay with Marts for things that they get done -
It doesn’t matter if they build up debts:
It means another’s credit has begun.
We wonder what will happen in this year
And hope it brings prosperity and mirth
With no more war or pestilence or fear
‘Cos soon there’ll be a most important birth.
Not long after the New Year has begun
Our Kate will very shortly be a Gran!
July 17, 2008
· Filed under Free Recipes
Matt has kindly provided his recipe for the Pakoras which he bought to the LETS New Year Party 2008 at Katy’s – thanks Matt!
Ingredients:
- Vegetable Oil
- 8 oz flour (chick pea)
- 1 onion
- 1 chilli
- 1 large potato
- Handful fresh coriander seeds
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp curry powder
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- Half tsp chilli powder
- Pinch of baking powder
- Salt to taste
Method:
Slice the potato and onion finely. Mix all ingredients together with enough water to make a batter consistency. Fry off spoonfuls of the mixture in the oil on medium heat and until golden.
July 17, 2008
· Filed under Free Recipes
LETS members who went to Katy’s New Year parties in 2008 and 2009 enjoyed a shared meal, some organic Mead from a Glastonbury farm and some Chai Tea (which Katy’s daughter Tasha made!) and a lovely warm and cosy woodburner! Due to popular demand Katy is letting you have the recipe for the Chai Tea below…
Ingredients:
- 4 teaspoons loose tea
- 1 piece dried or fresh ginger
- 3 crushed cardamon pods
- 3 whole cloves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 cups milk
- 3 cups water
- sugar to tatse
Cooking Instructions:
Boil 3 cups of water in a pan and add the tea and spices. Simmer for a few minutes. Add 2 cups of milk and sugar to taste. Remove from the heat. Leave for 1 minute. Strain off the spices and drink! (You can vary the ratio of water and milk, and the amount of spices according to taste.)
July 17, 2008
· Filed under Green Issues
Bill North’s talk during our AGM in April 2008 about the Transition Towns principles was both informative and encouraging. We apparently depend on oil for between 90% and 95% of our transport needs, our food needs and manufactured goods.
A new way of living has to happen, we will have no choice, because our present economy is so tied in to a depleted and decreasingly viable source of energy – fossil fuels.
There already exists a core group of Dorchester people engaged in the formulation of a policy and strategies related to our local environment and needs. Bill North is a member of Transition Towns and explained some ideas and visions of growing our food locally.
People listening to the talk seemed to be engrossed in what Bill had to say and to the discussions which followed. Our grateful thanks to Bill for his contribution to a good afternoon.
For more information visit www.transitiontowndorchester.org.
July 17, 2008
· Filed under Trading Stories
Dorchester LETS needs more members and a wider public awareness of our existence. One way of publicising the group is to get more articles in the local paper – and one way to get an article accepted is to have an interesting story to relate with some some kind of ’spin’ on it. Green issues are also hot on the minds of the public and the press, so more of your green stories wanted please! If you have any interesting or unsual trading stories please write an article and send it to us to forward onto the press – you can also post any of your trading stories below.
July 17, 2008
· Filed under LETS Book Reviews
In his inspiring book ‘The LETSaholic Twist’, James Taris outlines the most successful way to run a Local Exchange Trading System, following his many years of setting up and helping to run LETS Groups internationally. He believes the success of any LETS is primarily down to the strength and commitment of the Core Group.
In January 2008 Dorchester LETS had 6 Core Group Members. However 10 important separate roles are recommended, which means if we had this number we could operate up to our full potential!…
In July 2008 we now have 9 Core Group members filling 10 roles so things are looking very positive for Dorchester LETS – so watch this space…
July 17, 2008
· Filed under Trading Stories
You’ve heard of the “Garden Shed Gang”, now we can reveal the “Shed Gang”, though “gang” doesn’t seem to do justice to the great teamwork and creativity exhibited when we moved Pam’s 6′ x 8′ shed in May 2008 in one piece!!! Our skilled effort was duly rewarded with a beer and biscuits – plus the pleasure of more LETS social intercourse! Good experience guys – thank you Andy, Matt, Rob and of course Pam.
July 15, 2008
· Filed under Member Recommendations
Our new LETS blog is an ideal and easy way for members to share their feedback and recommendations of other members and their services - so please submit your comments on what members and services you recommend so we can all try them too (if we haven’t already)!
July 14, 2008
· Filed under Testimonials
Do LETS! It’s a perfect example of ‘a little give and take makes the world go round’. As LETS stands for Local Exchange Trading System it’s exactly what it says: People exchange help and share their skills for NO MONEY.
For helping someone else in the system, you gain POINTS [ours are called Marts] that put you in credit. At any time, whether you are in credit or not, if someone offers the sort of help you need, you can ask them. No guilt, awkwardness or pressure. People join because they WANT to give or receive help. Likewise, someone may ask you for your help. The common re-action is “but I don’t know what I can do!” – but of course, when you really think about it, everyone is good at something. Ask your friends!
There’s such a wide range of help listed within the LETS Directory – from dance partner to bee keeper – travel companion to compost maker, Thai cooking lessons to ironing – you name it! I’ve only recently joined Dorchester LETS and already I’ve had a group of willing men come and move a garden shed for me!
It’s a win-win situation, but you got to be in it to win it! Your gain is our gain. So would you really prefer to struggle to do things on your own, when you haven’t got the time, money, strength, energy or skills, or would you like someone to come and help – for no money?!
July 14, 2008
· Filed under Meetings
Chris, Anna, Andy and Katy during one of the LETS Core Group Meetings
All our LETS members are welcome to come along to our monthly Core Group Meetings and can also bring items to trade, and a contribution towards the meal if you wish. You may stay for the whole meeting or leave after sharing the meal, whichever you prefer. This is a really good way of meeting other members and trading too!
Please bring food to share – preferably nice veggie food - and a bottle if you wish! If you would like to join us at any of our meetings and need the full address please contact the Host Member first, and we hope to see some of you there!
NEXT MEETING:
Wednesday 11th November 2009, 6.45pm
At Anna Celeste Watson’s in Dorchester – please bring vegetarian or vegan food : )
Email Anna on info@annacelestewatson.com.
July 14, 2008
· Filed under Events
Friday 20th June 2008
LETS members, friends and family enjoyed a Solstice Party by the river at Katy’s in Fordington. We shared a lovely supper, a few glasses of wine and some lovely Chia tea. As it rained all evening we stayed inside and kept warm and dry together! So the specially built fire pit by new member James didn’t get lit! Thanks anyway James from Katy, another time perhaps?! As they say! One new member Simon got chatting about LETS stuff and ended up voluteering to be part of the Core group…! Since the ‘Publicity’ position is free at present, we suggeted he take that and he agreed so a successful night despite the weather!!!
July 14, 2008
· Filed under Events
Wednesday 4th June 2008
You may have seen us recently at our LETS stall at the Dorset Big Green Day in the Corn Exchange in Dorchester, where we promoted the environmental benefits of LETS. We had quite a few people interested in joining so the day was another success.
July 14, 2008
· Filed under Events
Sunday 27th April 2008
We recently held our Annual General Meeting where we also had a talk by Bill North from Transition Towns. More people turned up than ever for the talk and the day was a great success. The AGMs are your opportunity to contribute your ideas and help decide how our LETS is run; to do some trading; to join as a member if you haven’t already, to listen to talks and to meet other members. We hope to see more of you at the next AGM in 2009!
July 14, 2008
· Filed under News
At the beginning of November 2007 Dorchester LETS had 39 members and now in June 2008 after only 7 months we have 57 members in total (some of which are family members and 7 of which joined over only 2 months), and we are looking to expand much further! We believe that there is a preconception that Dorchester LETS is mainly for Martinstown because our currency is in ‘marts’. Our LETS was originally set-up in Martinstown 12 years ago but actually covers not only the whole of Dorchester, but also Weymouth, Portland and our surrounding villages – SO SPREAD THE WORD!!!
July 14, 2008
· Filed under News
Our LETS Core Group is changing and growing in a healthy way so more members can take on various roles to support and run our LETS. We welcomed 3 new Core Group members this month including; Anna Celeste Watson – who will be taking over the Website and Email Promotion; Patsy Freeman – whose main role as Core Group Co-ordinator will be to nurture and support the Group; and Susie Hosford – who is taking over the LETS Accounts. Andy Mott is now taking over as our Sterling Treasurer, and we also have a new Newsletter Editor for June – Chris Slade, who is taking over from Don Watts.
