Transition Exeter to run Skill Sharing Day

Transition Exeter is running a Skill Sharing Day on 19th July, offering a chance to learn new and old money-saving skills free of charge. Jam and bread-making, bicycle maintenance and repair, knitting and quilting, spinning and weaving are all on the menu, as well as teas, coffee and cakes available all morning. There will be help on hand for people to alter pre-loved clothes to fit themselves, or to look more stylish, and a bike mending expert; so bring your bikes along if they need repairing or maintaining.

The Skill Sharing takes place at the Friends Meeting House, Wynards Lane, Magdalen Street, Exeter, Devon EX2 4HU from 10.30 to 4 on Saturday 19 July. Donations are invited to cover expenses.

‘We want to help people save money and enjoy making and doing things for themselves’ says organizer Chrissy Allott. ‘We also want to develop a sense of community and shared fun.’

The Devon Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers will provide demonstrations of fibre preparations, spinning and weaving. Judith Treanor will be sharing knitting skills for beginners and those who want to improve. ‘I'm glad to teach it to other people, because it's relaxing, rewarding and gives me a sense of achievement’

The day will be run by Transition Exeter, a community group which aims to make Exeter a better place to live with a more sustainable and resilient future. The group aims to increase in the amount of good local food that is produced and eaten in and around Exeter, with less food miles, and helped to start the Real Food Store in Paris Street. It also supports a growing number of people living lower carbon lifestyles; a local currency project (the Exeter pound) which will encourage people to buy from local businesses; and the development of community-owned renewable energy projects through Exeter Community Energy (ECoE).

Transition Exeter’s monthly talks and discussion forums, have included topics such as emergency planning, Exeter growth, climate change, the fracking debate, and building a fair and sustainable economy. Details of events are on their website at www.transitionexeter.org.uk.