Progress with the EcoHub project and news of a gig in Brown Street

Since Salisbury Democracy Alliance and RSA Fellows co-hosted the meeting in May which was the origin of the Salisbury EcoHub project, we are circulatting the newsletter (below) and notification of our benefit gig at Brown Street on Oct 22nd with the legendary campaigning band Seize the Day (attached).

The EcoHub project is approaching a key phase in its development, whether to incorporate ourselves as a charity (an Incorporated Charitable Organisation or ICO) or in some other form, which will then enable us to start the search for suitable premises in which to realise our aim of setting up an environment centre in Salisbury. This will provide a place where the people of Salisbury can go for information on climate change and the other threats to our ecological survival, and on practical questions such as “how can I reduce energy bills, or put solar panels on my roof, or where can I go to recycle X or Y?”. Crucially, it will also provide a hub and shared facility linking together the many voluntary groups in Salisbury (including SDA) who are each active in their own various ways in confronting the crises which confront us in the present climate and ecological emergencies.

We would greatly welcome both SDA itself and as many of its members as possible signing up as potential members of Salisbury EcoHub Alliance as it moves towards becoming an incorporated body to fulfil our aims.

Salisbury EcoHub Alliance – Newsletter #1

How was the EcoHub born?

The population of Salisbury and its surrounding area includes a large number of people who are concerned about climate change and other environmental issues. Many are active in one or more voluntary groups or organisations addressing these matters.

In May 2022 an open meeting was held under the auspices of Salisbury Democracy Alliance and Salisbury RSA Fellows Network to explore ways forward in collectively tackling these issues in general and the current climate emergency in particular.

By far the most popular proposal arising from that meeting was to set up a shared premises in Salisbury where members and supporters of these various groups could meet and interact with each other and the general public. Thus the Salisbury EcoHub project was born. This first meeting set up a volunteer working group to produce a Mission Statement for the project, which was finalised at a meeting the following month.

The project received backing from Salisbury City Council in the form of an offer of a free stall pitch in Salisbury Market to promote the EcoHub and this was incorporated in the Mission Statement, which is attached.

What have we achieved so far?

Since these initial meetings, a core group has continued to meet on a weekly basis and to correspond by email. Our first market stall took place on 3rd September and stalls are continuing on a weekly basis, between 9-12 every Saturday (but not tomorrow!). Please visit the stall, or volunteer to help out if you can.

A general leaflet was produced for use on the stall, and an initial internet presence set up under the wing of the Salisbury Transition City website.

A benefit gig featuring the legendary campaigning band Seize the Day will take place on Saturday 22^nd October at 29 Brown Street: tickets can be booked online here. The flyer is attached – we hope you will publicise it on social media to help make the gig a great success. Printed copies of the flyer can also be picked up from our market stall.

What are the next steps?

We have been actively researching suitable formal organisational structures, including that of an Incorporated Charitable Organisation (ICO) using a Charities Commission model constitution. We have set up consultative meetings with established Environment Centres:

Sarah Mai from Shrewsbury Environment Centre joined our weekly meeting at The Pheasant, Salt Lane

Swansea Environment Centre organisers joined us by Zoom on Thursday 6 October at 6pm link here

You are welcome to attend these meetings: please email us on salisburyecohub@gmail.com if you need further details.

Following this consultation, we expect to reach a conclusion on the best structure to adopt, and to hold a formal general meeting to adopt a constitution and appoint officers (trustees or directors).

As we become a more formal organisation we will need to develop a membership base. If you would like to become a member, either as an individual or on behalf of your organisation or business, please fill in the form below. This will enable you to vote at formal meetings and help ensure that our organisation is run on an open and democratic basis and can grow into a legal entity that can apply for grants and rent or lease premises. You can find further information on our website at www.transitionsalisbury.org/ecohub, and we will keep you in touch with our progress by email.

No cost, no obligation. As we are still an embryonic organisation, there is at present no membership fee, and all are welcome to participate. However, we do welcome small voluntary donations to help cover ongoing expenses, and any pledges of additional financial support once the project progresses further. You may withdraw from membership at any time if you choose to do so.

Membership form

(Please return this form by copying and pasting it into an email to salisburyecohub@gmail.com)

I wish to become a member of the Salisbury EcoHub Alliance when it adopts a formal structure, and to be consulted in that process. Please keep me informed of progress

I hereby give permission for Salisbury EcoHub Alliance to hold my personal data for that purpose.
Note: whatever formal structure is adopted will be such as protects members (whether individuals or group representatives) from personal liability.

Name (individual) ………………………………………………

email …………………………………………………

Members may join as an individual or as a representative of a group or organisation. If joining on behalf of an organisation, please also complete the following questions.

Name of group or organisation ……………………………………………………………………………….

If joining on behalf of a group or organisation, has it formally authorised this? Yes/No
Is your group happy to be listed as a member of Salisbury EcoHub Alliance? Yes / No
Can we include a link to your group’s website on the EcoHub website? Yes /No

Group website link …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Might your group be interested in showcasing itself on our market stall? Yes/No/ Perhaps