CamLETTER · 2020. 11. 22. · a mini concert of string quartet, followed by harp quintet and then...
Transcript of CamLETTER · 2020. 11. 22. · a mini concert of string quartet, followed by harp quintet and then...
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5 TH DECEMBER 3-5PM - VIRTUAL CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR By Liz Roman
I, and probably a lot of you, were very sad that we were unable to hold September and October trading meetings as well as the actual Christmas Craft Fair. But it was good to catch up with a few members at the AGM although this year we didn't have an opportunity to trade.
Good news is that there will be a virtual Christmas Fair on Dec 5th 3-5pm. Your crafty efforts, jam making, Christmas decorations, cards, seasonal goodies etc. will not have gone to waste (and there is still time to prepare things too or gather suitable items together, if you had been a bit despondent about the event happening).
I am sure CamLETS members will still be able to enjoy this preparation for December 25th - WE are definitely NOT cancelling Christmas!
In the meantime don't forget that if you follow the guidelines, trading is still possible to keep CamLETS alive and kicking. Best wishes and here's hoping that things will be looking better in the new year! Liz
SAFE TRADING IN THE CORONAVIRUS ERA By Clara Todd You can still trade during lockdown and the restricted time afterwards. We’ve all got our part to play to prevent the spread of this awful virus. Here are some safety tips to keep trading and sharing your brilliant skills and beautiful crafts.
● Continue to wash your hands often with soap and water for at least twenty seconds ● Clean and disinfect surfaces you use ● Wear a mask when you meet people, or while you work on your craft/cooking projects ● Coronavirus is killed by high temperatures, so food that is cooked (and packaged under safe
conditions) is safer than uncooked. ● Current lockdown guidance allows you to meet one other person outside in a public place,
taking usual precautions (hands, face, space)
Issue 154: November 2020
CamLETTER News for members of CamLETS,
Cambridge’s Local Exchange & Trading Scheme
www.camlets.org.uk
🎄🎁 Please register! FREE stalls for sellers bit.ly/camlets-xmas � ❄ Early registration for buyers and sellers will help the Christmas Fair be successful.
Sellers will receive guidance and a personalised trading sheet after registration.
http://www.camlets.org.uk/https://bit.ly/camlets-xmas
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MANAGING YOUR CAMS ACCOUNT By Monica Frisch Every member of CamLETS has an account into which the Cams they earn are paid and from which they pay others. So one's balance in cams will fluctuate, just as with a bank account, depending upon how much you trade. CamLETS is a Local Exchange Trading System and the purpose is to enable you to get things done for yourself by doing things for other people. You can use it as much or as little as you wish, but it is designed for trading and works best when its members are trading, when cams are circulating. That is why there are guidelines in the Members' Agreement about avoiding large balances either positive or negative. There is no value in hoarding cams and you do not need to save up in order to buy things. So you can go 'overdrawn' but large negative balances should be avoided.
If you trade regularly you probably know roughly what your cam balance is but anyone can always check by going onto the website and logging into their account. Then go to 'transactions' and click on 'View my Balance and Exchange History'. At the top of the list of all the transactions you have done it will give your balance.
● Lots of cams? Why not use them? See what people are offering. Perhaps you could use some seasonal fruit or vegetables or do you need a hand tackling a task you have put off? Perhaps a CamLETS member will be able to help.
● A big negative balance? You are “in commitment” and need to try to earn some Cams. See what people are wanting - perhaps you can help.
If you would like some help managing your Cams account, do contact the Core Group. As well as our Trading Activator Liz Roman, we have a system of buddies who can also help.
TID, MID, MISERERE, CARLIN, PALM, PASTE-EGG DAY By Eileen Skeffington
I have just harvested my Carlins. These are small brown peas, picked once the pods are ripe and used as dried peas during winter. As our traditional storage pea, they are used as other cultures would use chickpeas. They are the main ingredient of heritage pease pudding or mushy peas.
As the peas are removed, the roots and haulms of the peas are chopped up and provide fertiliser for the brassica (sprouting broccoli, cauliflowers and cabbages) seedlings which will be ready for harvesting in spring. We are fortunate here in Cambridge that we can successfully sow broad beans in November.
They replace the root crops, potatoes, carrots and beets, as part of crop rotation. I usually soak the beans for 24 hours and sow them in seed trays . They germinate quickly and are planted when they are a few inches tall. The advantage of starting them off now is that they avoid the black fly problems of those sown in Feb/March and of course of an earlier crop.
The variety Aquadulce Claudia is normally cited as the hardiest to sow for overwintering, but I am using saved seeds whose variety is lost to memory. Others on our site grow field beans rather than named broad bean varieties. These occupy the soil and prevent leaching of nutrients, and if not harvested for eating, can be cut and allowed to rot down as fertiliser.
Meanwhile, there are still a few autumn raspberries and climbing french beans to pick. Leeks, sprouting broccoli, cauliflowers, kale, carrots and beets are all ready to harvest now, but most will
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also last through the next few months. The pumpkins and squashes are brought inside and their skins are hardening off. They will store for 4-6 months. Apples and pears have been carefully placed in trays in the shed. Windfalls made into cider and apple cider vinegar.
Traditionally, Carlin peas are eaten on the third Sunday in Lent as part of the lenten fasting-abstaining from meat. The children’s rhyme , which we sang playing ball games, list the Sundays in Lent, by the latin hymns sung The first Sunday in Lent,the hymn Te Deus Laudamus (Tid) is sung.
Me Deus (Mid) sung on the second Sunday, Miserae on the third Sunday, Carlin or Passion Sunday, Palm Sunday the Easter or Pasque. Perhaps with our increasing concern about meat eating, we could restore Carlin Sunday. Image from lavenderandlovage.com blog
LIVE MUSIC IN COVID TIMES By Melinda Rigby Covid and live music have not been a possible combination for many people. For musicians who were game to venture outdoors entertaining passers whilst rehearsing in permitted groups of up to 6, when regulations permitted, has been great fun. For myself and my french horn, musical highlights included:
● classical music played by harp, flute and french horn, serenading a sick friend on the green outside her home (Mulberry Close)
● a mini concert of string quartet, followed by harp quintet and then wind quintet, all on a friend's drive on Rustat Road
● a "not Cambridge Folk festival" Cherry Hinton Hall small groups sessions (less than 6), playing California dreaming etc
AND probably the most unexpectedly entertaining Klezmer group in the centre of the Mill Road graveyard, where the old chapel used to be, one balmy late September afternoon Lots of positive appreciation from passers by. All the players have said it has been the most fun they have had in a long time. Our next definite public session will be providing Christmas outdoor music entertainment:
Saturday 19th December, 10.15-11.15am The Green in front of St James Church Queen Edith Community Food hub Wulfstan Way
If you have a community food bank near you that you think might benefit from our voluntary musical cheer or a neighbourhood that might enjoy some live street music, do contact me and I will see if our Wind in the Willows quintet can come along to entertain. On YouTube you can listen to a summer recording made by a passer-by: youtube.com/watch?v=KCkuSuIa0mg Well wishes to all CamLETS members, Melinda HAVE NO MONEY? MAKE YOUR OWN. By Clara Todd I am struck by the radical potential of this scheme of ours, CamLETS, for creating value and exchange for those without access to money. The downturn of economic activity related to the Coronavirus pandemic have affected many in Cambridge, and will for years to come.
https://www.lavenderandlovage.com/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCkuSuIa0mg
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CamLETS membership has bobbed around 130 accounts, a handful of people come and go every year. Are those folks who would benefit the most put off by the joining fee? Is membership growth a ‘lever’ that can stimulate activity and trading? Will it bring with it new ideas, new uses, new benefits? So we’ll test this - what happens if we grow . In the last AGM the membership decided to suspend the joining fee - so from now until November 2021 you can invite your friends and neighbours to join for FREE. bit.ly/camlets-join Let’s ponder on the radical potential of CamLETS and other alternatives to the centralised monetary system. Rebel economist Kate Raworth, author of Doughnut Economics (2017), extols the virtues of complementary currencies to redress the imbalance of power inherent in a centralised system, that rewards banking and extractive activity. In contrast to the norm, a regional complementary currency can “boost the local economy, empower marginalised communities, [and] reward work that is traditionally unpaid”. One of the ‘magical’ properties of circulated money is that it is exchanged as a symbolic equivalent of the product or service, yet after the exchange it can be exchanged again. It is, in a way, creating the value at each exchange. That is what gross domestic product (GDP) is - it measures the value of transactions in, out and within an area in a set time frame. Many economists have questioned whether GDP should be used to indicate economic health. Much of the activity measured by GDP is extractive and linear, as it’s the money that’s valued, not the resource stocks or the long term effects. It has nothing to do with the well-being of the region, health of citizens, who trades, who benefits. Money can also leave local circulation easily. Money is attracted elsewhere if it has more purchasing power (cheaper prices), or is a more convenient exchange. Keeping money in local circulation has a powerful effect. Local trade benefits the people and businesses in an area, and generates wealth in the community every time it is exchanged; not just the money, but the productivity and connection within the community. If the money is in the form of a complementary currency that only has value within a particular area, the theory is you can keep it circulating there. There are many complementary schemes with printed local tender, many associated with the Transition Towns movement in the UK: The Bristol, Brixton, Lewes, Totnes Pounds to name a few. Some schemes may have ended but the notes are still sought after as artistic and cultural curiosities on eBay, some way over face value. The use of complementary currencies is gaining wider acceptance as a tool for community wealth-building. After perhaps initial distrust, local authorities will often tolerate or whole-heartedly embrace them. For example, many district councils in the UK promote time-bank schemes and will accept time hours as payment for room rental at libraries and community centres. In Berkshire, Massachusetts,USA, federal currency is exchanged for BerkShares at nine branch offices of three local banks and spent at more than 400 locally owned participating businesses. There are many recent examples of complementary currencies. The value is created by, and for, the communities that use them.
● The Bangla-Pesa , a complementary currency used in a slum called Bangladesh in Mombasa, Kenya, allows residents to earn and purchase what they need - like food, transport, labour - even when the official currency is in short supply.
● The Zeitvorsorge scheme , literally translated as “time provision”, was started in St Gallen, Switzerland. Every citizen over the age of 60 is invited to earn care-time credits by helping a local elderly resident with everyday tasks such as shopping and cooking.
● Torekes , in the Rabot-Blaisantvest district in Ghent, Belgium, can be earned by many socially-minded activities like reading to children in a school, teaching sports lessons, and cleaning up litter. Torekes are accepted by many businesses in the district.
https://bit.ly/camlets-join
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If you like thinking ‘out of the box’ about local economic development for and by the community, join the Cambridge Doughnut Economics Action Group . Many CamLETS members are already active participants. We want a Cambridge in which everyone can thrive, and can face the challenges brought on by the pandemic, inequality and climate change. cambridgedoughnut.org.uk
IN REVIEW: TRADING WITH ROSIE By Joy Brading
When asked to cover some cushions for Rosie she mentioned that she hand-makes socks for her family. I pricked up my ears and placed an order. Rosie has kindly just delivered them to my door on her walk in the sunshine. I am over the moon. What talent. I am also inspired to give it a try as a very worthy life skill! Thank you Rosie. Have you had a recent trade that was especially pleasurable? Contact the Core Group or [email protected] to feature in the newsletter.
DECEMBER & JANUARY EVENTS Due to the recent changes we are back to online trading/social events for the time being. Check the latest weekly updates email or the websites' Members' News & Events page . If any members are interested in collecting/delivering trades for cams, on behalf of those who are unable to manage this side of the trade, or who might be able to help other members learn how to use Zoom, please do get in touch with the Core Group. Saturday 5th Dec 3-5pm: Christmas Fair, online. See lead article and website. Saturday 9th Jan 6-9pm: New Year party, online. Silly hats, quizzes, games. See website.
MUSEUMS, EVENTS & ACTIVITIES IN AND AROUND CAMBRIDGE Local radios throughout England, including BBC Radio Cambridgeshire , are hosting a doorstep carol service on Wednesday 16 th December. At 6pm tune into 96.0 FM, turn the radio up, and join others on the doorstep to sing a selection of christmas carols. For more information, leaflets and the words to the songs visit doorstepcarols.co.uk . The National Trust , although having to close the houses to visitors, is still keeping the grounds open for visitors to walk around. Booking online is required as they now have timed entries for arriving to stop crowding at the entrance. Once in you can stay as long as you like. Nearby sites are Wimpole Hall and Anglesey Abbey. Toilets are still open as are cafes for drinks and food to takeaway. The Cambridge Museum of Technology currently closed until the 5 th December when they hope to reopen 10.30 am to 4.00 pm every Sunday and Monday, and offers timed slots. Payment is taken at the door, but you need to book your tickets in advance here: museumoftechnology.com/book-time-slot The Botanic Gardens offers day tickets for household and support bubble groups, and one other person from outside of that group. botanic.cam.ac.uk/purchase-tickets
https://cambridgedoughnut.org.uk/mailto:[email protected]://www.doorstepcarols.co.uk/https://www.museumoftechnology.com/book-time-slothttps://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/purchase-tickets/
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EXTRA SUPPORT IN TIMES OF NEED Connect with your neighbours for a friendly chat, helping hand, or to volunteer yourself. Find your ward's mutual aid group: cambridge.gov.uk/coronavirus-ask-for-help We all are getting to grips with life during the COVID-19 pandemic, but for those of us who are finding things a little tough, here are some good resources to keep a note of if you need a bit of extra help: Telephone 111 option 2. NHS helpline for mental health. First Response team for Mental Health. 24-hour access, seven days a week, 365 days a year, to mental health care, advice, and support. Operated by MIND . Give us a Shout - giveusashout.org/ Text Shout to 85258. Text only support for those that don't want to talk on the phone. Coping with COVID Anxiety - Sound advice from the World Health Organization - PDF sheet to print out and keep handy. who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/co ping-with-stress.pdf
CORE GROUP MEETINGS These are the bi-monthly meetings where we discuss the running of CamLETS. All members are welcome to attend. 7pm for 7:15. Next meeting: 15th December by Zoom.
NEW OR RETURNING MEMBERS By Jane Howorth
We would like to welcome the following rew members to CamLETS: #0776 Janet Walker. 07751 600315/ 01223 690157. [email protected] #0777 Philip Wood. 0753 2172600. [email protected] I've known about LETS for a long time,but I had it in mind to join up after I took up a new post in Cambridge. I'm the community worker with Downing Place United Reformed Church, researching a new community hub. I live in St. Ives. I'm a writer by background, with a passion for birding. I'm also a Mennonite. That's half-way to being Amish! I'm totally impractical, but do know a thing or two about birding, walking, writing and some quirky history. The organisation I work for (Downing Place URC) has a wealth of community connections and (after the pandemic) wonderful city centre premises for community space
************************ Tell your friends and neighbours that there is NO JOINING FEE until at least November 2021, and let’s grow our community. bit.ly/camlets-join ************************
CORE GROUP FOR 2020/2021 Chair Melinda Rigby #0637 07808 402608 Meeting Secretary Deborah Alderwick #0726 01223 839086 Newsletter Editor Hannah Gordon-Smith #0715 07709 352991 Mailing Manager Eileen Skeffington #0743 01223 360272 Membership Jane Howorth #0563 01223 575109 Website Manager Clara Todd #0685 07709 588384 Treasurer Monica Frisch #0539 07788 870852 Trading Activator Liz Roman #0225 01223 870929 Asst Trading Ursula Stubbings #0048 01223 840882
https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/coronavirus-ask-for-helphttps://giveusashout.org/https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/coping-with-stress.pdfhttps://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/coping-with-stress.pdfmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://bit.ly/camlets-join