Transition Cambridge Launches Eco Story Writing Competition

Transition Cambridge, part of Transition Towns which promotes community action to increase our resilience to peak oil (1.) and climate change, has just launched an innovative, eco story writing competition for the local community. They are calling on children and adults alike to send in their stories set in Cambridge in 2050, happily adapted to a new, low carbon society and environment. The competition aims to get local people to think beyond the current oil and climate crises in a positive way.

 This competition is open to everyone who lives, works or studies in Cambridge, or within 20 miles of Cambridge. Stories will be judged in three age groups: under 14 (maximum word count 1500); 14 to 17 (maximum word count 2500) and 18 and over (maximum word count 2500). They must be sent in on or before 30 April 2010. Visit www.transitioncambridge.org for competition entry details, entry form and ideas!

 The judges will be looking for captivating, fun, enjoyable, well written stories and innovative, imaginative, thought provoking ideas. Illustrated stories are also welcome or stories told as a comic strip instead of words. A special prize will also be given for the best illustrated story.

 There are more than £750 worth of prizes to be won. The prizes are sponsored by AC Architects Cambridge Ltd who specialise in sustainability in all types of work from green buildings, (new or recycled) to historic building and conservation work; Heffers, whose Trinity Street store offers a wide range of books including an extensive sustainability department; Cambridge Building Society, the only local independent, mutual society for savers and borrowers; Cambridge Sustainable City and Lush, the natural cosmetics company.

 Two Transition workshops are to be held in March to help stimulate ideas in the local community. Details will appear on the website shortly.

 Nicola Terry, a member of Transition Cambridge, sets the scene: “It’s 2050, and Cambridge has changed! The climate is warmer, and oil and petrol have become very scarce and expensive. Without oil, people have had to rethink everything, like how they get their food, the clothes they wear, the transport they use, what their houses look like, how they keep warm in winter, where they go on holiday, what they do for fun, and many other things. But life goes on, and Cambridge is still a buzzing city, famous for its beautiful historic buildings and its innovative thinkers. We are inviting residents to think about they would like to do or be in this future world.

 We invite everyone to write a short story set in Cambridge in 2050, using this description as a starting point. It can be any kind of story: a “Day in your Life”, a history of events since 2010, an adventure, perhaps a disaster narrowly averted. It could also be about how you personally weaned yourself off your dependence on oil. Let your imagination run wild!”

 Nicola continues: “We would like to thank all of our sponsors, AC Architects Cambridge Ltd, Heffers, Cambridge Building Society, Cambridge Sustainable City and Lush. These organisations are playing a vital part in raising the awareness among the community that we need to find ways of living that are less dependent on fossil fuels. We need to do this to both minimise our contribution to climate change and to avert the impact of 'Peak Oil' which is imminent. It is about building our resilience so that as fuel prices rise, we are already better able to survive with less. And it is about doing it in a way that is enjoyable, as part of a community of like-minded people. Examples of what communities throughout the UK are doing include campaigning for more allotments; garden share programmes linking people who have unused bits of garden or land with people who can use them; producing guides to local food producers; co-operative purchase of solar thermal energy systems; and business resource exchange of anything from waste materials to spare office space or vehicle capacity, encouraging cross business efficiency.”

Anne Cooper, Director of AC Architects Cambridge Ltd said: “As a practice specialising in Green Building and low-energy improvements, we are pleased to support this competition and encourage all ages to imagine living in a future, low-carbon Cambridge. Anyone wishing to reduce carbon emissions in their homes and lower fuel bills can join our ‘Home Designs’ scheme which gives Cambridgeshire homeowners the opportunity to discuss changes to their home with a professional Architect. AC Architects Cambridge Ltd, are now giving up their time for free, all year round, to offer an hour-long consultation in local homes, in return for a £40 suggested donation to Shelter (5.).”

The judging panel includes local writers Jill Dawson, whose latest novel The Great Lover was selected as a Richard and Judy Book Club Summer Read and Colin Greenland, award winning science fiction author as well as Transition Cambridge members, Rowan Wylie and Nicola Terry. There will be a shortlist of 6 people in each of the 3 categories and the winners will receive cash and vouchers to the value of £150 (adults), £150 + £200 for the school (14-17 year olds) and £50 +£200 for the school for under 14s. The other shortlisted stories will also receive prizes. The awards will be presented on 26th June and all the shortlisted stories will be published on the Transition Cambridge web-site www.transitioncambridge.org.