What We Do
Abbots in Transition was formed in 2010, by Abbots Langley residents, to provide resources and leadership for our community to move towards a sustainable and resilient way of living in the light of the Climate Emergency. We are a member of the UK-wide Transition Network.
We recognise that we need to stop burning fossil fuels as a matter of urgency, and that this will require significant adaptations to our current way of life. We believe in a positive future, that is sustainable, comfortable and fulfilling.
History
Abbots in Transition had its first meeting on the 19th March 2010. Prior to this meeting Ian Bond had spent about a year speaking to local people and businesses to stimulate interest in local sourcing of various products, and to try to find other people interested in the Transition Movement. This led to the publication of an article in Abbots News at the beginning of March 2010, which then prompted other interested people to come forward.
There were six local residents at the inaugural meeting – Ian Bond, John Collier, Belinda Phipps, Sara Bedford, Caroline Whately- Smith and Peter Warman, and two others who were interested but not able to attend – Denise Bond and Marion Woolhouse. At this meeting the name ALTTA (Abbots Langley Transition Town Association) was suggested by Sara and approved by the Group.
The first ALTTA community event ‘Going Green Together’ was held almost a year later in the Henderson Hall. At this event thirteen local organisations promoted their sustainable activities in Abbots Langley.
A few weeks later, at the end of April 2011, the first community market was held in the Henderson Hall. Community markets were held four times a year at the same venue for the following 9 years until they were halted by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
In September 2020 the group decided to change their name to Abbots in Transition.
Who We Are
Hello, I’m Belinda and I am a founder member of Abbots in Transition. Interested in all matters that will help reduce our negative impact on the planet.
Hello, I’m Jennifer and I am the current Treasurer for Abbots in Transition. I was born in Bushey and have lived all my life in and around Watford and moved to Abbots Langley in 2007. I have a passion for all things local, including supporting local charities, Autumn Fest, litter picking and community markets. I am a busy mum with a full time job in IT and background in accounts. My hobbies include swimming, upholstery, and javelin.
Hello, I’m Keely. I’ve been a member of Abbots in Transition since moving to Abbots in 2015. I love the village and have enjoyed working with a wonderful group of people to support our community to be stronger and create better facilities and use of land.
I am the CEO of Sunnyside Rural Trust (www.sunnyside rural trust.org.uk) a local charity and social enterprise working for young people and adults with learning disabilities to offer training and employment opportunities within horticultural and agricultural settings. I have held a number of senior development and operational roles for large London-based charities. I’m also a consultant for the School of Social Entrepreneurs (SSE – www.the-sse.org). I’m passionate about supporting people to reach their potential and supporting communities to pull together to meet local need. I enjoy seeing the results of putting a robust business framework around charity values to create excellent outcomes for beneficiaries whilst being financially and environmentally sustainable. I have a love of nature, people and animals.
Hello, I’m Mary, the current Chair of Abbots in Transition. I have lived in Abbots Langley since January 2015, and started helping at the community markets in the Henderson Hub. I have been involved with environmental organisations and campaigns for many years, launching my school’s environmental group ‘Help Earth Live Peacefully’, when I was a sixth former in the early 1990s.
When I lived in Lancaster I was involved with a project that retro-fitted a former council house with environmentally friendly products and carbon-neutral technology. It won The Observer Ethical Award for a DIY project in 2007.
Now that I am in Abbots Langley I enjoy being part of this local group, working locally to develop a community that is less dependent on oil and gas, and more resilient to climate change through local food production and energy generation.
Hello, I’m Rachel. I have lived in Abbots Langley since December 2014. I have been aware of Transition Towns for a long time, and got involved with Abbots In Transition after attending community markets and a film screening. I am interested in ways of building community resilience, in particular through local food growing. I produced and manage the web pages and manage the planting project at Kings Langley Station.
Hello, I’m Wendy. I have lived on and off in Bedmond for most of my life and am very involved in community life, particularly the Tin Church, the Village Hall and our Bedmond Village Matters Facebook page. I am a member of Bedmond Village Task Force, Secretary of Bedmond Residents Association, Chair/Secretary of the Friends of the Tin Church. I am very involved in organizing local activities , community projects and fundraising events. I hold a Bedmond archive of photos and other historical material which I display at local events and other channels. I joined Abbots in Transition because I am passionate about Nature and working together to create a more sustainable and resilient community.