Do you want to know what happened in the banking world in 2008, that is having re­percussions in your life NOW?

Transition Dorking are showing Inside Job, an award-winning film that goes behind the scenes, through a series of interviews with key players.

The screening this Sunday (November 27th), from 3pm at Dorking Halls, will be followed by refreshments, and an opportunity to meet a representative from the new SurreySave Credit Union, offering ideas about local financial opportunities.

Tickets are available from Dorking Halls' box office or website, and Mystery Mountain in Dene Street, priced at £7.20 or £5.80 for concessions.

The second recipient of a Green Mole Forum grant was Polesden Lacey Infant School, of Great Bookham, who will purchase solar kits to educate pupils about an energy source that will no doubt feature highly in their lives.

Pictured is Rosie Keedy, head teacher, accepting their £250 cheque from Anne Brewer, secretary of the GMF, after her recent presentation to Transition Bookham.

Mrs Keedy talked at length, and with great passion, about the numerous 'greening' activities (often suggested by pupils themselves, who have their own 'green team') undertaken at the award-winning Eco-School.

Initiatives range from awards for clean plates and floors at lunchtime (reducing food waste, whilst keeping the caretaker happy) and walking to school, to class Christmas cards (often made from re-used materials) rather than lots of individual ones, to toy-swaps, and litter-picks in the community.

Pupils grow fruit and veg (used in the school kitchen), in raised beds and a plastic bottle greenhouse, helped by composting and rain water collection. They picked blackberries in September for 'Crumble Rumble', where, along with local apples, they made themselves crumble for desert.

Green issues have proven to be a great motivator, with improved grades and enthusiasm, and work well within the curriculum, such as looking at food miles (geography). The only down side is that, upon moving on from Polesden, pupils find that these activites don't exist in their new schools.

The Green Mole Forum would like to help co-ordinate a greater exchange of ideas, and information on initiatives, amongst local schools. Our hope is to hold an event, perhaps in conjunction with the Effingham Learning Partnership, with Mrs Keedy passing on her experiences of gaining 'Green Flag' status. Do contact us if you'd like to take part.

For Transition Bookham's Wednesday 19th October monthly open meeting, Rosie Keedy, head of Polesden Lacey Infant School, will be speaking about her award-winning eco-school, and how she’s encouraging future generations to care for their planet. This will be followed by free refreshments (donations gratefully received) and then discussion.

As usual, the meeting will be held in the St Nicolas Pastoral Centre, Bookham, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. The Centre is at the rear of St Nicolas' churchyard, with access behind the clock tower, or beside 'Heads Up' barbers in Church Road.

Transition's Ashtead and Dorking are both holding Apple Days, a chance to celebrate the bumper harvest and make fresh pressed juice.

Transition Ashtead's event is on Saturday 15th October, at Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall, 10am to 4pm, whilst Transition Dorking's event is on Saturday 22 October, in front of Barclays Bank on the High Street, from 9am to 2pm, see the links for full details.

There are over 7,500 varieties of apple worldwide, which means you could eat an apple a day for more than 19 years, and never eat the same kind twice!

On Saturday 1st October, Transition Bookham will be paying a visit to Compost Works in Fetcham. If you'd like to join them, from 10.30am, please send them an email so they have an idea of numbers.

Having picked up your £10 compost bin (see previous article), why not come along to Transition Bookham's September open meeting, on Wednesday 21st, when Catherine Porter of SITA (pictured above, second from left) will be talking about 'Home Composting'.

For those without a compost bin, there'll be a chance to win one, and there will be some free seeds and information material on offer as well.

The venue is St Nicolas Church's Pastoral Centre (at the rear of the churchyard, path behind the bell tower or beside 'Heads Up' barber in Church Road - beneath the green arrow on the map), Great Bookham, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

Following last month’s excellent meeting on ‘Conserving Water’, Transition Bookham is discussing the humble bicycle next Wednesday (17th August), from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Looking at the possibilities of cycling as a cheap, healthy and environmentally-friendly form of transportation.

They’re fortunate to have two keen cyclists coming to speak to them: popular speaker Pam Goodall, who, in her late fifties, cycled solo around the world and lived to tell the tale (and write a book about it!) and John Meudell, member of the Mole Valley Cycling Forum, former director of the Cyclists’ Touring Club and proud owner of no less than six bicycles!

Anyone is welcome to attend, though you're encouraged to cycle (or walk/use public transport/car share!) to the meeting, which is being held in St Nicolas’ church room (entrance is behind the clock tower) this month. They hope to have a few unusual bikes present.

Fitting in nicely with Transition Bookham's recent Gardening for Bees meeting and May's bee training events, Transition Ashtead's open meeting, at 8pm on Monday 9th May, is a talk by local bee keeper Andrew Barnett.

Andrew will share his passion for honey bees, and will explain all about keeping them, and their importance for pollination and the environment. He's kept bees for over 8 years, as a member of Epsom Bee Keepers Association, and has lots of stories to tell, many very funny, about his experiences.

Caroline Cardew-Smith, Transition Ashtead's secretary, will also be on hand to answer any questions about becoming a 'bee host', as she's had one of Andrew's hives in her garden for the last two years. There will also be local 'Barnett Wood Lane Honey' for sale!

Ashtead Village Club (104 The Street, Ashtead KT21 1AW. Opposite the bus stop) have kindly offered their upstairs area for the meeting. Don't forget to get yourself a drink at the bar downstairs first!

Next Wednesday (20th April 2011), Transition Bookham will be launching their Energy Group by holding a free public meeting on 'Eco Homes', as a follow up to the recent Surrey Green Homes Event.

As well as a short film, they'll have four solar energy installers giving quick presentations. They'll no doubt take part in the Q&A session as well.

Time and venue info (including map link), along with other forthcoming meetings, can be found on the Transition Bookham calendar (click on an entry for details, use the 'Agenda' view to see events as a list).

Dorking Community Orchard is holding a Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop this Sunday, 3rd April, from 10.30am to 2.30pm. There is a £5 contribution from members (£10, including membership fee, otherwise). To reserve a place, or to find out more, please email info@dorkingcommunityorchard.com.