The following table describes the status, the proposer and other metadata of this motion.
| Consultation: | Edinburgh Greens Participatory Budget |
|---|---|
| Proposer: | John Palmer |
| Status: | Published |
| Submitted: | 17/03/2024, 20:06 |
SEEG Up-cyclers
Tell us about your project and how you will deliver it
Last September SEEG borrowed a small loom and used it at an event to attract and involve new members. Participants (11 young people) were completely new to weaving and were allowed to choose which colours of wool yarn to use and how much of it to weave. The result was a scarf, pictured above, which was successfully auctioned in the Auction of Promises.
We would like to repeat the process by purchasing our own loom, having it available at meetings, gatherings and events for members to use. For instance, in April Summerhall is hosting an event called ‘The Woolly Good Gathering’; it maybe that SEEG could participate there, drawing attention to the Scottish Greens. It is hoped to keep the loom in a local community centre, so it is available for local members to use.
The process of weaving is a way of using unwanted and discarded wool that is available in charity shops and turning it into useful and attractive items that can be auctioned to raise branch funds.
Which of the aims of our PB trial will this help deliver and how?
The project will mainly help deliver the promotion of Green values and increase membership participation and engagement.
Most hand weavers take a serious interest in sustainability issues. Concerns include the material source; yarns that are animal, plant based or synthetic; and natural or chemical dyes. They look at the weaving process, whether hand or machine, how much waste is produced and yarn that is recycled or up-cycled. These are all Green values promoted in the forthcoming Circular Economy Bill.
In terms of membership participation and engagement, our activity last September showed that giving people something to do while they are at an event or gathering helps promote conversation. It opens up new sides to people that one might not otherwise know about and therefore widens our knowledge of each other and deepens our engagement. The more we know about each other, the more likely we are to come out and participate in more direct political activities with other members.
How much money (£500 max) do you require and what will it be spent on?
We need £80 to purchase a loom that has already been offered to us. It is a 24 inch Rigid Heddle loom with a stand, shuttles and reeds. (24 inches refers to the width of the loom, so quite sizeable pieces of fabric can be woven.) Yarn will initially be donated, and then can be sourced from charity shops..
Who has been involved in developing this proposal?
John Palmer, who is a relatively experienced weaver, has been promoting this project. Other members who took part in the activity last September have expressed interest and it was discussed at the SEEG meeting in March.