History of Transition Linlithgow
Transition Linlithgow has worked for 10 years taking action on local issues of sustainability and climate change
Starting in 2008 as Linlithgow Climate Challenge our founding members raised local climate change awareness through talks and films. Soon after forming, and with some initial funding, we were able to provide advice and guidance on local food, active travel and energy saving at home. We later registered as a Scottish Charity and joined the international Transition Network, re-branding as Transition Linlithgow. As part of the Transition Network we are committed to helping the local community live more sustainable lives and fulfil the Transition Principals.
In 2018 we received funding of £249,380 for two years from the Climate Challenge Fund operated by Keep Scotland Beautiful on behalf of the Scottish Government. This funding has allowed us to expand our operations, hire staff and start exciting new projects such as the Transition Linlithgow Tool Library, the Linlithgow Active Travel Hub and Linlithgow NeighbourFood.
Starting in 2008 as Linlithgow Climate Challenge our founding members raised local climate change awareness through talks and films. Soon after forming, and with some initial funding, we were able to provide advice and guidance on local food, active travel and energy saving at home. We later registered as a Scottish Charity and joined the international Transition Network, re-branding as Transition Linlithgow. As part of the Transition Network we are committed to helping the local community live more sustainable lives and fulfil the Transition Principals.
In 2018 we received funding of £249,380 for two years from the Climate Challenge Fund operated by Keep Scotland Beautiful on behalf of the Scottish Government. This funding has allowed us to expand our operations, hire staff and start exciting new projects such as the Transition Linlithgow Tool Library, the Linlithgow Active Travel Hub and Linlithgow NeighbourFood.
Our Constitution
|
Raising awareness of the issues associated with Climate Change (Global Warming) and the consequent need to transition to a low-carbon sustainable lifestyle. |
Informing, supporting and engaging our community in matters relating to Climate Change mitigation and adaptation.
|
Protecting and improving our local natural environment, primarily by supporting action that improves air quality, lowers greenhouse gas emissions, protects and improves soils, improves water quality and increases biodiversity and biomass |
Encouraging reduction in the waste of limited natural resources and movement towards a circular economy through sustainable actions, which are fair, equal and socially just.
|
Meet The Trustees
Our Trustees lead on the strategic direction for Transition Linlithgow and provide a wealth of knowledge about the local area and sustainability. Current Trustees are all local residents to Linlithgow.
Sue Friel
Sue has lived in Linlithgow for over 20 years with husband Brian and 2 sons, Jack & Aiden. With a background in Finance, Business and Change Management, Sue joined Transition Linlithgow as an active member in 2016 before taking over as Chair from Alan Brown in 2017.
Sue loves making things happen and is especially proud of securing CCF funding for the current Transition Linlithgow projects and staff. Sue looks forward to taking on more project to benefit the local community and making Transition Linlithgow a key force for good in the town. |
Pamela Barnes
Since moving to Linlithgow in 2009 with her husband Neil and their two daughters, Pamela has been on a personal journey to live more sustainably.
A Trustee since 2015, Pamela is Transition Linlithgow's Secretary. She is passionate about improving access to locally grown and produced food, and making it easier for local folk to make the shift towards less polluting travel. Pamela has experience in the Scottish Government and within the third sector, with involvement in research, evaluation, policy development, fundraising, communications and marketing. She currently works for the Linlithgow Community Development Trust, and is a Community Councillor. She loves seeing different people and groups come together to achieve shared ambitions. |
Des Martin
Des has lived in Linlithgow for many years with his wife Gina. Together they have two adult sons Ross and David who both live and work locally.
Des has a background in Agriculture, Environment, Education and Management having worked at SRUC Oatridge for many years. Des has a keen interest in the community having been involved in Linlithgow Primary School Board, West Lothian Chamber of Commerce, West Lothian After School Clubs. Des is also currently Chair of West Lothian LEADER, Vice Chair of Linlithgow Community Council and a trustee of Linlithgow Rugby Club. Des believes that a strong community involvement and participation should be a focus in everything we do. |
Carole Racionzer
Carole moved to Linlithgow in 2003 to raise her family. With a background in social policy, human resources and training, event management and administration she has continued a lifelong commitment to volunteering with various organisations including Homestart, Eczema Outreach Scotland, Burgh Beautiful, Refugee Action Scotland and Transition Linlithgow. An allotment grower for many years with a love of fresh, organic and home cooked food, Carole recently joined the Grow Wild Organics team at Bonnytoun Farm. Carole particularly enjoys enabling individuals and organisations to thrive and succeed and combines this with her passion for the importance of environmental issues in her role as a trustee.
|
Chris Smillie
Dr Smillie has worked and studied in the environmental sector since 1987. After gaining a degree majoring in Environmental Biology, Chris worked for the Scottish Wildlife Trust and the North of Scotland Water Authority. Chris has also worked in ecological consultancy in the UK, Middle East and North Africa. More recently Chris has worked in higher education first as a senior lecturer at Nottingham Trent University before moving closer to home in 2013 to SRUC Oatridge.
Chris sits on the Chartered Institute of Ecology & Environmental Management's (CIEEM) Training, Education and Career Development committee, as well as having been the External Examiner for both the University of South Wales and Bridgend College. |
Meet the Team
Our team is responsible for delivering the Climate Challenge Funded projects project until 2020
Susan White
Susan is our General Manager and leads on all aspects of the Climate Challenge Fund project and staff management. Susan is a local girl, born in Linlithgow Bridge, and loves being involved in a project which has a positive impact on the town and on the environment.
As General Manager Susan deals with the many background things which are important to keep Unit 5 and our Climate Challenge Fund projects running smoothly, including making sure the finances are in order and systems in place to keep us all on track. |
Neil Hutson
Neil worked in Digital Marketing for 5 years before changing career to work within the environment sector. After a short stint as a Countryside Ranger for West Lothian Council and 1 year as Zero Waste Project Officer for Transition Linlithgow Neil now works as the Community Engagement Manager for the organisation and supporting the General Manager.
Neil still coordinates all aspects of our Zero Waste projects, including the Transition Linlithgow Tool Library and our programme of workshops and classes. Neil is passionate about helping the local community learn more about Transition Linlithgow and the work we are doing with the community to tackle climate change. |
|
|
Wendy Graham
|
Justine Tweedie
|
Lindsey Campbell
|
|
Wendy has been working in sustainable transport for over 13 years - having worked with schools and workplaces to promote walking, cycling and public transport.
Wendy runs Transition Linlithgow's Active Travel Hub, and is keen to help the local community find cheaper, healthier and quicker ways to get around Linlithgow and beyond. From cycling, walking, public transport, car-sharing and fuel efficient driving - you can chat to Wendy to see what will work for you. |
Following a career in corporate tax, Justine enjoyed an extended parenting break to bring up her two children. During that time, she held several roles at a national health charity, including Trustee, Treasurer, and laterally Group Administrator. At home, Justine has been taking positive steps to live a more sustainable, low-carbon lifestyle. She is looking forward to helping Transition Linlithgow as it develops new climate change projects and initiatives.
|
Lindsey has a professional background in IT services and projects management. Passionate about reducing waste and a keen advocate of repair and re-use, she loves to sew and mend clothes. A local mother of two young children, Lindsey is also enthusiastic about educating the next generation about protecting our planet. As one the Admin Assistants for Transition Linlithgow, Lindsey supports the project officers and managers in delivering their projects to help combat climate change in the community.
|
Other Organisations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|