Central UK Summary - January 2016

Freegle UK Central: Summary of items of interest January 2016 (536 members, 425 posts)

Olio

Edward had had a meeting with representatives of Olio http://olioex.com/ which is an app that connects people (members of the public, cafes, shops) in local areas with the objective of sharing surplus food rather than it being thrown away. See message 57230 and following for info https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/FreegleUK-Central/conversations/messages/57230 It is London-based, although has recently branched out into Bristol. It was felt there were possibilities of maybe linking up with them in some way – more news anon!

Courier scam news

Scam offers which turned up in January included: Tandem bike Electric bike Chainsaw Kitchen Aid mixer Sewing machine 3-seater sofa Chest of drawers

Freestock 2016

Freestock is an annual weekend gathering for mods of any re-use organisation, generally camping-based but with other accommodation options available. Discussion on where it should be held in 2016 is beginning to take off – anyone interested can join the Freestock Café group https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/FreeStock-Cafe/info

New version of modtools

As part of the development of the new yahoo-free platform, Edward is rewriting modtools. It is now released as a beta; comments and feedback to be posted on Modtools, not Central.

Meeting with Rory Stewart

Edward reported that he and Cat had met Rory Stewart MP, the Minister for Waste at Defra. He felt ‘This was really quite positive - we should be able to get some publicity and other help for us, which will be excellent. More on this as it develops. It may take a while but it is excellent to try to build this relationship.’

Hot 100

The results of Resource magazine’s Hot 100 Waste Wizards were announced in January, and both Cat and Edward are declared to be officially Hot. Edward came in at number 52, while Cat was placed at number 17, higher even that Caroline Lucas MP. What a good result, but could be better next year!

Nimber (see message 57393 and lots and lots of following ones)

Nimber https://www.nimber.com/ has been described as ‘the Airbnb for sending stuff’, or put it another way, it aims to do for parcel delivery what Uber does for taxis. Before being declared officially hot, Cat and Edward went to see them in London, thinking it might be possible to link up with them and thereby address the problems a lot of freegle members face when trying to arrange delivery or collection of items. The issue generated a lot of discussion with a wide range of both positive and negative opinions being expressed, and is continuing to do so into February. Watch this space!

Working group reports

Tech – Report Dec 2015 http://wiki.ilovefreegle.org/Freegle_Tech_Report_15-12-31

Development – Report Dec 2015 http://wiki.ilovefreegle.org/Development_Group_Report_2015_12

Freegle funding – Report Oct/Nov/Dec 2015 https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/FreegleUK-Central/conversations/messages/57297

Other reports

Freegle Board Minutes - 25 Nov 2015 http://wiki.ilovefreegle.org/Freegle_Board_Minutes_25_November (includes reports on Platform, Fundraising, Finance, Officers reports, Volunteer Support, Health and Safety and Development)

Mentor Team – Report Dec 2015 http://wiki.ilovefreegle.org/Mentors_Team_Report_2015_12

Liz S February 2016