In Which Cornwall Shared Some Skills (and Learned Some While They Were At It)

Our tale begins in the Dinosaur Café. One cup of tea, two toasties, three cups of coffee and four yawning travellers sit around a table in the Turkish eatery. Colin, Helen, Vicki and Becky had broken free from the Cornish bubble and made their way to Exeter for the Skill Share weekend, agreeing on a collective caffeine boost before the sharing of skills commenced.

Once settled in the Phoenix, it was nice to see the various groups from different regions across the South West; when in Cornwall, it’s very easy to forget that anywhere else exists! The lovely Macolm led discussions on the international impact of Greenpeace, future campaigns and the seeding of new networks. Cornwall’s target was Plymouth; watch this space for potential Stormtrooper shenanigans and enticing of Plymouthfolk into a shiny new group. They’ll come for our charm, and stay to support.

After the day of planning, note-taking and green resolution-making was over, pied piper and part time mischief maker Dave led us to the pub. Local ale and a cheeky cider or three was the backdrop to an evening of wise words from Wilf, educational yarns from Dave (complete with handy hints and tips!) and generally putting the world to rights. Eventually people began to go their separate ways, and the Hostel Six (Cornwall + Rich + Pete) traipsed back to rest their weary heads. Further drinks, some nibbles and a not-so-secret garden later, bedtime really was on the cards.

The night at the hostel was relatively peaceful, aside from the standard cacophony of snores. And of course the almighty CRASH when Pete carefully counted two steps in the dark, then dutifully fell down the rest into a clothes rail. Smooth.

Breakfast for the sextet was a bap and a beverage before facing the bitter winds of Exeter highstreet for some street campaigning. The eager faces of the fledgling Exeter network had a delightful welcome on this chilly Sunday morning, with one man kindly observing that ‘as we weren’t all vegans, we were all hypocrites’, before beating a hasty retreat. This comment wasn’t taken to heart, nor a reflection of the day, as with two Stormtroopers on board the campaign soon got quite a lot of interest. The costumes proved a hit, especially with excited children (most were delighted, though some admittedly were a little fearful). Still, from straggling parents to general passersby, the day was a hit, with a whole wad of signatures collected. We even managed to acquire a mascot; a balloon shaper quickly knocked up an adorable rubber Stormtrooper after setting up next to us!

After a coffee and a satisfying sit down, Cornwall pootled back to their bubble feeling excited about the prospects ahead. Thanks to everyone for a winning weekend, keep Sharing those Skills!