Across the UK around 120,000 family-owned businesses are planning to retire or transfer ownership over the next few years (ONS), but two-thirds of these owners still do not have a succession plan. With commercial and policy pressure on UK land use and food production at an unprecedented level, there is a significant threat to current land use, and it is already undermining local and national food resilience through pushing our economy towards higher imports and lower employment.New Models for Farm Succession is new project from a consortium led by Stir to Action and Shared Assets working with family farm owners and community food initiatives to explore how family farmland can be part of long-term efforts to create more food security in the UK, through selling or transferring to local co-operatives. This new approach to succession planning focusses on the social, cultural, and financial considerations for both family farmers and community food initiatives through a series of workshops, options reports, and new financial models for land transfer.
Alice Favre owns an 860 acre, 100 person community in Dorset called Chettle. The 33 dwellings are rented out at around 40% of market value whilst being maintained to a high standard. The estate has been given national heritage status by Natural England and HMRC so it can remain in private hands to be conserved and protected.
Chettle boasts a well-respected restaurant with rooms, The Castleman, one of the few thriving village shops, a campsite and one of the biggest (and craziest) village fetes in the UK. She is in the process of turning the farmland organic (with the help of her tenant farmers) and growing food for human consumption. This local, organic produce will be sold in the shop, a new café and the existing restaurant.
Alice believes that she isn’t a ‘landowner’ but more a custodian. She thinks estate owners have a responsibility to take bold and decisive action to ensure that we have thriving communities, local, sustainable food systems and abundant wildlife so that we are resilient for the future that climate change brings.
Becky Burchell is a Futures Producer, working at the intersection of the arts, communities and the environment. She is currently co-creating a new, community owned food hub in her village Chettle, in Dorset, to include a nature friendly mixed farm, new premises for their much loved village shop and a new cafe. Becky is also the founder of CHANGE Festival a multi-arts event that invites audiences to imagine a better future. Previously arts curator for two of the UKs most successful festivals, Bestival and Camp Bestival, Becky came up with the idea for CHANGE Festival after she had her daughter in 2015. She launched the first iteration in October 2019, at Warwick Arts Centre in Coventry. More than 1,000 people attended over 20 events, including sell-out theatre show, The World We Made, which Becky envisioned and produced, based on environmentalist Jonathon Porritt’s book of the same name.
During COVID, Becky produced five short, fictional films called ‘Rise Up’ with the same creative team that made ‘The World We Made’, which were launched in partnership with charity Reboot the Future and aimed to inspire hope in young people.
CHANGE Festival took place for the second time in November 2021, as part of Coventry’s City of Culture celebrations and the line up included musician Cosmo Sheldrake, peace pilgrim Satish Kumar, Orchestra for the Earth and cabaret artists The Cocoa Butterclub, as well as discussions, workshops, family performances and theatre shows.
Becky says that creating CHANGE Festival was like doing a PHD in the future. To curate the festival, she took a deep dive into the question – how can we imagine better? And her discoveries have led her to where she finds herself now, working creatively within her community and with the land, weaving in all the joy and possibility that her festival revealed to her.
Chester Rd, Stretford, Manchester M32 0LG
What3words: ///region.quest.emerge
Stir to Action’s Playground for the New Economy Festival 2023 is being held at Stretford Public Hall.
By train
If you’re travelling from outside Manchester, visit the Trainline website for information about rail travel. Trains connect with the tram at Manchester Piccadilly station.
By tram
The Hall is a 5 minute walk from the Stretford tram stop.
By bike
Manchester is a great cycling city, connected by several NCN routes and paths thanks to its historic canals and railway network.
By bus
There is a bus stop just outside the Hall on Chester Rd which is serviced by several local bus routes.
By car
We’d prefer you take public transportation, but if that’s not possible... you'll want to map the best routes depending on where you're coming from. The hall has limited parking during the day, free to use on a first come first served basis. Taxis can pull up alongside the Hall on Dorset St or use the car park.
Accessibility
There is very limited parking for the festival for those with accessibility needs. These spaces will be used by prior arrangement only. Contact events@stirtoaction.com.
Arrival/Departures
Full ticket holders:
Check-in from 08:30 on Friday 19 May 2023
Check-out by 17:30 on Saturday 20 May 2023
Day tickets
Reception is open from 08:30 each day.
The ABCs of the New Economy is our practical primer and event guide to inspire local economic change.
Once again we're all facing real political instability and economic pressure. Made worse by huge wealth inequalities, rocketing prices, an endless housing crisis, and persistent failure to take real action on climate. For all the promises from our politicians about bouncing back, levelling up, and sharing prosperity, it’s just not happening for most of us.
Despite crisis after crisis, new economic ideas are still largely unknown across communities, and it’s time for a post-pandemic movement to inspire local economic change.
The ABCs of the New Economy is an accessible ‘primer’ on all aspects of the new economy, sharing straightforward tools and ideas for workplaces, communities, and movements for change.
The Mansion is a step free venue with an accessible toilet. The South Lawn entrance is not wheelchair accessible, there are a number of steps to access the venue. Wheelchair access is via the Mansion’s front door, see image below:
There is a slight step up to the front door but we have a ramp available if needed. Blue badge holders can also park here. Directions to front of Arts Mansion:
Please always let us know in advance if any of your attendees have access requirements so we can offer extra assistance and support. Free tickets are available for carers, email us for details events@stirtoaction.com
Where can I stay?
Stretford Public Hall is just outside Manchester city centre, and is easy to reach by tram from most places. Here is a list and map of accommodation in the area.
How do I get there?
Manchester is a well-connected city which can be accessed through several different modes of transportation. Check out the location tab on the festival website for more information.
Is the venue fully accessible?
The Hall is fitted with accessible facilities including step free entry, accessible toilets and a lift which services all floors. Check out the Accessibility tab for full information.
What are the arrival and departure times?
The Hall is open for guests to arrive from 9am on Friday and Saturday, with the event expected to wrap up by 6pm on Friday, and by 6:30pm on Saturday.
Can I buy a ticket on the door?
Yes, subject to availability. We expect tickets to sell out before the event, so it is advisable to purchase tickets in advance online.
Are bursaries available to get a free ticket?
We are working with a range of sponsors to offer bursaries for tickets. We will publish links to opportunities as they become available, so check back soon.
What are the food & drinks options?
We've arranged for some delicious bites from local caterers, all included in the cost of your ticket. Festival attendees can enjoy a selection of pastries on arrival and light lunches with vegan and gluten free options, too.
I can no longer attend. Can I get a refund for my ticket?
Click on the Ts&Cs tab for full details on cancellations and refunds.
Is there a Covid policy?
At the moment Stir to Action and Stretford Public Hall are not enforcing any Covid measures for the festival. Of course if you’re feeling unwell, we ask that you please stay home to keep others safe.
Can I bring my kids?
The festival is aimed at ages 16 and over. Free on-site childcare will be available for guests on Saturday only, offered by local creche providers BizzieKids. Booking for the creche is essential - full information here. There will be no childcare provision on Friday, and no other activities for children during the festival.
Who can I contact if I have any questions?
Should you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch at events@stirtoaction.com.
Day Tickets
Programme information published on this website is subject to change. We will try to notify you as soon as possible of any changes. If, as a result of a schedule change, you would like to switch your day ticket, contact events@stirtoaction.com (subject to availability). No refund will be made for schedule changes, unless a written request is received no less than four weeks before the festival starts
Refunds
Refunds will only be made if a written refund request is received no less than four weeks before the festival starts. Send your written request via email to events@stirtoaction.com. If you cancel your booking less than four weeks before the event, no refund will be made other than in exceptional circumstances and at the discretion of the festival organisers. No refund will be made for non-attendance.
Cancellation
In the event we have to cancel the festival, we will endeavour to inform all ticket holders at least two weeks before the festival is due to take place, although please be aware that this is not always possible. In such an event, all ticket fees paid to date will be reimbursed in full. We are unable to reimburse any other costs that may be incurred (i.e. travel, accommodation). In the event that festival dates have to be changed, ticket holders may request a full refund if the new dates are not convenient. Should you have any questions regarding these terms and conditions, please contact the festival team via events@stirtoaction.com.