THANKS to hard work by five members of staff of the Co-Op food store at Crediton, the town’s Scout Hut, the headquarters on Newcombes, is bright with a new coat of paint in the main hall.

Eakers DIY Limited had donated the purple and magnolia paint and materials, purple being the Scout colour. The Co-Op gives staff two days a year to undertake community projects, this was one of them.

The volunteer painters were Crediton store manager, Chris Parkyn, with their newest member of staff Rob Bradshaw, customer team director Andrew McMichael, assistant manager Ashley White and the in-store baker Teresa Boyles.

As well as the work days, the Co-Op can donate things such as raffle prizes for local groups or, as at the film night at Yeoford before Christmas, when it gave mince pies and mulled wine.

Money from charges for carrier bags in the store goes towards local charities. Every time a Co-Op member shops at a Co-Op shop, one per cent of what was spent on own brand products goes to the Co-Op Local Community Fund.

Co-Op members have already earned more than £1 million for more than 4,000 local causes.

Locally at present these are Kelly Trust (initiated with a legacy from the estate of the late Alan Kelly and administered by Crediton parish church governors), Crediton and District Access Group for Disabled People and Crediton and District Playscheme Association for Children with Special Needs.

Chris, who had been a Scout and Scout Leader elsewhere in Devon commented that this was “a great Scout HQ” and he was pleased to have been able to help.

Sue Read