SO MUCH more than just finding new seeds or plants, Sustainable Crediton’s annual Seed Share day was about sharing ways to encourage pollinators, to help wildlife along in the garden or allotment and making something useful, whether recycling or produce.

Among the various stalls was Kate Povey with a few of the different apple juices produced by the family at Morchard Bishop and information about Orchards Live which has been helping people create, restore and expand their orchards since 1991. 

It is holding a course in April on top working which grafts new varieties onto an established tree and another in July on budding with another course in August on summer pruning.  Check full information on the Orchards Live website. 

Local beekeepers were represented, kept busy nearly all the time showing how to look after bees and deal with the invasive hornet. 

Crediton Food Larder, not to be confused with Crediton Foodbank, showed how it was about giving away food that might otherwise go in the bin.   

Christina Dymond from Crediton Community Allotment had a trug that was full of Jerusalem artichokes at the beginning of the day, almost empty half way through plus photographs of what has been created at the allotment on Barnfield they have had for a year.

It is intended to put in more water butts, the three they have are full up with water from their shed roofs.  There is someone at the allotment on Wednesdays 11am to 2pm from March 1.  For full information check: [email protected] or telephone 07866 294 276. 

Christina said: “It is so important to get out and do a bit of gardening, to be outside, it helps so many people and it is a beautiful view from our allotment.

“If anyone wants to come and just sit and talk to us they are welcome, you need to be fairly fit to go up the hill to us!”

The Pig Club is supported by Sustainable Crediton.  It was formed in 2016.  As well as explaining their work and aims, they were hoping to find a smallholder with a pig who might join them.

Catherine West, director of Significant Seams, was showing the banner she is making with the help of people at the various events she holds.  She was looking for people to share ideas that could go into a monthly activity programme about re-using fabrics.  

She was doing just that with shapes cut by a die cut machine that folds up into a laptop size and can cut shapes and letters from up to five layers of fabric. 

Catherine was adding to a banner for Sustainable Crediton. 

How to Bury the Giant was the intriguing name of the stall run by Naomi Wright of Crediton all about how mosses hold carbon, trap energy and about peat.  Bury was launched in January and is a run-on from Moths to a Flame which ran so successfully from 2021. 

Instead of using moss to line hanging baskets, Naomi suggested using sheep wool, pieces of fleece, or corrugated cardboard, certainly using peat-free compost. 

Information about the Heritage Seed Library and how to harvest seeds from your own plants was another among the many stalls. 

Tables gave plenty of room for people to have lunch, and Crediton Youth Orchestra played.

Members entertained audiences with accompanied solo pieces and a group jazz combo. It was lovely to enjoy a high standard of music making from such enthusiastic musicians.

CYO has more than 50 young musicians playing together every Wednesday from 4.15pm to 5.30pm at Crediton Congregational Church and is always open to new members. All instruments, ages and abilities are welcome. CYO is supported by Devon and Torbay Music Education Hub.  Contact via: [email protected] .

Sustainable Crediton chairman Dee Ross praised everyone who had helped: “All the wonderful food and cakes, it is just brilliant how people turn up and help, it really is a wonderful group of people. 

“Every year we are worrying that we have enough people and cakes and every year we have gorgeous food.  Thank you to everyone.”