NOT just seeds and plants were on offer when Sustainable Crediton held its ninth annual Seed Share at the Old Town Hall in Crediton, there was much information about gardens and creating good things for wildlife.

It was also a chance to find out about how to save seeds, to find some heritage seeds - and about composting.

This is part of a new scheme with a network of volunteer Compost Doctors, all linked to Resource Futures, a community action waste group.

For Devon Community Action Groups was Ruth Leonard-Williams explaining about this new scheme for which the first training session will be on March 18 at Holcombe Rogus.

Devon CAG is also looking for volunteer Food Champions to help people reduce the amount of food waste. In total, an average family throws away food worth £720 a year.

The first training sessions are in Tiverton on February 21 and 22. There will be another in March.

It is also looking for keen cooks to share ideas and develop cookery workshops, particularly for using leftovers. Volunteers will be given free training and there might even be a travel allowance.

To know more contact Ruth at [email protected], look at www.cagdevon.org.uk, telephone: 07944 791972 and there is a Facebook page and Twitter @CAGDevon.

Answering questions about beekeeping was Imogen Hallam who lives at New Buildings.

A member of Exeter Beekeepers’ Association, she is Mid Devon Swarm Co-ordinator. Exeter beekeepers run courses and taster days throughout the year.

The theory runs in the winter months and then practical sessions are run in spring and summer. Imogen gives educational talks about bees.

She said: “This is my sixth season coming up of keeping bees. I started keeping bees because I wanted to find something I could reconnect to the land with again. Also because of an interest in gardening, growing and the decline of pollinators.

“Beekeeping on a warm sunny day is a meditation. I feel completely lost in space and time in the most wonderful way.

“Hours can slide by in the apiary, you lose track of time because you are so engrossed in inspecting the bees. Bees and pollinators are so important and we benefit so much from the diversity of fruit and vegetables they pollinate. We really should, I believe, be honouring and revering these wonderful little creatures.”

She is looking for sites for bee hives, ideally where up to six hives can go, secluded and where bees would not cause concern for the neighbours.

The site needs to be sunny, sheltered and preferably with a few small trees. Anyone who can help can contact Imogen on 07910 235 891.

Imogen Hallam is also a sculptor with her work being exhibited at the Mythic Garden near Drewsteignton, the Eleanor Ludgate Gallery in Chagford and the Harold Hilliare annual garden art exhibition in Hampshire.

She has been working as an artist since she was 16 working with oils and charcoal, but mainly with ceramic and resin and also bronzes can be commissioned.

Stanley Hughes who lives near Great Torrington was giving information about Devon Wildlife Trust which has 50 reserves in Devon, the nearest being its headquarters at Cricklepit Mill in Exeter which is open throughout the year.

The Trust runs clubs for children and lots of training days learning conservation skills about creatures such as butterflies and hedgehogs. There is also the Greater Horseshoe Bat Project.

People can learn how to lay a hedge, can go on bird walks, or such as next weekend when there is a trip to Berry Head to learn about seabirds and sharks.

To learn more, check the www.devonwildlifetrust.org website to read about how beavers are being introduced in Devon plus many other projects.

Providing the music were “The Woodsmen”, a trio of musicians who are all members of the Sustainable Crediton Woodland and Hedgerow Group.

Young visitors were able to make their own bird seed fat balls.

Sue Read