SUSTAINABLE Crediton’s purpose is to help people in Crediton and the local area to lead more sustainable lifestyles and work towards a carbon neutral future.

We hold many events to promote our aims.

Recently we have hosted the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Devon County Council on sustainable management of verges and arranged a presentation on sustainable land management.

We also have representation on the Town Council Climate Change and Sustainability Sub Committee.

We have a number of action groups which are largely autonomous under the Sustainable Crediton "umbrella".?Woodland Management Group

The Woodland Management Group carries out coppicing and general management work from autumn to early spring.

Currently it is working on an organic farm near Morchard Bishop, which includes an extensive wooded valley. Coppicing lets light into the woodland floor and encourages biodiversity, and over time the coppices re-grow and a cycle of harvesting will develop.

The gradual progression of the work from year-to-year maximises the variety of habitats which are created.

The Group plans to extend its activities to include new planting, and if possible, related craft activities.

Waste Group

The Waste Group was instrumental in organising plastic recycling in Crediton before the council took this on.

It has also organised pop-up Give and Take Shops and caters for our annual Seed Swap event using locally donated and surplus food.

The Group also organises a clothes swap event twice-a-year, which has proved to be enormously popular and well supported.

Food Group

The Food Group promotes all aspects of growing, producing, distributing, preparing and eating food, in a sustainable way.

It runs events, campaigns, and social occasions to support this aim. Its major annual event is the Grow, Share, Eat! seed swap event each spring, which also showcases local producers, growers and voluntary organisations in the conservation sector.

The group is developing our Pollinator Project to encourage pollinator insects through appropriate planting of public and communal land.

The Group completed our first site last autumn and have a number of others which it will be progressing as soon as circumstances permit.

We are always looking to expand our capacity and range of activities. If you would like to become involved, email us at: [email protected] .

John Craythorne

On behalf of Sustainable Crediton.