Exmouth barter system needs volunteers

EXMOUTH LETS, an innovative cashless barter system for goods and services, could soon be operating - if new recruits can be found.

A godsend for families struggling with the economic downturn LETS (Local Exchange Trading Systems) means members can pool their skills and resources by trading goods and services without spending money.

Instead of pounds and pence the Exmouth system will use its own currency - the Cockle.

To ensure equality, all services will be valued at the same hourly rate.

So a plumber, for instance, could fix your sink in exchange for a push bike or some other service.

The town council recently approved in principle an application for funding the group's start-up costs.

But in order to qualify for this funding, Exmouth LETS needs to recruit more people, especially those with accounting and fundraising experience, to sit on the core group.

LETS, part Transition Town Exmouth umbrella organisation, spokesman Paul Strange said most of the grant would be spent on creating a sophisticated interactive website that will allow members to manage their own accounts online.

Delia Pemberton, chairman of Exmouth LETS said: "LETS groups are working well elsewhere in the country and around the world, where hundreds of communities operate similar systems.

"We believe Exmouth LETS holds enormous potential to benefit our town and feel it would be a great shame to let this opportunity pass us by. So LETS make it happen!"

If you're interested in standing as a officer for Exmouth LETS, please contact Delia at exmouth.lets@yahoo.co.uk

ENDS