In the past, a number of BTT members have expressed concerns about how the Co-operative shop in Buckfastleigh is being run.

It is coming up to the time of year when you can have your say in how they do business. According to the Co-operative, there are four ways for you to get involved.

1. Go along to the Members’ Meeting at the Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre, Taunton on 14th May at 11am. This is your chance to join other members to find out more about the Co-operative business and to have your say on issues that are important to you. Book your place online, by phone or email (see below).
2. If you can’t make the Members’ Meeting you can visit the membership website and see the online members meeting from the comfort of your own home.
3. If you would like to be even more involved you could consider standing for election to one of our local committees. They meet monthly and discuss the business performance, support local communities and help the Co-operative to achieve their social goals. Nominations open on 1st April and stay open until 16th May 2011. For further details then visit this page. If you do want to stand for election then go to this page.
4. Whether or not you want to stand for election it’s really important that you use your vote to decide who represents members in your area. Look out for your voting pack coming to you from 4th July. The ballot will close on 5th August.

If you want to find out more about how you can make your voice heard in your Co-operative, visit their website, call the Co-operative on 01884 266892 or email them at Click here to reveal email address.

Tony Merrick from the EST based in Plymouth said:

It was clear that Buck the Trend is all about the community. They had already done some great work in the area and had some good ideas they wanted to bring forward over the coming year. We were enthused about working with the group because of their genuine approach to community life and the potential of what we can achieve by working together in the town.
At the EST advice centre we have always been committed to helping individuals to reduce their carbon emissions and save money on their fuel bills. Although we offer a number of services for community groups, the opportunity to work with an entire community in this tailored way is really exciting.

We’re still brainstorming ideas for the programme and would really welcome your input so get in touch if you’d like to take part in this process.

See http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/cafe for more info on the Green Communities programme.

Tony Merrick (second from right) from EST and members of the BTT Committee

Children at the school have launched a Green Fingers Club to work on a veggie patch, look after the school grounds and do gardening work in the town’s Millennium Orchard. The weekly club is led by teacher Jo Woods and is open to all classes, involving children from 4 to 11 years old.

Nick Banwell, headteacher at Buckfastleigh school, said: “Thanks to Buck the Trend for supporting the Green Fingers Club. It is great to see the community once again supporting the school.”

The club, the green fingers and the veg bed

the new compost bin