The Belstone Green Village Project began in May 2006 and arose out of a joint initiative between Plymouth University's Centre for Sustainable Futures - represented by Olya Maiboroda and Colin Trier - and Westden (an organisation which works to achieve sustainable rural communities in Devon and beyond) - represented by Oz Osborne . Their aim was to run a pilot project to see how a small village might become more sustainable. Sustainability, while being seen in the sense of being ecologically friendly, was also about how we will be able to remain a village community, in the future - supporting our youngest and oldest residents; managing shopping, commuting and communications, etc. |
A steering group was set up, which included several Belstone residents and the representatives from the Centre for Sustainable Futures and Westden. The Initiative aimed to provide opportunities and resources for Belstone to become a a greener and more sustainable village, now and in the future. It had no political affiliations nor was it allied with any other "Green" or ecological organisations and began the project with a questionnare - delivered to every house in the parish - which enabled the gathering of infomation about day-to-day practices, such as shopping, getting to work, heating the home, etc. and included a section specifically for the young people of the parish. Analysis of the results was then used to inform future events. Click to view questionnare and results of questionnaire.
Although responses were, in general, positive and villagers were prepared to
give time to the project voluntarily, it was felt that a fund was need ed for running costs such as speakers, newsletters, booking of rooms, etc. Money was applied for and received fron Awards for All. A wide range of events were initiated to raise awareness about a whole range o f issues. These include a showing of the Al Gore film ‘The End of Suburbia’; a recycling talk by waste officers from West Devon; Bring and Share lunches with speakers on topics such as alternative energy schemes and Chew Magna’s Go Zero project; a Taste of Devon Lunch with Diana Lee from Holsworthy Organics; a 1940’s wartime lunch; Climate Change and Wildlife talk by Richard White from Devon Wildlife Trust, a visit to Old Walls Hydro and also to an inspirational Forest Garden in Dartington.
As a direct result of the initial questionnaire an energy survey was carried out by Richard Pymm (DARE) in 10 Belstone houses, a monthly newsletter - The Belstone Green - was sent to each house in the Village with the aim of keeping the village well informed about village events, local services and local issues and a group of youngsters in the village were able to produce their own environmental film, based in Belstone. Also, particularly important, was the setting up of a Belstone Youth Group, enabling the youth of the village to take part in a variety of games and activities - both fun and informative - providing them with opportunities to socialise, develop independent interests and to play an active part in the development of the communuity they live in.
 The project tried to raise awareness about sustainability and what people can do as individuals. It certainly provoked much discussion and, as a result of this plus grant funding and money donated by the Village Hall, there are practical benefits for the village and community, such as projector to be used in the Village Hall for talks, a laptop computer, a village website and a maypole, to be used at the annual Village Fair.
Top L: preparing the Taste of Devon Lunch. Top R: visiting Old Walls Hydro.
Bottom L: friends
of all ages enjoy a 1940s Lunch. Bottom R: Go Zero Presentation |
There is no longer a steering group but the legacy of the Project lingers on, in the thriving Youth Group who still meet fortnightly, play a major part in the community and do their own fund raising as well as that for charity.
The newsletter is no longer a monthly Belstone Green but has metamorphosed into the Belstone Village Voice which is funded by the Village Hall and is posted through every letterbox
three times a year.
The website still thrives and, as well as providing a forum for local residents to see what is going on and advertise for themselves, it encourages many past residents and visitors to make contact with old friends or to provide the village history archive with information of great interest. In collaboration with the Village Hall, it funds a well-supported annual Photographic Competition, the results of which are  announced at the Hall's Christmas Coffee Morning and is much enjoyed by all.
There are many other activities taking place that help towards the sustainability this thriving village that are nothing to do with the Green Village Initiative - such as the Thursday Cafe, set up by Marion Walpole, before the project started, and the various other groups that meet regularly in the Hall - but it is good to think that it played a part and may well do so again.
L: maypoling. R: the first Youth Group Easter Egg Hunt
See Belstone Green Newsletters |
