TRANSITION Minehead and Alcombe, in partnership with Forum 21 and LETS, is holding its annual Seed Swap next Saturday (February 4)

The popular event, in The Avenue Methodist Church Hall, will include the usual organic seed potato sale and two features tried out with success last year – a Freecycle table and free cloth bags.

Small items can be disposed of or acquired at the Freecycle table: “It is a great opportunity for a declutter at home,” said Cynthia Alves from TMA.

“As with Clutterbusters, the local Freecycle group, one person’s surplus item may be just what another person is looking for!” 

In addition, free cloth carrier bags and small bags for the seed potatoes are being provided by a local volunteer who makes them from donated fabric.

The bags are made to a design from the Morsbags website and are intended to reduce the use of plastic bags.

Maureen Smith, of TMA and Forum 21, said: “The huge problem of plastic breaking into tiny particles and getting into the sea where it enters the food chain is now widely recognised. 

“The charge for plastic bags has reduced the use of them by up to 80 per cent and we are hoping to get to that last difficult 20 per cent. 

“Over 3000 Morsbags have been distributed in West Somerset with the help of an overlocking machine funded by Forum 21 and more sewing volunteers are needed to meet the demand.”

The Seed Swap is from 10am to noon. There will be a 50p entry charge to the Swap (under 18s go in free).

Each visitor can hand in seed packets or part packets and will be given tokens to exchange for different  seeds or other gardening related items.

Seeds saved by local gardeners are especially valued and even more so if they are a local variety.

Extra packets and Items can also be bought for a small amount. There will be refreshments, garden bric-a-brac, books and tools. 

As in the past, free Heritage seeds will be available. These are grown and saved by volunteers and distributed by Garden Organic, the national organic gardening charity.

They cannot be sold for legal reasons, but growing them will maintain biodiversity and preserve the varieties for the future.

Information on the Seed Swap, Friends and Family Allotment and Transition Towns can be found on the Transition Minehead and Alcombe website or contact TMA by phone 01643 709478 or email [email protected].