Archived News Below:

Lewes Pound News 2 (10 Nov 2008)

It has been an extraordinary time for us on the Lewes Pound, as the backdrop of global economic change is compelling us to develop the Lewes Pound into an effective, mature mechanism. The Guardian ran a feature on us last weekend that was, on the whole, accurate and positive http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2008/nov/01/consumeraffairs-communities

The seed of the idea The initial idea behind the Lewes Pound was to raise awareness of the issues and gradually, over a year, gain traders' and consumers' confidence in it. This seems to already have been achieved and following a strategy meeting a fortnight ago, and a meeting co-convened with the Chamber of Commerce last week, we are starting to prepare ourselves for the next phase.

Traders We are working with some of the members of the Chamber of Commerce to find ways for traders themselves to help make the Lewes Pound work, since the shops and service providers who actively promote, eg with offers, or giving it as change, seem to be getting more general trade as a result. Those who just wait for it to come in, and grumble that it's not working, don't seem to be reaping any benefits. Look out for our centrefold in the December issue of Viva Lewes for a complete list of traders and their discounts.

The 100 Club Meanwhile, thanks in much part to the 100 club, the Lewes Pound continues to steadily enter in to circulation from our issuing points and the Farmers Market. Some stalwarts do much of their weekly shop in Lewes Pounds; this is particularly helpful as it gets more LPs in to circulation, which helps us test it more effectively. Others are using the Lewes Pounds to take them into new outlets; a local decorator, Paul Kench, is reporting that he's received over 200 LPs to date from new customers. Others use Lewes Pounds to find new people willing to accept them; new traders are very welcome to go on the Traders List, via the website. Finally, some of us are trying to use Lewes Pounds to investigate local livelihoods.

Ways forward Some people have complained that Lewes Pounds are not working as they are still just a token. In a way, it's great to have this complaint, as it encourages us to deepen the idea. Some ways forward are 

    * Issue larger denomination notes (we are looking in to 10s and 21s);
    * Encourage traders to find local producers to supply them and deepen the cycle of wealth and relationship;
    * Uncouple - with plenty of notice - from Sterling so that LPs will be exchangeable for goods such as vegetable boxes, local ale, or locally generated electricity.
    * Using ways to develop Lewes Pounds as a basis for developing local livelihoods; as the economic downturn deepens, these issues will become more real.

We are writing a business plan detailing some of the ideas above and are now seeking a patron or business angel who will help us find the funding needed to take this work to the next step. The world is watching the Lewes Pound: we need help!

Coming up: Potluck Dinner On Saturday 29 November we are holding a Potluck dinner for the 100 Club (of 250 people) to celebrate the Lewes Pound and have a playful session to investigate how to take it further. It's at 8pm (check time) at Lewes New School, Talbot Terrace. Please bring a dish of locally sourced food to share - and also bring anything you'd like to sell as a local producer: food, crafts, etc - or promotional material for an emerging local livelihood that will accept Lewes Pounds (display tables available). We will be issuing Lewes Pounds on the night if you would like to buy anything.

Many thanks for your support so far and best wishes The Lewes Pound Group

lewes Pound news 16 October 2008

It’s been an extraordinary time to have launched a local currency, with the backdrop of global economic readjustments. The two are absolutely related, and the messages behind the Lewes Pound become clearer by the day.

More Lewes Pounds now on the streets

It’s been a relief for many of us to see the Lewes Pound back on the streets. Some traders are reporting good levels of flow again, although some have yet to experience a Lewes Pound purchase – so please do buy Lewes Pounds and start spending them all over the place..

Farmers Market

We’ll be selling Lewes Pounds from our stall at all Lewes Farmers Markets since most of the stallholders are accepting them. We will also (contrary to previous news) be offering the 22LPs for £20 deal at this farmers market and until 10 October; the Town Hall is also holding packs for the 100 Club members who’ve not yet collected theirs. This is an important Farmers Market – its 10th anniversary. Deb Cook, the organiser, is asking our members to vote for it in the Sussex Food and Drink awards here http://www.sussexfoodawards.com/votes.php (She says pop in your name and email address etc; under Media click Other, and under Event click Other).

More traders on board

Since the launch a further 50 traders have approached us and asked to be included taking the list of places you can spend your Lewes Pounds to 120. See the website for the full list, which includes an accountant, a dentist, a Rugby Club, 3 Bonfire Societies, a school, an organic farm shop and a ceramicist. This list will be updated in a leaflet to be printed soon. Any local independent trader is welcome to join by contacting us; we will list them and give them window stickers.

Our website

Chris Smedley of Hudoq and David Harvey have been developing our beautiful website even further. From here you can now buy Lewes Pounds collectors packs (including an official letter and Mayoral stamp) and see the updated list of traders. There are two new films on the site: Rob Hopkins talking about complementary currencies and Richard Heinberg talking about community resilience.

More about complementary currencies

An inspiring and informative 6 minute video here from Bob Banner of Hope Dance magazine about the global reason for local currencies, with a photo of the Lewes Pound!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/oct/01/climatechange.sci... limatechange

Some good stories

There have been reports of people putting their initials on the Lewes Pound; could this start a trend?

We’ve had enquiries and even visits from all over Britain from other Chambers of Commerce and Councils wanting to create currencies to support traders, create new employment opportunities and create community regeneration.

Keep the stories coming and keep feeding back how the Lewes Pound is working – we’re all learning as we go!

www.thelewespound.org <http://www.thelewespound.org/>

Many more Lewes Pounds available now from the Issuing Points
Harveys Quids In: Special Brew
Lewes Pound Launched!
Many more Lewes Pounds available now from the Issuing Points
27 September 2008
As a result of overwhelming enthusiasm for the Lewes Pound we have produced more to cater for demand.

We had seen an unexpected run on Lewes Pounds as people had bought them to use locally and then become so attached to them that they are keeping them as mementos, sending them to friends, or even selling them on eBay.

Now that the excitement has died down, and with the new Pounds filtering out through the issuing points and traders, we are beginning to see them circulating again. Look out for offers from traders and also, we will shortly be posting 3 winning numbers on this site for some prizes from Harveys Brewery. So keep an eye on the serial numbers; you might find that your Pound is worth a little more than you thought!

Harveys Quids In: Special Brew
9 Sept 2008
Local Brewery Harveys has developed a special edition beer to celebrate the launch of the Lewes Pound. Appropriately named Quids In and with a label to suit the occasion designed by celebrated local designer and illustrator Neil Gower (the man behind the Viva Lewes covers), it was in hot demand at the launch of the Lewes Pound. Given the success of the Lewes Pound and of the beer itself, Harveys are considering a commercial launch of Quids In this Autumn.

Harveys Managing Director Hamish Elder says:" Harveys is very happy to support the Lewes Pound with our special Quids In brew and after a sell out of the first batch we are planning to extend its availability as soon as production allows in the coming week or two. This bottled beer is a golden Summer Ale with an Abv of 4.3% which is best served chilled. The half pint returnable bottle (5p deposit) is intended to sell at one pound + 5p deposit - but we will sell it at One Lewes Pound inclusive when bought with the local currency"

Neil Gower has an exhibition of his wonderfully diverse illustration work at Pelham House in October, where you'll also be able to see the original Quids in artwork.

Lewes Pound Launched!
10 September 2008 The Lewes pound has been welcomed by Lewesians at the launch. Over 450 people were present at the launch which started with some very informative, energising and at times moving contributions from a distinguished panel of speakers.

•Stewart Wallis from the new economics foundation spoke about the role of money and the importance of local currencies in keeping communities thriving

•Rob Hopkins gave an insight into Transition Towns, one of the most fascinating and positive responses to the challenges of climate change and peak oil

•Finally, Polly Toynbee gave a rousing address about the apathy around climate change and the growing inequality between rich and poor

Following a brief Q & A, it was time for the big moment, the unveiling of the Lewes Pound. This was led by Cllr. Michael Chartier, the Mayor of Lewes, who following a warm introduction about the spirit of Lewes let a countdown echoed by all present. The first glimpse of the pound, which had been printed on huge canvas was followed by 5 minutes of sustained applause and spontaneous waving of Lewes Pounds across the room.

The first Lewes Pound was auctioned for £160,- while the first case of Quids In, the special edition beer went for £50 after which it was time for the party to start, with local food and drink as well as music by local legends the Ska Toons, which got quite a few hips swaying.

By 11PM the Lewes Pound launch was over, but for the Lewes Pound itself, it was just the beginning...

See also Rob Hopkins' account of the evening, including a short film

(At some point we will fill back the story up to the launch!)

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