Despite periodic hailstorms outside, the atmosphere in the Boniface Centre was warm and cheerful on Saturday 29 February, and buzzing with conversation and enthusiasm for all things green. Yes, the annual Sustainable Crediton seed share event, Grow, Share, Eat, again attracted a large crowd. Organised by the valiant, two-woman Food Group, and very ably joined by Esther and her crew of Waste Group cooks, the event combined opportunities for swapping seeds, plants and other garden sundries, with an array of stalls, delicious homemade cakes and soup from waste food donated by local suppliers, and the music of seed share stalwarts The Woodmen. This year stallholders were many and varied. Here are just some examples:

• We had information on bee-keeping, and growing for pollinators, as well as bee-friendly seedlings, from Imogen Hallam and Simon Sullivan
• We were invited to share food-related memories with the Food Library project, hosted by Paul Cleave and Harry West
• There was a chance to buy books on sustainable living, and all aspects of growing, from Crediton Community Bookshop, to stock up on plants from Crediton Garden Club, and to buy organic seeds from Vital Seeds
• Crafty types could try their hand at upcycling pre-loved socks with Sustainable Seams, or decorating salt dough pigs with Crediton Pig Club
• Plus herbal remedies, the library's Sustainable Sundays, Shillingford Farm School, and much, much more!

The seed share has grown to become a hub for new ideas and new connections, as well as a welcome social event as a dark and gloomy time of year. Thanks to all stallholders and visitors for making it such fun.

The Food Group has considered holding a second event in the autumn, with an emphasis on sharing produce. But currently we lack the capacity to run a new event. Want to see it happen? Be in touch!