First local currency in a Scottish town

Looking back the whole thing seems pretty crazy. 

 

After all there was funding from Awards for All. 

 

Much studying of  local currencies in Totnes, Lewes, Stroud etc followed and eventually shop keepers were approached. Mixed reaction but a number agreed to come along to a meeting with Jonathan Dawson from Findhorn ( first local currency in Scotland for their Eco village).

 

On the night approximately 20 shopkeep[ers turned up,Not quite what we'd expected!

 

Both before and after the meeting, Jonathan was adamant, in the nicest possible way, that we needed more time, after alll they'd spent one year preparing etc etc.Some of us disagreed!

 

Eventually around ten shop keepers signed up and that was that, we thought!

 

Well...actually...not quite.. One group member got extremely worried about forging and  a few other things  and decided we could not go ahead, calling a special meeting and so on....Grrrr...much gnaching of teeth and looong phone calls...Result two intrepid transitioners took the decision to forge ahead , despite the 'bother', in the good old tradition of the Hawick Reivers (Rebels).

 

Followed days of frantic rushing around, persuading, talking to shopkeepers and  anouncing the DAY - 17 March at the Farmers Market.

 

Folk began to take note." The high street 's falling apart" was a regular Mantra. ' I'll do anything."

 

The press quickly smelt a good story and descended on the town like never before.

 

The beautiful notes were dutifully launched. A blow up version unveiled by Michael Moore MP an John Lamont MSP.

 

Shopkeepers cued up to buy the currency 2000 of which were sold in the the first two hours.

 

The media turned up in full force..the only thing missing being the dulcet tone of the promised bagpipes that somehow got lost on the way...

 

The trial run will finish at the end of June 2010.