A new Common Exchange for Local Trading, the CELT, is being launched to link the 35 Local Exchange Trading Schemes already operating in the West Country. The Somerset CELT was launched, as a paper note the size of an ordinary £5, at the South West LETS Festival, in Glastonbury.

The notes come in six denominations, from £20 down to a tenth of a Celt. Three other counties, Cornwall, Devon and Dorset will be printing their own distinctive notes which will be used between LETS members throughout the region in exchange for all kinds of goods and services.

Peter Van Moorsel explained that advice has been taken from the successful LETS schemes now used all over south west Australia where credits are even used for paying local taxes.

‘With the launch of the CELT, we will have a real opportunity to interact with all LETS members from the four countries for social events, trading, exchange of information and all sorts of other things.’

Meanwhile, Somerset County Council has just published a report about the idea of developing local currencies as a way of protecting local economies called Let’s Make Time.
FURTHER INFORMATION : Peter van Moorsel, Tel/Fax: 01647 221470

Mike Atkinson, Somerset County Council, Tel: 01823 355455
EMAIL: peter_​nina@​compuserve.​com