Big Green Heroes - Devon!

When BGI stalwart Anne-Christine heard we were running a Big Green Heroes series, she nominated the entire county of Devon!! As a resident of that glorious county she is well qualified to tell us all about what makes it a Big Green Hero.

Devon is the UK's greenest county. It's official. Going beyond the statistics, however, there's more to Devon than rolling hills between the Atlantic Ocean and the Channel. Its fertile red soil has given birth to innumerable ethical and organic organisations and businesses such as OWNonline, Emma's Bread, Shillingford Organics and Book-cycle to name but a very few... The climate is a little less harsh than further north, so plants grow a little easier.

Somehow in Devon it seems easy to turn slowly greener, to follow the principles of permaculture (least input for maximum output). The climate is a little less harsh than further north, so plants grow a little easier. Devon is also the home of one of the leading Transition Towns in the country, Totnes. Some people will label Totnes ‘hippie central'... but look beyond the handful of quirky individuals. The Transition movement makes perfect sense!

Among the people in Devon who are acting to make their county even greener is my friend Zion. She has recently launched or taken part in organising a number of initiatives local to Exeter, such as ExAct (Exeter Activists who Act, a campaigning group) and a local Food not Bombs group. Also in the pipeline are wild food walks led by experts and open to everyone, a garden skills exchange, and a clothes swap on 8th August which follows the successful ‘seed exchange' last March. Not to forget a Gospel Choir (independent from any faith) as a means of replacing community activities enjoyed by our elders. All these groups are ready to welcome new members.

I had a chat with Zion to understand what drives this real-life role model:

What started you on the path to greenness?
Animals. Opening my eyes to animal welfare issues made me want to protect and nurture all needy beings. I strive to honour the Light in ever-living being [this is an aspect of Quaker faith]: that is part of the philosophy of my life. Then, all the rest fell into place. I joined a campaigning group at university. [She has a degree in English Literature.]

What would be your message to the world?
[She replies with laughter in her eyes] Wake up! Switch on! Start connecting!

In her private life, Zion lives totally in harmony with her principles. That's refreshing!

Anne-Christine

photos (c) Jérôme C Bueche 2009