Hayle’s Passmore Edwards Institute was bursting with positive energy recently, when Transition Penwith’s newly-launched Hayle Hub hosted its first community event; the ‘Swap Swap and Resparkle’ afternoon.

The awareness-raising event got people of all ages re-thinking stuff they would usually get rid of, with a trading-post to swap unwanted clothes and Christmas presents, and hands-on workshops making practical items from recycled packaging and newspaper.

The Hayle Hub, part of mother-organisation Transition Penwith, was launched just a few weeks prior to this event. A grass-roots, community-led project, it seeks to find easy ways to help the community thrive, protect the environment and boost the local economy.

Part of the worldwide Transition movement, it’s all about how ‘people power’ can bring solutions and optimism to today’s uncertain times, helping neighbourhoods to become stronger and happier.

Hayle resident Kate Barter organised the event with help from other members of the Hayle Hub and Transition Penwith. She explained: “It was great the way our first event came together.

We had a constant flow of really interested local people coming to find out about our new initiative. Many of them signed up to support the Hub, which is key for us as a fledgling organization; more members will help take the Hub forward, and will bring more energy and ideas for us to get stuck into. We want this group to engage local people to get things going on the ground and to be part of planning the Hub’s next events”

New Hayle resident, Alison, attended the event and signed up to the Hub. She said: “This was a refreshing and fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon. We were given a different perspective from the consumerist culture that we’re normally exposed to; this event wasn’t about money changing hands, but about up-cycling and meeting friendly people over homemade cakes! Simple and really effective. It was a stimulating way to find out from Transition Penwith members what’s been going on in this area; great for newcomers like myself.”

The next step for the group is a meeting on Wednesday, February 24 at Harry’s Cali-style restaurant, on Penpol Terrace in Hayle from 7pm. The group would welcome new faces to go along. A key focus will be what people want for the future of the Hayle area, and plans will be made to get this going. Some of the suggestions so far have included pushing for incredible edible community growing areas/co-operative allotments; more outlets for locally-produced food; more cycle paths; community renewable energy projects; and supporting the local economy through time bank and voucher exchange.

To find out more about Transition Penwith’s Hayle Hub and to register your interest, visit http://www.transitionpenwith.org.uk/hubs/hayle