The Totnes Pound has generated a huge amount of media interest. Although this is not the primary purpose of the project we believe that it is a good thing for a number of reasons.

Firstly, it encourages debate about the role that complementary currencies can play in local economic development. Other countries (such as the USA, Argentina, Japan and Germany) have a much richer history of experimenting with different types of money. The growth of LETS systems in the 1990s increased awareness of complementary currencies in the UK but there is still much less experimentation than in other countries. We hope the Totnes Pound will help to stimulate debate on this issue, particularly in the light of the 'credit crunch' which has been caused by the global monetary system.

Secondly, the the media coverage has drawn attention to Peak Oil, Climate Change and the Transition Movement. It has been an excellent way of raising awareness of these issues and what we can do to try and address them. It has also generated a lot of media coverage for Totnes itself. This, we argue, is a indirect benefit to the local businesses and is important whilst the direct economic benefits of the Totnes Pound are currently small scale.

Finally, the project acts as an inspiration for other places to try and find ways of strengthening their own economies. Lewes are launching their Pound and in Lampeter they are hoping to reintroduce the Black Ox, a currency that used to exist in that area of Wales.

Whenever we are approached by the media we always explain that this is a serioius, long term project which is currently a small scale experiment. Of course we have no control over how they end up presenting the Totnes Pound but we hope that most of the coverage helps to deliver the benefits described above. If you come across any coverage that isn't listed below please email us a link and we will add it to the list.

Articles

The Transition movement in general has attracted a lot of media coverage. In addition to regular coverage by the Totnes Times and the Hearld Express, these are just some of the articles which have mentioned the Totnes Pound in the last few months...

Rippon Gazzette 28/04/08 - Article on whether Rippon should become a Transition Town which mentions the Pound.

The Brighton Argus 30/04/08 - Article on plans for a Lewes currency which mentions the Totnes Pound.

The Independent 01/05/08 - Long article which covers some of the history of the project.

CNN 02/05/08 - Article on the Tranisiton Town movement which mentions the Pound.

The Independent on Sunday 04/05/08 - Editorial by Janet Street Porter which mentions the Pound.

Management Today 13/05/08 - Article about the Lewes and Totnes Pounds

Birmingham Post (14/05/08) - An article by Claire Short MP suggesting that Birmingham should become a Transition City. See also the comments by the business editor on the possibility of Brummie Money.

TV and Radio

The Totnes Pound has received a lot of national television and radio coverage including, BBC Radio 4, Five Live, Sky News, The One Show, Channel 5 News. In addition to this there has been coverage on local radio and TV (both in Devon and other areas) and coverage by foreign media including recently Japanese and Canadian television. Unfortunatelty most of this coverage is not available on the internet but there are a few links listed below.

BBC Radio 4 You and Yours 16/04/08 - A feature on the Lampeter Black Ox which starts with the thoughts of shoppers in Totnes. It is an interesting discussion of the potential of local currencies.

BBC2 Working Lunch 12/05/08 - A story on the Lewes Pound which features Robert Jackson from the Totnes Pound

Updated: 30/06/08