(Co-operatives) The Stroud Pound launched in Threadneedle Street
The official unveiling of the exquisitely designed Stroud Pound took place on Threadneedle Street, outside the offices of the Stroud Valleys Project and opposite Stroud’s very own Old Lady (Teashop) on Saturday 12th September. The Stroud Pound is the work of the Stroud Pound Co-op Ltd which in turn, grew out of Transition Stroud. Molly Scott Cato, one of the organisers of the initiative says: “The aim of the currency is to keep economic value within the local economy, but the link to the local identity is also important. What makes Stroud better is that we have a lot of local producers here. We have a big farmer’s market here and we hope there will be a synergy between consumers and producers. Green economists hope to achieve this kind of closed loop.”
Four denominations of Stroud Pound vouchers are now available to exchange for Sterling on a 1-to-1 basis.
The notes, designed by local artist Ronan Schoemaker and produced by Steve Charlwood, are like miniature histories of the economic and cultural life of the Five Valleys.The most prominent local celebrity to feature is Laurie Lee, author of Cider with Rosie, who was born in Stroud and is buried in the Slad Valley.
http://stroudpound.org.uk/page7.html © Stroud Pound
