THE IDEA of a currency for the town – the Petersfield Pound – has sparked a flurry of interest from residents and business people.

More than 60 people attended a screening of influential eco film Tomorrow at St Peter’s Hall on Saturday night.

This outlined how such a currency, already in place in towns and cities including Lewes, Stroud, Totnes and Brixton, would work to strengthen the local economy, help the environment and boost independent businesses. Chichester’s T’Chi notes can be swapped for skills.

At the end of the film organiser Julie Yardley was delighted that hands shot up for the idea of a Petersfield Pound.

“I was thrilled with the turn-out and when I asked who supported the idea there was a very quick show of hands, and people were talking about it very excitedly,” said Julie, who helped launch Petersfield Community Energy last year, and has enlisted the support of East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds to try to bring solar panels to the district council offices.

She will now build on the enthusiasm for the pound to talk to shops and businesses around town about how it would work and who would sign up.

A local currency is one of the cornerstones of the international Transition Towns movement, which also campaigns on issues such as food waste, community gardens, recycling and renewable energy.

Julie is aiming to set up Petersfield as a Transition Town.

If it followed other successful models, the Petersfield Pound would be a voucher or token that would be accepted in outlets displaying a sign. It has been shown to increase economic resilience, cut C02 emissions and increase pride in the community.

Julie hopes to show the film again soon to spread the word further.

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