Happy birthday Letsbuzz

Letsbuzz is a membership group open to anybody living locally to Leighton Buzzard and allows people to trade using a local currency, the Buzzard. Members can ‘buy’ and ‘sell’ goods and services without using cash; prices are agreed Buzzards between the two members. Trading is always voluntary, and the system relies on trust; to facilitate this they organise social events to enable members to get to know each other as it is easier to trade with a known person.

The system works in a similar way to barter, except that trading does not have to be a direct swap: goods or services can be 'bought' from one member earning Buzzards which can then be “spent” with any other member of the group. (In some cases - for example, where a plumber needs to buy copper pipe - trades may be agreed as part Buzzard/part cash). They talk of commitment not debt! Members do not have to be in credit to trade!

Over the years they have held many fun events, including quiz nights, dance and singing classes, book and clothes swap, walks, parties, wine tasting, Christmas wreath making, meals, garden “workforce” days, plant trading days, pot luck lunches. Firm friendships have been made, support has been given in good times and bad. They are a community, but are only as good as the membership, the more members they have the more they can support and offer to each other!

Letsbuzz can be contacted via www.letsbuzz.org.uk