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Bratton Fleming Parish Council Composting Group

The scheme to get Bratton Fleming composting was the brain child of Terry Shapland, gardener and Parish Council Vice Chairman. North Devon District Council supplied and maintains a large chipper and the rest is down to Terry and his gang of about 6 helpers. Parishioners take their garden waste to the site where the team set to work every Monday or Tuesday evening during the summer months and on Saturdays during the winter. Once the process is complete, compost can be collected completely free of charge, on condition that Terry is told how much has been taken. N.D.D.C. then pays credits for every tonne used.

The rationale behind local composting is that landfill is saved, car journeys to the recycling centre in Barnstaple are reduced and Bratton becomes less reliant on peat-based composts. Devon County Council fund North Devon District Council to operate the scheme.

The entirely voluntary nature of the operation ensures that all the money raised is ploughed back into worthwhile causes. The Group contributed £5000 towards play equipment on the Millennium Green and supplied the shrubs, trees and, of course, the compost for the shrubbery. £500 was donated to the Chestnut Appeal and currently £5000 is being held for the planned Community Woodland and £1000 for the Village Hall.

Terry Shapland and volunteers feed the chipper.