Campaign sows seeds for new flax crop in Totnes

A community project in Totnes is hoping to revive local production of textiles by encouraging people to grow flax in their gardens and allotments.

Totnes Grows Flax is working with Transition Town Totnes and Plymouth's The Flax Project to highlight the value of the plant, which is traditionally used for linen and ships' sails.

Zoe Gilbertson from the project said they are giving out free seeds "to get people interested in the project and open their eyes to how clothing can be grown in their local areas".

She added the plant is easy to grow and is harvested by pulling from its roots.

Ms Gilbertson told BBC Radio Devon the project aims to encourage people to grow materials besides food, locally.

"There's an awful lot that you can do with it, that we don't realise."

She said people can make paper with flax and it has even been used with other materials to create skis and bikes.

Ms Gilbertson said: "People understand the concept of local food and how that's really important for our health and our local economy.

"It would be really great if people think... where does other material in our life come from."

In the past, flax was processed at Tuckenhay Mill and people have also tried to grow it on Dartmoor, according to Ms Gilbertson.

She added: "It's really important that if we start to grow our own materials locally, if something happens due to climate change, if something happens due to international trade, we can then be more self-sufficient in our local areas."

After harvest in the autumn, people will get together to learn how to process it.

"It's about having fun, exploring the plant, doing something different, meeting people and learning about this amazing plant," Ms Gilbertson said.

There will be a meeting about the project at Totnes Civic Hall in the Market Square at 11:30 BST 4 April.

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