THE Plough and Share Credit Union based in Okehampton has reached its initial target of 400 members ? but still needs more members and volunteers to help the group to grow and thrive.
Credit unions are ?not-for-profit? financial co-operatives, owned and run by the members to provide an easy way to save on a regular basis.
The Plough and Share scheme in Okehampton is just one of all the families of credit unions throughout the world.
Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, is among the supporters of the credit union concept. In May this year, he declared: ?Trust, stability and skill, those are the three things the credit union movement offers.?
Plough and Share member Maggie Jeffrey said: ?Run by a dedicated small group of volunteers, Plough and Share enables people in the community to save and borrow money in an ethical way and at a reasonable cost.
?We owe a vote of thanks to this dedicated group of volunteers who have worked so hard to develop and support the community in this way.
?I find that saving at the same time as repaying a loan is really motivating. I only save £1 a week, but it does have that feel good factor!?
The credit union meets at the Market Hall in Okehampton on Saturdays, 10am to noon, at the offices of the Development Trust in the Square at North Tawton, between 9.30am and 10.30am on Saturday, at Hatherleigh Market on Tuesday between 10am and noon and at the Courtyard Café in Chagford on Thursdays, between 7pm and 8.30pm.
For more information con tact Sheila Tharby on 01647 433828.