A DECISION to close a West Devon environmental charity has been overturned by local members — and its priority is recycling food waste from commercial establishments. Members of Westden, formerly known as West Devon Environmental Network, voted to continue the charity last Thursday, overturning an earlier decision by trustees to close it. Geri Laithwaite, who had worked for Westden in the Community in Action project, said recycling business food waste was 'top of the agenda'. She said: 'In Tavistock alone we put over five tons of food waste a week into landfill and we shall be working on trying to divert this to Holsworthy Biogas where it would make electricity and provide a liquid fertiliser, which goes to local farms and improves the nutritional value of the soil.' Six new trustees will formally be appointed today (Thursday) to take over the reins and explore new ideas for the environmental organisation. The new trustees are: Chris Avent, community project officer for the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV); Trish Carrington, director of Peninsula Waste Savers; Chris Jenkins, chair of the environment and community committee, West Devon Borough Council; Christopher Kirwin, chair of Tavistock and Villages Development Forum; Martin Taylor, Devon Conservation Forum; Colin Trier, senior lecturer in environmental sciences, University of Plymouth. Ms Laithwaite said: 'I think it is important that this innovative organisation continues. 'It was established 14 years ago to address the issues of "sustainability" within the community and there is more to do today than ever before. 'We know that previous funding streams are not so accessible so we shall be looking at other ways of creating an income, for example addressing such issues as waste reduction and recycling help for businesses.' Two other projects under active consideration and process concern young people. They are school gardens where children will learn about horticulture, growing their own food, and the value of composting, and Lopwell Camping Barn, — Westden is initiating an all-inclusive consortium of potential users to ensure the barn is used to its full potential by people of all ages and interests, the focus being nature and the Devon environment. A diary of events will soon be available. Anyone who would like to get involved or has ideas about projects can contact Ms Laithwaite on 01822 617457.