A brief history…
Much work led up to the creation of the Reconomy Project Totnes, and much continues in parallel and in collaboration.
We emerged from the Business and Livelihoods group of Transition Town Totnes, in the wake of the publicity created by the Totnes Pound and the success of the Transition Streets Project.
Below is a (very rough and open to interpretation) timeline of some key moments in our history, including links to related reports and research (some yet to be added).
They were economic and cultural cornerstones to the community and district, and the last of the town's sizeable employers following a couple of decades of other significant closures. Other Devon towns are becoming dormitory or retirement centres with struggling high streets, many being hollowed out by second homes, with little youth or employment provision.
There is a clear need for a new economic vision and destiny for rural towns. Totnes hits campaign mode.
An Inconvenient Truth film by Al Gore released. Climate Change moves from the fringe to be universally accepted, although government and business responses remain weak or absent.
Transition Town Totnes (TTT) is founded.
2007
Totnes Pound local currency launched. Totnes is suddenly a little bit famous!
Totnes Renewable Energy Society (TRESOC) launched; the first independent, community enterprise to emerge from the TTT process.
Transition Network founded as the Transition Town idea spreads worldwide.
2008
ATMOS Project formed. A new, community vision for the Dairy Crest site, and an unlocking of collective understanding and belief in how community-led economic regeneration could work.
International economic Crisis. It turns out the mega banks didn't know what they were doing after all, and the world is suddenly more open to consider change and alternative approaches.
2010
New government in UK. Era of austerity with some interesting, albeit weak and critiqued, 'Localism' legislation. A resurgence of social enterprise across the UK.
Town and District councils begin to align with TTT's recognition of the need for communities to self-organise in order to be more resilient in the face of cuts to services and a weaker and more volatile macroeconomy. TTT recognises 'localisation' needs to be more clearly communicated and better framed in the context of contemporary economic development.
TTT had strong working relationship with South Hams District Council following successful delivery of the Transition Streets project.
2012
REconomy Project Totnes established.
Local Economic Blueprint commissioned.
The First Local Entrepreneur Forum in the Civic Hall. Pitchers include: New Lion Brewery, GroCycle, Babes in the Woods.
2013
Local Economic Blueprint published.
The Second Local Entrepreneur Forum with a revised format; the audience becomes the ‘Community of Dragons’. Pitchers include: School Farm CSA, Transition Homes, Totnes ArtsHub, Totnes Mosaic.
Reconomy Centre opens.
2014
Local Entrepreneur adds a fifth pitching slot for a youth project. Pitchers include: Dart Valley Timber, Argand Solutions, Hillyfield CIC, The Living Projects and Grown in Totnes.
2015
Reconomy Project goes international.
2016
2017
The Royal Seven Stars Hotel gets a revamp and the Community of Dragons moves to their new glitzy ballroom. Pitchers include: The Woodland Presents, Huxhams Cross Farm, Studio 45 Pottery Hub, Black Bee Combe.
Totnes Community Builders takes control of The Mansion, which becomes a hub of community-led economic regeneration in the centre of town.
2013-2017 Impact Report published (link?).
2018
Community of Dragons boasts an all-female line-up!
Pitchers include: Thoughtbox CIC, Nourishing Families and Revolutionary Women.
2019
Pitchers to Community of Dragons include: Apricot Centre CIC, New Futures Academy, MelBee Artworks, Dartington Mill.
2020
COVID strikes. We’re locked down!
A Trans-Local Entrepreneur Forum takes place on Zoom. Pitchers from Bern, Luxembourg and Liverpool.
2021
Coming out of lockdown, Community of Dragons goes open-air at former-pitcher venue, The Woodland Presents. Pitchers include: The Living Projects, The Mend Assembly, BrewHaHa Craft Kombucha, Common Flora, Montreal Style Bagels.
2022
Community of Dragons takes a focus on hubs; recognising the community-supported enterprise approach is often most effective in physical clusters or hubs.
We go live at the New Lion Brewery Taphouse at Meadowbrook (now Things Happen Here), an emerging hub of community and vibrancy. Most pitchers are from another emerging cluster in town, The Mansion. They include Totnes Bike Hub, Resilient Lives / Pizza Pirates, Fresh Flour, Edgy Veggie (location now occupied by The Canteen).
2023
Community of Dragons back at the Seven Stars. Pitcher include: Jamming Station, Wildmoor Tannery, Bowden Pillars Future, Circlewise.
2024
Pitchers include: E-cocars, Totnes Pulse, Fresh Flour, Mama Tokus.
2025
Pitchers to Community of Dragons include: Sail Trade South West, The School House (School Farm), Resilient Lives, Cormorant Charcuterie
2026
Pitchers to Community of Dragons include: Food in Community, Contact Dark Room, The Gathering Ground, Jam and Bread, Crop Community.
Want more?
We are keen to meet groups who are interested in our work.
We have run study visits for students of all ages, business groups, councillors, NGOs and community organisers.
We know how to make this stuff engaging, relevent and fun!
We can organise study visits to Totnes or run a workshop or give a talk at yours.
Our mission
We want to inspire an era of economic regeneration that's local, inclusive, and sustainable.
