CSF Archive -Bantry LETS

BATS; BANTRY AREA TRADING SYSTEM

For those of you who are totally unfamiliar with LETS, the acronym stands for Local Exchange Trading Here is the main text of Alison Kilgours' BATS presentation, given at the last CSF meeting; System. Our local system is called the Bantry Area Trading System and is known affectionately, or otherwise, as BATS by which name I shall call it tonight. BATS was formed in the mid-nineties, at the end of an economic recession, when money was more difficult to earn than usual.

The vision was of a system where people could exchange goods and services with each other in a more convenient way than by direct barter. For instance; "A" may have potatoes in excess and would like to exchange them for computer lessons. "B" is a computer whizz, but he also grows loads of spuds, so "No Deal". By putting a value, in a virtual currency, on "A" and B's goods and services and by drawing in lots of other local people who have excess goods or the ability to provide services we can have a working system. "A" buys from B. B buys from C. etc. etc. until maybe M or Z buys from "A". The loop has closed and all have benefited.

Of course this system has other benefits to the community. Three spring immediately to mind. Firstly, wealth stays in the community. Secondly, people get to know their neighbours and to co-operate with them, so their lives are enriched. Thirdly, credit can be easily given to those in real need. This, incidentally is just the opposite of conventional banking where the credo seems to be " To those who have shall be given and those in need shall be refused". As our chairman likes to say " Being able to create your own currency is a tremendously powerful ability."

But back to the story. The currency was created and was christened BATS. The creators applied to FÁS and 11, yes 11, CEP places were funded. Of course the system was a great success. In the early years BATS had between 200 and 300 members and a vast amount of trading was done. Perhaps the main problem at this time was the huge area over which members were spread; from the tips of the westerly peninsulas (peninsulae) to Macroom. However, lasting friendships were made and many people practiced skills which later turned into conventional, full time enterprises.

The system eventually became a victim of it's own success, helped along by the Celtic Tiger. Members were too busy earning money to bother about BATS. Membership dwindled to few dozen. We still operate, but only just.

Is there a future for BATS? For more information, or to join BATS, e-mail themtwo@utvinternet.com See also www.letslink.uk