A GROUP that helps each other by trading skills without cash is holding its 21st birthday party in Dorchester on Saturday – and anyone interested in finding out more is invited to come along.

Dorchester and South Dorset LETS is meeting at the Community Church in Acland Road from 10am to 2pm.

There will be a bring and share lunch, and some members will be demonstrating what they offer.

People can also bring items to trade for the group’s cashless system, using ‘Marts’ instead of pounds sterling, to buy items and skills such as accountancy, dog walking, babysitting, carpentry and plumbing.

There are even local shops that offer member the chance to buy goods on a 50/50 Marts/sterling basis.

The group launched in December 1994 after Anne Rickard had read an article in Country Living magazine about Wimborne LETS.

She said: “I was utterly inspired by this, and really wanted to join such a group. After a bit of investigation through Letslink UK I realised there wasn’t a group locally, but Dave and I were determined enough to start one up.

“I was already a member of a useful babysitting circle in my home village of Martinstown, so I knew people who were already ‘trading’ time for a different currency – in this case, one wooden bead per half-hour of sitting.

“I contacted everyone in the babysitting circle, plus other friends and acquaintances within the village, and started to make investigations further afield to try to get a core group together, and possible members. I had babysat for Jenny, and also met her at an art class – she was really keen!

“We visited each level of council to ask whether they could offer any help in the way of funding, explaining how the scheme could help the community and that the group would be able to offer volunteer time as ‘matched funding’.

Dorchester Town Council readily offered £100 and free photocopying for the first year, WDDC offered £250, and the county council matched the district’s offer, plus printing of our directories from their own printing services, at staff discount price.

“This really helped. I remember that the chap at the county council said he thought it would be a short-lived group – little did he know!”

Entrance to the event on Saturday is free, and tea, coffee and juice will be available for reasonable donations.

You are invited to bring a plate of food to share for lunch.

For further information contact Sally Cook on 01305 267758 or 07794 432297 or email salcooke1@gmail.com You can also contact Katy Murrell on 01305 262253 or 07966 308154 or email katy_murrell@hotmail.com Information is also available at dorchester-lets.co.uk