Allies Mid Devon – the Inception and Inspiration
Allies Mid Devon began life in 2016 as a community group. There were just four founding members -Ben Holdman, Amanda Davis RIP, Rodney Chilcott and Adam Walker. This small group of people from diverse backgrounds and ages shared a common goal; they wanted to see a more vibrant Tiverton, and surrounding area. With a simple aim, to make life more enjoyable for all. They were inspired to be the change that makes good things happen.
What were the first steps?
We formed a community group – we even developed our own constitution stating that everything we would do, would be for the benefit of the community.
How did you decide what to do first?
Local community engagement had told us that the bus shelters in West Exe needed attention. Initially working with Mid Devon District Council (MDDC) who are responsible for the shelters, we intended to just clean them up. However, it quickly became apparent that they were beyond tidy-up. There followed lots of conversations with Devon County Council (DCC), Mid Devon District Council (MDDC), Tiverton Town Council (TTC) and the Town Centre Manager, as we looked to find a way to replace the bus shelters. Sadly, it was not a priority for MDDC to replace them although they were looking for a long-term solution. Allies approached Fernbank Advertising Company and got them to agree to pay for and maintain two new bus shelters which were sourced through DCC. A heck of a learning journey and experience in multi-stakeholder engagement.
How have you engaged with the wider community?
We used the Listening Matters Project to reach to people. Steven Kearney helps to link and build communities We used, with his permission, a slightly revised version of a template he developed. The Listening Matters Project revealed the type of things our community wanted. Little things that make a difference, a pleasant environment that can be enjoyed by all, and a sense that things were being looked after. We regularly reach out to maintain community engagement to influence next projects.
Projects Done So far:
1. Bus Shelters – Westexe Area
2. Old railway line – fund raised for the bench
3. Town centre on fore-street paid for by MDDC
4. Tiverton Cemetery – Tesco grant funding 2 benches.
5. People’s Park – initially paid for via Tesco grant funding subsequently replaced with donor funding as original burnt down because of vandalism and needed to be replaced with a metal bench
6. Facilitated and paid for the replacement bench along Canal Hill – Old Road, Tiverton
7. Football club we facilitated the replacement bench which was paid for by tiverton town council
8. Bin
9. Replaced the bin in West Exe Rec – paid for by MDD
10.. Restoration of the Ornamental Drinking Fountain, People's Park
11. Project to restore the stonework of the 132-year-old Ornamental Drinking Fountain in People’s Park, Tiverton, Devon started 2020 completed in early September 2021.
12. Daffodil Project
Planting 130,000 daffodils to commemorate those who lost their lives during covid-19.
