CHRIS TITLEY learns how you can leave your money at home and still go on a spending spree

A COUPLE of weeks back, commenting on the euro debate, I jokily suggested that Yorkshire should ditch the pound and adopt a new currency: the Yorky.

There's nothing like a bit of original thinking to enliven a newspaper and, as it turns out, this was nothing like a bit of original thinking.

The Yorky not only exists, it is approaching its tenth birthday. It is the "currency" of the York Local Exchange Trading System (YorkLETS). By trading in Yorkys (spelt so as not to clash with a certain local chocolate bar) you can have access to all sorts of services, and need never spend a penny.

Claire Kennard, YorkLETS secretary, explained that the idea was pioneered in Canada and Australia. Every area has their own trading unit: in York it is the Yorky, in Ryedale it is the Rye, and so on.

There is a small financial charge to join YorkLETS and from then on you can start earning, and spending, Yorkys.

One Yorky is roughly equated to £1. Members and the services they provide are compiled in a directory, YorkLETS' equivalent of the Yellow Pages.

All sorts of things are available for your Yorky. You can get in touch with someone to, say, walk your dog, sell you some organic vegetables, deliver a three-course meal to your home or repair your roof.

The price is agreed in Yorkys, and then you send the seller a slip from your Yorky Check Book. The amount is then debited out of your account.

"It's a more modern version of the bartering system," Claire said.

To earn Yorkys you can do everything from provide your standard professional service, for example legal work or bricklaying, or offering something different. You could charge to wash a car, for example, or to weed someone's flower bed.

"You tend to earn some Yorkys before you start spending, but you are not going to be penalised if you go into the 'red'," explained Claire.

"People think: 'What can I provide?' Almost anything. Some people don't have a washing machine, so they can pay for use of your washing machine in Yorkys. You name it, it can be provided."

Claire, who works for a housing association, has done several things to earn Yorkys during her six years in the scheme.

"I have baked bread and sold it. I had a boat which I rented out. I've done gardening for people. Things I have bought in include cleaning and piano lessons."

YorkLETS members are all ages and have very different skills. Among the 90 or so members of the scheme are plumbers, architects and shopkeepers, Claire said.

"It involves a whole range of people. People who are in work, people who are not in work, people with disabilities."

While not directly opposing the rise of rampant consumerism, the scheme does offer an economic alternative.

"It's about living more simply, using local resources, because it's very much locally based."

YorkLETS is more than a trading system, however. There is a thriving social side to it, with various activities organised for members. Above all, this is a community resource, Clare said.

"It provides friendship for people, a way into the local community. Everybody gets something out of it."

To find out more, go along to the next YorkLETS AGM.

The social gathering starts at 6.30pm and the formal meeting at 7.30pm on Tuesday, at the Friends Meeting House, Friargate, York. Alternatively, phone Claire on 01904 633415.

Updated: 10:15 Thursday, June 26, 2003