SEVENOAKS Transition Town has come on in leaps and bounds during the past few months, with more community projects set up than ever before.

Last week the locally minded climate-change group held its second seedling swap at the Quakers Hall Lane allotments.

Despite the rival attraction of the London Marathon on TV, a steady stream of people came to exchange their surplus seeds and plants for ones they wanted – further evidence of the growing level of interest in grow your own.

They could also admire five chickens and learn about keeping them, and about beekeeping from an expert.

One of the most exciting things on its agenda, according to Transition Town member Steve Plater, is the upcoming visit from a big name in the food and growing world, Patrick Holden.

The director of the Soil Association will give a talk entitled Food Supply in the 21st Century on May 12 at the Stag Theatre in Sevenoaks.

"Grow more in Kent does not only mean established producers, but should include the people of Kent growing their own food," said Mr Plater.

"Transition Town and other groups across Kent are working to raise awareness and to catalyse action."

The team also have a funding bid in for money to run a Food Hub information centre once a week, where those interested can learn about the practicalities of cultivating their own food.

Mr Plater added: "We still hope to find a bit of land for a communal growing area, where interested residents can have a go at growing food with friendly advice on hand – linked to the possibility which has recently emerged of similar use of town council-owned plots of land.

"Transition really does relate to pretty much every aspect of daily life.

"We hope that local people who support the concept will propose and establish working groups on themes which interest them.

"This can include anything from transport, health, skills and crafts, involving elders and young people, to buildings."

In June, Transition Town hopes to offer open house visits to properties in Sevenoaks with renewable energy systems.

Its next meeting about supporting local business and introducing a possible Sevenoaks Pound is on May 27 from 6pm at Amherst Primary School, in Witches Lane.

Tickets to the Patrick Holden talk are free. Those interested but unable to get to the event should contact the Transition Sevenoaks group via its website www.transitiontownsevenoaks.org or e-mail transition@7oaks.net