What Matters Most to You?

18th November 2025 Larch Maxey

Totnes’ second Community Assembly brought fresh energy and strong turnout to St John’s Church in Bridgetown on Sunday 26 October. Around 60 residents, including engineers, artists and local organisers, gathered to share ideas, hear from one another and take part in shaping the future of their town. The buzz in the room made it clear this citizen-led experiment is gaining momentum.

A Community Assembly is an open public gathering where local people come together to discuss shared issues, exchange ideas and help guide decisions that affect the town. It’s a space for listening, learning and shaping change collectively. These assemblies invite everyone to talk about what matters most to them, from air and water quality to housing, while bringing neighbours together in open, facilitated discussions where all opinions are welcome. Everyone is treated equally and respectfully, creating a setting where fresh, common-sense perspectives can thrive.

Clare Rainbow, 82, a retired educator, who participated in the second assembly said: “The message is the medium, and the medium here is community. What a wonderful sense of inclusivity I got from this.” Ruby Belassie, 25, a cleaner, added: “Nothing changes unless people want it to change – people power still works!” Attendees raised housing and climate as the most pressing issues. After detailed discussions in small groups, each group fed back to the whole Assembly and then everyone voted on the top questions raised:

‘How does people power overcome the power of capital to degrade our environment?’
‘How do we create more opportunities for people to have a safe and secure home?’
‘How can we circumvent the impact of private corporations and the profit motive on housing on a local scale?’
‘How do we encourage our politicians to put climate first?’

The next assembly, titled ‘Have Your Say!’ is on Sunday 16th November, 1-4 PM at Bridgetown Community Centre, TQ9 5YD. All welcome. Tickets available free here on Eventbrite.

Once people’s priorities have been established, future Citizens Assemblies will focus on these topics, with expert guest speakers. The first topic based Assembly will be on Sunday 7th December from 2-4 pm at St John’s Church, TQ9 5AD.
To book your place on any forthcoming Assembly or find out more visit www.timetoassemble.org/totnes. Those unable to attend in person can also have their say with the Totnes Community
Assembly survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScsg9R9TvoTlGvxU_nIQzPL0NKcNSd08wYKbw7SUXDRS2RcJw/viewform0