Approximate opening times are:

Wednesday mornings 11.30am -12noon

Sunday mornings 11.15am - 12.15pm

 

 

St Andrew's has 'Fairtrade Church' status. We use Fair Trade Tea, Coffee and Sugar for all events and meetings run by the Church.

The shop stocks an exciting range of earrings, necklaces, brooches and bracelets, clothing a wide variety of food, beverages and stationery.

 

Gratitude
As I sit here typing, the rain’s lashing against the window, the wind’s blowing a gale, and I’m moaning! It makes me wonder at the fortitude of so many of our producers who are working under truly terrible conditions to keep us regularly supplied with goods. I’m very grateful to them and also to all of you who help to encourage them by buying their products. Please keep it up!

Good news

We have just completed our stock take and Lionel has produced a healthy looking balance sheet. Sales held up well despite the recession, with gross sales being £108 up on 2010. This is due to a lot of people doing a small amount, and many of the sales came from the outside events we attended as well as orders we received after handing out catalogues. So if you know of anyone who might be interested, please take a catalogue to leave with them – you never know what will follow.

Shopping lists

Recently a customer said to me that she has a supermarket list and a fairtrade shopping list. Could you do this too? Just jot down anything you think we might stock and then either come to the shop or give us a ring (268574) and we’ll do our best to supply your needs. We often start to stock new lines because someone has asked for something particular, and if we know we have an enthusiastic customer it is a good idea for us to carry stock of that item. Don’t be shy!

One more step along the road I go!

Fairtrade Fortnight begins on 27 February and is entitled “Take a step in 2012.” We are encouraging everyone to take one more step for fairtrade. A step can be any action which supports fairtrade, and one of the most positive things you can do is to try out some new products and then commit to regularly buying them – we’re ready for the rush!!

Tara Projects
Many of you will have bought from Tara Projects in north India since they have been one of Traidcraft’s biggest suppliers for about 30 years. They work regularly with about 30 artisan groups in various product sectors, such as jewellery, stone and wood. They also engage in many development activities some of which are described here.

Development activities

The campaign against child labour identifies children in need of educational support and promotes informal learning centres. Nearly 2,000 youngsters are benefiting from this. About 300 young women have been given vocational training (eg in tailoring) so they can find work in their neighbourhoods. Tara is always seeking ways to help poor people in the wider communities where they have workshops. Nearly 2,300 people have benefited from health insurance or health camps – the latter are used in remote communities where there are no nearby medical facilities. Environmental and water conservation schemes benefit 8,000 people eg water harvesting and tree planting. Artisan groups are offered help with capability building. This includes infrastructure and technical support and training in quality and design for nearly 2,400 artisans.

Every little helps

Every year Tara projects gives 4% of its turnover to help support its social work objectives. So if you have bought some of their products, you have helped support this excellent extra work as well as directly supporting the artisans who made the products. Thank you.

20th birthday!

And finally a diary date. Our 20th Fairtrade Fashion Show will be held on Saturday 24 March at 7.30pm in the Main Hall. So please do try to come along to make this a special birthday event!

Brenda and Lionel Mayoh