Minutes of meeting 27.1.05

Fairtrade Fortnight is coming up. Can you help?

Very successful meeting. Thanks to everyone who came: Diane Isenberg, Hilary Matthews, Ann MacGarry, Ivor Moody, Michael Williams, Sheila Houghton, Sally Edwards, Andrew Stephens, Frances Hazell, Eryl Davies, Nicola Ruck, Liza Brown, Keith Jackson.

Report for Sep 2004 - Jan 2005

• Finances - grant of £1500 from Co-op Dividend Fund received for campaigning costs. Loans to members repaid.

• Coffee morning for Macmillan Cancer Relief, 24 Sep at the Wynnstay Hotel: £100+ raised.

• Stall at Community Celebration Day October with FT Quiz.

• Fairtrade Zone status awarded by the national Fairtrade Foundation in November: Newspaper, radio and internet publicity.

• Support from Mach Town Council and Powys County Council.

• Ecodyfi joint Dyfi Valley Tourism and Fair Trade publicity in January.

We discussed plans for the coming year, particularly Fairtrade Fortnight 1 -13 March.

The following were decided:

• Seedy Sunday 13 February - Lisa will do a display and stall

• Co-op Machynlleth 1-13 March have a stall daily (except Wed) and tent outside to serve tea/coffee and other tasting; FT Quiz ; Ask Gwerin y Coed, Guides, Brownies and Rainbows to help; Responsible: Hilary

• Update Display : Diane and Eryl

• Rota: Keith and Lisa

• Wednesday Market Stall Machynlleth: 2nd and 9th March; responsible: Liz & Dave Butler to be asked

• Celebration Party: [since cancelled - see minutes 9.2.05]: Community Centre 11th or 12th March. Live music including Electrospex: Ask for help from Peredur & Tsunami benefit organisers

• Fairtrade Displays: Ecodyfi window, Quarry Shop, Hafan, RSPB Ynyshir, Co-op Mach and Tywyn. Ask Tourist Board

• Packs are available from the Fairtrade Foundation Event Pack: 1 Action Guide, 50 General Leaflets, 25 Information Pamphlets, 20 Order UP postcards, 1 Poster Set. Poster Set: 3 posters; 2 producer posters, 1 Fairtrade Mark poster. Fairtrade Foundation, tel: +44 (0)20 7405 5942 | fax: +44 (0)20 7405 5943 | mail@fairtrade.org.uk.

• Schools: Poster competition: Responsible: Diane

• Banana producer visit: 12 March

• Judge poster competition in Co-op: Hilary to ask Co-op

• Publicity: Press releases: Hilary; Website: David Thorpe - send him all news

More people are needed to help with ft fortnight - please contact one of those above to join in!

Future activities after March

• Organise a debate on buying fair trade and buying local food

• The Co-op have appointed a local produce person (info from Ivor)

• Broaden out campaign to trade justice.

• Note G8 Wipe Out Debt

• Make Poverty History demonstration in Edinburgh July 2nd 2005.

• Find contact for Spa central ordering

Nicola will be away for 2 months - Bye!

Diane and Keith will be doing mailings - emails as above.

Nicola Ruck, Pantlludw, Machynlleth, Powys SY20 9JR.
Tel/fax 01654 703428; nicola_ruck@bigfoot.com