Location:

Micklefield Library, Micklefield Road

Those present

Mike King
Jhon Munoz
Sarah Moroz
Tony Thornby
Sheena King
Ivan Cicin-Sain – Wycombe Friends of the Earth
Steve Morton – Wycombe Friends of the Earth “
Angus Massie
Bob Smith

Air raid cafe seems to be still open.

MK – also went to the Coffee Lounge. Although they don’t have the Fairtrade logo, their coffee is ethically sourced. MK spoke to the manager.

The FT renewal certificate was shown round. MK will put it in a photo frame ready for the presentation event.

TT – Wycombe District Council will be dissolving in April.

MK – Matt Knight thinks that there will be a Town Council for Wycombe. MK met Trevor Snaith in the Coffee Lounge and he thought the same.

I C-S – Wyc FOE are trying to launch a climate action group.

St M – Nationally FOE has a climate action group which feeds into government and includes individuals who are not FOE members.

I C-S – Wyc FOE are trying to form an alliance of individuals/groups to campaign for action on climate change.

St M – there is a Facebook group also working on this. Next Tuesday there is a group launching in Aylesbury to lobby the new county authority re: the climate emergency.

MK – suggests that Wycombe for Fairtrade could be involved in this joint effort. Everyone voted for this.

JM – Costa Rica are taking practical action to tackle climate change

MK – the all-party committee for Central America haven’t met for many months. During the meeting with the Costa Rican ambassador the possibility of forming a committee for Costa Rica on its own was discussed.

MK/JM would both like to go to the Wyc FOE meeting next Thursday evening to discuss the joint group on climate change.

St M – the more people involved, the more leverage there would be with local government.

TT – a company is producing bricks from recycled material – prevents a lot going to landfill. There is also a company who are working on an electric aeroplane fleet.

MK – Bucks New Uni have plans for their volunteers week. Handing out FT bananas and ‘Smile Week’. They are also arranging to have a speaker from Bewleys. They have about 125 students they can call on in the Sustainability etc group

JM – it was a very useful meeting with Costa Rican ambassador. He wanted to talk about a wide range of topics involving environmental action in Costa Rica in general. He was also talking about engaging with local politicians and about setting up an all-party parliamentary group for Costa Rica.

MK – It would be really good if the ambassador could meet with the new Wycombe Town Council. The ambassador was very interested in what we have done with the linking model. He said that there is lots of potential for increasing trade with Costa Rica. He suggested targeting new Tory MPs in northern seats. The meeting lasted about 3 hours.

JM – the ambassador came from the Grecia area and knew the mayor and Co-op Victoria.

MK – re: FT Fortnight. JM and TT are willing to go on Wyc Sound radio with MK.

The presentation event is on Jan 21st. MK will do a shortened version of his climate presentation. It would be a good opportunity to get signatures on a document to support the idea of a partnership between the Grecia and Wycombe. There will be refreshments after the presentation and before the rest of the council meeting.

The churches/faith groups think-tank on FT is booked for 7th March. MK showed a poster. 3 speakers are arranged – Margaret Dykes, Angorad Hopkinson (the head person for faith and churches at the FT Foundation) and Mike (the effect of climate change on FT). Heather will lead a FT service at the end. Heather has lots of links with local churches. It may also be possible for Maranda St John Nicholle to be there (Christian Concern for One World).

TT – on the poster for this event, please can people be encouraged to join our Facebook group – also at the event itself.

MK – our website is looking really good, many thanks to TT

TT – need to get better at reporting on what we have done.

BS – the Avenue church is now up and running again, following the repairs.

SM – re: if other faith groups are also being invited, we may need to make the poster inclusive of them.

MK – re: the John Hampden Politicon event 6 – 8.30pm on 13th Feb. We will have a stall there.

MK – showed a proposed poster for use at events to promote ourselves – showing how we are campaigning on the 5 goals for a FT Town. Suggested it is printed on display board (foam inner) on A2 size. We would have to get a company to do this.

TT – has links with companies who could do this.

TT – the most recent work he has done is to bring our website up to date. We need to be more proactive in advertising events. If we set up a Facebook group then we can send invites to everyone in the group.

JM – we need to find ways of increasing our income. A lady from the Bristol FT group said they are a CIC (Community Interest Company) legal entity – can then get funding from businesses and government eg DFID. JM suggested we may be able to do something similar.

St M – Wycombe FOE get income from membership fees. It may be worth talking to James MacDonald (Friends of the Wye) to see where they get their funding from.

SK – there will be Traidcraft stall at the churches event on 7th March and at Christ the Servant King church the next day.

TT – has spoken to his church, Kings Church, about becoming a FT church – they use Kingdom Coffee but don’t seem to know that it is FT.

Next meeting: 11th February at Ivan’s at 8pm

Location

Micklefield Library, Micklefield Road

Those Present

• Mike King
• Ivan Cicin-Sain – Wycombe Friends of the Earth
• Sheena King
• Angus Massie
• Daniel & Claudia Mangoldt
• Sarah Moroz
• Eryn Anderson – Bucks New Uni
• Jhon Munoz
• Bob Smith

Notes

CM – has just arrived recently in UK from Spain

DM – always interested in FT, not had opportunity to pursue it before.

JM invited C /D

EA – current ambassador for FT from BNU – took over from Emily Dixie

Apologies from TT – he will be putting more on website for us.

MK – attended Population Matters event on 12th October

MK – Cardiff International FT conference was the best conference they’d ever attended

I C-S – 12th October event was at Trinity URC. There was a good stand-up comedian and a variety of stalls – Extinction Rebellion group from Marlow, WFF, and various environmental groups – made £100 profit and 80 people attended.

Future events – Population Matters AGM on 18th Nov at Ivan’s house. Wyc FOE Christmas meeting on 4th Dec at Friends Meeting House

A new warning from scientists has come out this month – 11,000 scientists have signed it – it calls on governments to take urgent action to tackle the climate crisis including ending and reversing population growth.

AM – is starting to make progress in accumulating contact details for churches in Wycombe re: assessing FT situation.

SK – has asked Christ the Servant King church if they can apply to be a FT church. Their administrator is very supportive. SK will be their contact.

MK – has been invited to the BNU Environment, Sustainability & FT Committee.

EA – at the moment they are organising a FT breakfast meeting – inviting local FT businesses eg. Ruby Moon and focussing also on green issues. Hopefully they will have speakers at it as well. It will be just before FT Fortnight in volunteers week

JM – it would be good to have some students come to our meetings.

EA – if there is sufficient warning / advertising then support could be good.

MK – re: the Cardiff conference / visit of Maria. Maria was invited by ourselves plus mayor/deputy mayor. She was also representing the mayor of Grecia.

There was a meeting in the mayor’s parlour. Next stage is to have a formal agreement for the linkage.

One problem is the dissolving of the Wycombe District Council. There was an online questionnaire re: this. If there was a town council just for Wycombe, it would be easier for us to deal with. Matt is going to check the wording of the twinning agreement with Klekheim. The powers of the mayor in Grecia are greater. MK, JM and Maria also had a meeting with Bewleys on 17th October. Maria gave background of what they are trying to do. They also visited Matt’s cafe and Maria was very impressed. At a school in Costa Rica, children bring in used vegetable oil which is then purified and mixed with diesel to power tractors and local lorries. The whole of Costa Rica is due to be using renewables by 2025. They have a lot of migrant workers they pay fairly. Bewleys are roasting some of the beans from Co-op Vittoria with a view to producing a speciality coffee with Wycombe/Grecia names on. The town of Haworth in Yorkshire has done something similar (worthvalleymag.co.uk has a report in its October 2019 edition). They also went to Ruby Moon, Air Raid cafe and various other shops in Wycombe.

AM – Has heard that Air Raid cafe will be going soon – it is a pop-up – will be replaced.

MK – Bart from the Oxford group complimented us at the Cardiff conference for our achievements. Possible that we may do a joint event with them.

MK – showed the papercopy of the powerpoint presentation that he gave at the Population Matters event on 12th October.

MK – would be good to have a social to celebrate our 5 year anniversary and our renewal. We have achieved a lot in the last 18 months. Also MK/SK hope to visit Costa Rica.

JM – re: workshop at the Cardiff conference . Talked about how we built the link with Costa Rica. He showed a printout of the slides they used. They also showed a video from the mayor of Grecia – it is now on Facebook. Matt also spoke. Matt and Maria announced the friendship link at the end of the conference. Matt was the only mayor there (apart from the mayor of Cardiff). There was also a stall promoting the Co-op Vittoria products etc

SK – showed the programme for the conference

MK – Cardiff was the first FT capital and Wales the first FT nation. There was also a FT church service.

SK – there were a lot of stalls – one of them was Bala balls. Perhaps we could get Wycombe Wanderers to use FT balls, even if only for their practice sessions.

MK – for the Cardiff government everything has to be FT, local or healthy.

MK – also visited a FT primary school and attended their assembly. Children were enthusiastic.

SK – attended a workshop re: the UN working with refugees to make handicrafts to sell as FT – she took a leaflet about it to Ruby Moon.

SK – they were also selling FT T-shirts

EA – at the moment the university are trying to find a supplier for FT T-shirts.

SK – gave EA a leaflet re: possible suppliers

MK – SK/MK ran a stall at CSK last Sunday. They took about £600. They also sold some of the produce given by Bewleys. Nero Bianco chocolate bars sold well. This added £20 to our bank acct – now stands at £155.

JM – it would be good to discuss possible fundraising ideas.

MK – would like to speak to Louise Whitaker about this as well

MK – asked re: Mayor’s carol service

BS – thinks it is the 15th December.

SM – will ask Matt.

SM – is planning to send schools questionnaire out – to primary only? But the possible language student etc links with Grecia schools would be more suited to secondary schools.

FT Fortnight next year seems to be concentrating on chocolate.

MK – re: presentation of our renewal certificate – would be good if we could get the Costa Rican ambassador to present it to the Chairman of WDC? Tony Green is also the chair of the Twinning Ctte.

JM – we can ask Matt’s opinion.

SM – maybe present it to the mayor instead?

MK – also doesn’t want to use the term ‘twinning’ – more a ‘Partnership’.

EA – their event would be on a weekday (Wednesday?) morning. Would be inviting lecturers as well as students.

MK – Heather is the new lay minister at CSK. She has suggested that it would be a good idea to have a workshop looking at FT churches. CSK would host the event – during FT Fortnight on a Saturday morning – inviting all the churches in Wycombe – have speakers eg. Margaret Dykes. MK could do the climate change talk. Could discuss how to involve young people at the churches. Could finish with a short service. Also to include other faiths and denominations.
We need to compile the info on Wycombe churches for our next FT Town renewal application.

JM – for FT Fortnight we could do another interview on Wycombe Sound, promote things on our Facebook page. Following the Cardiff conference our Facebook followers increased significantly. Also perhaps organise a talk to let people in Wycombe know about the linkage with Costa Rica.
EA – could use the ‘Front Room’ as a venue. This could be a ‘drop-in’ event, open throughout the day with speakers at different times during the day.

MK – also need to arrange a meeting with the Costa Rican embassy

I C-S – Wyc FOE and Pop’n Matters are taking part in an event (Politicon) at John Hampden school on Thursday 13th February to introduce 6th formers to various groups.

MK – will make contact to see if we can also have a stall.

Next meeting: 7th January at Micklefield Library (if Avenue not
available)

Location

Micklefield Library, Micklefield Road

Those present:

• Mike King
• Jhon Munoz
• Sheena King
• Bob Smith
• Angus Massie
• Ivan Cicin-Sain – Wycombe Friends of the Earth
• Sarah Moroz

Apologies from Tony Thornby

Notes

MK – thought that the meeting went well at the Mayor’s Parlour on 19th August. The mayor, Mazamal, was very positive.

I C-S – there will be an event on October 26th – a climate emergency stall in the Eden Centre, opposite the library, organised by Wycombe FOE. The stall will be there most of the day. The ‘Stand up to Climate Chaos’ event will also be taking place, on October 12th, at Trinity United Reformed Church and Wycombe for Fairtrade will be having a stall. SM and AM will not be able to go unfortunately.

I C-S – gave out some flyers

MK – had an e-mail from Janet Gladstone (the secretary for the Environmental, Sustainability and Fairtrade committee at Bucks New University) to say that MK was still on the committee and that they have their next meeting on Nov 8th. Emily Dixie has now graduated and is no longer at BNU. MK will find out at the meeting who Emily’s successor will be.

AM – has had problems finding the right contacts at each of the churches in Wycombe for his research into where all the churches are at in regards to FT.

MK – gave AM a copy of our directory which lists all the churches in the Wycombe town wards.

MK – there is a new requirement on the FT Town renewal form to carry out a survey of the town’s churches re: their FT status

SM – will try to send out a questionnaire to schools in the town and could include the clip from the FT schools website. I C-S has put SM in touch with Jean from Wycombe FOE who sent SM a very helpful email re: their attempts to set up links with schools about the reduction of single-use plastics. They are giving an assembly on the subject at Millbrook in October.

JM – following the last meeting, Matt sent a letter inviting the mayor of Grecia and members of Co-op Vittoria to the Cardiff International FT Towns conference on 18th – 20th Oct. The mayor of Grecia is unable to come but Maria from Co-op Vittoria will be and she will also be able to visit High Wycombe on 16th/17th Oct, prior to the conference. She will go to visit Bewley’s (JM is also communicating with Louise Whittaker), the Mayor and Hills Cafe. Our workshop is
going ahead at the Cardiff conference.

MK – outlined the ideas for the workshop – looking at links with local government, community and businesses in Grecia.

JM – the aim is to let the participants know how we are trying to set up the link and get feedback and ideas from the participants.

MK – Haworth in Yorkshire (the first Fairtrade village) has well established links with Machu Picchu (for last 10 years). We will be working towards a more official twinning with Grecia.

JM – we are also trying to see if Maria will be able to speak on Wycombe Sound. At the Cardiff workshop, they will also show a video from the mayor of Grecia.

MK – showed a diagram detailing the set-up of the linkage. In Latin America, the co-operatives are the main drivers of the regions becoming FT. MK/JM were interviewed on Wycombe Sound this afternoon from approx 2.25pm – 2.45pm (Tony Smith on the Afternoon Show).

SM – will try to download the interview and send it round.

JM – a lady from Tibasosa (Olga – who was also at Madrid) may also be going to the Cardiff conference. Representatives from 2 other towns in Latin America will be going as well.

MK – one of Bewley’s quality control managers is also hoping to meet Maria at Hill’s Cafe.

MK – re: draft objectives for Oct ’19 – Oct ’21 – circulated previously by e-mail.

MK/SK are planning to visit Grecia in 2020.

MK – we have had about 150 hits on Twitter

I C-S – this is similar to the level that Wycombe FOE has. Sharing content to related groups such as Wycombe FOE is quick to do. Producing content is time-consuming.

MK – for schools objectives, we could also offer the possibility of linking with schools in Grecia.

MK – suggested that we could ask the Costa Rican ambassador to present our renewal certificate. Haworth held their 10 year anniversary in the Peruvian embassy.

SK – will be doing a Traidcraft stall at Christ the Servant King church on 10th November

JM – suggested that we try to organise our 5 year celebration social.

Next meeting: Tuesday 12th November.

BS will check if the Avenue would be available

Location

The Mayor’s Parlour, Wycombe District Council offices

Those Present

• Mike King Jhon Munoz
• Sheena King Bob Smith
• Matt Knight Tony Thornby
• Angus Massie
• Sarah Moroz

Notes

MK – re: stall at Pann Mill on 15th September. MK/SK are away. Not possible for AM and maybe TT.

SM – may be able to be there. Likewise BS.

MK – need to pay £10 to have a stall. They provide a gazebo, table and chair. There is very little stock remaining from the Bewley’s donations.

SK – it may be a useful event to make contacts at. It is currently booked – we would need to let them know asap if we’re not attending.

MK – it is 11am – 5pm. Bewleys said we could have more stock if we needed it. It is World Heritage Day.

M Kn joined the meeting.

M Kn – the mayor, Cllr Mazamal Hussain, will be joining the meeting a bit later

MK – re: the International Fairtrade Towns conference in Cardiff 18th – 20th October. MK/SK/JM are going and will be facilitating a workshop there re: international links

M Kn – Wycombe district Council do use FT tea and coffee for their meetings but the Mayor’s Parlour do their own thing. M Kn brought in 3 samples from the council’s supplies, including a FT biscuit from a Belgian company.

JM set up a video link with the Mayor of Grecia, the Corporate Responsibility manager from Co-op Vittoria (Maria) and the manager of Co-op Vittoria. JM acted as translator for the conversation.

M Kn – asked if they had received his letter

They replied that they had.

M Kn – talked of his background in FT and how he would never have thought he would become Deputy Mayor and would be able to link up with a FT town/producer internationally. Explained that, due to local government changes taking place in Wycombe at the moment, it is difficult to establish a formal link immediately but that does not stop us creating a friendship link.

M Kn – asked what they hoped would be gained from it?

They replied: they are glad of the opportunity to have shared time to discuss these issues. Firstly, they feel that it will be a learning process (Wycombe have been a FT Town for 5 years whereas they have only been a FT Town for 1 year). Secondly, they would like to develop a friendship between us – to share information, discuss experiences, perhaps to meet at the Cardiff conference and to establish a link with local government and local businesses (such as Bewley’s).

JM – said that he had given M Kn a sample of coffee from Co-op Vittoria. JM explained to them that M Kn has also created a local community coffee shop.

JM – Maria has been a strong supporter of their local government, promoting FT to them and also to the local community. She also said that one of the targets of this relationship with us is to close the gap between producers and consumers.

The manager of Co-op Vittoria also emphasised the closing of this gap. He proposed to deliver coffee more directly to High Wycombe. This would be more efficient for the whole chain. He also said that Co-op Vittoria is not a very big company – they have about 3000 producers around Grecia and they concentrate on looking after them.

The Mayor of Grecia said that he would like to meet M Kn at the Cardiff conference. They have already received a letter from FT Wales to invite them to the conference but said it would help them to obtain funding if they received a letter from us.

M Kn – will arrange this

JM – they are also working with CLAC to try to get funding to attend.

M Kn – if they are able to attend the Cardiff conference, would they also be able to visit High Wycombe?

JM – they would like to – they would need to arrange whether it would be before or after the conference.

SK – suggested that it would be good if they could also visit Bewley’s.

M Kn – said that he hoped they would be able to travel and that we would be able to meet in October

End of link call

Mayor Mazamal joined the meeting.

MK – explained about the FT system. Talked about Bewley’s and Co-op Vittoria – who currently sell in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands but not in the UK. Figures up to 2030 predict that coffee production will have to double to meet demand.

Mazamal – suggested that M Kn should go to Cardiff as the Deputy Mayor of High Wycombe and that we should get the link started. We can start doing the paperwork now and we should be able to get it through the council.

JM – it would be good to make an announcement of our link at the end of the Cardiff conference.

Notes Produced by

Sarah Moroz

Location

Micklefield Library, Micklefield Road

Those present

• Mike King
• Sarah Moroz
• Sheena King
• Jhon Munoz
• Angus Massie
• Bob Smith

Apologies Tony Thornby and Ivan Cicin-Sain

Notes

AM – Is trying to set up a network of Wycombe churches to see who is doing what on Fairtrade (FT).

BS – His church (Avenue Methodist) has a new minister starting in September who will cover both Wesley and Avenue churches. The Avenue church has not yet reopened following the fire.

MK – 13th FT town conference is in October in Cardiff. MK and SK have registered – £50 for the three days.

JM – Will be going. Depending on how far the formal links have gone with Grecia, it may be possible to arrange a link-up with Matt.

SK – Alternatively we could perhaps do a video of Matt and the Mayor and pass this on to the Mayor of Grecia.

MK – Or through Skype.

MK – Re: Matt’s offer of holding our next meeting the Mayor’s Parlour. MK has responded to this. We could see if someone from Bewley’s could attend.

JM – Coffee bean samples from Co-op Vittoria have been sent to Bewley’s quality assessment team.

MK – Following our event on 20th May, MK, JM and Emily Dixie
attended a talk at Bewley’s given by Greg from the World Coffee
Research Institute. Arabica coffee hybrids are being investigated to
make supplies more resilient and disease-resistant. It is estimated
that coffee demand will have doubled by 2050. They also attended a
coffee tasting event in London at which a lady called Delmy Relgado
was talking. She was from Cocafelol which is in Honduras and
supplies Bewley’s with coffee.

SK – Has seen the Grumpy Mule coffee in Tesco and they name the
co-operative Cocafelol on the packaging.

MK – Bewley’s have a very good relationship with their cooperatives.
The talk by Louise showed how labour-intensive the coffee production system is.

SK – Re: TT’s email about the website and how the video on the
homepage needs updating. There is material from World FT Day
which needs to go on.

JM – Has had contact with Geronimo from the SPP (the small
producers’ organisation).

SM – Asked what was preventing SPP from being sold in the UK,
when they do sell in France etc.

JM – It is a different situation in France because there are more small
ethical independent retailers but we may be able to get samples to a
company like Bewley’s.

MK – There is also Urocal from Ecuador who produce bananas and
cocoa. There was someone from them at the Madrid conference.
They have several certifications including Rainforest Alliance, Organic
and SPP. Their bananas are smaller and they have sold them nearer
to home to be put into smoothies.

AM – There is only one variety of banana that will travel well.

MK – Is trying to see if it is possible to have stall space at the Cardiff
conference for Co-op Vittoria.

JM – It would be good to arrange a follow-up Skype call with Grecia
and Vittoria. When we have our next meeting at the Mayor’s Parlour,

JM will be willing to give a presentation about our contacts with Latin
American producers.

MK – We are waiting to make contact with the person who will take
over from Emily Dixie at Bucks New University.

JM – The stall in the entrance to M&S on May 11th was good. JM sent
photos of the stall to Co-op Vittoria showing that we were displaying
their products. He also sent the video that we made for Facebook to
Grecia. At the end of the Pann Mill Day on May 12th, we did a
Facebook live link with Grecia.

MK – We need to have a social gathering to celebrate five years as a
FT town and eleven years as a group. MK suggests ‘Chiltern Taps’ in
the town.

MK – Re: The produce from Bewley’s for the 20th May event –
Bewley’s said that we can sell it to raise funds.

SK – There is another Pann Mill stall event on Sunday 14th July. SK is
willing to organise this.

SK – Showed a packet of FT freeze-dried berries that her brother had
on an aeroplane – the company was ‘Landgarten’ (Austrian).

MK – Commented that it is interesting to look at the World Coffee
Organisation website.

Next meeting:

Potentially Tuesday 13th August 8pm at the Mayor’s Parlour – MK will liaise with Matt.

WYCOMBE FOR FAIRTRADE

Minutes of meeting: 23rd April 2019

Micklefield Library, Micklefield Road

Those present:

Mike King
Bob Smith
Sheena King
Tony Thornby
Angus Massie
Ivan Cicin-Sain – Wycombe Friends of the Earth
Sarah Moroz

MK – re: Louise Whitaker talk on 20th May. MK has found a good venue – Wrights Meadow Community Centre (and they didn’t ask for public liability insurance). MK showed a poster to advertise it – he has sent this to Chesham FT group, the Oxford coalition group, the Methodist circuit and the chaplaincy at Bucks New Univ. People need to register (maximum is 50 people).

SM – will get the e-mail addresses of church offices in Wycombe so that we can try to get the event advertised in their newsletters.

SK – when MK went to a meeting at the BNU chaplaincy, Rev Jenny Ellis (the co-ordinating chaplain at BNU) offered to host an event at her house and we could have a speaker at that too.

MK – we could ask Carol Wills to do this perhaps.

TT – will put the details of the 20th May event on our website and Facebook page and will put “register early as spaces are limited”. On the morning of the event we could e-mail people to ask if they were still intending to come.

MK – JM is trying to get a stall in M & S to coincide with World Fair Trade Day.

MK – JM and MK met the director of SPP, Geronimo. There are now
5 African and a few Asian countries that have SPP producers but
mainly they are in Central and South America. The SPP have given us
permission to put their logo on our directory etc.

On Thursday afternoon, JM and MK will be talking to the mayor of
Grecia and the CEO of Co-op Vittoria on a Skype call. TT has now put
info about Grecia and Co-op Vittoria on our website.

The unitary authority for Bucks is due to come into place next year
and JM would like us to create a contact at the council. We could ask
Matt re: the council plans.

MK – in addition to the £250 grant from Christ the Servant King
church, it would be good to have some other income. JM is
investigating the possibility of becoming a ‘Social Enterprise’ group.
I C-S – has suggested that we set up a group e-mail address.

TT – maybe we could do a quiz night to raise funds.

SM – we could do a stall at a Pann Mill event

I C-S – they do 3 events a year at Pann Mill

TT – will give thought to whether local businesses could provide
sponsorship to us.

MK – suggested that we could do something to celebrate WFF being
in existence for more than 10 years.

SM – plus it is nearly 5 years since Wycombe became a FT town

SK – there is a large board at Sainsbury’s saying they are converting
all their own T-shirts to FT cotton.

Traidcraft have recently had a problem with some ingredients of
some cakes which were labelled as being FT but Traidcraft were told
afterwards that some of the fruit wasn’t FT as the producers were in
the process of re-applying for certification.

BS – the cafe at the bottom of Desborough Avenue has now
changed.

MK – the Grape Tree now has some FT products again.

Next meeting: Tuesday 18th June 8pm at Micklefield Library

Minutes of meeting: 8^th January 2019

Avenue Methodist Church, Rutland Road

Those present:
            Mike King                         Jhon Munoz
            Angus Massie                  Bob Smith
Sarah Moroz                    Tony Thornby

Apologies from Sheena King, Ivan Cicin-sain and Emily Dixie.

MK – There is an updated version of the directory.

SM – The mayor’s carol service went well. Approximately £100 was taken in donations on the day for refreshments. This was split 50/50 between ourselves and the mayor’s charities. We put our leaflets and directories on the tables and had our FT banner.

MK – There were probably 180/200 people present. He spoke with Lesley Clarke on the day and she asked to be kept in the loop re: our contact with producers in southern and central America. MK also spoke with a man from Wycombe Sound and we hope to do an interview (MK/TT/JM?) during FT Fortnight.

TT – Re: website. TT is in the process of working on it. There are some current problems with WordPress. He will also put messages on Twitter and Facebook saying we have an updated website.

JM – Went to visit his family in Colombia this Christmas. Prior to going, people in Tibasosa invited him to visit them. The plan was to go by bus but it would have been four hours each way so wasn’t manageable. However, JM has been talking to the people in Tibasosa and they are currently engaging with local authorities and with CLAC (the Latin American and Caribbean Network of Fair Trade Small Producers and Workers) to get FT certification. They will send us some information for our website. Re: the town of Gracia in Costa Rica, JM has been trying to contact Maria (who was at the Madrid conference) on Whatsapp and/or Skype and hopes to communicate with her next week. She will be sending information to put on our website. Re: Espranza, JM doesn’t have contact with the person who leads the group there (and she doesn’t speak Spanish). JM is trying to make contact via CLAC.

MK – Has looked into all eleven FT towns in Southern/Central America and Tibasosa and Gracia are the only two which have good support from their local authorities.

MK – we now have approximately £350 in our account.

SM – We could give a donation to Wycombe Sound if we do an interview there in FT Fortnight (we gave £50 last time).

TT – It would be good to have sections on our website about:

• FT in general
• Our group and links with groups in Southern/Central America
• Retailers in the town
• Related topics – environment, climate, sustainability

MK – Re: Ideas for FT Fortnight. For the suggested event with Wycombe Friends of the Earth, MK suggested that Bucks New University would be a better venue than the Quaker meeting house. Emily would prefer an event to be held during their volunteer week, which is the week before FT Fortnight. There could potentially be two events; one for students and staff and one for councillors etc. Either event could be combined with coffee/chocolate tasting. We could perhaps see if Louise would also take part in the interview at Wycombe Sound. Other potential venues for events are Christ the Servant King Church and Hills Cafe.

TT – We could also invite members of the churches in Wycombe. We would need to get people to register for this event so that we have an idea for numbers. This would be at the same event as councillors and Wycombe Friends of the Earth.

MK – We might be able to get the Bucks Free Press there if the Mayor was able to go.

JM – we could also invite members of other local FT groups.

MK – This could include the Oxford region FT group. Carol Wills is a member there – she attended the Madrid conference and used to be a director of the World FT Organisation.

JM – We could also invite Margaret Dykes.

SM – Has sent an email today to Highcrest Academy as a follow up to the letter sent in November. SM was unable to find any mention of FT on the Highcrest website.

MK – Showed some information about an FT town in Paraguay, Arroyos y Esteros. The information was in two formats; tabular and paragraphs.

AM/SM – Prefer the tabular format – easier to compare with other towns.

MK – Talked about an FT town in Chile with produces wine and exports to several countries in the northern hemisphere, including the UK. Some of their FT premium is used for a fund to provide support in disaster relief situations. They are also looking for links with groups in the northern hemisphere.

Next meeting:  Tuesday 19^th February – Avenue Methodist Church.

WYCOMBE FOR FAIRTRADE

Minutes of meeting: 27th November 2018
Micklefield Library, Micklefield Road

Those present: Mike King, Sheena King, Matt Knight, Sarah Moroz, Jhon Munoz (joined during meeting), Bob Smith, Tony Thornby, Ivan Cicin-Sain – Wycombe FOE

MK – Bucks New Uni still have Starbucks in the student bar. Costa have taken over the 2 refectories at Wycombe and Uxbridge. MK showed a Fairtrade chocolate bar from Costa in Uxbridge which has Costa’s own name on it. MK will be e-mailing Costa to congratulate them and ask if these will be in all branches and whether there will be further FT products.

TT – Costa operates as franchises.

MK – has read that 30% or less of Costa coffee is Rainforest Alliance.

SK – pointed out 2 corrections required on minutes of last meeting (30/10/18).

SM – will amend and re-send out.

IC-S – re: the showing of the film ‘A Plastics Ocean’ on 20th November. They had 35 – 40 people and received £90 which covered the cost of the licence and the hire of the room with some left over. On 5th December Wycombe Friends of the Earth are having a Christmas meeting and all are invited.

SK – showed some FOE leaflets ’16 things you need to know about food’

SM – re: the Mayor’s Carol Service – waiting to hear back from Lesley Clarke.

M Kn – he will supply the disposable cups and source the mince pies. SK – will get the tea and coffee from the Oxfam shop

SM – will get the milk, sugar and squash M Kn – probably best to plan for about 200

SM – will send an e-mail to Lesley to clarify who is getting what.

MK – Emily Dixie from BNU will be raising awareness of FT at BNU. She runs their ‘Smile Campaign’ and they are encouraging the re-use of cups and recycling.

MK – a lady from Colombia University has contacted MK and asked to be put in touch with people in Tibasosa.

MK – Re: FT Fortnight. If we don’t get a response from Highcrest, we could perhaps get Louise from Bewleys to do a talk for us, in combination with Wycombe FOE and hold it at Micklefield Library?

Jhon Munoz joined the meeting

M Kn – has met with Louise – she said that Bewleys are trying to get back to their ethical roots. Hills Cafe has had help from Bewleys via Louise with their coffee machine.

Suggested possibility of holding a joint event with Bewleys, WFF and Hills Cafe and try to interest the press. Louise was suggesting a world map and showing where coffee etc comes from. Hills Cafe is coming up to its third birthday.

MK – could also ask Louise re: giving a talk around the date of World FT Day in May.

JM – could also use Wycombe Sound again during FT Fortnight.

MK – the theme could be sustainability and connecting with producer communities. MK has had contact with a producer group in southern Ecuador. They have come up with a product using puréed bananas and mango – this adds value to the product. The group only includes farmers with less than 15 hectares. They do not use chemicals.

SK – update on Traidcraft – they have got a new focus for the future. They will be slimmed down to twelve employees and they will maximise the profitable parts of the business.

JM – Traidcraft are still not sure what their business model will be. SK – stalls will continue to be held in churches etc but with a reduced range of products. Their online shop will continue but there will be fewer craft lines and they will encourage communities to buy in bulk.

MK – there are two more outlets in Wycombe that have FT products: the Vanilla Pod Cafe and West Wycombe market stall (Jen Winnett Art). She uses Indian FT cotton bags and they are printed in Yorkshire.

BS – had lunch at the Hearing Dogs Cafe in Saunderton and he asked staff if they stocked any FT items. They are going to look into it.

JM – we now have contacts with four towns in America as previously mentioned. Two weeks ago he spoke to people in Tibasosa. They are interested in having a link with us. They do not have a FT certification system but they are organic food producers and also export handicraft items. They call it a ‘solidarity’ system. MK – we could have a link to them on our website.

JM – the two towns in Costa Rica and Brazil are mainly coffee producers and they are already FT certified.

MK – the one in Costa Rica also produces sugar. They have good support from their council (the mayor and a member of the council went to the international conference in Madrid).

JM – may be able to visit Tibasosa when he goes to Colombia to visit his family.

M Kn – A unitary authority is being proposed and then the situation re: the town committee will need resolving. It would make sense to create a town council for Wycombe. For some reason, there is a reluctance to start the process to create a town council.

MK – a lady from FT International, Carol Wills, also spoke at the Madrid conference – on gender equality.

TT – need to have a meeting with MK and JM to update the website but we need to be clear on how we refer to the status of the different producer groups and make sure that the navigation is suitable.

MK – re: data protection – has adapted a policy statement from a Somerset FT group.

BS – has also produced a policy statement for WFF based on a church one (St. Teresa’s, Beaconsfield).

SM – will call Highcrest in a couple of weeks to ask if we can have an email address to see if they want to take us up on the offer of the talk by Louise.

IC-S – is organising an event in autumn 2019 re: climate change – it would be at Wycombe Arts Centre again.

Next meeting: Tuesday 8th January – Avenue Methodist church.

WYCOMBE FOR FAIRTRADE

Minutes of meeting: 30th Oct 2018
Avenue Methodist Church, Rutland Avenue

Those present: Mike King, Sheena King, Sarah Moroz, Jhon Munoz, Bob Smith, Angus Massie – Trinity URC

MK – SK/MK did a Traidcraft stall for the Keep Fit Association on 13th Oct and made £98.60. Not high sales but helps our profile.

SK – Had another Traidcraft stall Christ the Servant King church last Sunday and took over £500. Traidcraft are ceasing to be a PLC at the end of the year.

JM – They are going into administration.

MK – They may morph into something else. Waiting for something more concrete.

JM – Has heard that various options are under consideration.

MK – It wasn’t mentioned at the Fairtrade conference (FT) in London a few weeks ago and so Bill Dykes raised it with Mike Gadney of the FT organisation at the conference. Someone from Divine then announced it at the conference but nothing was said by the FT Foundation.

MK – Wycombe Friends of the Earth are showing a film on 20th Nov ‘A Plastics Ocean’.

MK – Bucks New University have lost Starbucks from the franchise at Wycombe campus and replaced it with Costa but they do sell ‘Grumpy Mule’ coffee which is triple certified and still have fruit juice and snack bars etc. from Bewleys.

MK – Re: Ideas for FT Fortnight.

JM – Has heard that the big topic will be the production of cocoa and issues with producers in the Ivory Coast not receiving the living wage.

SM – Hasn’t managed to contact Highcrest Academy yet but will do so and will offer that Louise from Bewleys could do a talk – maybe during FT Fortnight.

MK – Or at World Fair Trade Day in May 2019.

JM – Would be good to promote a link with producers during FT Fortnight. Perhaps use Wycombe Sound?

MK – Re: The international conference in Madrid. We had the largest contingent from one town (MK/SK/JM). There was an excellent speaker from America representing the FT Universities (these have more prominence than FT towns in America). One Canadian university had students who set up a direct link with a producer group in Latin America which produced a coffee, unique to the university.

JM – There were representatives from an FT town from Costa Rica.

They obtained support from their mayor and council. MK – There were about 3000 producers in the Costa Rica Cooperative. MK/SK/JM spoke to the CEO of the international FT organisation. He is trying to change the models of how FT and trade in general work. They are looking at ‘solidarity’ models – putting people first, environment second and profit third. Another good session was from the FT advocacy office in Brussels (Sergei). Difficulties with corruption were also discussed. The FT Towns conference in 2019 is possibly in Cardiff.

SM – Will scan the Madrid conference programme and email it around.

MK – Spoke to people from Tibasosa (a town in Colombia) – they are trying to become an FT town and they produce FT artisan handicrafts. MK felt that they made lots of contacts. People who were there also included Bruce Crowther, Isobul Durant from Unctad and Merline Presin from The Latin American and Caribbean Network of Fair Trade Small Producers and Workers (CLAC). MK will write up some of the sessions and put them on our website. Perhaps have one section on the organisations and one section on producers.

SK – There was a good slogan: ‘From the town into the world and from the world into the town’.

JM – There was also a talk about the international FT charter which was launched in Sept. The idea is to promote a new business model, as MK mentioned.

MK – The charter incorporates the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

JM – Can go to a website for the charter and sign up to support it. JM – We have contacts with four towns now, of which three are FT towns: Gracia in Costa Rica

Tibasosa in Colombia – not certified yet Riobamba in Ecuador Boa Espranza in Brazil

JM will circulate further info on these towns. We could choose one to focus on first and perhaps also concentrate on one or a few products.

JM – A lady from Bristol said they have set up a ‘Community Interest Company’ and it means they can receive funding from local government or the Co-op.

Next meeting: Tuesday 27th November, Hills Cafe, Micklefield.

WYCOMBE FOR FAIRTRADE

Minutes of meeting: 4th September 2018 Avenue Methodist Church, Rutland Avenue

Those present:
Mike King, Sheena King, Sarah Moroz, Bob Smith, Ivan Cicin-Sain – Wycombe FOE, Kat Frei – Student Volunteer Co-ordinator, Bucks New Uni

I C-S – Wycombe Friends of the Earth have started a plastics reduction campaign and will also be showing a film, ‘A Plastic Ocean’ on Tuesday 20th November at The Friends Meeting House at 7.30pm. On 16th Sept they will be having a stall at Pann Mill and a plastic-free picnic on the Rye.

MK – MK and SK attended a Wycombe FOE meeting in July and signed up to help with researching plastics reduction and filled in a questionnaire. MK will be starting to volunteer at the Community Library in January and the manager there also works at The Swan.

SK – ran a Traidcraft stall on 11th June in Radnage and took about £125 – this was as part of the Radnage Open Gardens scheme and we have been approached to do a stall on Sat 13th October at the Southern Counties Keep Fit Association AGM from 8.30am – 5pm.

Also, SK is doing a Christmas Traidcraft stall at her church (Christ the Servant King) on 28th October.

MK – re: the international conference in Madrid – there are sessions at it on universities. MK will update Kat following this event.

SM – hasn’t managed to follow up her initial letter to Highcrest school yet but will do so.

MK – Louise is still at Bewleys. MK will contact her.

MK – Jhon Munoz attended a Fairtrade conference in Portsmouth in June. Jhon will feedback on this in due course.

MK – there are some new FT outlets in Wycombe: Greggs in Squirrel Lane (FT tea and coffee) – at the old site of the Co-op. Also the Red Lion pub on the road to Bradenham (FT tea and coffee and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream)

SK – has been to the Hearing Dogs cafe near Saunderton and they have a feedback card and she is going to suggest FT tea/coffee.

MK – asked for suggestions on what to spend our £250 grant on (from Christ the Servant King church). I C-S – perhaps get some FT samples

SK – has seen some offers from the Real Chocolate Company

SM – will contact Matt to see if we would be able to do the refreshments at the Mayor’s Carol Concert

KF – asked if MK had spoken to Alastair Jack (the sustainability manager at Bucks New Uni) – he would be a good person to speak to re: plastic reduction. KF is working towards a Green Accreditation award for BNU and asked which of the UN Sustainability Goals relate to FT.

SM – there was a talk about this at the Bristol Conference a few years ago. SM will look into this and let KF know

KF – FT Fortnight at BNU involves a lot of work. KF is trying to re-think it and perhaps will concentrate more on FT events happening throughout the year. She would like to do chocolate tasting. Blindfold tasting using only FT chocolate of different types. She will also try to film it.

Next meeting: Tuesday 30th October – Avenue Methodist Church