WYCOMBE FOR FAIRTRADE

Minutes of meeting:  11^th October 2016

Micklefield Library, Micklefield Road

Those present:

Mike King                          Jhon Munoz

Sheena King                      Bob Smith

Sarah Moroz                     Tony Thornby

MK – he invited Amy Howe, the new Bucks New Uni representative who has taken over from Lauren Troiano. She could not make this evening’s meeting but would like to be included on e-mails.

MK – has now banked the £250 cheque from SK’s church

SK – feedback from the regional FT Foundation meeting in London on 25^th September: 2 people from Chesham were there who gave us some contacts re: public liability insurance

MK – some of the others at the meeting had had similar problems.

SK – the Chesham group recommended an organisation called ‘Community Impact Bucks’ who may be able to give advice on the insurance and may also be able to help with job adverts for volunteers

MK – during one of the sessions he went to, people said they have tried asking various organisations for funds to pay for the insurance, including: the local Chamber of Commerce, the Community Voluntary Service, the local Co-op, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Waitrose Foundation.

TT – suggests having a sponsor section on our website – this may be a way to gain funds. He also networks with Paul Finch of the MRIB and they may be willing to sponsor us. They are insurance brokers.

MK – some other groups suggested asking our flagship employer.

MK – the funding that the Fairtrade Foundation receive from the DFID is finishing at the end of this year. They are moving away from the certification process and concentrating more on individual projects. They said that they want to get more FT cotton sold. Someone at the regional meeting suggested that bamboo may be a better product as it doesn’t need so much water to grow.

2 other sessions that MK went to:

• Gold production
• Impact of Brexit

The CEO was impressive as well. He was talking about FT coffee farmers.

SK – there was a talk from someone who had been a gold-miner in Kenya for 28 years from an organisation called Micro Depro. This was set up to support the formalisation and legalisation of artisanal and small-scale mining, improving the health + safety etc.

MK – Argos in High Wycombe offer FT gold and Beaverbrooks have some on-line

MK – re: the Impact of Brexit session given by Tim Andrews. The FT Foundation has to be neutral. Trade policy has not been decided yet – a lot of unknowns. FT cocoa, for instance, may be made into chocolate in Germany and we buy it from there. The risks for FT are high but so are the opportunities.

JM – companies which use the FT logo have to pay a percentage (licence fee)

SK – this constitutes over 85% of FT Foundation income. They also get 13% from grants and donations.

SK – went to another session on coffee. It is a very competitive market now. As a nation, our consumption has increased. The FT Foundation is focusing on quality, the direct relationship with the growers and the consumer.

MK – it was worth going to the meeting overall

SK – there was an event outside Liston Hall which had stalls etc and they had an umbrella insurance policy to cover them.

TT – so far, we have not usually been asked to have public liability insurance for any event.

TT – has put as many minutes as he has on our website. SM to provide TT with any missing minutes.

BS – has heard back re: flower bed and it has already been allocated  (to the Night Shelter).

SK – re: t-shirt competition for schools. Has looked on the FT Foundation website and they offer to print FT cotton t-shirts – a company called ‘Cotton Roots’ at £3.40 for a child’s one.

MK – hopefully Amy Howe will join us at our next meeting.

SK – there is a new manager at the Oxfam shop – Jerry.

WYCOMBE FOR FAIRTRADE

Minutes of meeting: 6^th September 2016

Micklefield Library, Micklefield Road

Those present:

Mike King                          Sarah Moroz

Sheena King                      Tony Thornby

Jhon Munoz

SM – Matt Knight has e-mailed to say he is not sure if the mayor’s carol concert is going ahead this year re: us doing the catering – he will let us know. He will also arrange for us to have a market stall, if we give him some potential dates.

MK – we (MK + SM) have now had a meeting with Barclays and arranged to set up a bank account. SK has spoken to the treasurer at her church, as the cheque they had donated needed to be rewritten.

JM – Nic is leaving Oxfam High Wycombe

SK – they are recruiting at the moment

MK – will be attending the Fairtrade Foundation regional supporters’ meeting, together with SK

JM – went last year – it was a good meeting

TT – we always seem to get lumped in with London – it would be easier to go in the opposite direction

JM – Nicola Bunting has now taken over the role of Becca Rowland on the executive committee

JM – showed a document on public procurement for FT Towns + a leaflet entitled ‘Fairtrade Matters’

SK – re: Pann Mill open day – looking at the forecast, there is little chance of rain.

The organisers are asking for us to have public liability insurance.

TT – has a contact and will ask him + get a quick response

SK – has also e-mailed the lady at Pann Mill re: insurance. If the FT Foundation doesn’t have an umbrella insurance policy, this is something that could be brought up at the London meeting. SK has info re: a Traidcraft campaign which we could promote on the stall and has a petition re: UK companies causing harm abroad.

TT – will bring a camera

SM – will try to create a flyer to advertise our group

JM – offered to put articles on our Facebook page

TT – after he has finished his chairmanship of the Marlow Chamber of Commerce, he will work on our website. He may be limited by its original set-up via the Lib Dems

MK – it may be possible to set up a free website of our own

TT – there may be better ones at only a small charge.

SM – has been trying to work out a plan for a schools competition – maybe re: a T-shirt design

SK – Bob has e-mailed the man from the council re: a flowerbed design outside the old library

MK – the students are back soon at the Bucks New Uni and he will follow up re: painting of underpass – it was mentioned previously that it would be possible to include ‘Wycombe is a Fairtrade Town’

Next meeting:  Tuesday 11^th October

Held at: Micklefield Library, Micklefield Road

Those present:
Mike King Bob Smith
Sheena King Maggie Smith
Sarah Moroz Tony Thornby

Apologies: Jhon Munoz + Nic Carrouaille

TT – hasn’t heard anything re: Fairtrade whilst being at Marlow Chamber of Commerce.

MK – showed banner which has now been obtained (cost about £70)
Need to set up bank account soon + bank cheque obtained from SK’s church (Christ the Servant King)

MK – just after our last meeting, he had a meeting with Louise (marketing manager) from Peros. She said they are still totally committed to FT – 55% of the coffee roasted by Bewleys is FT. She asked to be put on our e-mail list re: meetings. She lives in this area 3 days a week. The Peros name will disappear at the end of this year and be replaced by Bewleys UK. MK presented them with the FT employer’s award and they still want to be involved.

SM – showed a FT sugar sachet which was from the garden centre cafe at Booker. The company who produced it is called Greencup (www.greencup.co.uk).

MK – went to a meeting of Bucks New Uni FT group about 1 ½ weeks ago but no-one was there! Need to open up dialogue again here. The multi-faith chaplaincy person still takes FT drinks & snacks around both campuses.

SK – Argos are now selling Fairtrade gold.

SK – Nic said that High Wycombe Oxfam shop sells as much, or if not more, FT goods compared with the Chesham shop.

MS – at the end of May, Pam Thompson, wife of the Methodist minister in Marlow, had an open day selling Traidcraft goods and made over £100.

SM – re: FT art competition – disappointment about not getting an article in the Bucks Free but good links set up with schools and children seemed to benefit from it.

TT – will be less busy soon with the Marlow Chamber of Commerce as his chairmanship finishes mid-October.
MK – would be good to have a get-together with TT after this to update our website.

MK – there are 2 FT events coming up:
1. London (regional Fairtrade Foundation meeting) on Thursday 15th September. SK is hoping to go – anyone else is welcome to join her.
2. Pann Mill open day on Sunday 11th September 11am – 5pm. Stalls etc – Wycombe F of E will be there.

MK – need to increase membership.
TT – it helps just to meet people by doing events, rather than just advertising.
TT – an idea for a schools’ competition could be to design a T-shirt and the prize could be to have the T-shirts printed. Vistaprint is good for this – quick turn-around and quite cheap.
SK – would be good if FT cotton could be used. A lady in the Chesham FT group may have info/contacts for this.

MK – it would be good to do FT catering for the Mayor’s carol concert, as suggested by MKn at the last meeting – need to follow this up with MKn
TT – also has a contact at Wycombe District Council with the assistant to the chairman. This person organises events for the chairman eg. the civic ceremony.

BS – he can advertise the existence of FT gold being available at Argos to his church (Avenue Methodist church). He is also going to e-mail the man from the council re: a flowerbed display in the town, outside the old library.

SM – will e-mail MKn once he is back from holiday re: the carol concert catering and the possibility of holding a market stall.

Next meeting: Tuesday 6th September

Micklefield Library, Micklefield Road

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

Apologies: Lauren Troiano, Matt Knight

JM – Liberation sell two of their products to Waitrose (some stores) and will be contacting the new Waitrose at Handy Cross
SK – the cafe in the new sports centre sells Fairtrade drinks
TT – the Booker cash & carry own brand is FT. A new Costco will be opening up near the new Next at Handy Cross
MK joined the meeting
MK – has been speaking to a meeting of the Wycombe Labour Group in next room. There was a Bucks County councillor there and he said he will take up the issue of signage for us. MK told him that Chesham FT group are also asking for this.

Discussion re: Fairtrade art competition and arranging day for judging. Potentially Thursday of this week – SM will liaise with TT.
Also discussion re: whether we could have a presentation of prizes at the Wycombe Environment Centre on or around World Fairtrade Day, May 14th. Also perhaps ask if we could display the winning entries at the WEC.
TT – another possible venue is above the shops near the Metro Bank – a large gallery area belonging to Amersham & Wycombe College.
BS – another place could be in the upstairs Guild Hall rooms at the end of the High Street
SM – prizes for art competition: have obtained some FT Easter eggs and Divine chocolate bars from Traidcraft. Could also include FT leaflets/stickers + book by Robert, friend of Tony’s who is doing the judging.

MK – re: FT status renewal certificate presentation on Feb 29th – felt it was a good success. Lesley Clarke sent an apology following it and she is still supportive. There was also an apology from Raj at Peros – he had an operation and someone was supposed to come in his place but there was a breakdown in communications
SM – sent press release to the Bucks Free but it wasn’t published.

SK – Nic, the manager of the Wycombe Oxfam shop is moving to live in Wycombe and may want to get involved in our steering group

MK – the new Waitrose at Handy Cross has a cafe in it with FT drinks.

MK – re: Chesham group’s coffee-tasting evening during FT fortnight. It was a very good event and speaker (we could invite to one of our events?) – he has his own coffee-growing company.

SK – re: £250 cheque from Christ the Servant King. We could use it to obtain a banner
TT/SK – both have contacts who could help with this – both will follow this up.
MK – will try to get an appointment to set up our bank account. Non-profit making groups now come under the Business Managers.
SM – will organise a cash-book/kitty arrangement once the bank account is in place, to show transparency in our use of the money.
MK/SK – went to a Wycombe Friends of the Earth film event. The film was called ‘This Changes Everything’ re: climate change. A very interesting and thought-provoking film. It took place at the Friends Meeting House.

SM – will check with Matt Knight re: meeting date at Hills cafe for our next meeting

JM – spoke about his trip to meet the growers for Liberation nuts in Bolivia. The FT premium in Bolivia has been invested in houses for the workers in the jungle where they gather the nuts. Also in irrigation and health and education materials for the children.
MK – could we have a link with a community there?
JM – e-mail contact is possible

Next meeting: to be advised

WMicklefield Library, Micklefield Road

Those present:
Mike King Bob Smith
Sheena King Lauren Troiano
Sarah Moroz Colin Cartwright
Gill Walker

MK – discussion re: obtaining a banner like the Chesham group’s one.
CC – there is a template on the FT Foundation website. They then had it produced by a local printer.

Discussion re: FT Town signs on roads leading into Wycombe. LT and MK both sent e-mails to Gemma at BidsCo (no response yet)
LT – will speak to Ruth Gunstone to see if she can ask about it.

BS – re: raised flower bed near old library. He has written to the council to ask if we can have a FT design.
CC – based their design last year on the Edinburgh city one but it was expensive – over £1,000

MK – has a meeting coming up with Peros’s sales manager.

MK – mentioned the FT jewellery workshop that is being organised by BNU
GW – her daughter is a silversmith who did a course at BNU and may be willing to help. LT will contact her via GW.

SM – re: FT Art Competition. Oakridge school has responded and would like to take part. They are also interested in someone coming to the school during FT Fortnight to promote FT and SM is trying to arrange this with Margaret Dykes. The school is also planning to hold a FT Big Breakfast.
LT – has contacts at schools in Hazlemere and Chiltern Gate school.
SM – will send schools letter and flyer to LT.

MK – went to a meeting of Wycombe Friends of the Earth.
SK – Wycombe F of E have been invited to the John Hampden ‘Politicon’ event on Wednesday 24th February (6pm – 9pm), which will involve stalls of various local campaign groups. SK has arranged for our group to have a stall as well.
SM – will e-mail TT to see if he can make it as well.
LT – will also be able to come and will put together 2 role descriptions for volunteers that we could give to students (eg. helping with website etc and helping with campaigning)

BS – Morrisons no longer stock FT satsumas

CC – described the ‘Christmas in Chesham’ event at which they used their large FT advent calendar. They were also asked to do the catering at a Carol Service when the catering company dropped out. They made mince pies etc and hope to do it again next year.

LT – BNU are currently renewing their FT status. LT is writing the report and there should be no problems. They have plans for FT Fortnight. LT showed their 2-week schedule of events. This is the 3rd year of their ‘Smile’ event (on Monday 22nd February).
GW – offered to lend their banana costumes for this.
LT – the 1st week of the Fortnight coincides with student volunteer week. They are also having some stickers made. BNU have approached the council and BidCo re: sprucing up the underpass. A mural is being designed by students and it will incorporate the FT logo etc, showing that BNU is a FT uni and that Wycombe is a FT town.

GW – Bucks CC have come back to them, saying that they do not have advertising on signs.

Discussion re: the presentation evening on Monday 29th February. The Multifaith Chaplaincy will be providing the refreshments. Ruth Gunstone is definitely speaking. We are also hoping to get a speaker from the FT Foundation and MK will try to get in touch with Greg Valerio (FT gold speaker at the Bristol conference). SM asked if we could also have some local refreshments.
GW – they have a local produce stall in Chesham once a month. SM will e-mail GW for the date of the next one.

SK – had an e-mail from Ivan (F of E) re World FT Day – offering for us to have a stall at the Environment Centre and Ivan could show the FT film.

SK – showed a leaflet re: the ‘real Easter egg’ from Traidcraft and she will be advertising it at her church.
BS – may be able to sell these at their church too. He has stopped doing the FT stalls now.

LT – they are also doing ‘banana pledge cards’ for students to sign and they will then make bunting out of them.

CC – the Chesham group will feature in an article in the next edition of the FT Towns newsletter.
They have produced a leaflet in the past, giving details of FT stockists etc in Chesham. It was A5 and they produced it in-house.

Next meeting: Tuesday 9th February 2016

Chesham group next meeting: Tuesday 16th February (Jean Pritchard’s house)

Micklefield Library, Micklefield Road

Those present:
Mike King Bob Smith
Sheena King Tony Thornby
Sarah Moroz

MK – Lauren (Volunteering & Societies Co-ordinator, Bucks New Uni) would like to join our steering group.

MK/SM went to Chesham4Fairtrade meeting last Tuesday. They are thinking of getting a Fairtrade Chiltern Zone together. They also have links with their Churches Together group in Chesham who give them some funds. It was very useful to listen to their ideas.

TT – the price of a banner may vary depending on whether we want it to be for inside or outside

MK – Lauren has sent an e-mail to BidCo re: road signs to ask for their backing.
SM – we may be able to get the support of Wycombe Council Town Committee and then take it to Bucks CC (as they decide on road signs).

MK – when he went to the BNU meeting, there was a lecturer (Art & Design) who is going to run a FT workshop for jewellery during FT Fortnight using recycled glass beads from Africa. She said that Moth’s jewellers in Wycombe are the only independent ones in the town. Perhaps they may be interested in stocking FT gold.

Comments on proposed letter to schools re: FT Art Competition
– We could mention the renewal of our FT Town status
– Peros could perhaps provide a FT hamper for a 1st prize and the FT Easter eggs could be runner-up prizes.

MK – re: our action plan – we have already started or fulfilled some tasks for our first year eg. going to meetings of other steering groups

SM – for the certificate presentation event on Feb 29th, we could do the FT Breakfast idea
MK – it would be good to have a speaker re: Wycombe Environment Centre. One of the BNU students has been volunteering there and could report back?

Discussion re: FT milk
We could do the ‘Fairtrade and Local’ theme for our presentation event
MK – there will be another BNU meeting on 6th January and these ideas could be discussed.

MK – Mike Chadwick from local Friends of the Earth group has suggested we exchange minutes of meetings.

SM – showed materials in a recent mailing from the FT Foundation. SK will get some more of the ‘Sustainable Choice’ leaflets to take to the Wycombe Environment Centre.

MK – need to invite the Chairman of the Council and the High Commissioner to the Presentation Event.
SM – will e-mail Amy to ask her advice on contacting the High Commissioner.
SK – we could invite the Oxfam Shop manager, Nic, to the event.

BS – has seen some FT satsumas in Morrisons

TT – has been trying to gain access to our website.
TT – will pursue his contacts in the business world to try to get someone on the steering group.

SM – will e-mail Melanie Morgan (secretary to Chair of Council) to see if the Chairman can make either Mon 29th Feb or Mon 7th March

Next meeting: Tuesday 12th January

Micklefield Library, Micklefield Road

Those present:
Mike King Sarah Moroz
Sheena King Bob Smith

MK – re: Fairtrade Town status renewal document – MK got a lot of help from Hull’s submission document. Proposed a vote of thanks to SK for all her work in putting the folder of evidence together.
SK – the process of doing this made her realise all that we had done last year.

MK – tonight wants to prioritise what we want to do. Need to think about how achievable things are and if any activity would need extra manpower. Need to consider Fairtrade Fortnight.

MK – attended the Chesham Fairtrade Town 10th anniversary celebrations and Colin Cartwright has invited any of us to their meeting on 10th November. There were 2 bands at the celebration event. It was held in the market square in Chesham and they had a town crier. An area was cordoned off for children’s activities re: Fairtrade. They had a lady in costume being their local famous abolition of slavery heroine, Lydia Hardy, who was also involved in boycotting sugar from the West Indies (‘one of Chesham’s first Fairtrade campaigners’). MK also met a lady on Chesham’s steering group who runs her own dress-making business and uses Fairtrade fabrics.

MK – The Fairtrade Foundation have now said that we can give an award to our flagship employer ie. Peros

MK – sent round an e-mail to our various contacts (BidCo etc) to tell them about our renewal status and BidCo sent a supportive e-mail back and would be in favour of us having signage. Bucks New Uni is also in our favour. Possibly Peros may be willing to contribute. Peros may also be willing to help us produce a leaflet showing where Fairtrade is available in the Town. Will try to arrange a meeting with James Roberts (vice CEO) at Peros.
SK – discussed the possibility of getting us and/or Peros to do an article for the ‘Link’ magazine – next edition is in March (good timing for Fairtrade Fortnight).

MK – will be going to the Bucks New Uni steering committee for Fairtrade in a couple of week’s time.

MK – Chesham had a good banner about 6ft high which cost about £55 – unrolls and hooks vertically.
SM – will e-mail Chesham group to find out which company they used for their banners and then ask the company what they would need from us.
SK – wording for banner – ‘Wycombe is a Fairtrade Town’?
MK – could also have the Fairtrade logo and perhaps the Wycombe swan symbol.

BS – Wycombe Council seemed to be open to having different flower designs for their flower beds. BS will try to find out how we achieve this with the council.
MK – BidCo were enthusiastic about the flower bed idea.

SK and SM – attended the WI meeting in Hazlemere on 1st October. They are not currently using Fairtrade for their refreshments, so SK mentioned to them that Oxfam now sell Fairtrade tea bags/coffee again.

MK – is willing to switch his area of coverage for the steering group to hotels/health centres/Wycombe Swan. There is a hotel near Ibstone which serves Fairtrade tea/coffee and also uses local produce.

MK – Fairtrade gold/silver seems to be mainly supplied online or in London.
SM – a speaker at the Bristol conference said that he thought one of the criteria for becoming a FT Town should be to have a FT gold stockist in the town.

SM – would like to organise an art competition for schools for next FT Fortnight. We could have the entries on display at an event.

MK – it would be good to have an event where we could ask someone to present our renewal certificate (High Commissioner of St Vincent?) to the Council Chairman/mayor? Venue of this could be Bucks New Uni (Beats Refectory or Board Room).

MK – need more people on the steering group or just to help out at events – people from Peros or students from Bucks New Uni could be among these. BNU are resubmitting for FT status in April/May next year.
SK – it would be good to have an event involving a speaker who is a producer. SK will ask David Sparks how the Tooky talk was organised.

SM – would be good to show a film at some point in the future – maybe the one that Chesham group showed several years ago at the Elgiva.

SK – has done an article for the Nov edition of her church magazine (Christ the Servant King) re: our renewal status etc

MK – Ivan from Wycombe Friends of the Earth said that they may be interested in becoming ‘associate’ friends of our group.

MK – we need to get our contact details on our website

Next meeting: Tuesday 17th or Tuesday 24th November

Micklefield Library, Micklefield Road

Those present:

Mike King                      Bob Smith

Sheena King                  Tony Thornby

Sarah Moroz

Re: Fairtrade Town renewal application Action Plan

MK – re: motion to Wycombe District Council – this will be ‘rubber-stamping’ exercise rather than having to get the motion passed again.

TT – re: signage on the roads into Wycombe. If there are no funds available from WDC, we may have to think of fund-raising activities

MK – we could also ask Bucks New Uni, BidsCo and Peros

SM – another group we chatted to at the Bristol conference did want to pay some money towards their signs, so as to maintain some control over them. Also, we could perhaps get a petition together of businesses who would support the road signs (eg. Marks and Spencers) – signing the petition wouldn’t cost businesses anything.

TT – it would also be good to get a banner made saying ‘Wycombe is now a Fairtrade Town’ which we could use. Vistaprint make them

SK – there is a lady at the Oxfam shop who is very gifted artistically and could perhaps design a banner

TT – will try to find out who will be providing the refreshments at the new sports centre

BS – we could approach the Bucks Free Press with an article asking who is out there who stocks Fairtrade

MK – showed a leaflet produced by Monmouth called ‘Finding Fairtrade in Monmouth’ and listing ‘Where to drink Fairtrade’, ‘Where to buy Fairtrade’ and local supporters including ‘Work Places’, ‘Churches’ and ‘Community Groups + Meeting Places’. Also ‘Accommodation Providers serving Fairtrade products’

MK – another idea is to arrange an award scheme

TT – will try to find out who provides the food/drink at the Clare Foundation as they have a shared canteen so this would automatically cover several businesses.

MK – St Vincent 2^nd Generation (SV2G) event on the Rye – possibility of having a stall at this year’s event?

TT – we should lobby community centres to serve Fairtrade – also British Legions etc

MK – we should also include pubs which have accommodation

MK – we need to make more use of Twitter/Facebook etc

SK – maybe Peros would do an article for the Link magazine

MK – it would be good to do our own version of the Monmouth leaflet. Also window stickers for supportive shops/caterers.

MK – Twinning idea

Next meeting:   To be arranged

Micklefield Library, Micklefield Road

Those present:

Mike King                      Bob Smith

Sheena King                  Tony Thornby

Sarah Moroz

Fairtrade Town renewal:

MK- We need a resume of what we have done this year eg. Fairtrade Town certificate presentation event. MK feels it was a good way of doing this, rather than just presenting it at a council meeting.

Also we have to achieve renewal of our motion at Wycombe council. Lesley Clarke has said previously that this wouldn’t be a problem. We need to check on the best way of doing it (via Lesley Clarke’s PA, also check with MKn?)

Links with other groups:

Wycombe Environment Centre                   WI

Transition Town group                                  Friends of the Earth

Oxfam                                                               Bucks New Uni

Save the Children                                           Chesham steering group

SK – has heard that one of the Wycombe WI groups is having a Fairtrade speaker in October (Margaret Dykes, speaking at Cedar Park school on 1^st October at 7.30pm).

MK – we could ask the council which meetings use Fairtrade products.

TT – need to see if it is possible to get the road signs for Wycombe, saying that Wycombe is a Fairtrade Town.

SM – perhaps we could ask MKn to pursue this (SK – Matt is on the Town Committee).

MK – Trevor Snaith said at the Civic reception that there was money for these. This would show council support and action.

TT – it would keep reminding residents and visitors that we are a Fairtrade Town.

MK – we also have to update the number of Fairtrade goods in the town’s retail/catering outlets.

TT – the Cash & Carry at Booker have Fairtrade own-brand tea and coffee

SM – also need to find out if any local hotels have Fairtrade refreshments

SK – All Saints Church have opened a cafe within the church and they are a Fairtrade church.

TT – it would be good to see if any companies eg. in Cressex have Fairtrade in their staff canteens.

SM – idea for a painting/colouring competition for schools

TT – Peros could perhaps provide a prize. Also TT knows a cartoonist who may be able to judge it.

MK – children could do pictures of original produce (cocoa beans/cotton etc) and then the finished articles (chocolate/shirts etc)

MK – we could target it for next year’s Fairtrade Fortnight.

MK – it would also be good to produce stickers for retailers to put in windows – Peros may be able to help with this.

MK – we can also update our website as we make progress on these ideas.

The ‘Love Wycombe’ event did not happen this year.

SM – maybe we could ask Nick, Manager of the Oxfam shop, to come to our next meeting.

MK – Lauren is still in post at Bucks New Uni and will be next year.

SM – we should get some ideas at the Bristol Fairtrade Towns conference in July.

MK – we need to increase the number of areas represented on the steering group.

TT – some people may be willing to put their names on the steering group list without actually coming to meetings eg. someone from Peros. We could also involve a local furniture company re: sustainability. It would also be good to have someone from a local hotel or restaurant. We could hold a fundraising event at one of these – a meal + raffle etc.

SK – had a good stall at Radnage last Sunday: raised about £120.

MK – will make a draft of our responses to the renewal application.

SM – will try to contact hotels etc before next meeting re: do they provide any Fairtrade options.

Next meeting:  22^nd July 2015

Micklefield Library, Micklefield Road

Those present:
Mike King Sarah Moroz
Sheena King Tony Thornby

TT – will try to see if there is anyone who could help our group via business networking events

MK – also need to see if there is any funding available, maybe from the Clare Foundation. We could produce a leaflet/window stickers

MK – Bucks New Uni have fed back that they want to work with us in future.
A thank-you note has been received from Lesley Clarke (shown to meeting) following the Fairtrade certificate presentation event and an invitation to MK/SK to her civic reception on 26th March at Wycombe Abbey School which MK and SK attended. At this, MK asked Lesley C about our group having to resubmit our motion to council and she said that shouldn’t be a problem.
Trevor Snaith was there and he said that he had managed to get some money out of the Charter Trustees for road signs saying that Wycombe is a Fairtrade Town.

There was also a young chap who is a councillor and works at Booker Cash & Carry and he said they stock some Fairtrade goods.
Also there is a new Tescos Express at Sands and it has 17 Fairtrade products.

TT – saw Real Easter Egg Company eggs in Tescos Loudwater

MK – the Oxfam shop in Wycombe will be stocking food items again. It might be possible to see if Nick the manager there would like to join our group.

MK – at the volley ball event at Bucks New Uni, there were some Fairtrade volley balls

MK – the Fairtrade stall at Bucks New Uni wasn’t very well positioned and didn’t make much money but it was valuable as a link-up with the uni. Frances Alexander was unable to attend the certificate presentation event on 2nd March because her husband was ill.

SK – handed out photocopies of pages from a booklet re: renewing Fairtrade Town status

MK – Lesley Clarke referred to the 2nd generation St Vincent group at the civic reception and they had a steel band there who are connected with SV2G. The Wycombe Society was also represented at the civic reception.

SM – will carry on work with schools.

MK – also we could write to hotels asking if they use Fairtrade teas/coffees.

MK – we need more group members

TT – maybe we should take it from a different point of view and ask people if they would like to help out with individual events.

SK – we should also work with other groups. Working with the Wycombe Environment Centre would tie in with sustainability, as will be highlighted at the Bristol Conference in July.

TT – we could put something on the website showing where certain Fairtrade products can be found in Wycombe. We could also get pupils from a Fairtrade school to speak to ones from a non-Fairtrade school.
TT – we could also get involved with the ‘Love Wycombe’ (Pentecost) event. Perhaps offer to serve Fairtrade refreshments.

SM – needs to do Barclays form by the end of April

SK – from the booklet re: renewing Fairtrade Town status, there is a note encouraging people to sign up to the e-newsletter for Fairtrade Towns
SK – has been approached to do a Fairtrade stall in a garden at Radnage as part of an ‘Open Gardens’ scheme on 14th June.

Next meeting: TBA