[17/11/09] The Cred Foundation: Transforming Lives On Tuesday 15th September 2009, the upstairs room at Bibendum was packed out with local people keen to hear from Paul Sanderson MBE, Director, Cred Foundation. Paul did not disappoint, the public and Fairtrade Eastbourne were treated to an engaging and inspiring account of the work of Cred Foundation. Cred Foundation is a charity delivering play schemes to disabled children in the developing world. UK young people volunteer to take part in the delivery of the play schemes. They are responsible for raising money for their trip. It is a life changing experience for many. We heard how positive an experience it had been for young volunteers from a range of backgrounds, from Arundel Castle to a disadvantaged estate in Littlehampton. The experience served to build relationships between these diverse young people as well as helping them to appreciate growing up in the Western world. We were fortunate to hear from Paul’s son Zack who had accompanied his dad on one of the trips to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The play schemes have enabled vulnerable and often forgotten children in Ethopia, India and Colombia to have unforgettable experiences. Cred Foundation will soon be visiting Burmese Refugee children on the Thai border. The work of the Cred Foundation is funded by donations and by its sister company Cred Jewellery. Cred Jewellery sells quality jewellery, which is produced using ethically sourced metals and precious stones. There is a shop in Littlehampton and an on line store. Cred Jewellery is leading the campaign for Fairtrade gold, which is an industry known to be very destructive and exploitative to people and the environment. To find out more about Cred Foundation and Cred Jewellery see www.cred.org.uk
[18/10/09] Fairtrade Feedback Join us at our next monthly meeting on Tuesday 20th October, upstairs in Bibendum at 7:30pm to hear from our members recently returning from a Campaigner's Conference at the Fairtrade Foundation in London.  This inspirational, practical and informative event takes place each year for activists to meet their counterparts campaigning across the country, share ideas, take part in workshops and hear about the latest activities at the Fairtrade Foundation.  This year included a talk by BBC journalist and newsreader George Alagiah and a question and answer session with the Chief Executive of the Fairtrade Foundation Harriet Lamb and the Secretary of State for International Development Douglas Alexander MP.  There was also an opportunity for campaigners to put questions to a panel including a Fairtrade farmer, a top economist, and a representative from the Divine Chocolate company. "It was a very educational and motivating day." said Fairtrade Eastbourne campaigner Jim Thomas.  "It was great to share experiences and thoughts with so many active supporters and top ambassadors of the movement.  We listened as producers told us of the benefits that Fairtrade has brought to their lives and the communities they represent. They included top figures from both a banana co-operative on the Windward Islands and a cocoa farming region of Belize."
18/08/09] Jim returns to tell about Fairtrade! Fairtrade Eastbourne campaigner Jim Thomas recently returned from a trip of a life time to Uganda where he visited a coffee project and saw for himself how Fairtrade can make a real difference.  Jim travelled with Sussex Downs College and visited, with other students, villages and schools and worked on a development project for 7 weeks.  On a  day excursion the group visited the Peace Kawomera Co-operative that sells coffee to the US as Fairtrade.  The co-operative is made up of 1500 farms representing 25 000 coffee farmers.  Since 2004 Fairtrade has enabled farmers to send their children to school, start savings accounts, and reinvest in their farm. "It was incredible to see such a beautiful country and to meet such a warm and friendly people." said Jim "Sussex Downs College has been making links and working with communities and projects in South Eastern Uganda for over 4 years now. The college has organised Study tours for students (most of whom are studying World Development) that allow them the opportunity to witness development work for themselves, as well as giving them a glimpse of what life is like for so many people in Africa and all over the world- a life trapped in poverty.
	"Still, through all of the struggles and suffering we saw, there is hope. I spent 7 weeks at a project called Bungokho Rural Development Centre (BRDC) and was privileged enough to go out to visit communities being trained through the centre's outreach work. The centre approaches vulnerable people and communities and forms a relationship. They then ask the people what problems they face, and cooperatively, as a group they try to find solutions. It is all about empowerment."
"Since its establishment in 1995 BRDC have helped over 20,000 people through outreach work alone. BRDC offers knowledge and advice and does not give handouts. In the community they advise people on many issues ranging from getting safe water and making good compost for their crops to generating income from selling vegetables etc. At the centre they give training in practical skills such as carpentry, building, tailoring and agriculture. These skills give the people a sense of achievement and hope and increase their likelihood of making a living. The centres motto- 'Helping others to help themselves' really sums it up."
Uganda has enjoyed economic growth over the last decade yet remains one of the world's most impoverished countries. Average life expectancy is 50 years and 31% of the population live below the national poverty line (roughly 60 pence a day). Uganda relies heavily on agriculture, the basis of livelihood for 85% of the population. Climate change is having a devastating effect on many in Uganda, as over 2 million are currently facing starvation due to poor harvests. This is because the rains are no longer reliable and the people there have been noticing this, as well as other changes, for 20 years.   The major export crop is coffee which grows high in the Ugandan mountains. Coffee growers in Uganda can sell their 'red' coffee beans for 300 shillings a kilo or shell and dry them as 'green' beans for 800 shillings.  A British pound is worth approximately 3500 shillings.  A kilo of coffee certified as Fairtrade however is sold at the Fairtrade minimum price of 3000 shillings. Jim spoke at the August Fairtrade Eastbourne meeting upstairs in the Bibendum pub describing his trip and the difference he saw made by Fairtrade.
"I've been involved with the Fairtrade group for about a year and a half and I've become more and more enthusiastic about Fairtrade.  Such a small thing to us as choosing a particular brand of coffee at the supermarket means such a big difference to those growing the coffee. I can now say I have met people who through Fairtrade have had their lives changed for the better, and can plan for the future- to develop"   "Finally, to fulfil my promise to many Ugandans, I would like to give everyone reading this greetings and love from Uganda!"

15/03/07] Petitions handed in: Over the whole term of our campaign we have been collecting signatures for a petition to make Eastbourne a Fairtrade Town.   We counted over 3000 signatures before handing it over to Mayor of Eastbourne Colin Belsy (right). Let's hope this encourages the Council to support our campaign. Thankyou to every one of you who took the time to give us your signature, and here's to the council listening!

Supplied by the Eastbourne Herald

 [11/03/07] Fairtrade Gospel
The Eastbourne life Gospel choir closed fairtrade fortnight and stunned passers by with a thrilling set dedicated to the promotion of the fairtrade brand. In between each epic number the issue of world trade was directed at the onlookers by the choir leader. On behalf of the Eastbourne fairtrade group we would like to say thankyou to the Life gospel choir for dedicating their saturday morning to fairtrade.

[05/03/07]

[26/02/07] East magazine
Our very own Matt Wilkinson is interviewed this month in East magazine, be sure to check out the interview which is all about Fairtrade.. We are delighted particularly as it's the month EAST branches out and is now distributed in Hastings and Bexhill.

[24/02/07] Fairtrade fortnight
The most important time of the year for our group is Fairtrade Fortnight which this year is the 26th February-11th March. Keep a check on our calendar of events for what's happening.

[23/02/07] pre-Fairtrade fortnight - passion for fashion
 We are now just 3 days away to fairtrade fortnight and last night our group hosted a fairtrade fashion show at Park college to get things kick started. On show were a variety of clothes items that will be listed on our website with links to where you can purchase them, along with pictures of the night. Thankyou to all those who participated on this fabulous night , where hopefully a few more people got enlightened to our campaign.

[01/01/07] Letter for 2007
Happy new year from the Eastbourne Fairtrade group , to kick the new year off, we have a letter for 2007, explaining how to further our campaign in bringing fairtrade status to the town....

click here to read the letter

[18/12/06] Washed away

In the early hours of last Sunday, a group of ourf campaigners were watching their message being washed from Eastbourne's streets. Early-bird Fairtrade supporters chalked the organisation's distinctive logo on the precinct paving on Terminus Road, in time for shops opening. But quicker than you can say ‘Fairtrade Eastbourne’ our efforts were eradicated thanks to a council hose.

A council spokesperson said, 'The Council's contractors cleaned the streets as they would normally. In the future if organisations want to display art in this manner they should contact the Council to ask for it to be left for a set amount of time.'

Were the council correct in effectively treating this as vandalism?

Trade Justice Movement Rally

Members of our group travelled up to London to play Eastbourne's part in the Trade Justice Movement Mass Lobby of Parliament. It is encouraging to learn that we share common ground with Nigel Waterson on removing domestic subsidies and import tariffs. However, Nigel does not agree that developing countries should be allowed to protect their industries from outside competition, taking the free trade line. It was argued that rebalancing trade rules was the best way to produce significant and sustainable development that was urgently needed. Members came away pleased that at least their message was heard.

Launch Event Success! Our campaign launch event held at the Underground Theatre on September 5th was a great success. Keynote speakers Bruce Crowther, Simeon Greene and Cllr Ruth O'Keefe were complimented by arange of Fairtrade stalls, refresments and displays, plus excellent live musiv from the AccousticCollective. Over 120 people attended a really entertaining and informative night!

East Magazine Feature

If you pick up a copy of the new September East Magazine from just about anywhere across
Eastbourne,you will see an excellent feature on our campaign for Fairtrade Town Status.
Thanks to Co-Editors Adam and Daniel for all the effort they put into this piece and
for the major awareness this will generate.

Council Motions

Both Eastbourne Borough Council and East Sussex County Council debated motions supporting
Fair Trade at their July full council meetings. Here in Eastbourne we held a well supported
lobby of the Council before their meeting which has attracted local media coverage both before
and since the event.

Eastbourne Borough Council passed - after an impassioned debate - the original motion proposed
by Council Leader Ian Lucas, while the amended motion proposed by the opposition group based
on the Fair Trade Foundation suggested motion was narrowly defeated.

Uckfield achieve Fair Trade Town Status

FTE have sent their congratulations to Uckfield Town Council on achieving Fair Trade Town
Status. They are the first town in the Wealden District Council area to gain the award.
We have also suggested that a representative from their successful campaign might come
along to share their story with us.

Uckfield now join regional neighbours Lewes and Brighton in gaining the Fair Trade Town mark.

Fair Trade Shop opens in Eastbourne!

A brand new and 100% Fair Trade shop has just opened in the Enterprise Shopping Centre,
behind Eastbourne Railway Station. The Fair Trading Post is run by Pauline Stapleton and
can be found halfway down the rear aisle on the ground floor. Drop in between 9.45am
and 5pm Monday to Saturday or call 01323 642681 for more details. We all wish her
well with this exciting new venture!

www.fairtradeeastbourne.org.uk ©