In February we had a very interesting talk by Sue Simmonds on “Celebrities at the Market House.” It made me realise how many well-known and famous people actually live in our area! I must congratulate Sue on her ability to spot them and chat them up!!
On 27th March three of our members are going to the Annual Council Meeting in Cheltenham. The speaker for that event is Helen Pankhurst CBE, great granddaughter of Emmeline Pankhurst. She is an International Development and Women’s Rights activist and writer and will no doubt be a fascinating speaker.
Meetings at Box Village Hall are held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, 10am business, coffee at 10.30am followed by a speaker. Visitors are warmly welcomed at 10.30am - £3 including coffee.
Geraldine Ames, President.
Imagine a world where all the trading is fair without any exploitation.
At Traidcraft Exchange their vision is of a world where all trade is fair – not just a few items on your supermarket shelf. But what would that world actually look like? It's hard to imagine a global trading system free from any trace of exploitation or unfair wages - but that's exactly whatyou'd get. Whether you're at your local supermarket, or a cloth stall in southern India - it would all be fair. Every item bought would tell the story of another life changed through the power of trade. In that world, the gap between rich and poor would be smaller. Families would always be fed, children would always be educated. It sounds far fetched but that is Traidcraft’s vision and they take steps towards it everyday. By buying items from Traidcraft , you have helped work towards this vision 
over the years.
However, things are changing in the way that Traidcraft are selling their goods.
It is not the idea of fair trade that does no longer work....but the way the products are sold. All the Traidcraft groceries will now be available to buy from supermarkets.
We are continuing to hold a monthly stall in church but many of the items are no longer available for us to stock. Many of you will have noticed that Geobars and many biscuits have disappeared.
We will carry on for as long as possible ...until it becomes no longer sustainable to hold a monthly stall.
Our next Sunday stall will be on Sunday April 28th after the 10am service. Thank you for continuing to support Traidcraft.
Jackie Natt 01453 731018
Traidcraft is 40 years old !!
Back in 1979,the founders of Traidcraft wanted to show that trade, not just aid, was the way forward. Today, after 40 years of trading, the business has seen many changes – but its core mission remains the same.
Traidcraft originally started selling products in churches and community shops and the profits went back into helping farmers who were producing the goods. The charity also wanted to educate consumers in the UK about alternative trade with those producers who supplied Traidcraft products.
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We met in the Library on 6th February and were given a warm welcome by the President.
Volunteers were recruited for the W.I. County Quiz.
We were informed about:
- A centenary village fair and picnic to take place in Lord Bathurst’s private garden on July 6th.
- A talk on Richard III to take place in Churchdown on May 16th. A gold embroidery workshop at W.I. House on 17th or 27th April. A walk in Newent on April 6th.
- Campaigns Day on April 29th at Gloucester Farmers Club.
- A coach trip to Blenheim Palace in June.
We were given dates for the Monday lunch, the Craft Group and the Scrabble Group.
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The W.I met on January 9th. The scrabble group has now grown so popular that it will meet from now on in the Library at a cost of £3 per person. The Christmas lunch raised £93 for the Sue Ryder Foundation. The competition is to revert to letters of the alphabet and February’s letter will be ‘L’. Next month’s speaker is from the Food Bank and members are asked to bring contributions (but not baked beans please).
There was an interesting talk by Sue Smith about Thailand, where she has visited many times. She had a number of interesting anecdotes to tell and brought with her many clothes and craft items that she had purchased from local people..
The next meeting is on Weds 6th February at 2pm in the Library.
Unfortunately, my January report got lost in the ethers between Box and Minchinhampton, never to be seen again! I am sure you all missed it!
It’s a long time ago, but at our AGM in November; we were struggling to form a Committee and were facing the possibility of closure! However, the troops rallied
around in true WI tradition and we are now viable again; but we do need new members, as our numbers are dwindling!
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