Monday 28 February 2011

Saturday 19 February 2011

Blood, Sweat and Traffic


Fairtrade Association Birmingham presents

Blood, Sweat and Traffic

A Fashion Show and Market
Sponsored by Midlands Co-operative Society Ltd.

Birmingham Cathedral
Wednesday 2nd March 2011
7.00 p.m. for 7.30 p.m. start

ADDMISSION FREE
Free Wine and Nibbles

What’s going on!

Why do so many people campaign to stop the injustice
of some of the practises of the trade markets in the
developing world?

7.00 Reception Fairtrade Market Open- - Elvin Davies -saxophone player

7.30 The Dean of St Philips Cathedral Welcome-Address

7.40-St.Barts Choir

7.45 –John Boyle Midlands Co-operative Interviews Joan from
Traidcraft, 'Peter Lefort' from People Tree and Sylvia Gardner –LUCIA

8.05 Fashion Show of People Tree and Ethiopian Costumes to finish with-
saxophone plays

8.15 Break Fairtrade Market Open

8.30. St. Barts Choir

8.35 John Interviews Paul Birch-Revolver, Gill Smith from Fairtrade Design
and Susham from Shared Earth:-Launch of Coffee

8.50 Fashion show of Revolver Tshirts, accessories from Gill Smith, Shared
Earth clothes –

9.00 Fairtrade Market Open-Elvin Davies -saxophone player

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO BOOK A PLACE PLEASE CONTACT

John Boyle
Member Relations Officer
Member Relations Centre, BMI, Margaret Street, Birmingham, B3 3BS
Telephone: 01212331545 Web: www.midlandsco-op.com
Mobile: 07736792518 Email: john.boyle@midlandsco-op.com

Birmingham, the leading Fairtrade City in the world


Members of FAB are holding and supporting events as diverse as a Tea Dance for 400 old-timers to young people forming a Youth forum with Shared Earth; from a Swing Band playing at a Cricket Club to underwear being paraded in the Cathedral!

The Fortnight kicks off with schoolchildren from across the City invited to Co-operative Stores to learn about Fairtrade.  Schools and other groups will also be hosting Kit on events throughout the fortnight.

On 2nd March the main event; members of the public are invited to come to St Phillips Cathedral, 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm for a Fairtrade Fashion Show entitled Blood, Sweat and Traffic. With models showing off People Tree and Revolver World Fairtrade clothes as well as speakers and Fairtrade refreshments, the evening promises to be informative and saucy!

More Fairtrade wine is being sampled on the 3rd March at Birmingham University both students and staff are holding their fifth wine tasting event, highlighting Co-operative Fairtrade wines and the stories behind them.


Around 400 Members of Midlands Co-operative Society are preparing to strut their stuff on Friday 4 March 12.30 pm at the Tower Ballroom in Edgbaston, Birmingham for an afternoon of dancing and refreshments, in an effort to raise the profile of Fairtrade.
On the same Day Aston University is holding a series of Fairtrade events on their campus.

On Saturday 5th March from 8.00 pm Gary Allcock “Allstars” are playing swing at Kings Heath Cricket Club, proceeds to the Fairtrade Charity LUCIA.

On Wednesday 9th March FAB is visiting Birmingham City University’s Nursing and Midwifery Campus with a host of Fairtrade stalls offering allsorts of goodies, between 11.30  and 2.00 pm


Throughout the Fortnight Holy Trinity Catholic Media College will be exploring 'Why isn't all trade fair?' supported by a range of FAB members presenting, culminating in a fair dragon's den on Friday 18th March at which we will discuss the ideas of young people and what we in Birmingham can do to support fair and ethical trade.

One of the final events is Birmingham University Fairtrade Fashion Show in their Great Hall. Starting at 6.30 pm it promises to be a spectacular finale organised by the students who have show such a passion they are holding events on almost everyday of Fairtrade Fortnight.

No other city or town is holding this many events, many of which we have not even named. To find out more contact John Boyle 07736 792518

Friday 18 February 2011

Fairtrade Fortnight Events in Birmingham


I'll keep adding more as we find out about them, but so far:


24th Feb Kit on for Fairtrade, 
28th Feb Ethical lunch outside Guild
1st Mar Funfair Games 11 onwards
              outside library, Univ Bham
2nd Mar Pyramid of Flavour. 12 pm
              Thompson Training Suite, Univ Bham
3rd Mar  Fairtrade Wine tasting 6 pm 
             Cafe Aroma Bham Uni,
               1st Floor Staff room £5
4th Mar  Open Mic 7pm onwards 
               Urban VIllage, Univ Bham
4th Mar Holy Trinity Cath Media Arts College, 
              Should all trade be fair?
4th Mar Dancing for Fairtrade12.30 pm
              Tower Ballroom in Edgbaston
4th Mar Faitrade day, Aston University
7th Mar Ethical Buffet 7 pm Second floor Staff house 
             Univ Bham £12
7th Mar Evening with Divine Chocolates
8th Mar  Funfair games 11 onwards
              outside library, Univ Bham
9th Mar  Nursing and Midwifery Campus, BCU
               Fairtrade Fair 11:30 to 2:00pm
9th Mar  Pyramid of Flavour, 12 pm
              Thompson Training Suite, Univ Bham
11th Mar  redress ethical fashion show, 
               6:30pm Great Hall, Univ Bham £8
18th Mar  Holy Trinity Cath Media College, 
                Fair Dragon's Den 1:15 to 2:15pm

10th March Women's voices


Tuesday 15 February 2011


Young Guns Fighting Poverty


Shared Earth is committed to Fair and ethical trade. As a part of Shared Earth’s 25th Anniversary, we want to meet young people active or interested in campaigning for fairer trade.


On the 10th March, 4:00 to 6:00, we are inviting young people from Birmingham to join us at our New Street shop for a networking event, sharing ideas and experiences where young people make a difference fighting poverty through fair trade.


Shared Earth and Fairtrade Association Birmingham (FAB) are committed to supporting young people in Birmingham, and we intend this to be the first meeting, and the beginning of a Birmingham wide Young People’s Forum for fair and ethical trade.



Special guests, Jeremy Piercy, founder and managing director of Shared Earth, John Boyle, Chair of Fairtrade Association Birmingham and Members Relations Officer, Midlands Cooperative Society, and Matt Windle, Slam poet and former young Poet Laureate, will be taking part in our network evening. Snacks available, any dietary or other special requirements, please let us know.



Whether or not you will attend our event, please register interest by forwarding your email, or other contact detail you wish us to use to Marcus (see below).


Please contact Sushan Dasgupta (Shared Earth 0121 633 0151) or Marcus Belben (FAB, marcus.belben@gmail.com, 07784302283):


Shared Earth
87 New Street
Birmingham
B2 4BA
0121 633 0151

Tuesday 8 February 2011

Fairtrade Fortnight Campaigns Special


Forward to a friend







Fairtrade Fortnight 2011 campaigns special







The Fairtrade Fortnight countdown has begun!
It's only three weeks until the nation goes wild getting loud and proud about the Fairtrade label for two weeks. Are you prepared? There's still time to order posters, stickers, t-shirts, postcards and more - so from showing off the label in your front room window to organising a fashion show, we have the wherewithal to help. Order yours here.




The Great Cotton Stitch-Up
Our campaign for trade justice for West African cotton farmers is picking up momentum. Have you taken action yet? There are a host of things you can do to help from emailing government minister Caroline Spelman to visiting your local MEPs. Read more, get involved and download our MEP guide here. We are also at the World Social Forum in Senegal this week, where The Great Cotton Stitch-Up will be discussed at an event with African campaign groups. Keep an eye on the website for updates.




Bunting for justice
You can also get creative by joining in with our attempt to create the world's longest string of bunting to demonstrate support for Fairtrade and our demand for trade justice for cotton farmers. Order Fairtrade cotton bunting flags and sew, paint, draw and stick your messages to them, then show them off. Read more and order your bunting here

Event CalendarA Fair Story


If you are organising events in Fortnight, please add them to our online event calendar for everyone to see. Find out what is happening locally and get involved, or go along to events in your region.

  

Watch and appear in this brand new, very original and innovative film that invites you to be part of the story of Fairtrade. It's an interactive experience - try it here!




'I am happy that my children will get a better education and my hope is that they will go to university. This wouldn't have been possible before Fairtrade.' Moussa Keita, Fairtrade cotton farmer, Mali