South East Updates from Sally

Hello,

I hope you have been having an enjoyable month. It certainly seems like the events are coming thick and fast as summer approaches. The event in Holland Park last Saturday was threatened with clouds but the sun prevailed bringing families out to see what was going on. The Fairtrade Conference in Wales was a great way to reconnect with fairtrade groups in the world’s first Fairtrade Nation and I made lots of useful connections there and generated lots of interest in Shared Interest. I will be returning to Wales in October to Cardiff and Abergavenny for the annual World Fair Trade Fair and have a couple of Ambassadors who may be able to help but if you know anyone from that part of the world who would like to know more or may be able to help out at our stall please let us know!

I recently spoke about Shared Interest to a group of people interested in Fairtrade from an online group called the 21st Century Network, this event was aimed at showing people how they could get involved as an Ambassador as well as telling more people about Shared Interest. One attendee summed up the event with these words ‘It is true that Shared Interest is the “best kept secret” of the fair Trade movement and I personally believe their business model is a great alternative to ‘just giving’.’ This event was a great opportunity to speak to people interested in Fair trade but who had not heard of Shared Interest and left ready to tell others about us.

As summer fairs, events and exhibitions are fast approaching I have another few dates for your diaries and action points for you:

Saturday 11th July – the Big Brew. For more information see the first newsletter article.

Sunday 12th July – we will be having a stall at the Cutty Sark Fair Trade Fair and this will be from 11am until 4pm on the Sunday. If you are able to help out for some of the duration of the fair that would be great and please get in touch.

Friday 17th and Saturday 18th July – The Retirement Show 2009. We will be exhibiting at this popular event which is being held in the Grand Hall at London Olympia. The stall will be open from 10am until 5pm on the Friday and Saturday and help is again much appreciated at any time over these two days. I will be setting up for the event on Thursday the 16th and if anyone can help out then please do get in touch also.

Saturday 19th July – the Big Lunch. For more information see the first newsletter article.