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In May, 2006, we held a 'Tasting Fair Trade' event in St Helen's Church hall, at which samples of the full range of Traidcraft foods were offered. We also included a wine tasting, seen here. Moira Nash, from Traidcraft came and talked about Traidcraft's campaigning work.
In 2007, on March 10, we took part in 'The Big Brew', when Fair Trade groups across Oxfordshire celebrated both Fairtrade Fortnight and 'Oxford Inspires', the marking of the 1,00th year of the County.
Our contribution was to hold a Sale & Coffee Morning in St Nicolas Church in the centre of Abingdon.
Members of the Group meet three times a year to plan events and promotions, and to review progress on sales. This is one of our meetings.
We always arrange a Christmas Sale each year. It is an opportunity to sell Christmas cards and gifts. This one was held at the Baptist Church.
Another regular event is the stall we set up in the Market Place, as part of Abingdon's Christian Aid Committee's effort during Christian Aid Week in May. This stall was in 2006.
For eight years we sold Traidcraft goods from the AfPiC charity shop in Bath Street. We closed it in 2007 since shopping patterns were changing, and as more retail outlets have started to sell fair trade products.
The Group keeps in regular contact with Traidcraft. Here are some members at a Spring Preview organised by Traidcraft in Oxford to show new products and explain what the company is planning for the future.
When Prince Andrew visited Traidcraft in Gateshead in 2004, Chris was invited, with three other Fair Traders from across England, to meet him and explain what Traidcraft's 5,000 volunteers are doing to promote sales of fair trade products.
This is a photo taken at our 'Taste of India' evening. It was held at Trinity Church in January, 2004, and 130 people came for an Indian meal and presentations on Traidcraft's work in that country.
Behind the scenes a lot of work had to be done. Here are some of the cooks preparing the Indian meal.
This is a photo of members of ATG and helpers, taken by Brain Conder of Traidcraft, at our 'Taste of Kenya' in 2005, held at All Saints Church. 70 people enjoyed a Kenyan meal, followed by presentations about that country.
Chris is standing outside St Nicolas' Church advertising our 2007 Christmas Sale and Exhibition. And he doesn't even like bananas!
Inside the church, preparations are going ahead setting up the stalls. We were joined by Tearcraft, and we also sold crafts from PULA, which imports them from southern Africa.
This is our new outlet, Radley Village Shop, where we supply a shelf of Fairtrade products.
In 2008, on March 10, we once again took part in the County-wide celebration of Fairtrade Fortnight, by holding a Display, Sale and Coffee Morning in St Nicolas' Church.