Fairtrade Fortnight is well on its way as I write.  Most people now recognise the Fairtrade Mark, it was reproduced in the Village News when it first came into use.

Millions of farmers in very poor countries depend on selling their crops to survive.  But it is a risky business - when prices drop it can spell disaster.  If they earn less than it costs to run the farm, they face real hardship - struggling to buy food or keep their children in school.  Ultimately they may lose their land and their livelihood.

In the Traidcraft catalogue there are some stories of producers of the goods and how fairtrade has changed their lives.

There are details in the catalogue too of Traidcraft's "Meet the People" tours.  Go and see how fairtrade has improved peoples' lives.  Tours go to South Africa, India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Chile, Malawi, Kenya, Indonesia, Zambia, the Philippines and Cuba.  To receive a brochure or find out more, call 0870 444 1774.

Jean Wheatley

Since my mother Daphne died on March 10^th it feels as if the whole village has been filling the house with cards and flowers and letters and sympathy and good wishes.

Thank you all so much for your support, not only now but over the last five and a half years of her illness. Both she and I appreciated all the warmth and understanding that Elstead gave us.