A happy New Year to you.

Having been away for a month, returning on Christmas Eve, I missed writing in the last few months' copy of Village News.  I must thank my family and friends who managed the stall at the December coffee morning.

I have just heard that in November, Fair Traders sold £1.35m of goods.  This will help to go the Extra Mile for the many people Traidcraft support.

In December we were asked to remember the people of Bangladesh who had suffered in the cyclone.  It is known that two of our producers have lost their husbands and many more lost houses, trees, crops and animals.  Traidcraft will be working with producers who have been affected to identify their needs and how best they can be supported

Thank you all for your support in 2007.  Fair trade is growing but has a long way to go yet.  The ideal is for all producers to receive a living wage so they can have a house, clean water, food for their families and education for their children.

For those new to the Village, my stall is at the United Reformed Church coffee morning on the first Saturday each month, 10 am - 12 noon.  See you there.

This is just to remind all Members that the next Meeting is on Thursday 14^th February at 2 pm. We will I think, have completed the Activities Sheet for 2008, by that time and these will available for collection at the Meeting,

New Members are very welcome - contact Sandra on 702 050.

Elstead United Reformed Church wish to thank all who supported our Winter Fayre in November.  We raised £800.