Traidcraft was set up by a group of Christians as a practical response to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We helped pioneer fair trade in the UK, we demand justice for the poor and we rely heavily on the support of the Christian community in our mission of fighting poverty through trade.

By trading directly with poor producers we help them work their way out of poverty.

In Chile the honey farmers cooperative Apicoop is branching out into growing blueberry bushes.  As well as boosting the local economy, diversifying will help to provide Apicoop's beekeepers with a more stable future.

Traidcraft not only buys honey from Apicoop, but has gone the extra mile by making a grant available to help buy the blueberry plants.  Planting began in July and should be completed in September, depending on weather conditions.

The honey and blueberries are used in one of our Geobars.  The Sweet Justice fair trade honey that is very popular with my customers also comes from Chile.

Come and see the range of fair trade goods at the coffee morning at the United Reformed Church on 4^th October 10 am - 12.

The Meeting for September was unfortunately cancelled, as the proposed trip to Camberley, did not receive enough support, but on October 9^th Pam and Brienne are hosting a Bingo afternoon, and hopefully we will also 'get a full house', with all the usual Members attending.

The raffle will be run as usual, and maybe there will be 'prizes all round' with a good afternoon being had by all.

The renewal of membership for the year is now due and Betty will be collecting 'subs' on October 9th, these having increased slightly, from £4.50 to £4.70 for the year.

The Link Romania Shoebox Appeal will again be organised for Elstead and Thursley in time to be transported and distributed at Christmas. I know that this seems to be a long way off but if you would like to contribute we have to start thinking about what to put into our boxes now. Leaflets about what to put into the boxes will be available at the back of the churches, St James  and the URC.

Could I ask you to let me have these by the end of October please, as I have to get them to Worthing by the beginning of November. You can leave the completed boxes at the back of the church, or get them to our house, or I can collect locally if this will help.

May I remind everyone that a £2 coin has to be Sello-taped to the box. This is to offset the transport costs. Please contact me if you would like any further information.

Thank you