Sustainability Fair at Botanical Garden

Fairtrade was well represented at this, our main event in 2013.  Fairtrade movement, as always working side by side along other campaigners for fairer and more sustainable trade.

Sustainable Spring Fair

Saturday 9th March 2013

Birmingham Botanical Gardens, B15 3TR 

T: 0121 454 1860

Climate Week is Britain’s biggest climate change campaign. To mark this event the Birmingham Sustainable Spring Fair is bringing together sustainability practitioners and entrepreneurs in Birmingham to promote and sell their ideas and produce.

Birmingham is striving to become a leading, green city and the Birmingham Botanical Gardens is working on being the Flag Ship for a ‘Green Family Day Out’.

Ball Room Bar Area

Energy Road Show – learn about the latest energy saving techniques, sign up to the Birmingham Green Deal to get your house or community building retrofitted. Other activities include making your own smoothie with pedal power and a children’s artist will be painting energy saving pictorial messages which kids can colour in.

The Fairtrade and Ethical Market will be selling a range of locally sourced produce and crafts from all over the world.

Birmingham Scrap Store – the Birmingham Play Care Network will be supervising children’s play activities using 'scrap' materials.

Swap-a-thon - bring something from home you don’t want (like unwanted books, bric-a-brac, clothes, shoes and toys) and swap it for something you do.

Love Food Hate Waste - cookery demonstrations showing how to make tasty food from leftovers.
Sustainable Transport, Health, other green practitioners will be there to give advice and promote their initiatives.

Ball Room Stage

Dancers, story telling, music and magic!
Terrace
Big games and entertainment on the lawn
Animals and reptiles corner
Living Statues
Get your hands dirty with clay oven building and have a go at 'scrap to craft' activities.
Botanical Garden’s Biodiversity trail for children
Band Stand

Live local dance and music acts will entertain the crowds powered by a bio- diesel generator.

For a free entrance ticket, visit the Birmingham City Council website and download your e-ticket. This ticket is valid for you and your family on Saturday 9th March 2013 only.

www.birmingham.gov.uk/springfair

For more information ring 0121 464 9166

FAB market at Sustainability fair

Excellent day in Victoria Square, as part of Birmingham's Sustainability Fair.  Here are a few photos from the day:

FAB celebrates fairtrade fairmined gold

Members of FAB will be walking from Victoria Square to the Jewellery Quarter on Saturday 3rd March at midday to celebrate Fairmined Gold, a new and exciting development of ethical trade.  FAB is using the theme of Fairtrade Fortnight of “Make your step count” to follow the tourist trail of footsteps to the Jewellery Quarter and promote Fairmined Gold. They are being joined by Jewellery Quarter’s Cookson Gold and Weston Beamor who supply Fairmined Gold to the trade.

Fairtrade and Fairmined certified gold, the world's first independent ethical certification system for gold, will offer you the guarantee of a product which has been responsibly mined. All Fairtrade and Fairmined gold is mined from small-scale and artisan mines in a way that seeks to reduce dependence on harmful chemicals. Good news for mining communities in South America and good news for the people who live and mine there. Look carefully and you'll find the Fairtrade and Fairmined stamp on the inside of every piece.

'I think that Fairtrade is going to help us to sell our gold at the right price and we will be better paid. It will also help the environment.' Gina Dávila, mineral sorter, Sotrami Mine.

FAB have been supporting a range of promotional events throughout Fairtrade Fortnight to promote ethical trade and encourage people of Birmingham and the West Midlands to support retailers who sell Fairtrade goods.

John Boyle Chair of FAB:

“ this celebratory walk is a simple step toward making peoples lives better, by encouraging people in the UK to shop with their heart they will benefit those who have no choices due to their absolute poverty.”

For further information please contact:
John Boyle
07736792518
john.boyle@midlands.coop

Blood, Sweat, & Chocolate

Fair trade enters the Dragons Den

Piecing together a story from B'ham Archive images

Over the last three weeks over 100 young people from Holy Trinity Catholic Media Arts College have been working on their own ideas for fair and ethical trading to appeal to young people in Birmingham.

Their creative ideas could be developed with the support of Fairtrade Association Birmingham and Creative Partnerships.  Their enquiry 'should all trade be fair?' was supported by a range of our different fair trade experts who made presentations about their practice, and answer any questions about the ideas of the young people.
Apart from the obvious enthusiasm of young people to explore fairness and trading, there are a range of curriculum learning objectives that could be covered by this project. We supported learning by offering a range of different workshops covering related issues:

• Birmingham and Fair Trade - Marcus Belben (Bham Archives and Heritage)
• Marketing and Publicity - Marcia Springer (Bright Space)
• The Cooperative movement - John Boyle (Midlands Coop)
• Fairtrade and film, John Cooper (Just film Cooperative)
• Trade and Charity, Sylvia Gardner (LUCIA)
• Faith and Fair trade, Karem Issa (Faiths Act Fellow with the Tony Blair Faith Foundation).

Mapping out where goods have come from to make their clothes

The dragons den was hosted at Holy Trinity, the panel including young people, teaching staff and Jane Colbourne (FAB secretary and procurements manager, University of Birmingham).  Each class from year 8 presented one of their ideas, including clothing for young women, sportswear, drinks and make up, mobile phones and an app to find fairtrade goods, footwear including fairtrade trainers (Fairtrainers+, the dragon's den winners) and not forgetting chocolate.

Clothing designed during project

Presentations were mostly organised with powerpoint, including drama, artwork and a rap, all demonstrating the understanding of young people and their creative approach, in their words, to 'young people changing the world'

Sushan Dasgupta also coordinated a meeting at Shared Earth, on 10th March to discuss and develop a youth forum for young people and schools across Birmingham. Our work at Holy Trinity and all the other schools we have worked with over fairtrade fortnight in Birmingham, has demonstrated a need to collaborate more with young people to develop their campaigns on fair and ethical trading in Birmingham.

Kit on at Kings Heath Primary

Two days of workshops at Kings Heath Primary saw us working with the stay & play group, and the whole of year 3.

Blood, Sweat, Traffic event in photos

Kit on for Fairtrade first event

Kings Heath Community Centre hosted the first Kit on for fairtrade events today - photos below

Blood, Sweat and Traffic

Fairtrade Association Birmingham presents

Blood, Sweat and Traffic

A Fashion Show and Market

Sponsored by Midlands Co-operative Society Ltd.

Birmingham Cathedral

Wednesday 2nd March 2011

7.00 p.m. for 7.30 p.m. start

ADDMISSION FREE

Free Wine and Nibbles

What’s going on!

Why do so many people campaign to stop the injustice
of some of the practises of the trade markets in the
developing world?

7.00 Reception Fairtrade Market Open- - Elvin Davies -saxophone player

7.30 The Dean of St Philips Cathedral Welcome-Address

7.40-St.Barts Choir

7.45 –John Boyle Midlands Co-operative Interviews Joan from
Traidcraft, 'Peter Lefort' from People Tree and Sylvia Gardner –LUCIA

8.05 Fashion Show of People Tree and Ethiopian Costumes to finish with-
saxophone plays

8.15 Break Fairtrade Market Open

8.30. St. Barts Choir

8.35 John Interviews Paul Birch-Revolver, Gill Smith from Fairtrade Design
and Susham from Shared Earth:-Launch of Coffee

8.50 Fashion show of Revolver Tshirts, accessories from Gill Smith, Shared
Earth clothes –

9.00 Fairtrade Market Open-Elvin Davies -saxophone player

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO BOOK A PLACE PLEASE CONTACT

John Boyle
Member Relations Officer
Member Relations Centre, BMI, Margaret Street, Birmingham, B3 3BS
Telephone: 01212331545 Web: www.midlandsco-op.com
Mobile: 07736792518 Email: john.boyle@midlandsco-op.com

Birmingham, the leading Fairtrade City in the world

Members of FAB are holding and supporting events as diverse as a Tea Dance for 400 old-timers to young people forming a Youth forum with Shared Earth; from a Swing Band playing at a Cricket Club to underwear being paraded in the Cathedral!

The Fortnight kicks off with schoolchildren from across the City invited to Co-operative Stores to learn about Fairtrade.  Schools and other groups will also be hosting Kit on events throughout the fortnight.

On 2^nd March the main event; members of the public are invited to come to St Phillips Cathedral, 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm for a Fairtrade Fashion Show entitled Blood, Sweat and Traffic. With models showing off People Tree and Revolver World Fairtrade clothes as well as speakers and Fairtrade refreshments, the evening promises to be informative and saucy!

More Fairtrade wine is being sampled on the 3^rd March at Birmingham University both students and staff are holding their fifth wine tasting event, highlighting Co-operative Fairtrade wines and the stories behind them.

Around 400 Members of Midlands Co-operative Society are preparing to strut their stuff on Friday 4 March 12.30 pm at the Tower Ballroom in Edgbaston, Birmingham for an afternoon of dancing and refreshments, in an effort to raise the profile of Fairtrade.

On the same Day Aston University is holding a series of Fairtrade events on their campus.

On Saturday 5^th March from 8.00 pm Gary Allcock “Allstars” are playing swing at Kings Heath Cricket Club, proceeds to the Fairtrade Charity LUCIA.

On Wednesday 9^th March FAB is visiting Birmingham City University’s Nursing and Midwifery Campus with a host of Fairtrade stalls offering allsorts of goodies, between 11.30  and 2.00 pm

On the 10^th the ethical store Shared Earth in New Street is inviting young people from across the City to a networking evening on Fairtrade.

Throughout the Fortnight Holy Trinity Catholic Media College will be exploring 'Why isn't all trade fair?' supported by a range of FAB members presenting, culminating in a fair dragon's den on Friday 18^th March at which we will discuss the ideas of young people and what we in Birmingham can do to support fair and ethical trade.

One of the final events is Birmingham University Fairtrade Fashion Show in their Great Hall. Starting at 6.30 pm it promises to be a spectacular finale organised by the students who have show such a passion they are holding events on almost everyday of Fairtrade Fortnight.

No other city or town is holding this many events, many of which we have not even named. To find out more contact John Boyle 07736 792518

john.boyle@midlandsco-op.com

Fairtrade Fortnight Events in Birmingham

I'll keep adding more as we find out about them, but so far:


24th Feb Kit on for Fairtrade, 

                KHCC Stay and Play 10a.m. to 1

28^th Feb Ethical lunch outside Guild

28th Feb Kit on for Fairtrade, 

               Baptist Chuch Stay & Play 

               10 to 11a.m., Kings Heath

1^st Mar Funfair Games 11 onwards
              outside library, Univ Bham

2nd Mar Blood, Sweat, and Traffic 

              7 to 9pm, Birmingham Cathedral

2^nd Mar Pyramid of Flavour. 12 pm
              Thompson Training Suite, Univ Bham

3rd Mar  Fairtrade Wine tasting 6 pm 

             Cafe Aroma Bham Uni,

               1st Floor Staff room £5

4^th Mar  Open Mic 7pm onwards 
               Urban VIllage, Univ Bham

4th Mar Holy Trinity Cath Media Arts College, 

              Should all trade be fair?
4th Mar Dancing for Fairtrade12.30 pm
              Tower Ballroom in Edgbaston
4th Mar Faitrade day, Aston University

5th Mar Gary Allcock Swing for Fairtrade 

             8 to 11pm, Kings Heath Cricket Club

7th Mar Ethical Buffet 7 pm Second floor Staff house 

             Univ Bham £12
7th Mar Evening with Divine Chocolates

8^th Mar  Funfair games 11 onwards

              outside library, Univ Bham

9th Mar  Nursing and Midwifery Campus, BCU
               Fairtrade Fair 11:30 to 2:00pm

9^th Mar  Pyramid of Flavour, 12 pm

              Thompson Training Suite, Univ Bham

10th Mar Kit on for Fairtrade 

                Kings Heath Primary Yr3

10th Mar Women's Voices, 6 to 9pm

                West Midland Fire, Vauxhall rd
10^th Mar  Treasure Hunt, Guild Bham Uni

10th Mar Young Guns Fighting Poverty 

                Shared Earth New Street 4 to 6pm

11th Mar  redress ethical fashion show, 

               6:30pm Great Hall, Univ Bham £8

18th Mar  Holy Trinity Cath Media College, 

                Fair Dragon's Den 1:15 to 2:15pm

10th March Women's voices

Young Guns Fighting Poverty

Shared Earth is committed to Fair and ethical trade. As a part of Shared Earth’s 25th Anniversary, we want to meet young people active or interested in campaigning for fairer trade.


On the 10th March, 4:00 to 6:00, we are inviting young people from Birmingham to join us at our New Street shop for a networking event, sharing ideas and experiences where young people make a difference fighting poverty through fair trade.


Shared Earth and Fairtrade Association Birmingham (FAB) are committed to supporting young people in Birmingham, and we intend this to be the first meeting, and the beginning of a Birmingham wide Young People’s Forum for fair and ethical trade.

Special guests, Jeremy Piercy, founder and managing director of Shared Earth, John Boyle, Chair of Fairtrade Association Birmingham and Members Relations Officer, Midlands Cooperative Society, and Matt Windle, Slam poet and former young Poet Laureate, will be taking part in our network evening. Snacks available, any dietary or other special requirements, please let us know.

Whether or not you will attend our event, please register interest by forwarding your email, or other contact detail you wish us to use to Marcus (see below).


Please contact Sushan Dasgupta (Shared Earth 0121 633 0151) or Marcus Belben (FAB, marcus.belben@gmail.com, 07784302283):


Shared Earth
87 New Street
Birmingham
B2 4BA

0121 633 0151

Fairtrade Fortnight Campaigns Special

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Fairtrade Fortnight 2011 campaigns special

The Fairtrade Fortnight countdown has begun! It's only three weeks until the nation goes wild getting loud and proud about the Fairtrade label for two weeks. Are you prepared? There's still time to order posters, stickers, t-shirts, postcards and more - so from showing off the label in your front room window to organising a fashion show, we have the wherewithal to help. Order yours here. The Great Cotton Stitch-Up Our campaign for trade justice for West African cotton farmers is picking up momentum. Have you taken action yet? There are a host of things you can do to help from emailing government minister Caroline Spelman to visiting your local MEPs. Read more, get involved and download our MEP guide here. We are also at the World Social Forum in Senegal this week, where The Great Cotton Stitch-Up will be discussed at an event with African campaign groups. Keep an eye on the website for updates. Bunting for justice You can also get creative by joining in with our attempt to create the world's longest string of bunting to demonstrate support for Fairtrade and our demand for trade justice for cotton farmers. Order Fairtrade cotton bunting flags and sew, paint, draw and stick your messages to them, then show them off. Read more and order your bunting here.  Event Calendar A Fair Story If you are organising events in Fortnight, please add them to our online event calendar for everyone to see. Find out what is happening locally and get involved, or go along to events in your region. Watch and appear in this brand new, very original and innovative film that invites you to be part of the story of Fairtrade. It's an interactive experience - try it here! 'I am happy that my children will get a better education and my hope is that they will go to university. This wouldn't have been possible before Fairtrade.' Moussa Keita, Fairtrade cotton farmer, Mali

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