Annual Report to the Stocksbridge Community...

Fairtrade Stocksbridge Steering Group

of 4 Fairtradestocksbridge/2012annual report/ac/10/22/2012

Annual Report to the Stocksbridge Community Forum

and Steering Group Funders – September 2011 - November 2012

1. Introduction

1.1. In September 2011, the Stocksbridge Community Forum resolved to form a sub group to

coordinate activity to promote Fairtrade in Stocksbridge with the aim of achieving

‘Fairtrade Town’ status - what is likely to be a two year process.

1.2. This group quickly developed a 12 month Action and Financial Plan and has met regularly

over the last 12 months to put this into effect.

1.3. Thanks are due to all those involved on the Steering Group for their hard work and

commitment over that time, which has ensured such rapid progress has been achieved in

our first year – particularly Joan Banks for her hospitality in allowing us to use her home for

meetings.

1.4. Thanks also go to all our funders whose financial support has ensured we have been able to

effectively promote our activities, finance events and establish marketing and publicity

resources that will serve us well in the future.

2. Achievements in first 12 months

2.1. Developed an Action Plan a 2 year financial forecast to give greater focus and drive.

2.2. Secured a resolution from the Town Council supporting Stocksbridge becoming a Fairtrade

Town.

2.3. Held a public meeting with visiting speakers from Penistone & Holme Valley Fairtrade

Towns to raise awareness and support – attended by 30 people.

2.4. Established a supporters list of over 250 people members of the local community and

surrounding areas.

2.5. Created a new Fairtrade Stocksbridge website – www.fairtradestocksbridge.co.uk



2.6. Undertook a survey of all local shops, cafes, retailers, pubs in the Stocksbridge and

surrounding area to identify who sells/serves fair-trade products.

2.7. Produced a draft ‘Fairtrade Stocksbridge’ directory to be printed circulated in 2013.

2.8. Produced a draft ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ to be awarded

to all local establishments who sell/serve fairtrade products.

2.9. Organised a Fairtrade stall and raffle at two local fayres to

promote and sell Fairtrade products.

2.10. Organised a Fairtrade Wine tasting Evening, which sold all

tickets (40 people) and was attended by Linda McAvan, MEP

who voiced her support for our initiative.

2.11. Secured several publicity articles in Look Local covering the Steering Groups activities.

2.12. Secured significant and essential funding of £1200 to implement the action plan.



3. Finance & Funding

3.1. A total of £1200 grant funding was secured as follows;

3.1.1. The Bridge Shop - £270 contribution to running costs.

3.1.2. The Cooperative Area Committee - £180 contribution to wine tasting evening.

3.1.3. Stocksbridge Town Council - £250 contribution to advertising and publicity costs.

3.1.4. Northern Community Assembly - £500 contribution to marketing resources.

3.2. The Stocksbridge Co-op supported the wine tasting evening by allowing us 10% discount

on all the wine we purchased and donated gift vouchers worth £15 which were used as a

raffle prize.

3.3. Sales from events and raffles have so far totaled £379.18.

3.4. Income & Expenditure to date is as follows;

2012 Income Bridge Shop grant £270.00 Raffle ticket Sales £44.00 Co-op SY Community Fund Donation of gift vouchers £15.00 Co-op Area Committee £180.00 Stocksbridge Town Council £250.00 Northern community Assembly - Small Grants £500.00 Wine tasting Evening cash sales £335.18

£1,594.18

Expenditure Venue Room Hire - Public Meeting 18 April £48.00 Photocopying £8.47 Raffle prizes for 12 May £20.00 Venue stall hire - 12 May £15.00 Fasthosts Domain name £7.08 Promotional materials (Fairtrade balloons/key fobs) £10.98 Photocopying (30 May Meeting papers) £2.78 Postage (Co-op grant application) £0.70 Photocopying - Flyers for public mtg £3.20 Wine tasting Evening costs £485.03 £601.24

Balance c/fwd £992.94

3.5. The balance of £992.94 includes £621.74 restricted grants yet to be spent on earmarked

items as per the financial plan and grant application.

3.6. The result of a grant application to the Cooperative Community Fund is currently still

outstanding.



4. Future Plans

4.1. Now we have the resources, we will be proceeding with the following expenditure;

4.1.1. Fairtrade stall at both the Stocksbridge and Venue Christmas Markets and more

local Galas and Fayres.

4.1.2. Printing & distribution of the ‘Fairtrade Stocksbridge’ directory.

4.1.3. Printing and awarding of ‘Certificates of Appreciation’.

4.1.4. Proceeding with the printing and purchasing of a variety of marketing banners to

advertise Fairtrade in Stocksbridge and our stall at future events.

4.2. In addition to using Look Local, we will look to broaden our local profile by utilising other

media e.g. Penistone Radio, S36tv. We hope this will encourage others to get involved and

possibly join the Steering Group.

4.3. We want to engage with local schools to identify potential activities to promote fairtrade.

Contact has already been made with the Head of Stocksbridge High School who has

indicated he wishes the school to be involved in some way.

4.4. A number of the local churches have been involved with Fairtrade for some time; however

we would like to explore ways in which we could assist.

4.5. We intend to organise more ‘themed’ fairtrade evenings and have already begun making

plans for the next one around March 2013.

4.6. We will be looking at the feasibility of buying and selling our own stock of fairtrade items

for the Fairtrade Stocksbridge stall.

5. Summary

5.1. We have made a great start with our initiative and have made good inroads into all of the

five goals we have to meet in achieving Fairtrade Town status.

5.2. Our fundraising has been very effective allowing us to build up our resources, promote

fairtrade more effectively and plan to hold future events. Grateful thanks go to our funders

for their support.

5.3. The activities undertaken thus far been very successful and well supported - this gives us

encouragement for the future.

5.4. Becoming a Fairtrade Town sends a powerful message about how our community wants

trade to work and will directly benefit some of the world’s poorest farmers and workers

through increasing awareness and sales of Fairtrade in our area.

5.5. Every movement for change begins with people doing what they can where they are. This

initiative is for anyone interested in making Fairtrade a part of our community. Achieving

Fairtrade Town status for Stocksbridge and then continuing to take action on Fairtrade will

unite existing supporters and activity, bring more people on board and create a local focus

for Fairtrade.

"The strength of Fairtrade Towns is that they involve the whole community. They are not

just about the council, the churches, the schools or businesses but about all these and

more. Fairtrade Towns bring people together and increase understanding of how small

actions add up to make a big difference to the lives of people thousands of miles away".

Bruce Crowther, Chair, Garstang Fairtrade Town

Annual Report to the Stocksbridge Community...

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