Fairtrade fortnight 2011 - show off your labelWe celebrated Fairtrade Fortnight this year with a ceilidh in the Chalmers Hall, Bridge of Allan. Over a hundred people joined us to dance to the lively Riverside Ceilidh Band, and a fantastic night was had by all. Guest of honour was Ken Mkangala, a Fair Trade macadamia nut producer from Malawi, on his first visit to Scotland. Jon Cape, co-ordinator of Fair Trade Stirling said "This was a tremendous evening and shows how we can have a great night out and help a fantastic cause at the same time."
Ken is shown with Martin Rhodes of the Scottish Fair Trade Forum, Riverside Ceilidh Band fiddlers Jan Atkinson and Eileen Abbott and Fair Trade Stirling's Jon Cape. We're already getting our thinking caps on to plan our next event, so keep an eye on Upcoming Events to be the first to know about our next night of fun and fair trade: we'd love to see you there! Fairtrade Fortnight 2010  Let us work together and make Scotland a Fair Trade Nation!—Towera Jalakasi Towera Jalakasi promotes Fair Trade businesses in Malawi. As Fair Trade Stirling's guest, she hosted talks to students in Bannockburn, Stirling and Wallace High Schools. She finished off a packed day with a lively discussion at Logie Kirk on taking the next steps on fair trade.  Stuart Fulton, Minister at Logie Kirk, said "It's through stories that people can really gain understanding" and Towera was full of stories. How basket weavers had built new life and new hope through fair trade, and how for some it came too late. Her message was one of hope and confidence. She told schoolchildren "Every time you buy a Geobar, or any other fair trade item, you are doing something to help." Thanks to fifth formers at Wallace High School, who made a video of Towera’s talk, many more people had the chance to hear her during the Fair Trade wine tasting evening on Saturday. Jon Cape, Co-ordinator of Fair Trade Stirling, said, "thanks to generous sponsorship from the Coop and from the Royal Hotel, Bridge of Allan, this has been another great event, with sixty or so people hearing about fair trade first hand." The evening was opened by deputy convenor of Stirling Council, Councillor Jim Thompson, who will be meeting Fair Trade Stirling in coming weeks to discuss how to take fair trade further in Stirling. 
Vendor Amy McNeese
with Muirneag goods 
Councillor
Jim Thomson 
Vendor Terry Jobe
Raffle Prizes
Sommelier
John Butterfield At Fair Trade Stirling, we enjoy a good time—and our Fairtrade Wine Tasting event demonstrated that brilliantly. Aside from the pleasure of sampling fine wines, we were able to browse several vendors, had a raffle, and lots of laughs. John Butterfield, minister of Stirling's Methodist Church, offered fun along with his sommelier duties. Vendors included:
|
The Scribblers Picnic, 4 October 2008 The Scribblers Picnic, 4 October 2008, was great fun for everyone—attendees, musicians, cancer charities, and Fair Trade. We held a Coconut Shy and Dubble Bar. Lane Stevenson and our very own Jon Cape were captured in the act of tossing balls at the coconuts. (We're sorry to report that neither one scored a hit.) It was a focus of fun and friendly competition for all ages, not to mention helping to bring a spotlight on Fair Trade. It was great fun for all ages. Set under a view of Stirling Castle—as you can see in the photo to the right—it drew many hundreds of people of all ages and musical interests. We do hope you can join us next year. Let's not forget the music. With five different venues, each featuring a different style, there was surely something to please everyone. For our feature, we've photos of a crowd-pleasing Scottish tattoo band, which featured musicians, all attired in traditional kilts—including the woman—but with a modern flair. The crowd, which included people from all over the world and of all ages, was riveted by the enthusiasm and talent that drove a spellbinding performance. If the music wasn't enough for the little ones, a fantasy playland was available to them.         |