Christian Aid and its partners work to bring an end to poverty around the world – tackling its root causes as well as its effects – on behalf of churches in Britain & Ireland. Christian Aid Week this year is from 13^th to 19^th May.

We are grateful to many people who already help with the door to door envelope collection, but we could always do with more, in Sudbury, Great Cornard, or other villages.

If you can help, please contact me, Malcolm Snow, malcolmsnow@onetel.com, 01787 374096, or for Long Melford only, contact Jane Kohler, jane@alnic.co.uk , 01787 310373.

We are also seeking a Local Organiser for Sudbury & Great Cornard.

Christine Rogers, who took over from me last year, will be moving away soon. If you know of anyone who would undertake this vital role, please contact me as above.

The next meeting is 12th March, 7:30pm, 24 Waldingfield Road.

Church Chat – If you missed John Boardman’s article in the Mercury, read it here .

Read the minutes of the meeting held on 2nd May, 2012.

BBC Radio 4’s Food Programme on 30 January explained why supplies of cocoa around the world are facing a challenging future, and included mention of Fairtrade.

Download the podcast from http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/foodprog .

Last month, the Office of Fair Trading granted CAP a Group Consumer Credit Licence, which means they can offer a more affordable partnership option to churches who wish to do more of the debt counselling themselves. They are one of only three money advice organisations to hold this licence. Read more here .

Read good news of progress towards the five goals, plans for Fairtrade Fortnight and more in the latest Minutes of Sudbury Fairtrade Town Steering Group (attached).

John Boardman writes:

Thank you to all those in Sudbury who made a pennant for the wonderful world record Fairtrade bunting!

If you’d like to join the Sudbury group, please ring 01787 372738.

We did it! On World Fair Trade Day last Saturday we hung a 3,427.94 metre line of Fairtrade cotton bunting in Battersea Park, London. Thank you to the 130,000+ of you who took part in the creative petition in support of Fairtrade and trade justice in cotton. Click here for photos and more details.

Of course, it will take more than the longest line of bunting ever to end trade–distorting subsidies that are keeping African cotton farmers in poverty. Click here to take action to support the campaign: contact your MEP to ensure cotton is on the CAP reform agenda, and email Agriculture Minister Caroline Spelman to ensure the UK government fights our corner at the EU.

Best wishes
Adam Gardner
Campaigns Officer

The next meeting of the group takes place on Monday 20th June 2011, 7.30pm at 24 Waldingfield Road.

On Tuesday May 3rd at 3.00 pm at St John’s Methodist Church there will be a presentation on the DIGITAL SWITCHOVER.  This is aimed principally at older people but is an open meeting at which anyone who is concerned about what they need to do to prepare for the switchover, is most welcome.

Please come and join us if you prefer to have a speaker, and an opportunity to ask questions to a real person, rather than having to read a leaflet.

[NOTE: the Sudbury TV transmitter digital switchover occurs in July]