SHOW OFF YOUR LABEL - Fairtrade Fortnight 2011

The dates and theme for next year's Fairtrade Fortnight have been announced. Last year saw the UK making over one million and one swaps to Fairtrade products during Fairtrade Fortnight. This was a loud and proud message that the people of Britain want a fair deal for the producers behind the products they buy.


This year, we want to take the story further and explain why. By showing off about Fairtrade, you'll be explaining the importance of Fairtrade to its producers, about the benefits of receiving a Fairtrade premium for their local communities and securing a more stable future.

Fairtrade is transforming the lives of millions of farming families in developing countries and this is down to the passionate commitment of Fairtrade supporters, stockists and companies around the world. Show off and in doing so, encourage others to follow in your footsteps.

DANGOSWCH EICH LABEL - Pythefnos Masnach Deg 2011

Mae testun a dyddiadau Pythefnos Masnach Deg 2011 wedi eu cyhoeddi. Flwyddyn diwethaf welson ni dros miliwn o bobl yn swapio nwyddau ar gyfer rhai Masnach Deg yn ystod Pythefnos Masnach Deg. Roed dhwn yn neges gryf bod pobl Prydain eisiau tegwch i gynhyrchwyr sy’n paratoi ein nwyddau.


Blwyddyn nesaf byddwn yn mynd a’r stori ymhellach ac yn esbonio pam. Wrth glodfori Masnach Deg, byddwch yn esbonio pwysicrwydd Masnach Deg i’r cynhyrchwyr, yn dangos manteision derbyn premiwm Masnach Deg ar gyfer eu cymunedau lleol a sicrhau dyfodol mwy sicr.

Mae Masnach Deg yn trawsnewid bywydau miliynau o deuluoedd ffermwyr mewn gwledydd datblygol ac mae hyn oherwydd ymrwymiad cefnogwyr Masnach Deg, pobl a cwmniau ar draws y byd sy’n cadw’r nwyddau. Felly beth am frolio atynnu sylw at Fasnach Deg ac wrth wneud hynny annog eraill i ddilyn eich hesiampl.

Carmarthenshire retains Fairtrade status

CARMARTHENSHIRE has retained its Fairtrade status.


The county was awarded the accolade in June 2009 and the Fairtrade Foundation has renewed the status for another two years.

The Carmarthenshire’s Fairtrade Streering Group had to submit an application for renewal showing the progress made during the last year.

The group has been working to raise the awareness and availability of Fairtrade in the county in various ways.

There are now 37 retail outlets and 22 catering outlets selling/using two or more Fairtrade products throughout the county. Furthermore, Llanelli, Ammanford and Carmarthen now have their own Fairtrade groups.

The council also has a corporate sustainable procurement policy which includes a strong commitment to purchasing ethical and Fairtrade goods.

Work has been ongoing with schools, colleges, community organisations and businesses including a focus on tourism.

Two of the county’s schools have also achieved Fairtrade status – Ysgol Dyffryn Taf in Whitland and Ysgol Gynradd Llanddarog, with many more working towards it.

Councillor Pam Palmer, the council’s executive board member for sustainable development, said: “I am delighted Carmarthenshire has kept its Fairtrade status, it is a fantastic achievement as a key part of being a Fairtrade county is constantly improving the availability and awareness of Fairtrade.

“Continued support is very important as Fairtrade helps producers in the developing world work their way out of poverty. A child dies of poverty every three seconds, and many of those living in poverty produce the food and clothes that we take for granted. Fair Trade can help to change that. It's an opportunity for people to improve their lives and the lives of their families, and is as simple as the choices you make on your weekly shop.”

Divine Poetry Competition for all

Christian Aid and Divine, a Fairtrade Chocolate Company, are once again running the Divine Poetry Competition for children of all ages.

Why not have a go? Meg Rossoff is judging this year and the theme is from Bean to Bar.

Further details click here. Deadline December 17th 2010.

Cystadleuaeth Barddoniaeth Divine

Mae Cymorth Cristnogol a Divine, cwmni siocled Masnach Deg, unwaith eto yn rhedeg cystadleuaeth barddoniaeth yn Saesneg i blant o bob oedran.

Beth am roi cynnig arni? Meg Rossoff sy’n barnu a’r thema yw from Bean to Bar.

Manylion pellach cliciwch yma. Dyddiad cau Rhagfyr 17eg, 2010.

LLANELLI FAIRTRADE GROUP

Llanelli Fairtrade Group now has a blog and Twitter account. We have included Ammanford Fairtrade Group's blog in our links and would be grateful if Ammanford would do similar for Llanelli.

Ammanford is such an inspiration for us here in Llanelli, having achieved Fair Trade Town status many times. You may be aware that our campaign is ongoing, and that we are hoping to achieve FT Town status before the end of 2010.

Incidentally, we are hosting a Fairtrade Awareness Evening on Thursday at The Colliers, Pwll, Llanelli (SA15 4BD). The evening will start at 7.00PM, and will include a selection of Fairtrade products available for tasting and the showing of a selection of short films on Fair Trade.Although it's very short notice, it would be lovely if members of the Ammanford Group could attend. We would love some advice and inspiration from you!
http://www.fairtradellanelli.blogspot.com/
Hope to see you soon,

Kind regards,
Natasha

The Hay Christmas Fairtrade Market

FAIR TRADE CHRISTMAS FAYRE

Llansadwrn Reading Rooms

Saturday 27th November 2010

11.00am to 4.00pm

Hats, Bags, Scarves, Christmas Cards, Diaries, Incense, Gifts, Jewellery, Kids Stuff and Much More

Beautiful Inexpensive Fair Trade Gifts From Nepal, Tibet, India, Bali, Mexico, Peru, Bolivia,

El Salvador, Ecuador, Guatemala

Refreshments Available

All proceeds from refreshments will be donated to

Medecins Sans Frontieres

(Doctors and nurses who volunteer to provide urgent medical care to victims of war and disaster across the world, regardless of race, religion, or politics)

Further Details from Mandy at The Dragons Garden on 01550 – 777995

http://www.dragons-garden.com/

FFAIR NADOLIG MASNACH DEG

Ystafelloedd Darllen Llansadwrn

Sadwrn 27 Tachwedd 2010

11.00am to 4.00pm

Hetiau, Bagiau, Sgarffiau, Cardiau Nadolig, Dyddiaduron, Incense, Anrhegion, Gemwaith, Pethau Plant a Llawer Mwy

Anrhegion Masnach Deg Hyfryd sydd ddim yn ddrud o Nepal, Tibet, India, Bali, Mexico, Peru, Bolivia,

El Salvador, Ecuador, Guatemala

Lluniaeth ar gael

Bydd holl elw’r lluniaeth yn mynd tuag at

Medecins Sans Frontieres

(Doctoriaid a nyrsus sy’n gwirfoddoli i gyflwyno cymorth meddygol brys i dioddefwyr rhyfel neu trychineb ar draws y byd)

Am fwy o wybodaeth cysylltwch a Mandy at “The Dragons Garden” ar 01550 – 777995

http://www.dragons-garden.com/

FROM AMMANFORD TO CARDIFF - THE BIKE RIDE

All went well with Sunday’s event hosted by Amman Valley School, although it lived up to its “Fairtrade Fun Day” title better than its subtitle of “Welcome Event for the Fairtrade Bike Ride” as most people had gone home by the time the epic cyclists from Hay arrived, having taken the longest and hardest route possible just to leave us mere mortals feeling more in awe than ever!

While they’d been cycling 60 hilly miles, we’d been having fun with CIRCUS ERUPTION getting everyone juggling and unicycling (well; trying to!) and ONE PEOPLE PRODUCTIONS leading film making workshops, getting footage for a film we’re planning to show in Fairtrade Fortnight.
Children with cameras and crazy first-time unicyclists zig-zagged across the hall… but we all got out alive!
We didn’t get as many people coming as we would have if it wasn’t Halloween, but the stalls did well as peoples’ attention turned to Christmas, with DRAGON’S GARDEN’s fair trade hats and gloves and OXFAM’s fair trade crackers and cards all selling well.

Organising an event on Halloween was bad timing for us, but on the other hand the date was good because Henry Olonga was in town that day. Speaking at Ammanford Evangelical Church (One of the most active local Fairtrade churches) in the morning, he stayed on to attend our event. Test cricketer, social justice campaigner, singer, painter, photographer and writer. He could juggle too! But even he couldn’t unicycle! (He probably could really, but didn’t want to make us feel too jealous!!)
The riders arrived 10 minutes before the caretaker was due to lock up, so they didn’t even get a cup of tea until we all got to my house!
They did get a well deserved reception from the loyal legion who’d stayed on though, including town mayor Ray Spencer who was determined to stay until she’d congratulated and thanked them.

At our house we enjoyed re-living the ride and the event, with frequent interruptions from trick and treaters who were fed Co-Op chocolate eye balls and Traidcraft Geo Bars!
The good thing about the Hay riders arriving later than planned was that they got to meet Toby and John from the Fairtrade Foundation who were staying over, ready to get up early to ride the next leg.

The next morning was chaos. Four kids to get to school. Four adults to get to a bike ride. And all by half past 8! But we did it… and had a lovely breakfast made by my lovely daughter Rosa. (I should cover myself at this point by stating that my other 3 daughters are lovely too! But it was Rosa cooking the muffins, teacakes and veggie bacon butties, so she was everyone’s favourite that morning!)
We thought we had a challenge to get to the i-SMOOTH community café by 8.30, but Mike was up before 6am to ride the 26 miles from his home just to get to the start of the ride!
Also there to ride were Ian and Phil from Carmarthenshire Council, and Alan Cram, fairtrade supporter and all round nice guy, and friend of Ammanford Fairtrade Town Group pioneers Annette and Dewi. Among those coming to support were MP Jonathan Edwards, AM Rhodri Glyn Thomas and Town Councillor Jane Potter, showing the widespread political support we’re lucky to have in Ammanford for Fairtrade.
After posing for a bit of a bizarre photo which makes us look like we’re trying to communicate some kind of semaphore message (“Buy Fairtrade”, I presume!) (See attached photo), the riders rode off, and me and Clare jumped in the car to follow. Supposedly a support car, we actually just seemed to be on a bit of a café crawl, meeting up with the riders at each stop. At least Clare was working hard, driving and filming. I was just being chauffered and being fed cake. I felt relieved when I got a call from the Evening Post as we were driving into Cardiff so I could at least say I’d done some media work on the way!

First stop, after a lovely autumn ride along golden leaved lanes out of Ammanford, was at Bikeability at Dunvant Rugby Club. The organisation was set up to enable people of all abilities to enjoy the pleasures of cycling on specially designed bikes, including hand cycles, trikes, go karts, quad cycles, tandems and wheelchair transporters.
David, Colin and Rob joined up with the ride here, but first tried out the Bikeability bikes, which resulted in Rob falling off a bike before he’d even started the ride!
This was meant to be a rest stop for the cyclists, but they couldn’t resist trying out the various bikes on offer. Clare filmed (Sorry, Rob – She did catch you falling off!). I ate cake.

Then on down the cycle way to the beautiful Swansea Bay. A week before, me and Clare were at her sister’s wedding at the Registry Office which the cycle path goes by, enjoying the lovely clear blue skies. To have it so nice for the bike ride as well as the wedding photos seemed too much to ask, but despite the laws of probability and the reputation of Swansea weather, there really were two consecutive nice dry Mondays in Swansea at the end of October and start of November!

We met up with the riders again for more tea and cake and more photo opportunities at the Environment Centre in Swansea, base of many good things, including Swansea Fairtrade Forum.
Phil and Ian dropped off here to get back to Ammanford by train and Alan dropped off to go on a trip to visit family in England which he’d delayed to join in the ride. Joining in here was Brian, to complete the full list of magnificent riders!

It would have been nice to have stopped in one of Swansea’s fairtrade cafes for lunch, but it seemed psychologically important to at least be in Port Talbot before lunch. So we decided to opt for lunch at TESCO in Port Talbot; not for its culinary reputation, but so we could complain about the lack of fairtrade drinks in the café.
I’d used up my supply of Fairtrade Foundation cards saying “Dear Store Manager, Please Stock More Fairtrade Products” at the school event on Sunday, so instead we filled in a customer feedback form and sent a free text to 80072 : “We are part of the 500 mile Fairtrade Bike Ride. Stopped at your Port Talbot store for lunch BUT no Fairtrade drinks in café .” (You can do it too in your local TESCO!)

What a glorious contrast the next stop was : The Living Café in Cowbridge. A dream of a Fairtrade café! Lots of cafes now have the basics of fairtrade tea and coffee. But this café goes much further, with a mouth-watering selection of fairtrade cakes and snacks. Looking back now, I can’t believe all I chose was one of those really thin Cadbury’s bars! Maybe I just felt like I deserved less as the cyclists’ mileages went up! John definitely deserved his two pieces of carrot cake!
Sadly it seems that The Living Café is on a site that WAITROSE want to build on, so they may be pushed out. WAITROSE really had better make sure they’ve got better fairtrade cafes than TESCO if they’re going to force out one as good as The Living Café! (The fight’s not over yet, so hopefully The Living Café will stay alive… but just incase : Go visit now! And tell them if they do get knocked down by WAITROSE they’ve got to open up somewhere else quick!)
It was while we were in The Living Café that John got a call from someone working with sugar producers in Belize. “Tell them about the bike ride” he told him, and the fairtrade link from campaigners to producers and raw product to sales was all perfectly illustrated in one long distance call.

Inspired by that call and that cake in that cafe, on they rode to the lovely welcome at Cardiff’s Millennium Centre.

(At this point I need to mention David Naylor and David Judd who worked out routes, mileages and timings for us; timings which proved correct almost to the minute!)

As Cardiff’s Welcome Event continued, the riders got the pats on the back they deserved… and posed for lots more photos. Clare carried on filming. And I had a fairtrade chocolate brownie!

(For more details of the welcome, and the whole 500 miles of the full ride, go to thefairtradefoundation.blogspot.com)

Phil Broadhurst
Ammanford Fairtrade Group
http://www.ammanfordfairtrade.blogspot.com/

P.S. The next day Environment Minister Jane Davidson, who was at the Millennium Centre, talked about the ride at a Walking and Cycling conference she attended. The legacy of the ride continues!

O RHYDAMAN I GAERDYDD - Y DAITH FEICIO

Aeth popeth yn dda gyda digwyddiad Dydd Sul yn ysgol Dyffryn Aman, er roedd y disgrifiad “Diwrnod Hwyl Masnach Deg” yn well disgrifiad na “Croeso i’r Daith Feicio Masnach Deg” oherwydd roedd y rhan fwyaf o bobl wedi mynd adref cyn i’r beicwyr gyrraedd o’r Gelli. Roeddynt wedi teithio’r ffordd anoddaf a hiraf i gyrraedd Rhydaman.

Tra eu bod nhw wedi beicio 60 milltir o fryniau, roeddem ni wedi bod yn cael hwyl gyda CIRCUS ERUPTION yn cael pawb i jyglo a reidio beic un olwyn(neu trio o leiaf) ac roedd ONE PEOPLE PRODUCTIONS yn arwain gweithdai creu ffilm, a ffilmio ar gyfer ffilm rydym yn gobeithio ei dangos yn ystod Pythefnos Masnach Deg.

Roedd plant gyda camerau a pobl yn reidio beic un olwyn yn hyrddio ar draws y neuadd.. ond daethom i gyd allan yn fyw!!

Yn anffodus ni chawsom cymaint o bobl ac y buasem wedi ei gael petai hi ddim yn Noson Calan Gaeaf, ond roedd y stondinau wedi gwneud yn dda wrth i bobl feddwl am y Nadolig ac roedd hetiau a menyg masnach deg DRAGON’S GARDEN’s a cracyrs masnach deg a cardiau OXFAM yn gwerthu’n dda.

Roedd trefnu digwyddiad ar Noson Calan gaeaf yn amseru gwael i ni ond ar y llaw arall roedd yn golygu bod Henry Olonga yn y dref ar y diwrnod, yn siarad yn Eglwys Efengylaidd Rhydaman yn y bore ( un o’r eglwysi Masnach Deg mwyaf gweithgar). Arosodd ymlaen i ddod i’n digwyddiad ni. Chwaraewr criced gemau prawf, ymgyrchydd hawliau cymdeithasol, canwr, arlunydd, ffotograffydd ac ysgrifenwr. Yn ogystal roedd yn gallu jyglo, er roedd hyd yn oed Henry yn methu reidio’r beic un owyn, neu o leiaf roedd ddim eisiau i ni fod yn genfigenus .

Cyrraeddodd y beicwyr 10 munud cyn bod y gofalwr i fod i gloi lan, ac felly ni chawson nhw hyd yn oed cwpanaid o de cyn cyrraedd fy nhy i.

Cawson nhw groeso twymgalon gan y pobl oedd yn bresennol, gan gynnwys Maer y dref, Ray Spencer a oedd yn benderfynol o aros tan roedd wedi cael y cyfle o’u croesawu a'u  llongyfarch.

Yn ein ty ni cawsom gyfle i glywed am y reid feicio, gyda ambell gnoc ar y drws gan “ysbrydion a zombies” a gafodd llygaid siocled CO-OP neu Geo bars traidcraft.

Cafodd y beicwyr y cyfle i gwrdd a Toby a John o’r Fairtrade Foundation a oedd yn aros y nos yn barod ar gyfer codi’n gynnar i feicio’r cymal nesaf o’r daith.

Y bore wedyn roedd pethau fel ffair drwy geisio cael 4 plentyn yn barod i’r ysgol, 4 oedolyn yn barod ar gyfer y daith feicio, a hynny i gyd erbyn 8.30 y bore! Ond fe lwyddon ni a cael brecwast gwerth chweil hefyd wedi ei baratoi gan fy merch arbennig Rosa. (Dylwn ddweud yn y fan hyn fy 3 merch arall yn arbennig hefyd). Ond Rosa oedd wedi coginio’r muffins, teacakes a brechdannau cig moch veggie, felly ar y diwrnod hwn hi oedd ffefryn pawb wrth fwyta.

Roedden ni’n meddwl bod gennym sialens i gyrraedd caffi cymunedol i-SMOOTH erbyn 8.30. ond roedd, Mike wedi codi cyn 6.00am i reidio 26 milltir o’i gartref jyst i gyrraedd dechrau’r reid feicio!

Hefyd yno i reidio oedd Ian a Phil o Gyngor Sir Caerfyrddin, ac Alan Cram, cefnogwr Masnach Deg a boi da, a ffrind dau o sefydlwyr Grwp Masnach Deg tref Rhydaman Annette a Dewi. Ymysg y rhai oedd yno yn cefnogi oedd Yr Aelod Seneddol Jonathan Edwards, Aelod Cynulliad Rhodri Glyn Thomas a’r Cynghorydd Tref Jane Potter, sy’n dangos y gefnogaeth wleidyddol eang mae Masnach Deg yn lwcus o’i dderbyn yn Rhydaman.

Ar ol sefyll i dynu llun roedd y beicwyr ar eu taith a neidodd Clare a minnau i mewn i’r car i ddilyn. Roedden ni i fod yn gefnogaeth iddynt ond y gwir yw mai teithio o gaff i gaffi oedd ein gwaith a cwrdd a’r beicwyr ar pob stop. O leiaf roedd Clare yn gweithio’n galed yn gyrru a ffilmio. Roeddwn i yn cael fy nghludo o fan i fan ac yn bwyta cacennau. Roeddwn yn teimlo’n falch pan ges i alwad gan yr Evening Post ar y ffordd i Gaerydd, o leiaf roeddwn wedyn yn gallu dweud fy mod wedi gwneud peth gwaith ar y cyfryngau ar y ffordd!

Y stop cyntaf wedi Rhydaman oedd Bikeability yng Nglwb Rygbi Dunvant. Mae’r sefydliad wedi ei greu ar gyfer pobl o pob gallu i fwynhau beicio ar feiciau arbennig, gan gynnwys rhai llaw, tair olwyn, go karts, quads, tandem a cludwyr cadair olwyn.
Ymunodd David, Colin and Rob yma ar ol trio beiciau Bikeability yn gyntaf, oedd yn golygu bod Rob wedi disgyn oddi ar un beic cyn cychwyn y daith!

Stop i orffwys oedd hwn i fod i’r beicwyr ond roedd yn rhaid iddynt hwythau hefyd drio’r amrywiaeth o feiciau oedd ar gael. Roedd Clare yn ffilmio ( a sori Rob ond mae hi wedi dy ddal yn cwympo) Roeddwn i yn brysur yn bwyta cacen.

Yna ymlaen i lawr y llwybr beicio i Bae Abertawe. Wythnos cyn hyn roeddwn i a Clare yn y Swyddfa Gofrestru, ger y llwybr beicio, ym mhriodas chwaer Clare yn mwynhau awyr las di gwmwl. Roedd yn ormod i obeithio cael tywydd cystal ar gyfer y daith feicio a’r briodas, ond er y siawns o hyn ddigwydd a hanes Abertawe am dywydd digon gwael, cawsom ddau ddydd Llun bendigedig, un ar ddiwedd Hydref a’r llall ar ddechrau Tachwedd.

Ymunodd pawb gydai gilydd eto am fwy o de a chacen a cyfle tynnu lluniau yn y Ganolfan Amgylcheddol yn Abertawe, lleoliad llawer o bethau da, gan gynnwys Fforwm Masnach Deg Abertawe.

Aeth Phil ac Ian yn ol o fan hyn i Rhydaman ar y tren ac aeth Alan i ffwrdd er mwyn mynd i weld ei deulu yn Lloegr. Yn ymuno oedd Brian, i orffen y rhestr arbennig o reidwyr!

Byddai wedi bod yn dda aros yn un o gaffis masnach deg Abertawe am ginio ond roedd yn bwysig cyrraedd Port Talbot erbyn amser cinio. Felly dyma benderfynu galw yn TESCO Port Talbot, nid am ei ddewis o’r fwydlen ond er mwyn cwyno am y diffyg diodydd masnach deg yn y caffi. Roeddwn wedi defnyddio fy cardiau post Fairtrade Foundation yn dweud “Annwyl Rheolwr, A fyddech mor garedig a chyflenwi mwy o nwyddau Masnach Deg” yn y digwyddiad yn yr ysgol ar ddydd Sul, felly dyma lenwi holiadur yn lle ac anfon tects rhad ac am ddim i 80072 yn dweud “Rydym yn rhan o’r daith feicio Masnach Deg 500 milltir. Wedi stopio yn Port Talbot am ginio OND roedd dim diodydd MASNACH Deg ar gael yn y caffi!.” (Gallech chi wneud hyn hefyd yn eich siop TESCO leol!)

Am wahaniaeth oedd y stop nesaf sef y Living Café yn y Bontfaen. Caffi Masnach Deg hyfryd. Mae llawer o gaffis yn cynnig te a choffi masnach deg ond roedd hwn yn mynd llawer yn bellach gyda danteithion melys masnach deg o bob math. Gallaf ddim credu o edrych yn ol mai dim ond bar tenau Cadbury’s fwytais i! Efallai wrth i filltiroedd y beicwyr gynyddu roeddwn yn teimlo’n fwy euog! Roedd John yn wir haeddu y ddau ddarn o gacen moron a gafodd yntau.

Yn drist mae’n ymddangos bod safle y Living Café ar dir mae WAITROSE eisiau adeiladu arno, ac efallai y cawn nhw eu gyrru allan. Gwell i WAITROSE wneud yn siwr fod ganddyn nhw well gaffis masnach deg na TESCO os ydynt am wthio caffi cystal a’r Living Café. (Nid yw’r frwydr drosodd eto a gobeithio bydd y Living Café yn aros …. Ond rhag ofn – ewch yno a dweud wrthynt os mae nhw’n cael eu dymchwel bydd yn rhaid iddynt agor yn rhwyle arall yn gloi).

Yn y Living Café cafodd John alwad gan rhywun yn gweithio gyda cynhrychwyr siwgr o Belize. “Dywedodd wrthyn nhw am y reid feicio” ac roedd y cyswllt masnach deg rhwng yr ymgyrchwyr i’r cynhyrchwyr i’r nwyddau crai i’r cynnyrch gorffenedig a’r gwerthiant wedi ei ddangos yn berffaith mewn un galwad ffôn.

Wedi eu ysbrydoli gan yr alwad ffôn ymlaen a nhw wedyn i’r croeso yng Nghanolfan y Mileniwm.

(Rhaid nodi yma bod y daith, sef y milltiroedd a’r amseriad a wnaeth David Naylor a David Judd yn gywir bron i’r funud!)

Yng Nghaerdydd cafodd y beicwyr longyfarchiadau haeddiannol a rhagor o luniau. Roedd Clare yn dal i ffilmio ac reoddwn i yn dal i fwyta browni masnach deg!

(am fwy o wybodaeth am y daith gyfan ewch i http://www.thefairtradefoundation.blogspot.com/  )

Phil Broadhurst

Grwp Masnach Deg Rhydaman

http://www.ammanfordfairtrade.blogspot.com/

O.N Y diwrnod canlynol wnaeth y Gweinidog yr Amgylchedd Jane Davidson, a oedd yng Nghanolfan y Mileniwm siarad am y daith feicio mewn cynhadledd cerdded a beicio. Mae gwerth y daith yn parhau.

The 500 mile fairtrade bike ride has begun!

Hi everyone,


The 500 mile fairtrade bike ride has begun!

You can follow progress at :

http://thefairtradefoundation.blogspot.com/
The ride will be arriving in Ammanford on Sunday 31st October ready for the final leg to Cardiff via Swansea on Monday 1st November.
Hope you can make it to one of the local welcoming events:

Sunday : At Amman Valley School, Ammanford : Circus Eruption Circus Skills Workshop, Unicycle riding and film making! Plus Fairtrade snacks and Fairtrade Hats! 3pm-6pm.

Monday : 11.30ish : Environment Centre, Swansea : Come and say hello to the riders as they stop for a well earned rest!

Monday : 5.30-8pm : Millennium Centre, Cardiff : Fairtrade and cycling stalls, Dr Bike service, Fairtrade Schools entertainment and information and more...

It's not too late to join the bike ride - Just get in touch!
Thanks,

Phil

Ammanford Fairtrade Group

01269 596933

500 Milltir ar gyfer 500 tref

Mae'r daith wedi dechrau a gallech wels y saith ar  -

http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/get_involved/news_events_and_urgent_actions/500_miles_for_500_towns_bike_ride.aspx

Hefyd gallech ddilyn hanes y daith drwy ymweld a http://thefairtradefoundation.blogspot.com/

Cofiwch bydd y daith yn cyrraedd Rhydaman ar Ddydd Sul 31 Hydref yn barod ar gyfer y cymal olaf i Gaerdydd gan fynd heibio Abertawe.

Dewch i ymuno yn y dathlu .
SUL - Ysgol Dyffryn Aman - o 3-6
LLUN - tua 11.30 Canolfan Amgylcheddol Abertawe - cwrdd a'r beicwyr
LLUN - 5.30 - 8pm - Canolfan y Mileniwm, Caerdydd Stondinau Masnach Deg a llawer mwy.
Hwyl
Phil

Ammanford Fairtrade Group = 01269 596933

Nid yw'n rhy hwyr i ymuno y daith.

500 MILE BIKE RIDE - IT'S HOTTING UP

Following from the fantastic send off in Ammanford the cyclist will be going to Cardiff for  -

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay

Monday 1st November
5.30pm-8.00pm
There are currently an astounding 499 fair trade towns in the UK. To celebrate the milestone of 500 towns, Wales Millennium Centre will be hosting an event on Monday 1st November.
At the event, cyclists who have completed a 500-mile ride from Scotland to Wales will be welcomed. This cycle ride is taking place in around 10 stages and will be calling in at various places that are significant to fair trade. The final one stage stretches from Ammanford (the first fair trade town in Wales) to Cardiff (the first fair trade capital city.)
There will be a live announcement of the 500th UK fair trade town on the night – you could be there to join in celebrating this wonderful achievement.
Admission is free and all are welcome. As well as stalls and crafts, there will be refreshments, music and much more. You can drop in anytime throughout the evening.

500 Mile Fairtrade Bike Ride coming to Ammanford…

Sunday 31st October – Welcome Event.
Amman Valley School Hall. 3pm-6pm.
Includes :
Circus Skills Workshop!
Learn to ride a unicycle!
Help Make a Fairtrade Film!
Fairtrade Stalls and Refreshments!
Admission Free! All Welcome!

Monday 1st November - Send Off...
– The 500 mile Fairtrade Bike Ride Continues…
Meet from 8.30am at i-SMOOTH in College Street , to join or wave off the cyclists on the final leg of the bike ride to Cardiff. (9am start.)
More information / If you’d like to join the ride : Contact :
Phil :  riversidepicnic@yahoo.co.uk  / 01269 596933.

Taith Feicio Masnach Deg 500 Milltir yn dod i Rhydaman…

Sul 31 Hydref – Croesawu’r Beicwyr  Neuadd Ysgol Dyffryn Aman. 3pm – 6pm.
Gan gynnwys:
Gweithdy Sgiliau Syrcas!
Dysgu sut i reidio beic un olwyn “unicycle”!
Helpu creu Ffilm Masnach Deg!
Stondinau a Lluniaeth Masnach Deg!
Mynediad am ddim a Chroeso i bawb.


Llun 1 Tachwedd – Dymuno’n Dda i’r beicwyr
- mae’r Daith 500 milltir Masnach Deg yn Parhau…
Cwrdd am 8.30am yn i-SMOOTH yn Stryd y Coleg, i ymuno yn y
daith neu ddymuno’n dda i’r beicwyr ar y cymal olaf o’r daith feicio i Gaerdydd (dechrau am 9.00am).
Am fwy o wybodaeth/ neu os hoffech ymuno yn y daith feicio yna
Cysylltwch a Phil : riversidepicnic@yahoo.co.uk  / 01269 596933

Important Meeting About The Fairtrade Bike Ride : Wednesday 6th October, 7pm,

A 500 mile Fairtrade Bike Ride is being organised to celebrate the announcement of the 500th Fairtrade Town in the UK... and it is coming to South Wales on Sunday 31st October and Monday November 1st.

The ride starts from Aberfeldy in the Scottish Highlands, the first Fairtrade Town in Scotland, before passing through Garstang, England's (and the world's) first Fairtrade Town, on the way to Ammanford, the first Fairtrade Town in Wales.

Riders will arrive in Hay on Saturday 30th October, before heading off to Ammanford on Sunday 31st October, and then on Monday 1st November a group of local riders will complete the final stretch of the ride to Cardiff, the first Fairtrade Capital City in the world.

The route for the final stretch is being finalised now, but it is expected that the riders will follow cycle routes through Llanelli and Swansea, joining up with fairtrade campaigners and cyclists along the way, and on through the Vale of Glamorgan, into Cardiff in time for a live link-up with campaigners from the 500th town, which will be announced on the day.

Anybody interested in cycling all or part of the route, or anyone who would like to get involved with events at any part of the route, are asked to get in touch with Phil Broadhurst of Ammanford Fairtrade Group on 01269 596933 or riversidepicnic@yahoo.co.uk and/or come along to the next meeting of Carmarthenshire Fairtrade Group at i-smooth in College Street, Ammanford (opposite the bus station) on Wednesday 6th October at 7pm..

More details about the ride can be found at http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/get_involved/news_events_and_urgent_actions/500_miles_for_500_towns_bike_ride.aspx

Following on from other events in Ammanford such as the schools' fairtrade banana relay race, the giant banana splits and the Fairtrade film shows in the solar powered cinemas, this bike ride is sure to go down in Ammanford's proud history of great events highlighting the community's support for Fairtrade.

Please get involved!

Please pass this message on to anyone you think might be interested!

Thanks,

Phil

CYFARFOD PWYSIG – i drafod Taith Feicio Masnach Deg: Mercher 6 Hydref, 7PM i-smooth, Stryd y Coleg, Rhydaman

Mae taith feicio 500 milltir yn cael ei threfnu i ddathlu cyhoeddi’r 500fed tref Masnach Deg ym Mhrydain, .. ac mae’n dod i De Cymru ar sul 30 Hydref a Llun Tachwedd 1af.

Mae’r daith yn dechrau yn Aberfeldy yn mynyddoed dyr Alban, sef y dref Fasnach Deg gyntaf yn yr Alban, cyn mynd trwy Garstang, tref Masnach Deg cyntaf Lloegr a’r cyntaf yn y Byd, ac yna i Rhydaman, tref Masnach Deg cyntaf Cymru.
Bydd beicwyr yn cyrraedd Y Gelli ar ddydd Sadwrn 30 Hydref cyn mynd i Rhydaman ar Sul 31 Hydref, yna ar y dydd Llun 1 Tachwedd bydd grwp lleol o feicwyr yn ymuno a siclo ar hyd y rhan olaf o’r daith i Gaerydd, y Brif Ddinas Masnach Deg cytnaf yn y byd.

Mae’r manylion y rhan olaf o’r daith wrthi yn cael ei gorffen nawr, bydd y beicwyr yn mynd trwy Llanelli, i lawr i Abertawe ac ymuno gyda llawer o feicwyr erailla r y ffordd. Wedyn trwy Fro Morgannwg i mewn i Gaerdydd mewn da bryd i gysylltu’n fyw gyda ymgyrchwyr o’r 500fed tref Masnach Deg, a fydd yn cael ei chyhoeddi yn ystod y dydd.

Oes gan unthyw un ddiddordeb mewn beicio rhan o’r ffordd, neu eisiau cymryd rhan yn y digwyddiadau ar hyd y daith, yna cysylltwch â Phil Broadhurst o Grwp Masnach Deg Rhydaman ar 01269 596933 or riversidepicnic@yahoo.co.uk a.neu dewch i gyfarfod nedaf Grwp Masnach Deg Sir Gaerfyrddin yn i=smooth, Stryd y Coleg, Rhydaman (gyferbyn a’r Orsaf Bysiau) ar Nos Fercher 8 Hydre fam 7pm.

Mae mwy o fanylion y daith feicio i’w gael ar http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/get_involved/news_events_and_urgent_actions/500_miles_for_500_towns_bike_ride.aspx

Yn dilyn digwyddiadau llwyddiannus eraill yn Rhydaman megis ras gyfnewid banana Masnach Deg yr ysgolion, y banan split enfawr a’r sioe ffilmiau yn y sinema egni solar mae’r daith feicio yn siwr o fod yn lwyddiant a dod yn rhan o hanes Rhydaman drwy ddathlu cefnogaeth y gymuned i Fasnach Deg.

Dewch i ymuno a ni

Phil

Fairtrade Bike Ride

To celebrate the planned announcement of the 500th Fairtrade Town in the UK, a 500 mile bike ride will be taking place, starting in Scotland and coming down through England with a final leg in Wales (The First Fairtrade Nation!) going from Ammanford (The First Fairtrade Town in Wales!) to Cardiff (The world's first Fairtrade Capital City).

We will be organising a welcoming event for riders arriving from Hay on Sunday 31st October, and a send-off for riders leaving Ammanford on Monday 1st November.

Anyone wanting to cycle, please get in touch.

Anyone wanting to help with the Welcome or Send-Off events, please get in touch.

Any ideas for Welcome/Send off events - Please get in touch!

Thanks!

Phil/Ammanford Fairtrade - riversidepicnic@yahoo.co.uk

Taith Feicio Masnach Deg

I ddathlu cyhoeddiad o’r 500fed Tref Masnach Deg arfaethedig yn y DU mae taith feicio 500 milltir wedi ei threfnu, gan ddechrau yn yr Alban ac yna dod i lawr trwy Lloegr gan orffen yng Nghymru (Y Wlad Masnach Deg Cyntaf). Bydd y daith yn mynd trwy Rhydaman ( Y tref Masnach Deg cyntaf yng Nghymru) ac yna i Gaerdydd ( Prif Ddinas Masnach Deg cytnaf yn y Byd).

Byddwn ni yn trefnu gweithgaredd i groesawu y beicwyr a fydd yn cyrraedd o’r Gelli ar Ddydd Sul 31 Hydref ac yna rhwybeth arall i ddymuno'n dda iddynt ar eu siwrnai ar Ddydd Llun 1 Tachwedd.

Os oes gennych ddiddordeb mewn beicio yna cysylltwch a Phil Broadhurst.

Hefyd unrhyw un sydd eisiau helpu gyda’r Croeso a Dymuno’n dda iddynt, cysylltwch.

Os oes gennych unrhwy syniadau ar gyfer y Gweithgareddau hyn – unwaith eto cysylltwch.

Diolch,

Phil – riversidepicnic@yahoo.co.uk

FAIRTRADE BARBEQUE NOW ON IN SEPTEMBER

The fairtrade barbecue planned for next Friday has been postponed as the new i-smooth garden is not quite ready yet. we'll probably have it on september 10th now... meanwhile... have a happy summer!
Remember  if you're having a barbecue anytime, don't forget to buy your fairtrade charcoal from the co-op! (fairtrade nut cutlets from jelfs taste good too!)

BARBECIW MASNACH DEG NAWR I'W GYNNAL YM MIS MEDI

Mae'r barbeciw roedd i'w gynnal Nos Wener nesaf wedi ei ohirio oherwydd nid yw'r ardd newydd yn i-smooth cweit yn barod. Felly bydd y barbeciw yn cael ei chynnal ar 10 Medi yn lle.

Cofiwch os ydych chi am gynnal barbeciw beth am ddefnyddio siarcol amsnach deg o'r Co-op.

Wales Celebrates Its Second Year As A Fair Trade Nation

Fair Trade supporters are celebrating Wales' second anniversary as a Fair Trade Nation this month. Wales achieved its status in June 2008 and is currently the only country to have reached the prestigious Fair Trade Nation standard. Elen Jones, the National Coordinator for Fair Trade Wales, said:

‘We are delighted to be celebrating our second year as a Fair Trade Nation. The Fairtrade Mark is now widely recognised throughout Wales, and Welsh shoppers are choosing Fairtrade on a regular basis. We are entering the second stage of the Fair Trade Nation campaign and now want to focus on increasing fair trade public policy and promoting a deeper understanding of Fair Trade issues throughout Wales.'

She said:

‘We would also like to congratulate Scotland who are in their final stages of their nation campaign and extend our support to any other countries who wish to join us.'

The Environment Minister, Jane Davidson, who strongly supported the Fair Trade Nation program said:

‘I am very proud that Wales was the first country to achieve Fair Trade status and delighted that we are now celebrating our second anniversary as a Fair Trade nation.'

‘I am encouraged to see that the sales of Fair Trade goods are still on the increase in Wales and that more and more of us are happy to pay a fair price for everyday goods such as tea, coffee and chocolate in the knowledge that we are supporting some of the poorest farmers and producers in the world to trade their way out of poverty.'

Wales has over 77% of its local authorities working towards Fair Trade status, compared to just 31% in Scotland and 25% in England along with 804 schools working towards becoming Fair Trade Schools. A recent independent survey, commissioned by the Welsh Assembly Government, shows that over 50% of Welsh shoppers choose Fair Trade on a regular basis.

Cymru Yn Dathlu Ail Flwyddyn Fel Cenedl Masnach Deg

Mae cefnogwyr Masnach Deg yn dathlu ail ben-blwydd Cymru fel Cenedl Masnach Deg y mis hwn. Cyflawnodd Cymru ei statws ym Mehefin 2008 ac ar y funud Cymru ydy’r unig wlad i gyrraedd safonau parchus Cenedl Masnach Deg. Dywedodd Elen Jones, Cydlynydd Cenedlaethol Masnach Deg Cymru:

“Rydym yn falch iawn o fod yn dathlu ein hail flwyddyn fel Cenedl Masnach Deg. Mae’r Marc Masnach Deg yn awr yn adnabyddus drwy Gymru, ac mae siopwyr Cymru yn dewis Masnach Deg yn rheolaidd. Rydym yn cychwyn yr ail gyfnod o’r ymgyrch Cenedl Masnach Deg a nawr eisiau ffocysu ar gynyddu polisi cyhoeddus masnach deg a hyrwyddo dealltwriaeth well o faterion Masnach Deg trwy Gymru.”

Meddai:

“Byddem yn hefyd yn hoffi llongyfarch Yr Alban sydd yn y cyfnod terfynol o’u hymgyrch cenedl ac yn ymestyn ein cymorth i unrhyw wlad sydd eisiau ymuno gyda ni.”

Dywedodd Gweinidog yr Amgylchedd, Jane Davidson, fu’n gefnogol iawn o’r rhaglen Cenedl Masnach Deg:

“Dwi’n falch iawn mai Cymru oedd y wlad gyntaf i ennill statws Masnach Deg ac wrth fy modd ein bod nawr yn dathlu ein hail ben-blwydd fel Cenedl Masnach Deg.”

“Mae’n galanogol gweld fod gwerthiant nwyddau Masnach Deg yn parhau i gynyddu yng Nghymru a bod mwy a mwy ohonom yn hapus i dalu pris teg am nwyddau bob dydd fel te, coffi a siocled yn ymwybodol ein bod yn cefnogi rhai o’r ffermwyr a’r cynhyrchwyr tlotaf yn y byd i fasnachu eu ffordd allan o dlodi.”

Mae dros 77% o awdurdodau lleol Cymru yn gweithio tuag at statws Masnach Deg, i gymharu efo dim ond 31% yn Yr Alban a 25% yn Lloegr ynghyd a 804 o ysgolion yn gweithio tuag at ddod yn ysgolion Masnach Deg. Dangosodd arolwg annibynnol diweddar, wedi’i gomisiynu gan Lywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru, fod dros 50% o siopwyr Cymru yn dewis Masnach Deg yn rheolaidd.

Fairtrade Barbecue

To celebrate Ammanford regaining Fairtrade Town status (Eight years now since we first got the status), we will be having a Fairtrade Barbecue (with fairtrade charcoal from the Co-Op and fairtrade nut cutlets from Jelf's and possibly local butcher's sausages?)

This will be in the new environmentally friendly garden behind the town's latest Fairtrade cafe, i-smooth, on Friday 16th July at 7pm. (Timed to fit in with youth groups who will attend.) (This will also be the opening night of the garden.)
Hope to see you at the barbecue!

Barbeciw Masnach Deg

I ddathlu Tref Masnach Deg yn cadw statws Tref Masnach deg (mae’n wyth mlynedd nawr ers i ni gael y statws gyntaf), byddwn yn cynnal Barbeciw Masnach Deg (gyda siarcol masnach deg o’r Co-Op a cytlet cnau Masnach Deg o Jelff’s a gobeithio sausages cigydd lleol).

Bydd y barbeciw yn yr ardd amglychedd gyfeillgar y tu ol i’r caffi Masnach Deg newydd yn y dref, i-smooth, ar Ddydd Gwener 16 Gorffennaf an 7.00pm.
Hwn hefyd bydd noson agor yr ardd.
GOBEITHIO EICH GWELD CHI YNO

500th Fairtrade Town

The 500th Fairtrade Town is likely to be declared soon. Possible ideas for a way to mark this include postcards from all 499 other fairtrade towns  and/or a 500 mile cycle ride linking the first fairtrade towns in Scotland, England and Wales. Any cyclist volunteers : Get in touch! (You wouldn't have to do the whole 500 miles!).
There is a posibility that Llanelli will be the 500th.

Y 500fedTref Masnach Deg

Mae’r 500fed tref Masnach Def yn cael ei chyhoeddi’n fuan. Er mwyn dathlu’r achlysur bydd y 499 tref Masnach Deg arall yn anfon cerdyn post at y Tref llwyddiannus. Hefyd mae yna syniad o gael reid feicio yn uno trefi masnach deg cyntaf yn yr Alban, Lloegr a Chymru. Os hoffech gymryd rhan yna cysylltwch a Phil Broadhurst. (Bydd ddim angen i chi wneud y 500milltir cyfan!) Mae yna bosibilrwydd mai Llanelli fydd y 500ed tref.

FAIRTRADE MEETING

the next fairtrade meeting will be held  at 2activ8 in wind street, Ammanford this thursday (17th june) at 10.30am.


hope to see you there!


(please pass this on to anyone you think might be interested.)

NEW ICE CREAM PARLOUR AND SMOOTHIE BAR

more exciting news from fairtrade friendly Ammanford Junior Gateway : a new ice cream parlour and smoothie bar for ammanford...

You are cordially invited to the Launch Party of iSmooth Benwig

When : Thursday 3rd June,

Where: 10 College St Ammanford.

Time : 5pm till 8pm.

iSmooth Benwig is Ammanford Junior Gateway's 4th Social Enterprise.We provide training and work opportunity for young people with a learning disability and disadvantaged in our Community.

We hope you will be able to join us for the Launch.

See you all there ! ! !

PARLWR HUFEN IA NEWYDD A BAR SMOOTHIE

NEWYDDION CYFFROUS oddi wrth "Ammanford junior Gateway" sydd yn hyrwyddo Masnach Deg. Maent am agor parlwr hufen ia a bar smoothie yn Rhydaman. 

Gwahoddir chwi i'r agoriad swyddogol o  iSmooth Benwig

Pryd: Dydd Iau Trydydd Mehefin,
Ble : 10 Stryd y Coleg, Rhydaman
Amser: 5pm tan 8pm

iSmooth Benwig yw 4ydd Menter Cymunedol "Ammanford Junior Gateway". Syd dyn darparu hyfforddiant a chyfleoedd gwaith i bobl ifanc gyda anhawster dysgu a dan anfantais yn ein Cymuned.

Gobeithio eich gweld yn y Lansiad.





See you all there ! ! !

Fairtrade Films

there is a short film, filmed by and with the school groups who visited the solar powered cinema in ammanford during fairtrade fortnight at :

http://www.onthepush.org/index.php/workshops-a-screenings/workshop-videos
 
Mae yna ffilm fer  a gafodd ei ffilmio ac yn cynnwys grwpaiu ysgol a aeth i weld y solar sinema yn Rhydaman yn ystod penwythnos masnach deg i'w weld ar ;
http://www.onthepush.org/index.php/workshops-a-screenings/workshop-videos

MESSAGE FOR AMMANFORD FAIRTRADE SUPPORTERS

Hello Ammanford Fairtrade Supporters!

A piece about Ammanford's Fairtrade Fortnight is in April/May issue of Carmarthenshire Life with lots of nice photos!
Thanks to everyone who helped in all the different events in the Fortnight. It was another really impressive fortnight of events across the community.

More good news : We have been succesful in re-newing our Fairtrade Town status again!

Remember you can keep in touch with latest updates on thsi website .

Also : Please use this space to promote anything that you are doing to do with Fairtrade locally.

Thanks again for everyone's help in keeping (and building) Ammanford as a fairer and fairer Fairtrade Town!

NEGES I GEFNOGWYR MASNACH DEG RHYDAMAN

Neges i gefnogwyr Masnach Deg Rhydaman,

Mae erthygl am Pythefnos masnach Deg Rhydaman yn Carmarthen Life mis Ebrill/Mai – gyda nifer o luniau!

Diolch i bawb a gefnogodd yr holl ddigwyddiau yn ystod y pythefnos. Roedd yn bythefnos arbennig arall gyda llawer o ddigwyddiadau ar draws y gymuned.

Newyddion da arall – Rydym wedi adnewyddu ein statws Tref Masnach Deg eto.

Cofiwch gallech gadw mewn cyswllt a’r holl newyddion diweddaraf drwy ymwled a’r wefan hon. Hefyd defnyddiwch y gofod hwn i hysbysu unrhwy beth yr ydych yn ei wneud o ran Masnach Deg yn lleol.

Diolch unwaith eto am helpu i gadw (ac adeiladu) Rhydaman yn dref Masnach Deg tecach i bawb.

FAIRTRADE WALK

The Fortnight ended with more action aimed at taking the message out of Ammanford, as people from the town joined others from around the Swansea area for a Fairtrade Walk from the Oxfam Shop in Swansea to The Red Cafe at The Mumbles; a lovely walk along Swansea Bay, with Fairtrade bananas to power us on and a wonderful Fairtrade menu waiting for us at The Red Cafe at the end. (The sort of menu every cafe in every Fairtrade Town should have!)

This walk was inspired by The Fairtrade Way, a long distance walk from Garstang, the First Fairtrade Town in England, up through the Fairtrade Towns of the Lake District to Keswick. I joined part of the walk pioneering the route last year, and we are now planning to get a series of Fairtrade Walks through Wales, including routes from Ammanford to Carmarthen and Ammanford to Swansea. The idea is to use the walks to link, and publicise, Fairtrade Towns, retail outlets, cafes and Bed And Breakfasts, hotels and youth hostels.

I love the idea of the Fairtrade Walks as they are such a good physical symbol of how the Fairtrade movement in the UK has spread in the last ten years though Grass Roots activity in villages, towns and cities thoughout Wales and the UK.

Phil Broadhurst

Anybody interested in promoting Fairtrade locally can contact Phil Broadhurst : riversidepicnic@yahoo.co.uk or 01269 596933 or go to www.fairtrade.org.uk for support.

AMMANFORD FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT - UPDATE

With Ammanford full of activity, the message was also spread outside the town during the Fortnight. As the First Fairtrade Town in the First Fairtrade Nation, Ammanford, Wales has an inspirational role to play for other communities interested in promoting Fairtrade. As a result, Ammanford Fairtrade supporters were among those attending a Fairtrade Tea Party at the Welsh Assembly on Wednesday 3rd March, which was designed to gain support for The Big Swap from Assembly Members. The Big Swap was the message of this year's Fairtrade Fortnight, and is an important campaign as it seeks to get people to make their first swap to Fairtrade, but also encourages long term supporters to look for more Fairtrade items. It is important that we recognise it is not just tea, coffee and chocolate which is available; there are, literally, thousands of Fairtrade products available now. For a full list go to www.fairtrade.org.uk . A regularly updated Fairtrade Directory for Ammanford is available at www.ammanfordfairtrade.blogspot.com .

SOL CINEMA IN AMMANFORD

The solar powered cinema in a caravan, The Sol Cinema, was in town all day on Friday 5th March and had a permanent queue of school groups and others. It is a tiny 1960s caravan converted into a miniature cinema, complete with curtained screen, old style cinema chairs and a dvd projector which is powered by solar panels. We expected its amazing style to draw interested people in who we could then show a variety of short films on Fairtrade to. What was nice was that, as well as generating as much interest as we thought it would, nearly everyone around seemed to already be well aware of Fairtrade, and indeed several people were coming to us having done their shop at the Co-Op, complete with Fairtrade items in their bags. Ofcourse, as I keep saying, Utopia is not yet built on the banks of the Aman, and perhaps a random selection of people shopping up the other end of town might not have been so Fairtrade-aware. There is no doubt that the role of the Co-Op in making its customers aware of Fairtrade and in making it available and affordable at own-brand price levels has had a massive impact on our campaign in Ammanford and elsewhere.

The Co-Op also came together with other local businesses to help with the now annual (This was the second year) Giant Fairtrade Banana Split in the Arcade on the evening of the 5th. The Co-Op provided Fairtrade bananas, FRANK'S provided the ice cream, and LBS provided the guttering to lay the 30 foot long banana split out in.

SOL SINEMA YN RHYDAMAN

Roedd y Sol Cinema, sef Sinema mewn carafan sydd wedi ei yrru gan bwer yr haul yn y dref trwy’r dydd ar Dydd Gwener 5 Mawrth. Roedd ciw cyson yn aros i fyn d i mewn i weld ffilmaiu am Fasnach Deg. Beth oedd yn galonogol oedd yn ogystal a chodi ymwybyddiaeth am Fasnach Deg oedd y ffaith bod cymaint o bobl yn gyfarwydd iawn am FASNACH DEG. Yn wir roedd nifer yn dod atom ar ol siopa yn y CO-OP lleol gyda nwyddau Masnach Deg yn eu bagiau.



Daeth y Co-op a nifer o busnesau lleol atom i gynorthwyo gyda ein Banana Split Enfawr. Dyma’r ail un ac edrychwn ymlaen at y nesaf. Rhoddodd y Co-op y bananas, Franks yr hufen ia a LBS y gwter plastic 30 troedfedd i osod y bananas a’r hufen ia.

FAIRTRADE IN AMMANFORD

The problem with having the title "Fairtrade Town" is that it conjurs up hopes of a utopian oasis of happy ethical shopping and total community togetherness. When you're proudly stating that you are "The First Fairtrade Town In Wales", as in the case of Ammanford, then visitors' expectations rise even higher.

So, when Anne and Helen from UNDERCURRENTS arrived in town with their solar powered cinema in a caravan (yes; you did read that right!) for a day of fairtrade film screenings at the top of the Arcade, they were a little disappointed to find the cafe at the other end of the Arcade was charging them £2.50 for a coffee that was not even Fairtrade!
When we first gained Fairtrade Town status in 2002, just as when Wales gained Fairtrade Nation status in 2009, we were all at pains to point out that this was only a start; the utopian paradise had not yet arrived! And it still hasn't.
But, as Anne and Helen happily witnessed through the rest of the day, we have come a long way. The amount of awareness and enthusiasm for Fairtrade has improved massively in the last few years. As a Fairtrade Town Group, we used to have to have stalls in the town centre to spread the word. While there will always be a role for those type of stalls, we have now got a far more powerful twin attack on our side ; Cadbury's TV advertising budget and the schoolchildren of Ammanford! All the schools, from the Nursery to the Comp are learning about Fairtrade (and indeed further, from Cylch Meithrins and Church playgroups to Coleg Sir Gar too).

FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT 2010

A massive thanks to everyone that made Fairtrade Fortnight such a success in Ammanford again this year.

• During the year there has been a 6% increase in awareness of the Fairtrade mark, meaning that 74% of Britain's population now know about Fairtrade
• There were over 12,000 fairtrade events across Britain
• over 1 million swaps were made on the Fairtrade Swap-o-Meter
• over 11.5 million people said they bought a fairtrade product

The Largest Fairtrade Fortnight ever!

http://www.youtube.com/user/Fairtradefoundation?dm_i=5QB,47LR,1O8WSB,D4I8,1

PYTHEFNOS MASNACH DEG 2010

Diolch i bawb a wnaeth y bythefnos yn lwyddiant yn Rhydaman eleni eto.

• Yn ystod y flwyddyn codwyd ymwybyddiaeth pobl am Fasnach Deg gan 6%, sy'n golygu bod 74% o bobl Prydain nawr yn gwybod am Fasnach Deg.
• Roedd dros 12,000 o ddigwyddiadau ar hyd Prydain.
• Gwnaed dros 1 miliwn o swaps ar y "Swap-o-Meter" Masnach Deg.
• Dywedodd 11.5 miliwn o bobl eu bod wedi prynu nwyddau Masnach Deg.
• Y Pythefnos Masnach Deg fwyaf eto!!

http://www.youtube.com/user/Fairtradefoundation?dm_i=5QB,47LR,1O8WSB,D4I8,1

Fair Trade Wales

Fair Trade Wales is now on Twitter and Facebook. Therefore to get the latest news just click on
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&viewas=0&gid=6022336756

Twitter - http://twitter.com/FairTradeWales

Cymru Masnach Deg

Mae Cymru Masnach Deg nawr ar Twitter a Facebook. os hoffech dderbyn y newyddion diweddaraf ewch i

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&viewas=0&gid=6022336756

Twitter - http://twitter.com/FairTradeWales

GIANT BANANA SPLIT 2010

Once again the Giant Banana Split in the Ammanford Arcade was a massive success. A large crowd gathered to take part in the Giant Banana Split at the Arcade on Friday 5 March.
The event was part of the Fairtrade Fortnight. This is the second time for us to build a giant banana split along the length of the shopping arcade in Ammanford and this year's was just as successful as the last one.
We'd like to thank the local businesses who supported us, namely -Maria from Franks for the ice cream, Viv at LBS for helping us with the guttering and Anthony at COOP for the banana's.

Also we had a solar powered cinema showing films about fairtrade.

In order to build the banana split we first had to cut up the bananas and place them on the trough, then add the ice cream, follwed by cream and chocolate sauce. After this everyone grabbed a spoon and tucked in!

What better way to celebrate fairtrade fortnight and at the same time raise awareness about goods that treat farmers and traders fairly.

BANANA SPLIT MASNACH DEG 2010

Unwaith eto daeth tyrfa fawr i gymryd rhan y y Banana Split enfawr yn yr Arcade ar Nos Wener 5 Mawrth.

Rhan o ddigwyddiadau Pythefnos Masnach Deg oedd hon. Dyma'r ail waith i ni adeiladu Banana Split enfawr ar hyd yr arcade ac roedd un eleni yr un mor fawr a llynedd.

Hefyd roedd yna sinema fach a oedd yn cael ei rhedeg gan ynni'r haul yn dangos ffilmiau am Fasnach Deg.
Hoffai'r trefnwyr ddiolch i'r busensau lleol am eu cefnogaeth yn enwedig  -Maria o gwmni Franks am yr hufen ia, Viv yn LBS am ein helpu gyda'r cafnau ac Anthony o'r COOP am y bananas. 

Er mwyn creu'r banana split yn gyntaf roedd angen torri'r bananas a'u gosod ar y cafn, wedyn ychwanegu'r hufen ia, yr hufen a'r saws siocled - wedi hyn roedd pawb yn gafael mewn llwy a bwyta!!

Pa well ffordd i ddathlu Pythefnos Masnach Deg ac ar yr un pryd codi ymwybyddiaeth am nwyddau sy'n rhoi cyfle teilwng i ffermwyr a masnachwyr.

GIANT BANANA SPLIT IN THE ARCADE - 5 MARCH

Hi all,
Do you remember last year's banana split event which was a huge success running all along the arcade. Well this year's will be even bigger and better.
Come along and join us for a night of fun and at the same time show your support to Fairtrade. 6.00PM 5 March, Ammanford Arcade

Ydych chi'n cofio Banana Split enfawr y llynedd yn yr Arcade. Wel mae un eleni am fod hyd yn oed yn fwy. Dewch draw i ymuno yn yr hwyl ac ar yr un pryd gefnogi Masnach Deg. 6.00pm 5 Mawrth, Arcade Rhydaman

Solar Cinema, Tea and Banana Splits : Ammanford Fairtrade Fortnight

Ammanford is celebrating Fairtrade Fortnight this year (February 22nd - March 7th) with a series of community events, school events and shop and cafe promotions.



There will be not one, but two Madhatter's Fairtrade Tea Parties at the Benwig Tea Rooms in Wind Street on Wednesday 24th February. Fairtrade tea and refreshments will be served up between 10am and 11.30am and between 3pm and 4pm.
On Friday 5th March Summer will be coming early to Ammanford as the town's Fairtrade Group organise a "Fairtrade Summer's Day" at the top of the College Street arcade.
From 11.30am, The Sol Cinema, a solar powered cinema in a converted 1960s caravan, will be showing short films about fairtrade.
Then, from 5.30pm, a giant Fairtrade Banana Split will be built, along the whole length of the arcade.
The cinema will stay open until 7pm, and, just incase the March weather is not Summery enough to survive on ice cream alone, usherettes from 2activat8 will be selling fairtrade hot chocolate!


All the primary schools in Ammanford will have fairtrade themed school dinners on the two Fridays of the fortnight and, throughout the fortnight, Carmarthenshire Catering Service will swap all regular juice cuplets with the Fairtrade variety at Amman Valley School and at all of Carmarthenshire's secondary schools.


Phil Broadhurst of Ammanford Fairtrade Group said : "Since Ammanford became the first Fairtrade Town in Wales in 2002, the awareness of Fairtrade in the town and the community involvement in Fairtrade Fortnight has increased year on year, and this year looks like being our biggest and best Fairtrade Fortnight yet."
For more information, please contact : Phil Broadhurst : 01269 596933 / riversidepicnic@yahoo.co.uk / http://www.ammanfordfairtrade.blogspot.com/

Sinema Solar, Te a Banana Split - Pythefnos Masnach Deg Rhydaman

Mae Rhydaman yn dathlu Pythefnos Masnach Deg eleni (Chwefror 22 – 7 Mawrth) drwy gyfres o ddigwyddiadau cymdeithasol, gweithgareddau ysgol, siop ac ymgyrchoedd mewn caffi.

Bydd yna nid un ond dau De Parti “Madhatter” yn Ystafell De Benwig yn Stryd y Gwynt ar ddydd Mercher 24 Chwefror. Bydd te Masnach Deg a danteithion yn cael eu gweini rhwng 10 ac 11.30 ac yna rhwng 3pm a 4pm.


Ar ddydd Gwener 5 Mawrth bydd yr Haf yn cyrraedd yn gynnar yn Rhydaman pan fyddwn yn dathlu “Diwrnod Haf Masnach Deg” ar dop yr Arcade yn Stryd y Coleg.
O 11.30am ymlaen bydd y Sol Cinema, sef sinema wedi ei yrru gan ynni solar mewn carafan 1960au yn dangos ffilmiau byr am Fasnach Deg.
Wedyn o 5.30 ymlaen bydd Banana Split enfawr yn cael ei adeiladu, ar hyd yr arcade.
Bydd y sinema ar agor tan 7.00pm a, rhag ofn bod tywydd Mis Mawrth ddim digon hafaidd i fywta hufen iâ yn unig bydd “ushurettes” o 2activ8 yn gwerthu siocled twym Masnach Deg!


Bydd holl ysgolion cynradd Rhydaman yn cynnal cinio Masnach Deg ar y ddau ddydd gwener yn ystod y pythefnos a trwy’r pythefnos bydd Gwasanaeth Arlwyo Sir gaerfyrddin yn cyfnweid pob diod sudd ffrwythau gyda rhai Masnach Deg yn Ysgol Dyffryn Aman a phob ysgol uwchradd arall yn y sir.


Dywedodd Phil Broadhurst o Grwp Masnach Deg Rhydaman “Ers i RHydaman ddod yn dref Masnach Deg gyntaf Cymru yn 2002 mae’r ymwybyddaieth o Fasnach Deg yn y dref mae ymrwymiad y gymdeithas yn Pythefnos Masnach Deg wedi cynyddu pob blwyddyn, ac mae eleni yn argoeli i fod yr orau eto.”


Am fwy o wybodaeth cysylltwch a Phil Broadhurst: 01269 596933 / riversidepicnic@yahoo.co.uk / http://www.ammanfordfairtrade.blogspot.com/

Fairtrade events for Carmarthenshire

Organisations and community groups have organised a series of events to celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight, all of which are being supported by Carmarthenshire County Council.
They include a ‘Fairtrade Summer's Day in Ammanford!’ on Friday, March 5, which will see a solar-powered cinema showing short films about Fairtrade, and a Fairtrade producer visit to Pembrey Primary School, on Monday, March 1.
Cllr Pam Palmer, executive board member for sustainable development, said: “Carmarthenshire is a Fairtrade council and already supplies Fairtrade tea and coffee in offices and canteens.


“Fairtrade Fortnight encourages fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world, by requiring companies to pay sustainable prices for produce. It also aims to promote decent working conditions and local sustainability in places where the poorest and smallest producers are traditionally discriminated against.
“There is a wide range of events lined up across the county and I would encourage people to try and get to them to find out more about the big benefits of Fairtrade.”


For further information on Fairtrade Fortnight visit www.fairtradewales.com


For information on what’s happening in the county during the fortnight contact Aled Vaughan Owen from Menter Cwm Gwendraeth on 01269 871600 or visit www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk

 Carmarthenshire Fairtrade Fortnight 2010 – Events
Monday 22nd Feb - Coleg Sir Gar Presentation / Cyflwyniad Coleg Sir Gar – Aled Owen, Menter Cwm Gwendraeth. Contact aled@mentercwmgwendraeth.org.uk
Wednesday 24th Feb - Carmarthen Town Council – Fairtrade event, St Peters Hall, Carmarthen. Contact catrin@carmarthentowncouncil.gov.uk
Wednesday 24th Feb - Madhatter's Fairtrade Tea Party at Benwig Tea Rooms, 2activ8, Wind Street, Ammanford. 10am-11.30am and 3pm-4pm. Contact riversidepicnic@yahoo.co.uk
Wednesday 24th Feb - Coleg Sir Gar Presentation / Cyflwyniad Coleg Sir Gar – Aled Owen, Menter Cwm Gwendraeth. Contact aled@mentercwmgwendraeth.org.uk
Thursday 25th Feb - Presentation / Cyflwyniad - Ysgol Nantgaredig – Aled Owen and Nerys Burton, Menter Cwm Gwendraeth. Contact aled@mentercwmgwendraeth.org.uk
Thursday 25th Feb - Fair Trade Coffee Morning, Brynamlwg, Myddfai, 10.30am – 12.30pm. Bring and Buy produce stall and Fairtrade goodies to buy. £1.00 includes coffee and biscuits. Proceeds towards the cost of replacing Bethania Chapel Windows. Contact valwoodgaiger@aol.com / 01550 720994
Friday 26th Feb – Fairtrade themed menus in Carmarthenshire schools
Monday 1st March - Fairtrade Producer visit with Fairtrade Wales – Pembrey School / Ysgol Pembre
Friday 5th March - Fairtrade and Film evening / Noson ffilm masnach deg – Llanwrda – Aled Owen, Menter Cwm Gwendraeth. Contact aled@mentercwmgwendraeth.org.uk
Friday 5th March - "A Fairtrade Summer's Day in Ammanford!" At the top of College Street arcade. Giant Fairtrade Banana Split at 6pm. Also from mid-day til 7pm a Solar powered cinema in a caravan will be showing short films about fairtrade. (www.thesolcinema.org). Contact riversidepicnic@yahoo.co.uk
Friday 5th March - Fairtrade themed menus in Carmarthenshire schools
Saturday 6th March - Ysgol Dyffryn Taf Secondary school Fairtrade and Local Produce Fair, eat@dyffryntaf.org.uk www.dyffryntaf.co.uk

FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT 22nd February - 7th March.

We have lots of exciting plans for Fairtrade Fortnight in Ammanford.
The main highights confirmed so far are:

Wednesday 24th February - fairtrade Mad Hatter's tea party at the Benwig tea room, 2activ8.

Friday 5th march - "A Fairtrade Summer's Day in Ammanford!" (at the top of the arcade)
- from 12.00 - 7.00 - solar-powered cinema in a caravan ( thesolcinema.org ) showing short films about fairtrade.
- early evening (6pm? tbc) - fairtrade banana split

As we confirm other events we will let you know as soon as possible. See you there.

PYTHEFNOS MASNACH DEG 22 Chwefror- 7 Mawrth

Mae llawer o bethau cyffrous yn digwydd yn Rhydaman yn ystod pythefnos Masnach Deg. Dyma rhai o'r pethau sydd ar y gweill.

Dydd Mercher 24 Chwefror - Parti y "mad hatter" yn Ystafell De Benwig, 2activ8.

Gwener 5 Mawrth - "Diwrnod Haf Masnach Deg yn Rhydaman" ger yr Arcade.

- o 12.00 - 7.00 - sinema ynni haul mewn carafan (thesolcinema.org) yn dangos ffilmiau byr am fasnach deg.
- nos - tua 6.00pm Banana Split Masnach Deg

Bydd llawer o bethau eraill hefyd yn cael eu trefnu - gadewn i chi wybod yn fuan.

FAIRTRADE WALKS WALES

Inspired by the Fairtrade Way (a long distance walk initially going from Garstang to Keswick linking Fairtrade Towns in The Lake District, but now continuing north and south - See www.garstangfairtrade.org.uk for more details), some of us in Wales are both hoping to continue the Way into Wales, and also to hold an on-going series of Fairtrade Walks, linking Fairtrade Towns or venues.
The first definate one is on Sunday 7th March from the Oxfam Bookshop in Swansea (meet at 11, to leave at 11.30) to the Red Cafe in The Mumbles.
Others definately happening but without confirmed dates yet will go between Ammanford and Swansea and Ammanford and Carmarthen (not sure in which direction yet either).
This message is really just designed to be forwarded around Wales' Fairtrade supporters to see the level of interest and to get things moving and to offer help and support to anyone interested and also so we can put people in touch with each other to walk together.
Please send the link to this message on to anyone who you think might be interested. http://ammanfordfairtrade.blogspot.com/2010/01/fairtrade-walks-wales.html

Fairtrade Walks might also include already planned Walking Group rambles where everyone agrees to fill their flasks with fairtrade drinks, or a stroll from the local Co-Op to a Fairtrade cafe around the corner... or a walk up Snowdon for some Fairtrade juice at the summit cafe! - The possibilities are endless!
- Just walk, have fun and spread the message of Fairtrade!

Anyone interested : Just go for it! ...Or if you want to chat about ideas / More details, contact :
Phil Broadhurst : 01269 596933
riversidepicnic@yahoo.co.uk
146 High Street
Ammanford
SA18 2ND