i've asked the hemel hempstead lions club if they would like to take
part in a fundraising for comic relief as one of the four squares
available in the floor space.

Not only do comic relief support the makepovertyhistory campaign but
they co sponsor dubble and divine fairtrade chocolate, so combining
with a fundraiser they can get the public familiar with fairtrade
chocolate. this feeds right into the fairtrade and makepoverty
history message. the idea is to STOCK THE CHOC, get people to ask for
fairtrade at their local shops, and i've ordered special cards that
people sign to hand in. The body shop also sold dubble choc last year
during fairtrad fortnight so i could approach them and maybe get them
to do a special discount on an item in store. This could then go the
comic relief stand. The comic relief stand can factor in all the
petitions which we want people to sign as well as handing out
information about maketradefair and make povertyhistory.

The marlowes marketing team have asked for a meeting to discuss the
floor arrangements but i've not even got all the people i want yet
other than asking freshcafe to supply hot coffee and i'm bringing
back hadeel from last year to sell palestinian crafts. the setup will
be no different from that arranged last year, four square zones of no
more than 3m by 3m with 3m clearance between the squares. a nice
modular pattern.

i don't know whether to ask the local traders in but i remember last
year there was a local honey producer, goat cheese lady, and ofcourse
mr bird box man.

The four squares are oxfam, traidcraft, comic relief so there is room
for local producers, although i've remembered i've invited freshcafe
to serve fairtrade coffee, he's not replied and i may do a deal with
marks and spencers instead to hand out a voucher for fairtrade cafe,
that would be quite good actually.

i hope to try and sort out in the next seven days who is contributing
what but i'd be grateful if marion could help me set up a friends of
the earth contribution with the local traders as a reserve, if we
dont' get local traders we should have a friends of the earth local
stall advising people on envrionmental issues i feel. That would make
up the four squares anyhow. i'll have to see what lions club come
back with before i can ok inviting local traders, i'll know by the
end of this week.

need to set up a meeting with marlowes shopping centre asap but i
suggest we set the meeting for two weeks from today. Please advise
availability.

Regards

Francois