Winter 2005
Mass Lobby of Parliament 2 Nov
Cambridge WDM members joined thousands of other Trade
Justice campaigners in the rain on 2 November to lobby their MPs for more Trade
Justice.
Cambridge MP David Howarth (above left with CWDM
members Raju Raman centre and Sue Woodsford right) gave us three quarters of an
hour for discussion and debate in a Westminster committee room where he agreed
with many of our demands. He
had already signed the Early Day
Motion 679 “Make Poverty History through Trade Justice”. But he insisted it was not just up to
him; we must all contribute keeping up the pressure at every level.
“There is no single solution to the problems of the
developing world,” Howarth said. “Real action depends upon everyone playing
their part. We must reform the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy), reduce trade
barriers and increase the aid budget.”
Cambridge WDM members at Westminster
CWDM Action at the Mark Thomas Show
Comedian Mark Thomas welcomed our offer to hold a
stall in the Arts Theatre before and during his show there on 23 October. His
own staff support could not attend because of a car accident so we sold his
merchandise for him as well as handing out WDM leaflets, lobbying theatre goers
and collecting names of potential supporters. Mark even gave WDM a plug during his
performance! Is there any other suitable show we can ask to contribute to?
Make Poverty History Unfair Games
We helped the Trade Justice
coalition to run an Unfair Games event on Christ’s Pieces on 29 October with
unfair Tug of War and Rugby among other games featured. 250 Trade Justice cards
were filled in as well as a large white banner signed with many more names
demanding Trade Justice. These were presented to David Howarth MP at the Mass
Lobby of Parliament on 2 November. We also helped to wrap Great St Mary’s
Church in white to mark Make Poverty History on 1 July.
Fairtrade Goods Popular in
Cambridge
An
assessment by Cambridge WDM using feedback from the Fairtrade Guide to
Cambridge, launched last April, reveals a strong preference for Fairtrade
produce that benefits primary producers in poor countries.
The names
of all who contributed to this survey of shoppers’ opinion by returning their
Fairtrade feedback forms were entered in a prize draw and the lucky winner was
Mike Kennedy of Hardwick who was presented with his prize at a ceremony on 5
October at Daily Bread on Kilmaine Close, Cambridge by
Councillor Amanda Taylor. Mike said, “Daily Bread is my favourite Fairtrade
shop and Fairtrade café!”
Amanda
Taylor and Daniel present the prize to Mike Kennedy with Mark Ashton of Daily
Bread
Daily Bread generously donated a £10 voucher for Fairtrade
goods to be spent in their shop as part of this prize, which also included
Cambridge WDM’s contribution of “A
Fair Feast”, a recipe book compiled by Vicky Bhogal for the Make Poverty
History campaign.
Speaker
on MakePovertyHistory in 2006
Want to
know about the G8’s success and/or failure in tackling poverty? Come and hear
the Make Poverty History speaker from WDM HQ who will consider what still needs
to be done. CWDM meeting 2006 at Clare College.
Cambridge
WDM plans a pocket sized leaflet in 2006 giving MPs and MEPs contact details
plus useful websites and info.
Look out for it soon in libraries, shops and venues.
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Cambridge WDM Meetings
If you’d like to campaign for justice for the world’s
poor, why not join us at one of our meetings? New members are welcome - at 7.45pm monthly on the third
Wednesday.
Meetings coming up -
21 Dec at Beth’s for Christmas
Party and Farewell to Frank BRING & SHARE at Beth’s
2006 18 Jan
at Ray’s
15 February at Raju
15 March at Sue’s
19 April at Pat’s
17 May at
Aidan & Clare’s
21 June at Pat’s
19 July at Beth’s
Sue Woodsford, Hon Sec 14 Chesterton Hall Crescent Cambridge CB4 1AP
Tel No 01223 – 562983 or see website