The men sleep on the huge bales of unsold Mali cotton. The tragedy is to see warehouses full of bales of cotton, last year’s harvest, with no market. The cost of transport to the docks is more than they would get for selling their crop.

Cotton is one of the main exports of Mali, where a third of the population are dependent on cotton for their income. Neighbouring Burkina Faso, Benin and Chad are similarly dependent. But the world price of cotton has fallen by a staggering 66% since 1995. The reason for this is the subsidies paid to 25,000 cotton farmers in the United States – subsidies amounting to $1.5bn (down from $3.9bn in 2001). US cotton accounts for more than 40% of world cotton exports, (up from 24% in 1996). The effect of flooding the world market with surplus cotton has been to depress prices by two thirds and to hit hard farmers in poor countries. While US farmers receive 80p per kg of cotton, Mali cotton farmers received just 18p per kg in the 2002/03 growing season, well below the cost of production.

The farmers told Andrew Bradstock, Secretary for Church and Society, that they now expect to receive less for their cotton than they invested in producing it. They are working harder and harder to produce good-quality cotton, but are just getting poorer and poorer every year. Mali received $37 million in aid in 2002 but lost $43 million as a result of lower export earnings, according to the Cotton Advisory Committee.

“I am not getting a fair price for my cotton. When the price dropped I couldn’t afford to pay back the loan I took to buy the fertiliser and other things that I needed to grow cotton. My wife had a still-born child because we could not afford the medical costs. I also had to pull my child out of school as we could no longer afford the fees.”

Fousseinyi Kone, a cotton farmer (on the poster).
In April 2004 a landmark ruling at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) declared that $1.5bn (£830m) of annual subsidies given by the United States government to its cotton farmers are mostly illegal. Response in the American press was to defend the interests of its farmers, but possibly to use this as a lever in negotiations with other major trading powers to reduce subsidies seen as hurtful to American interests.

That is just one story. Very similar stories are being documented from around the world: rice farmers in Haiti or Ghana, dairy farmers in Jamaica or the Dominican Republic, sugar farmers in South Africa or the Caribbean, onion growers and tomato growers in Ghana and other West African countries – all these are finding their markets undercut by cheap imports of these products. While the West talks about liberalisation – opening of markets – it continues to support its own producers with tariffs and subsidies, the measures that are supposed to be done away with under liberalisation.
Why can’t poor countries retaliate by imposing tariff barriers to stop these cheap imports? Because they are mostly indebted countries who have a structural adjustment policy in place to allow them to move towards relief of their international debts. Effectively the World Bank and IMF can force countries to liberalise their markets – while the EU and US have done almost nothing to reduce the subsidies paid to their farmers. Mali is required to reform its cotton sector (privatisation) under the terms of an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) but that does not give any security to Mali farmers or to the economy. The Trade Justice Movement believes that poor countries such as Mali should be allowed to give special support and protection to its vulnerable producers, also allowed and helped to develop their processing industry to earn more from their raw materials and to retain some control of their own economy. Northern governments should deliver on their promises and on WTO rulings to eliminate subsidies to their farmers, and adopt equal measure of liberalisation.

Canon Adrian Esdail is our latest Chairman of Churches Together in Epsom. He has been working hard to outline a strategy for the future. His first proposal is a firm Constitution. We have not really had one in the past. At the meeting on Monday, 20th July, we considered the draft for the Constitution, which will shortly be sent to all member churches for consideration.

OUR HARVEST FESTIVAL SERVICE 19^th SEPTEMBER at 10.30 a.m.

This will be an all-age Service conducted by our Minister, and as well as the usual Harvest Gifts and flowers, we along with Ewell will be collecting for “Livestock for Life, Send a Cow”.

“Send a Cow” is a Christian organization giving direct practical help to poor farmers in Africa by providing livestock and animal care together with training in sustainable organic farming and low-cost veterinary services. To find out more about them, consult their website at www.sendacow.org.uk 

HARVEST FESTIVAL SERVICE AT EWELL on 26^th SEPTEMBER.

JOINT HARVEST LUNCH AT EWELL on SUNDAY 3^rd OCTOBER.

We are pleased to publish for the first time our rota of organists playing for us Sunday by Sunday. We are most grateful to these good friends who willingly use their talents to enhance our Services.

Rebecca, who played for us first on 25^th July, will be returning to Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, in the autumn to continue her studies as an Organ Scholar. We wish her well and hope that we may see her again at Christmas.

We also thank Judith for organising the rota of organists for us.

Pat, Gwyneth, Chris and myself attended Kingston U.R.C. on Sunday 11^th July along with other members of the Wimbledon District to hear the Rev. Keith Underhill tell us about “Godly Play” – Communicating the Bible to children.

This is nothing really new, it is a simple way of telling Bible stories with a piece of material for the ground in a suitable colour for the story e.g. yellow sand, green grass, blue water etc., and some wooden figures unpainted and very simple. All the equipment for the story is kept in a box and produced as the story unfolds. Usually the storyteller and the listeners sit on the floor and the storyteller keeps his eyes on the figures as he tells the story. Keith was very compelling to listen to and well rehearsed: you need to learn the script to make it effective.

‘Age Concern’ were fortunate in being able to hire Unity Hall for this year’s Summer Party. Nearly 160 elderly people from Epsom and Ewell attended, as did the Mayor, the Lady Mayoress, and Councillors. The entertainment was provided by the Hinchley Wood Singers.

All this happened on 31^st July, Peggy Smith’s birthday, The afternoon finished with the usual tea before the homeward journeys.

A visit has been arranged to the Hollycombe Steam Fair, near Liphook in Hampshire, for Thursday, 26^th August. This is a great display of rides and machinery. It opens at 12:00 and the rides are operating between 13:00 and 17:00. The cost is ₤7.50 for adults and ₤6.00 for OAPS and children between 3 and 15 years old.

Please sign the sheet in the foyer if you would like to go; also, if you are going by car and are able to take passengers, please indicate this. A number of people from Ewell are going, and details will be circulated as soon as the final numbers are known.

Hollycombe is a unique collection of working steam powered attractions providing fun and entertainment for the whole family. The centre-piece is a complete Edwardian Fairground where you can experience all the fun of the fair from the 1870's; from the gentle "Golden Gallopers" to the first "White Knuckle" rides.

The fun continues as you experience the three steam railways, and traction engine rides. Other attractions include period farming demonstrations, farm animals, sawmill and spectacular gardens.

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Junior Church News 
Gwyneth Smith

Soon after Razan’s photo appeared in the NewsLetter we were informed that she no longer needed our help. We were asked to sponsor another child at the same school, Rawdat El Zuhur, in Jerusalem, and we were glad to do so.

Muna Fakhry Elias was born in August 1997 into a poor Muslim family originally from Yatta village. She lives in Jerusalem with her parents, two brothers and a sister, in two small bedrooms and a kitchenette. Father works as a labourer and finds it difficult to support his wife and children.

From her school reports we see that she is a bright little girl who is making good progress, and Junior Church members are always interested to hear from and about her. The letters always stress that she is ‘praying for peace’.

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Barbecue at the Manse 
Valerie Wood

About thirty friends including several children were very pleased to attend the barbecue organised by Pat and Peter in the garden of the Manse on Saturday, 17^th July. This was after a very busy day, with the special coffee morning at Unity Hall earlier in the day. There had been a lot of very heavy rain during the day, but by the evening the sky had become clear and we were able to spend a very pleasant time in the Manse garden. The children were able to have fun playing with a ball and running around.

The barbecue was excellent, mainly cooked by Peter, and there was plenty of lovely salad to go with it. We were then invited to eat delicious barbecued pineapple and cinnamon, juicy watermelon and various other fresh fruit. 

We had the opportunity to catch up with the news of some people we had not seen for a while, and to just generally chat in a very pleasant atmosphere. Thanks very much to Pat and Peter for their generous hospitality.

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Visit to Denbies’ Vineyard 
Valerie Wood

My thanks to the leaders of the Evening Church Fellowship who arranged the summer outing and cream tea at Denbies’ Vineyard, on Wednesday 7^th July. When we arrived, several of us had a look around the painting exhibition on the first floor. There were pictures there painted by artists of all abilities with some very interesting subjects. Then after a look around the shop we were served our cream tea consisting of large fruit scones with cream and jam, and as much tea as we could drink. The cream tea was delicious and definitely most satisfying.

Whilst we were having our tea we sat beneath the glass roof and watched rain teeming down, hoping that it may let up a bit before we were due to leave. Unfortunately it hadn’t, but with the weather being so warm we dried off very quickly.

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Unity Hall Kitchen 
Phemie Young

Stocktaking of the equipment in Unity Hall kitchen will be carried out from 31^st August to 3^rd September. If anyone has borrowed any utensils from the kitchen could they please return them by 28^th August. It would be helpful for future lettings for this stocktaking to be as accurate as possible.

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MESSAGES FROM ‘MEASURE FOR MEASURE’ 
Kathleen Hodgson

Measure for Measure is often classed as one of Shakespeare’s problem plays. One of the problems is the character of the Duke: he may be seen as the wise ruler of Vienna, disguising himself as a friar so that he can go about among his people, observing and helping; or he may be an irresponsible figurehead whose weak rule has contributed to the dissolute state of Viennese society.

This summer the play has been included in the repertory programmes of both the National Theatre and the Globe. Germaine Greer gave a talk at the National; Mark Rylance, who plays the Duke at the Globe, led a discussion after a matinee performance.

Whether the Duke is seen as caring or casual, a problem of his character is his behaviour when he is disguised as a friar. His attitude to death does not seem appropriate to a member of a religious order. ‘Be absolute for death,’ he tells Claudio, a young man condemned to death for getting his girl friend pregnant. He might be expected to talk about repentance, redemption, forgiveness and an after life, but his argument is that life’s not worth living so there’s no point in making a fuss about dying.

At the discussion at the Globe, I asked Mark Rylance if he thought the Duke was unconvincing as a friar. No, he said, he had done a lot of research into friars of the time, and it was quite possible that they might preach against the grain, using unlikely arguments to encourage people to think more deeply, to explore the options. He might do it himself, he added, with his daughters; if they suggested something excessive, he would accept it, consider it, then perhaps discuss an alternative.

Germaine Greer had a different opinion of the Duke. She was generally critical of his behaviour, in the past and during the play, but she approved of his advice to Claudio; he was refusing to tell fairy-tales; Shakespeare was showing respect for his audience.

The scene raises psychological, ethical and religious issues. It would be interesting to hear more opinions about the current productions and continuing problems.

The National production closed last week, but the play continues in the Globe programme until 24 September. 
If you would like to see it, telephone 020 7401 9919 for details. You can be a groundling for £5; seat prices go up to £29, but I find the cheapest, £13, are fine.

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Goodbye, Jenny 
Elaine Edwards

On 8^th July, 12^th Epsom Guides said goodbye to Jenny Vaughan. After 21 years with the Guides, Jenny has moved with her family to Pevensey.

So back in July the Guides had a party for Jenny. On the guest list were past and present Guiders from the District, Guides and their parents and other invited guests that knew Jenny through her Guiding.

Jenny joined the Guide Company as my assistant Guider 21 years ago. During her time in Guiding Jenny had been District Badge Secretary and District Commissioner.

At her party Jenny was taken down Memory Lane with the use of photographs and a few well-chosen spoken memories.

Jenny was presented with a large selection of presents, which included puzzles and a frog shoe brush. Jenny was also presented with her 20-year service bar to Guiding.

The Guides will certainly miss Jenny but wish her well in her new life.

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12^th Epsom Guides 
Elaine Edwards

The Guides had quite a busy last couple of months before their summer break. Along with their usual craft, cooking and games, the Guides took part in two fund-raising events for charity. The first event was for ‘Children with Leukaemia’. The Guides did a trail around Horton Country Park during a Guide meeting and the sponsor money has raised over £80.

The second event was a massage evening. During the past two terms the Guides have learned how to do a hand and foot massage. So at the beginning of July the Guides invited their parents along to the Guide meeting for a hand and foot massage – at a small fee. The evening raised £100.42p, which has gone to developing Guiding overseas.

The Guides have also enjoyed a hot but active week at camp in East Grinstead. The Guides went abseiling, climbing, kayaking and went on the zip-wire. The theme was ‘The Olympics’: activities also included our own version of the opening and closing ceremonies, plus Olympic events such as three-legged race, cup and water race and, of course, the Wellie Throwing.

We go back to Guides in September with a parents’ rota to help. If anyone is interested in going into uniform to help me permanently at Guides, please ’phone me for a chat on 020-8641 1501.

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Coffee Morning at Unity Hall 
Valerie Wood

The special coffee morning at Unity Hall on Saturday, 17^th July, was another successful venture. The coffee was percolated courtesy of Phemie Young, and the muffins cooked by our Minister were delicious.

We were very pleased to see so many of our members who are not able to attend the monthly coffee mornings, especially those who find it impossible to get up the Church stairs. Although the weather had been particularly bad, it did not stop there being a very good attendance.

The proceeds from the morning of about £20 were given to Alan for his sponsored bicycle ride in aid of the Princess Alice Hospice.

At our latest Church Life Committee meeting, it was decided that each of the Church Organisations in turn will be responsible for organising future coffee mornings in Unity Hall and for deciding which charity to support. The next one has been arranged for Saturday, 16^th October, and will be organised by the staff of Junior Church.

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Evening Church Fellowship 
Evelyn Beer

The outing to Denbies’ Vineyard on 7^th July was a very happy occasion, and the Cream Teas were really delicious. Of course, we had the usual spot of rain to complete the day!

We start the new session on 4^th October with a visit from Mrs Eileen Jeans, herself deaf, with a talk on the marvellous work of ‘Hearing Dogs for the Deaf’. I think that this is an evening not to be missed, and, following on from Sunday, 3^rd August, which is being recognized as Disability Sunday, it is very appropriate!

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Afternoon Fellowship 
Daphne Dawe

The first meeting of the new session will be on Thursday, 23^rd September, at 2:30 p.m. in the Longhurst Room. We will have a Communion Service conducted by our Minister, Rev. Pat Hall. We hope to welcome back all members, and will be delighted to welcome any new friends able to join us.

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12^th Epsom Brownie Guide Pack 
Valerie Wood

Twelve Brownies have brought in their plants or photographs of their plants and have earned their Gardener’s Badge. The girls have also replanted the two troughs beside the church, and the pot behind the hall.

The Brownies once again took part in the Children with Leukaemia Marathon. This year we were all sponsored to sing 26 songs, which we did at our meeting on 26^th May. The total amount raised this year was £187.81p. I have sent a cheque for £94 to the Children with Leukaemia and the rest has gone into Brownie funds.

We have got two very enterprising Brownies, Rebecca and Zoë, who have produced a magazine once a fortnight for the other Brownies, and have sold copies in aid of Brownie funds. Rebecca has earned her Computer Badge for this and Zoë is well on the way to earning hers.

With the 90^th Birthday of the Brownie Movement very much in our minds, we had one evening devoted to the History of Brownies with various activities and puzzles. The girls were asked to design their ideal Brownie outfit, which proved very interesting.

Our last meeting of the term was a 90th birthday party for the Brownies. We had a special birthday cake and party food and played several games and all the Brownies made delicious ice-cream sundaes. It was also a slightly sad occasion as we had to say ‘goodbye’ to two of our most loyal Brownies, Emma Bullock and Bethany Laws, both of whom we hope are going to go to Guides in September. We wished them well for the future and presented each of them with a Brownie mug.

Eight of our Brownies joined with another Pack to go on Pack holiday at Faurefold in Westcott at the end of July, and they all had lots of fun. Anne and I visited them for the day on the Monday and had a lovely time. We had lunch and dinner with them and saw the many activities in which they were involved. Although there were Brownies from three different Packs, they were all getting on very well with each other, and all happily taking turns at their duties.

As the Brownies are celebrating their 90^th Anniversary this year, Headquarters have produced a special rose, which was shown recently at the Chelsea Flower Show. The 12^th Epsom Pack has ordered a rose, which they intend to present to the church when it is received in October.

Brownies will be restarting on Wednesday 15^th September, and we have already prepared an interesting programme for them.

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Women’s Church Council 
Daphne Dawe

The August Coffee Morning was for the Epsom and Ewell Talking Newspaper for the Blind, and we were particularly pleased to have Liz Howgill, their treasurer, with us. Our Gwyneth has been a reader for the newspaper for many years. Thanks to your generosity, we have sent a cheque for £100.

There are a number of young people in Epsom who look after disabled or ill parents long term. Our Coffee Morning on Tuesday, 14^th September, will be for ‘Young Carers of Epsom’, an organisation that exists to help those so involved to have ‘time off’, and meet with other young people and sometimes go on an arranged outing.

For some time we have been aware that the cost of coffee and biscuits has not been realistic. In fact many friends have been contributing more than the asking price. So from the September Coffee Morning, coffee and biscuits will cost 50p., and we hope you will continue to support us.

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1ST EPSOM EAST RAINBOWS.

My name is Jenny Oakley, and I have taken over from Pamela Galliers as the new Guider in charge of the Rainbow unit.  My assistant is Amanda Way.  She is new to guiding, and I welcome her into the unit.

Rainbows is for girls between the ages of 5 and 7, and we meet every Tuesday from 5.30-6.30 p.m.  in Unity Hall, and we will be starting our new session on 21st September. We do lots of exciting activities and have fun!  In the unit there are girls of all abilities, and the Rainbows are all friends together.

From September, we will have a new Rainbow programme, which incorporates new ideas into the unit. We are looking forward to trying out some of the new ideas with the girls.

For more information about the Rainbows :
Contact Jenny Oakley : 020 8393-6443.

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Anchor Boys 
Valerie Wood

We have continued to meet regularly with either two or three boys. For one evening the theme was ‘The Ugly Duckling’. The boys learnt the song, made a collage of an ugly duckling and then made an origami swan.

For our last meeting of the summer the boys were made up with face paints. The theme was clowns, and they learned an action rhyme about them and then they each coloured in a picture of a clown, and made up their own clown face.

The encouraging news is that I have had a call from a lady asking me if we had any places left for her son who is just five and wants to join us in September. The two boys who came to visit us in the summer are also intending to join then.

The first meeting after the summer holiday will be on Monday 13^th September. The Boys’ Brigade have published a new programme pack for the Anchor Boys which we have ordered, and hope to be able to use starting in September.

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Caption Competition

Last month’s reader-participation article does not seem to have attracted much interest. We asked for suggestions for the words for which S.L.T. stood, on the box carried by our intrepid Secretary at Family Day. Gwyneth writes:  ‘As it was Family Day, the box might have contained Sheila’s Tea Loaves, but she could just have been rescuing the Secretary’s Tiresome Letters!’ And on the same themes, and remembering the day, Valerie offers Sheila’s Thermal Leotards and Secretary’s Temperance Literature!

Thanks for the efforts.

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