Can East Lothian become a Fair Trade County?

We certainly hope so!

Jacqui Leslie from the Economic Development Division of East Lothian Council is busy using social networking as a way of introducing fair trade to the folk of East Lothian.  With Longniddry leading the way as a Fair Trade Village and North Berwick having an active Fair Trade community, we are confident that other towns will follow.

 If you are an avid Facebooker, why not check out Fair Trade East Lothian.

The Small World uses Twitter (@sw9a) and you can add us as a friend on East Lothian Buzz.  Don't forget to sign up for newsletters (you can do this at the top of this blog).

2 hours to spare?

We currently have an urgent need for volunteers for the following shifts:

Tuesday 2-4

Friday 10-12

and Saturday 10-12

Pop into the shop and have a chat if you think you can help.

Remember we always need volunteers to help run the Small World, both in the shop and behind the scenes.  So, whether your area of interest is making up orders, displaying the stock attractively, or developing the business, your assistance will be greatly appreciated!

Christmas Evening

We’re Having a Christmas Open Evening!

Join us for mulled wine and mince pies and perhaps do a little Christmas shopping...

6 - 8.30 p.m. Friday, December 3rd 2010

9A Orchard Crescent, Prestonpans, EH32 9JJ
 

Malawi

A few of the volunteers from The Small World went to Our Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh for a Malawi trade event.

We arrived in time to hear former Scottish First Minister Jack McConnell launch the event (which marks the fifth anniversary of the signing of the Co-operation Agreement between Scotland and Malawi - you can sign the pledge to support the friendship between our two countries here).

Catherine, Christopher, Gail, Jan Rosemary and Sandra had a look around the marketplace with a view to sourcing new products for the shop.  

We are constantly looking to extend our range of fair trade crafts and are always happy when we find something unusual.

We especially liked the Dedza range of pottery and the intricate woodcarvings from the Mua Mission Cooperative (available from Just Trading Scotland from whom we buy our chutney, sauces and pickles).

Fellow fair traders Richard and Barbara from Earth Matters in North Berwick were there too.  Over a cuppa we had a chat about the trials and tribulations of independent retailers and "The East Lothian Question" (i.e. When will we become a fair trade county?).


It was a pleasant diversion and we will of course let you know as soon as we take delivery of new stock.

Make A Difference Day: 30th October 2010

Time flies by in the Small World.  Volunteers enjoy a blether while they make up orders and fill shelves.  It's easy to forget that we this thing we call voluntary 'work' does make a difference.

Each beautiful handcrafted item we sell has a story and makes a difference to someone:

Every Batsiranai doll sold from our wee shop in Prestonpans, has a twin in Zimbabwe, where it was made.  When you buy one of these handmade dolls, you keep one and its twin is given to a needy child from a family affected by HIV/AIDS. The dolls are made by the Batsiranai Mothers Group whose own children have special needs and are often shunned by Zimbabwean society.

The Goonj notepads are made from office waste paper (i.e. documents which have been printed on one side and plain on the other).  It is great gift for a Nosey Parker as you never know what you will find on the reverse!

By purchasing one of our carved wooden birds, you can Make a Difference to the Wichi Indians whose way of life is threatened by the relentless advance of 'civilisation'.

Volunteers are always needed in the Prestonpans shop.  If you would like to join our happy band of men and women, please call into the shop.

And if volunteering doesn't suit, please remember that 
hoosing Fair Trade really, really does Make a Difference.