Wednesday 22 December 2010

Love Zimbabwe Sponsored Walk

Congratulations to Martha from Love Zimbabwe for a valiant effort!
She didn't make it the full distance of 22 miles, either barefoot or in walking boots, but she got a lot further than anyone I know would have!
The full story is in the Brecon and Radnor Express this week.

Saturday 11 December 2010

Third Fairtrade Christmas Market

We had better weather than Brilley Christmas Craft Fair last week! It stayed above freezing.
Love Zimbabwe were there, of course. Martha, who runs the stall, was in the Brecon and Radnor Express this week. Tomorrow she's doing a sponsored walk of twenty two miles to raise awareness of the problems of women in Zimbabwe - and she's doing it barefoot. In December. She said she was going to put goose grease on her feet to protect them, like Channel swimmers do.
Tools for Self Reliance were there for the first time, with tools that have been refurbished here, and tools that have been made by blacksmiths in Tanzania. They seemed to have a pretty good day, and went home with the trailer a bit lighter.
The lady from Bagage does more than just bags now, because she has a little shop in Newcastle Emlyn. I rather liked her chickens made out of re-cycled plastic bags.
We also had Jump4Timbuktu, Zimele, Athene English with Burmese scarves, herbfarmacy, the Egyptian patchwork stall, Darling Buds of Hay selling Christmas wreaths, and free mince pies and mulled apple juice from the committee, as well as local calendars that we were selling for Lisa Marie of Wye Local (who was unable to come because she was ill). We were also sorry not to see Jackie and her Castello de Haia soaps, but she had a family crisis and was also unable to come.
The Town Cryer did a sterling job for us, and also Cried for The Village Quire, two of whom were supplying the music - trumpet and cornet carols, and a bit of close harmony singing.
And we should also thank the Mayor of Hay, Mary Fellowes, for officially opening the fair.