South & West news
News from your region
With Tory Leader David Cameron expressing his support of the Co-operative ethos, the visit to Bath of Mr Alex Lawrie, who has been responsible for setting up Worker, Housing and other Co-operatives throughout the country, is opportune with the General Election looming.
Mr Lawrie is currently seeking to set up a transport Co-op run by passengers and employees and plans to include open access to rail services on the national network, bus and light rail “feeder” routes to supply passengers to the station served and car pools to help more people make use of green transport options. His new co-operative enterprise is registered with the Financial Services Authority and the Society will operate under the rules of a Multistakeholder Co-operative.
Mr Lawrie will be speaking at the meeting of the Good Companions Club at St Philip’s Church, Odd Down, Bath on Wednesday March 10 at 2.30 p.m.
Edgar Evans, Leader of the Good Companions Group said “With such an exciting and topical subject it is hoped that many with an interest in greener and publicly accountable transport services will want to attend”.
The Co-operative is inviting local members to celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight (22 February to 7 March) at a special wine-tasting event in Axbridge on Thursday, 4 March.
Members will be joined by members of the Bath Wine Circle who will explore the aromas of some of The Co-operative’s award-winning Fairtrade wines. The event will also highlight how, as well as receiving a fair price for their grapes, Fairtrade growers receive a Fairtrade social premium.
While exploring the concept of Fairtrade, the event will also raise valuable funds for the Variety Club and Axbridge Pageant.
The Co-operative carries a market-leading range of 16 Fairtrade wines. The wines come from South Africa, Argentina and Chile, and The Co-operative has recently introduced the UK’s first own-label Fairtrade Sparkling wine to its range.
The responsible retailer has led the way on Fairtrade, having championed the FAIRTRADE Mark since its inception, and its pioneering development work has helped the UK become one of the largest Fairtrade markets in the world.
Co-operative and Membership Officer Faheem Bhatti said: “Our members are again enthusiastically supporting this campaign to help ensure a fair deal for workers and producers in developing countries.
“We hope people who haven’t tried Fairtrade products before will be inspired to try them during Fairtrade Fortnight and make the switch for good.”
There will be up to 20% off selected Fairtrade products, to celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight 2010.
The event takes place at the Oak House Hotel, The Square, Axbridge, BS26 2AP on Thursday, 4 March from 6.30-9pm and entry costs £3. Tickets are available from The Co-operative food store in Axbridge and the Axbridge Post Office.
The first of the former Plymouth and South West (PSW) Co-operative stores to be rebranded by The Co-operative Group launches on Thursday (26 November) in Plymouth’s Crownhill. It marks the start of a £10 million investment programme to refit and rebrand almost 70 former PSW stores by the end of 2010.
The Co-operative Group, the world’s largest consumer co-operative, took over the operation of the PSW Society in September.
The Crownhill store on Morshead Road unveiled its smart new look following the completion of a £350,000 revamp. Another PSW store relaunching before Christmas, on 12 December, is the Fore Street branch in Torpoint which is undergoing a £450,000 revamp.
David Parker, Chief Officer of The Co-operative Group Food in the South West, said: “The Co-operative brand is changing the face of high streets nationwide and is a highly visible representation of the renaissance of The Co-operative. This major investment in the former PSW stores will provide customers with an enhanced service and contribute to the growing financial success of our business.”
To celebrate the Crownhill store relaunch, pupils from Widey Court and Manadon Vale Primary schools will perform the ribbon cutting ceremony and were presented with a donation of £100 for each school’s funds to mark the occasion.
The community store is being transformed with modern décor and new
eco-refrigeration, plus a more shopper friendly layout. The emphasis will be on fresh foods, with an enhanced range of fresh meat, fruit and vegetables. The popular Lottery and Paypoint services will be retained.
As the leading supermarket supporter of Fairtrade foods, The Co-operative’s popular Fairtrade products will feature and the store will carry the retailer’s own health and beauty range with products that are not tested on animals. .
“We provide a much valued service for the local community and I am confident our shoppers will be delighted with our improved store and wider selection of goods which will better meet all the community’s daily grocery needs,” said manager Adam Fritzsche.
Take a walkGroup is hoping to make Fairtrade Fortnight 2010 the biggest and best ever in the South W around our virtual store.
The Co-operative est. It is offering over £40,000 to ensure regional Fairtrade events, such as fashion shows, coffee mornings and wine tastings are a great success.
We have been a strong supporter of the Fairtrade movement for many years, since becoming the first high street retailer to list Cafedirect back in 1992. Now The Co-operative stocks the widest range of Fairtrade grocery products of any UK supermarket with 230 different lines.
To mark its support for Fairtrade Fortnight (22 February – 7 March 2010) and its ethical approach to business, The Co-operative’s membership department will share out a pot of £40,000 to community groups from Worcester to Wadebridge and Portsmouth to Portishead, to ensure their 2010 Fairtrade Fortnight celebrations are the best ever.
Co-operative and membership officer Fay Bowden said: “As the UK’s largest mutual retailer, we have been at the forefront of developing Fairtrade products and promoting the principles of Fairtrade. Our sales figures show how important Fairtrade is to our customers and, thanks to their continued support, we can ensure a better deal for growers in developing countries whose families can also look forward to a better future.
“This year, we are particularly pleased to be able to offer community groups throughout the South West a helping hand in making 2010 their best Fairtrade Fortnight ever. So if they’re organising events to raise the awareness of the support given to developing countries through Fairtrade, we look forward to hearing from them.”
To apply for Fairtrade support download the application Word doc 111 KB – Once you've clicked on the link, select open or save. and sent back to the regional office by Monday 11 January.
Our second farm in the South and West region has opened its doors to local schoolchildren, and youngsters from Down Ampney Primary School were first to spend a day there.
As well as opening the farm’s new classroom, converted from a former farm building, the children took part in The Co-operative’s innovative “From Farm to Fork” educational programme.
From Farm to Fork, already running successfully at Tillington Fruit Farm, Hereford and six other farms run by The Co-operative across England and Scotland, allows children to spend a day on a farm and to experience for themselves where food comes from, and how to create healthy meals to take home to their families.
Down Ampney Primary School was the first to visit From Farm to Fork at The Co-operative’s Down Ampney Estate, but other primary schools in the area will also have opportunities to visit.
James Taylor, Farm Manager at The Co-operative’s Down Ampney estate, said: “We were delighted to welcome our first school visit as part of From Farm to Fork at Down Ampney. It is an opportunity to bring food and farming to life for the children, and to inspire then to get passionate about food”.
If you know of a school that would benefit from a visit to Tillington (Herefordshire) or Down Ampney (Gloucestershire) please contact the South and West Regional Membership team on 01884 266892 or email: membership.sw@co-operative.coop
For further information on events or activities near you, please contact your Regional Office below:-
The Co-operative Group
South & West Region
Membership Department
Limesfield Broad Road
Dulford
Cullompton
EX15 2DY
p: 0845 757 3130*
f: 01884 266 887
membership.sw@co-operative.coop