Fairtrade Friday

Not as many people came as we had hoped for (we had quite a few Welsh cakes left over at the end) but the people who did turn out in the appalling weather were interested, and interesting. One chap came to argue against Fairtrade, which was actually very good, because it made us think more about why we support it, and he was clearly enjoying the arguements.
Bishopston Trading sent some clothes and bags, and there was a stall from a shop in Tarrington in Herefordshire, which the girl said was the only shop in the county that sold exclusively Fairtrade goods. They had knitted items from Nepal, and a range of tiled coathooks that went very well, amongst other things. Then there were the ladies from Love Zimbabwe, who set up a film show and had some wonderful pottery mugs, and pictures, and musical instruments, and wooden statues. A farmer who is a neighbour of Ruth's sent some organic produce, to represent the local goods. His carrots went well. The Timbuktu committee had a table, and then there was me doing the weaving, close to the Lucky Dip and Pin the Banana on the Banana Tree, which was very popular with the school parties, especially as the blindfold wasn't quite thick enough.
Children from Hay School came in the morning, some of them in Welsh costume, as it was the nearest school day to St David's Day. They enjoyed the weaving, too.
Through the afternoon, I met as many people who were interested in craftwork as in Fairtrade. One lady went away, and came back with two carrier bags full of wool for me - she had promised them to me previously, but since I was there all day, she decided to gather it all together while she had me in one place. Another lady said that she had thought about coming to Stitch and Bitch, but had been put off by the name - but I was able to reassure her that we were really very nice, and didn't do much bitching at all.
I think I may be asked to speak about weaving for an old people's club in Llanigon - the lady took my contact details, anyway.
Anna, from the Timbuktu committee, gave me a spindle whorl she had found for me on her holiday in Morocco. She said she had asked about spinning or weaving items in a shop there; the man called his wife, and they rummaged around in some drawers, and came up with a spindle whorl made out of what Anna thinks is argan wood - which they gave to her for free. All I need to do is find a piece of dowling, and I can use it.
Anna's other hat is Drover Holidays, and she told me that they have arranged to move into the little barn where the vet's surgery used to be, on Oxford Road, between the entrance to the car park and the Offa's Dyke Path. It will be a better position for them - less cramped than the shop beside the Blue Boar, and they're hoping to open around 14th March (if the roof is fixed in time).
In the late afternoon, Gareth came to announce the launch of the Fairtrade directory for Hay, and the children of Ffynnon Gynnedd School sang songs from around the world - and kept me busy helping them with the stick weaving. We practically had to throw three little girls out - they were so keen to weave that they wouldn't go home!
Only one little boy tried the Quiz, though - and he was brilliant! He answered every question right. His mum was amazed. "He worked really hard at that," she said, "and he hates school!"
All in all, the day was well worth doing, and we now know something of what works and what doesn't for next time....