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Jeremy Piercy, Shared Earth’s founder, took part in the recent global conference on fair trade in Kathmandu, Nepal last month, under the auspices of WFTO (World Fair Trade Organisation, formerly known as IFAT). 240 delegates from about 50 countries attended. Much time was spent debating how a new monitoring system could put crafts on the same level as food (the Fair Trade Mark currently only applies to commodities).
There was also a presentation from four countries - 2 in Asia, one in Africa and one in South America - about how climate change is affecting their communities and how they are responding to it as producers and exporters. Jeremy afterward made the point - to loud applause - that as the industrial countries of the north are largely responsible for global warming, we need to hear from fair trade importers too - are they doing as much?
It was unaminously decided to set up a working group on the environment. Jeremy has been asked to chair this group.
Before the conference, Jeremy visited three of Shared Earth’s suppliers in Nepal, Mahaguthi, New Sadle and GET Paper - all of which are mentioned in his book. He also visited WEAN (a women’s cooperative) and ACP (Association of Craft Producers), both of which will be supplying SE soon. Within a few months our shops will be selling a wealth of new bags, purses and other textiles, scarves, notebooks, stationery and handmade cards.
Leeds Oxfam Group will be holding their next monthly group meeting on Wednesday June 3rd at 7.30pm
Jeremy will be talking about how he became involved in fair Trade, how Shared Earth came into being and how he helped fair trade become a reality. There will also be a Q and A session afterwards.
All are very welcome to the meeting which is at the Civic Hall, off Millennium Square in Leeds.
Meetings are held in either Committee Room 2 or Committee Room 3, depending on availability. Please use the entrance opposite the Merrion Centre.
For more information please contact either Pauline Neale on 0113 2693542 (Oxfam), or Debbie Fletcher on 0113 2457660 (Shared Earth)
York achieved Fairtrade City status on 3 March 2004. A celebration to mark its 5th anniversary was held at the Mansion House, York on 6th May 2009.
Fairly traded wine and cake was enjoyed by members of York Fair Trade Forum, the Civic Party and other guests.
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This years Fairtrade Fortnight was a successful one in Leeds with lots of fun and friendships made.
The Network Night proved to be yet another hit, (see previous news posting), many thanks again, to all who attended and helped make it a success. The next one planned for Wednesday July 15th will be a school themed one, where we shall be inviting amongst the usual supporters and friends of Shared Earth, representatives from schools, both primary and secondary, who are interested in making their school a fair trade one. Speakers will be present to talk about how schools can make this happen including people from the Leeds Development Education Centre.
The response to our personal contribution to the fairtrade banana eating world record was met with much enthusiasm on the day; we managed to have 40 people in total visit the shop to eat a fairtrade banana on the afternoon of March 6th. We also did our bit after the event and ensured all the banana skins were composted!
  
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New author launches book in Leeds
On Thursday February 26th, the Leeds branch hosted their second Network Night. This time, they were very pleased to have as guest of honour their Managing Director Jeremy Piercy, who was present to read extracts from his newly published book “Coffins, Cats and Fairtrade Sex Toys”.
The evening started early at 5pm, with members of the public being invited to come in and have a cup of fairtrade coffee kindly supplied by Starbucks. Jeremy was on hand to sign copies of his book, and customers could take a seat with the author in an informal setting to look through his book and chat about anything they wished regarding his book or fair trade in general.
 
Debbie Fletcher Leeds branch manager introduces the evening Jeremy reads extracts from his book
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New author launches book in York
Founder of fair trade shop Shared Earth launched his book about fair trade at the Spurriergate Centre, York on Thursday 19th February. Jeremy Piercy wrote “Coffins, Cats and Fair Trade Sex Toys” to raise awareness of fair trade and its impact. The event was well attended with over 100 guests including the Mayor of York. Author, Jeremy Piercy, addressed the audience in true Jeremy style, light hearted and humorous with a serious real undertone.
 Jeremy Piercy pictured with the Civic Party
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SHARED EARTH Manchester held its fair trade book launch event on Saturday 21st February 2009. The book “Coffins, Cats and Fair Trade Sex Toys” is written by Jeremy Piercy, founder and Managing Director of SHARED EARTH.
 
Gail makes her speech Jeremy reads from his book
It was a fabulous evening. Several copies of the book were sold, and the shop staff spoke to a lot of people about fair trade.
 
Our first customer of the evening to buy the book Emma looks after the bar
 
Philippa gets her book signed Meg gets her book signed
Music for the evening was provided by the brilliant Low Risers. Check them out on MySpace at www.myspace.com/lowrisers
This year’s fairtrade fortnight is set to be a busy one here in Leeds.
On Thurs February 26th from 5.30-8pm our second and very special Network Night! This time, I am very pleased to announce that Jeremy Piercy, founder and MD of Shared Earth, will be present. He will be signing in store his newly published book “Coffins, Cats and Fairtrade Sex Toys” between 5.30-6.30. Then afterwards he will be reading extracts from the book and also talking about how he got involved in fair trade, how the business grew and how fair trade is still growing today.
The evening is also a chance for like minded people, to meet, who are not only interested in fair trade but who also campaign for global justice, as well as those with an involvement in international development. There will be entertainment from Leeds drumming troupe “Fairplay” as well as drinks and nibbles!
Also throughout the whole of fairtrade fortnight, if you happen to be at Leeds University you can visit our fair trade stall, which will be selling our best lines which is kindly being run by Union Books on our behalf. It is situated in the main Students Union building, so please go along and show your support if you are there.
On Friday March 6th, we will be doing our bit to break the world record for fairtrade banana eating! If you happen to be in the shop at some point that afternoon, be prepared, we are expecting all the customers as well as the staff who are present to eat a fairtrade banana in support of fairtrade and help break that world record! This world record event will be at 1pm on the day, and if you want to join in, don’t forget to bring in your fairtrade banana, we will be publishing the photos of the event on here!
Other events we are taking part in during the fortnight include visits to local primary schools to give talks, and hosting church stalls. As well as this we are supporting other events such as attending the fair trade cream tea party at The Queens Hotel to celebrate the Co-operatives five years of Fairtrade coffee, which will be hosting a coffee producer tour from Colombia. Also, in contrast to this, we will be putting on our dancing shoes for the concert of Argentinean BBC World Music award winners Chango Spasiuk at The Wardrobe on the evening of Wednesday February 25th.
So there’s every chance you may bump into one of our staff at some point this fairtrade fortnight without even visiting the shop!
 Leeds Manager Debbie Fletcher with Jeremy Piercy on the first of his book signing events on February 19th in York
SHARED EARTH Leeds
40 Woodhouse Lane
Leeds
LS2 8LX
Tel +44(0)1132 457660
Find us on a map
Click here for larger image
Visit one of our shops during Faitrade Fortnight (23rd February - 8th March 2009) and enter our free prize draw. One lucky winner from each shop will receive a fabulous gift hamper containing fair trade products worth over £60.
Our shops are located in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Stratford-upon-Avon and York.
Click here for more information.
This is an instore competition only.
 
If you want to really impress your love interest this year, then look no further than our huge selection of unusual fair trade alternatives to the customary Valentine tokens of love!
Here in Leeds we have made it slightly easier for you, by creating a well-stocked Valentine themed area inside the store, to save you looking for all the important romantic embellishments needed to make him or her swell with affection!
You’ll find all the necessaries you need, which as well as offering the traditional, such as fair trade Belgian chocolates, gifted in a beautiful hand crafted Kashmir box, to delightfully hand made Valentine cards from the Philippines and Mauritius.
With our new branch being much bigger, we have had the luxury of being able to offer a far wider variety of Valentine and romantically related stock than ever before! There is something to suit every pocket, with gifts starting from as little as 99p, as well as items to suit all tastes, for both men and women.
Of course, as well as all our unique Valentine themed products we have a wonderful range of gift ideas, if you just want to treat that someone special. With our 2009 catalogue just launched, we now have just delivered to our store, lots of new and exciting ranges and products, guaranteed to be just what your loved one will appreciate!
40 Woodhouse Lane
Leeds
LS2 8LX
Tel +44(0)1132 457660
Stratford Herald November 2008
Click here for larger image
An ethical Stratford shop with a difference has opened just in time for the Christmas rush, and is further enhancing the credentials of the town’s official Fairtrade status.
The shop stocks among a range of 5,500 different gifts from around the world, boxes made from recycled crisp packets, note books made from recycled car tyres and photo albums made from bamboo.
Area shops manager Lynne Dawson explains that Stratford had been carefully selected as the retailer’s next location. “We are hopeful that we will do well here. We place ourselves in the hands of the good people of Stratford and hope they like our products, and support us in what we do,” she told the Herald this week.
“We are the biggest non-food fair trade company in the country, but we want people to come here because our stock is beautiful and the fair trade is a bonus, rather than being a sympathy vote.
“We regularly go out to where our stock is made and meet the people who make it. Cambodia and Vietnam have always been into recycling things. Because they don’t tend to have much, they make the most of what they do have.”
Shared Earth began as a small shop in York 22 years ago in October 1986. Its founder, Jeremy Piercy, travelled to India after leaving school and wanted to do something to help redress the imbalance of wealth in the world. Fair trade was the obvious answer and the original shop contained a wide mix of products from Asia, Africa and South America.
“We felt there were still a lot of independent traders in Stratford and we felt we fitted in with that. The big out of town shops can house the big brands but we are better here, and we hope tourists and local people like what we do,” Ms Dawson added.
Also high on the agenda is addressing environmental problems and all Shared Earth shops sell a huge range of recycled and sustainable products including stationery, jewellery, toys, games and Christmas cards.
SHARED EARTH’s 8th shop is now open - Stratford-upon-Avon
38 Wood Street
Stratford-upon-Avon
Warwickshire
CV37 6JG
Tel: 01789 205100
  
Our new shop in Stratford is in the process of being fitted out.
38 Wood Street
Stratford-upon-Avon
Warwickshire
CV37 6JG
Tel: 01789 205100
 
 
On Thursday October 30th 2008, Leeds held their first Network Night.
“The idea was first to just have a gathering of people linked to Shared Earth and Fair Trade in general to come along and celebrate the Leeds` branch successful opening of our newly located shop,” explains Debbie Fletcher the branch manager. “But as time went on, I thought it would be nice to turn it into an opportunity for representatives from local campaign groups to come and not only see the shop, but also meet with old acquaintances and make some new ones.
 Debbie giving opening welcome speech
“I had a meeting with Andy Brown of TIDAL (Trade Injustice and Debt Action Leeds) to get invites out to campaigners in the area and so the idea of a Network Night was formed!”
People from groups such as the Leeds Fairtrade Steering Group, Amnesty International, Christian Aid, Stop Climate Chaos and TIDAL http://www.leedstidal.org/frontpage.php were there to meet up and swap emails and ideas with each other. There was also support from ex-employees and well-known customers who have been shopping at the Leeds branch for many years.
 Debbie Fletcher (Leeds branch manager), Ann Callarman (Amnesty International), Andy Brown (Leeds TIDAL), Chris Johnson (Leeds TIDAL and Stop Climate Chaos, Leeds)
The entertainment was provided by local drumming group Fair Play, headed by Marion Small, not only a locally celebrated and accomplished drummer but also a long-standing customer of Shared Earth.
 Drumming band “Fair Play” entertain the guests
As a result of the success of Network Night, Debbie is now looking towards organising another one during Fairtrade Fortnight. “My plan will be to have many more people next time, I want it to become a regular meeting event where people can come along in a more social environment but still be able to talk shop as it were!”, she explained. “I’m also hoping that Jeremy Piercy the founder of Shared Earth will be able to come along this time as well, and hopefully read out extracts from his up and coming book ‘Cats Coffins and Fair Trade Sex Toys’. There was a lot of interest generated about his book during the evening, and it would be great if he would indulge us!”
 Guests read through extracts of Jeremy’s up and coming book
 Guests and staff mingling
 Local fair trade supporter from Transition City Leeds signs up on the networking form
If you would like to be involved in attending the next Network Night, in whatever capacity then please send an email to Debbie Fletcher at leeds@sharedearth.co.uk.
SHARED EARTH will be holding a stall at the Stockport Fairtrade Group Fair on Saturday 8th November 2008.
10:30am - 3:30pm
Stockport College
Wellington Road
Stockport
SK1 3UQ
The group was formed in 2001, with a few of the founder members having worked in the Fairtrade Shop in Stockport. Over the next 2 years, members worked with Stockport Council, encouraging businesses to sell fairtrade products, resulting in Stockport becoming a fairtrade borough in 2003.
The annual Fair allows fairtrade companies a platform to showcase their products to the public in Stockport, whilst raising awareness of how Fairtrade works and who benefits from the products.
There will be over 25 stalls this year, and campaign stalls including Oxfam and Friends of the Earth.
There will be children’s activities, a raffle of fairtrade prizes and fairtrade refreshments.
Held at Stockport College, there is free parking and disabled access.
38 Wood Street
Stratford-upon-Avon
Warwickshire
CV37 6JG
Find us on a map
We are hoping to open on 12th November 2008. More details to follow.
This will be our 8th shop, the others being in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and York.
Click here for more information about our shops.
Click here for our online store.
Read an exclusive extract of Jeremy Piercy’s forthcoming book: Coffins, Cats & Fair Trade Sex Toys!
Jeremy has released a special preview of his book which will be launched during the Fair Trade Fortnight 23 Feb - 7th March 2009. .
The book is being published by www.quickbrownfoxpublications.co.uk and launched through Borders Bookshops in conjunction with Ethical Living magazine.
To view extracts from a selection of chapters visit http://www.jeremypiercy.co.uk/extracts.html
Antony Worrall Thompson and Jeremy Piercy met recently to discuss future plans to work together. After leaving school in 1971 they are both leading successful careers: one as a celebrity chef and one ranked in the world’s top 100 most ethical people as founder of leading retail franchise, Shared Earth.
Jeremy Piercy plans to open several more fair trade stores over the next 3 years. Sales from all the combined stores could double UK-wide sales of non-food fair trade products by 2012. Great news for franchisees coming onboard!
Antony and Jeremy have also been discussing some exciting opportunities for joint fair trade and organic projects next year. The first of many includes Antony’s forward note in Jeremy’s forthcoming book about fair trade, titled Cats, Coffins and Fair Trade Sex Toys. Such developments will raise further awareness of the fair trade Mark which approximately 70% of UK consumers currently recognise according to the Fairtrade Foundation.
“The world-wide fair trade industry has been steadily growing for over 20 years. This growth is now starting to accelerate. The supermarkets have done wonders for this awareness through selling fair trade food, as have celebrities like Antony Warrall Thompson,” explains Shared Earth’s founder, Jeremy Piercy.
Antony backs Jeremy’s expansion plans and the Shared Earth franchise, “This franchise is a good idea. Shared Earth seem to have their business locked down through their supply chain by going direct to the artisan producers.
The franchise package aims to address the demand for fair trade products by making them more widely available in the UK through the franchise network of stores.
Training overseas - The franchise package allows buy-in to Shared Earth’s systems, methodologies and supply chain. Training includes an overseas trip to a developing country, such as India, to visit producer groups and see the impact of fair trade first hand.
Three of Shared Earth’s head office owned shops have opened within the last 3 years with substantial growth. The business format is unique in the fact that products are designed in the UK by Shared Earth’s dedicated design team who work with 40 producers in 15 countries to produce items that are highly saleable and suited to UK consumers.
Shared Earth is looking for individuals who have an interest in retail or come from a retail background. All training will be provided and the experience of visiting a developing country ensures that new franchisees fully understand why their role within fair trade is so important.
A selection of Shared Earth’s products can also be found online at www.sharedearth.co.uk. The product ranges include unique jewellery, fashion accessories, wood, textiles, paper, recycled products, soapstone, stationery and the range is continually expanding.
To request a prospectus, book onto a discovery day or find out more call 01904 636400 or email franchising@sharedearth.co.uk
SHARED EARTH York are runners up in the Independent Retailer Category of the Retailers Against Crime in York (RACY) initiative. The presentation was made at the RACY 10th Anniversary award ceremony.
SHARED EARTH is a member of RACY. RACY provides members with photos of active shoplifters in the city and security intelligence on current scams and frauds.
Members provide RACY with information on any sightings of known shoplifters, instore or in the area, any information on thefts from the store or criminal activity that they are aware of. This is then shared with other members to alert them of activity by criminals in the city.
Tammy Hullis, York Shop Manager received the award. “I was honoured to receive this award of recognition on behalf of SHARED EARTH,” said Tammy. “RACY do an incredible job and we appreciate all the hard work and effort their team, especially Michelle Sutcliffe, puts in to ensure traders in the city are aware of active shoplifters.”
Visit the RACY website for more information.
Following a successful Autumn Sale in 2007, we have decided to do it again - although this time with a difference.
Beginning on October 13th, we will be featuring one main product range for each week of our month-long sale.
This means that on week one, all our beautiful beaded boxes, picture frames and jewellery rolls will be a super 20% off.
The following Monday, this range will go back to its original price, and all the popular Tara range of jewellery will be discounted by 20%.
Week three will see all the wallhangings and textiles reduced, and week four the wide range of carved wood products, including furniture.
Please be assured that whilst the prices have been reduced to our customers, the producers have been paid in full.
This is an instore sale. Our shops are in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and York. For more details visit www.sharedearth.co.uk/Our-shops.asp.
Our new Leeds SHARED EARTH shop is open and has been trading for a few weeks. Business is good. The people of Leeds obviously like their new fair trade shop.
Come and visit us for a wide range of fair trade accessories, jewellery, homeware and stationery:
40 Woodhouse Lane, Leeds LS2 8LX (in between the newly opened Wilkinsons and Costa Coffee, and opposite Yates pub)
Tel - 01132 457 660
Click here to find on map
 
 
Shared Earth has embarked on a carbon footprint project to calculate the combined impact the business, its employees and franchisees are having on the planet. This footprint will then be offset by a tree planting scheme later this year.
Part of Shared Earth’s new development process involves travelling to supplier countries to work with artisans. For an ethical and fair trading company like Shared Earth, the carbon emissions generated through these visits and other staff travel has conflicted with their values and created an ethical environmental dilemma.
Shop Assistant Manager, Laura Wilson, leads the project. “It is impossible to ignore the damage that humankind is causing the planet and the severity of the consequences of climate change if we do not act now. Travel is a necessary part of the job for some Shared Earth employees and franchisees, but this also means carbon emissions. Second best to not travelling at all is to travel responsibly by offsetting those emissions.”
As carbon offsetting becomes increasingly important in a company’s corporate social responsibility strategy, it is also becoming increasingly important to franchisees who want to own an ethical business that customers trust.
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