The Community Association and what we are about…

We would like to dispel any misconceptions amongst the people of Capel as to what membership of the Community Association actually means. Whilst membership certainly allows access to the facilities of the Village Hall complex the benefits of Community Association membership provides much more than that.

The Community Association is responsible for arranging and promoting the vast majority of social events within the village throughout the year. This includes Funday, Bonfire Night, New
Year’s Eve Party, the Christmas collection, Children’s Christmas Party, various other social events such as live music, quiz nights and karaoke.

The profits generated from these events are passed to the Community Trust which is responsible for the upkeep of the village and its facilities, including litter picking, the playing field and play areas, and the Village Hall complex. Through your support and the efforts of the Association Committee, we were able to donate in the region of £30,000 to the Community Trust to assist with the expenses of running the village last year.

These costs would need to be met even if the Community Association didn’t exist, and, but for the fund raising efforts of the Association, the cost would need to be met by other means. Almost certainly this would result in an increase in your Parish Council tax.
We believe in the importance of community spirit, and that it is much more beneficial for you and your families to help meet these costs by supporting the Community Association events rather than being forced to pay increased Parish Council tax. You don’t have to participate in every event but your support is greatly appreciated and you should have some fun in the participating!

If you support our aims, have any ideas for events which would appeal to you, or would like to become more involved with the Community Association, why not attend one of our monthly meetings. These are held on the third Monday of every month (excluding August) in the village library at 8pm.

Many thanks for taking the time to read this information.

The Community Association

Membership Flyer and Application form

Fairtrade Fortnight 22 Feb – 7 March

Fairtrade is about better prices (to the producers), decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. It enables them to improve their position and have more control over their lives.

For this year's Fairtrade Fortnight we're being asked to join in The Big Swap. For two weeks will you swap your usual stuff for Fairtrade stuff? Your usual bananas for Fairtrade bananas, your usual cotton socks for Fairtrade cotton socks, and your usual cuppa for a Fairtrade cuppa. This means that every time you go shopping, you can use your wallet to make a stand. http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/thebigswap/about_the_big_swap/

Joan Goulding, of Coffee shop 'fame' has agreed to use Fairtrade on Thursday 25 Feb so go along between 10-12 in the village hall and then let us know what you think. The Beacon Coffee shop will also be offering Fairtrade on Tuesdays 9 – 12:30 in the Vine Lounge. So look out for Fairtrade Fortnight in the village.

If you're a business / organisation / club and someone hasn't talked to you yet about Fairtrade and you'd like them to, or you already use / sell Fairtrade products then please let me know. The Parish council will be adding a link to Fairtrade from their website http://www.capelstmary.org.uk/pc/ along with a list of places in Capel that support Fairtrade either by using or selling their goods, for example our local Co-op stock over 70 Fairtrade products.

Go on try it out – it may surprise you & you'll feel full of 'moral fibre' (as it says on my fairtrade peanut butter).

If you're stuck for Valentine's day presents why not try f airly traded gifts including jewellery from www.createdgifts.org. If you're looking for a virtual gift that gives the recipient a choice of how to spend it you could try www.Livinggifts.org.uk

Thanks for reading, Jill Sharp tel 311546, jill.sharp@btinternet.com