Tuesday 11th July 2006 published by Ceri 11.38am Hello
all. Just thought I hadn't blogged for a while so I will get you up to
speed with what's going down with Oyster. We have had a good summer and
there have been some lovely clothes coming in as well. Looking forward
to the Mardi Gras coming up on Saturday 2nd September. We will be
having a stall and hopefully have a real good laugh so do come and see
us! Also Oxfam Cymru have been in contact with us. They are
looking for volunteers to campaign for Oxfam at gigs, events and
festivals across Wales this summer. Check out their website for further
information: http://www.oxfam.org.uk/about_us/cymru/ If you are intersted in helping them out (and getting in for free) then give them a call on 08700 109 007.
True
to our habit of not letting grass grow under our feet, we have taken on
a supplier of gorgeous cards. Carrying the Fairtrade Mark, Fairtrade
Media commission photographers to take really striking images of the
people behind the fairtrade products we all buy.
For all you fans of No Sweat trainers, we have now started stocking the low top chocolate brown version as well as stocking up on everyone's favourite black and white hi-tops. Come and give them a spin.
Wednesday 7th June 2006 published by Ceri 4.01pmHello
you all, Well the 6/6/6 has past us with no evil thank goodness (touch
wood). Although if any one knows anything different please warn me!
Just a note to say we have finally recieved the famous, first ever,
women's fair traded cotton (yes it has the logo!), organic jeans from
hug and they are beautiful! The feel of them is lovely and they are
gorgeous when put on. I know what i'm getting for my birthday
present!! But there are limited stocks so come quickly if you want to
snatch a pair!
Also we have hats!!! Yes bona fide authentic panama hats! Our friends at Pachacuti have sent us some ladies crochet hats as well as the men's grade two Fedora hats and they look great. Come in store for further details and to have a try on for yourself!
Monday 5th June 2006 published by Jenny 2.30pm
Today
we are supporting Jamblemag - a new i-magazine devoted to travel and
music as well as all things environmental. Given the huge success of
i-pods thousands of CDs are being thrown into landfill. Jamblemag say
that these CDs can be 100% recycled. Find out more at
www.jamblemag.co.uk - then drop in and see us with your
old/broken/scratched CDs and cases.
Friday 26th May published by Jenny 4.15pm
One
of our regulars got in contact with us to alert us about an appalling
catastrophe set to take place in Chile. Such is our love of silver and
gold that we are apparently happy to remove glaciers and destroy one of
the purest water sources in South America just to get at it. Check out
the details of Pascua Lama under Fair Trade News and contact us if you
want to join the petition.
Friday 19th May
published by Ceri 16.56pm
Joy of joys the howies stock has arrived!! And it looks great. Everything from jeans and jackets to great summer polo shirts made out of recycled cotton. We only need the weather now. Please Sun please come. We have waited so long now!
Saturday 6th May Published by Jenny 2.30pm
Many thanks to Bono and his crowd, Project Red is with us promising to bring huge funds to help the fight against Aids in Africa. Take the offering above for one example - made of authentic African mudcloth (sounds great) 10% of all (wholesale) profits go to this worthy cause.
Well hats off to Converse (of Nike parentage). Maybe Nike have seen the light after all their negative publicity. Maybe... or just maybe they can't believe their luck! They have manufactured just 600 of these babies and are selling them at exclusive locations for £160 plus a shot. That's a load of dosh for Nike, and the press are falling over themselves to advertise them as the route to the feel good factor.
That's another million in the bank then!!!
Thursday 27th April Published by Jenny 2.30pm
Well, while Ceri's been plugging away on the computer, I have been busy too. I went to London to see Braintree Hemp's new spring stock and have subsequently ordered t-shirts (both short and long sleeved) for women in gorgeous spring colours. For the guys we have short sleeved versions of the classic hemp shirt as well as light weight beach trousers for those lazy warm days ahead...
Also, we have another new supplier. The White T-Shirt Company aim to produce 'the ultimate white t-shirt'. We think they have succeeded! Check out 'What's New' for more info, then come and feel the incredible quality for yourself.
Thursday 27th April Published by Ceri 1.05pm
You may be wondering why there hasn't been a blog for a while. Well at long last the reason for the silence has been published.
Online
trading is up and running with Chandni Chowk. The pictures have been
uploaded allowing you to see what Chandni Chowk is all about. So have
a look and we would love to hear your views.
Saturday 8th April Published by Jenny 11.35am
No sooner is the sun peeking out from behind those stubborn grey clouds then Ade gets in touch with us to check out the howies winter range. Keen to meet them in their natural habitat, Ceri and I whizzed on down to Cardigan to peruse the clothes and put a face to all those people at the end of the phone. We had a great time. Thanks Ade... Shame we broke down on the way home!
Thursday 6th April Published by Jenny 11.30am
Well, there's no respite for the fat cats out on the golf courses today I hear. Water activism is alive and well in our wet and windy part of the world of all places! Of course, water is no laughing matter especially where countries have been coerced by our old friends the World Bank into privatising their amenities. For any tempted to insist public ownership is the only answer, I offer below an article from the Ethical Consumer:
Dhaka Bangladesh In some countries, the failure of either the public or private sector has led to the involvement of trade unions and/or workers'co-operatives. In Bangladesh, for example, in reaction to public opposition to a controversial World Bank privatisation plan, the government gave the publicly operated employees' union the contract to run the water system in one of Dhaka's zones, with another zone given to a local private company. After the first year's experiment, the Employees' Cooperative results were so good that the Water and Sanitation Authority handed over the private sector's contract to the union. The Employees' Co-operative achieved substantial improvements not only in customer services, billing and collection of fees, but also in reducing water losses. They out-performed not only the private company, but also the existing public utility, which suffered from over-bureaucratisation and inertia.
www.ethicalconsumer.org
Wednesday 5th April Published by Ceri 3.45p.m
The Worn Again shoes have arrived in Oyster! The shoes themselves are made out of recycled bits and pieces from t-shirts to cut off pieces of leather to coffee bags!
They are great and we have already had loads of interest so come and get a pair well they are still available. Check out What's New for more details.
Thursday 30th March Published by Jenny 2.25pm
There
I was, wandering down Queen Street when what did I find but a wallet
stuffed full of cards and cash. Being the good citizen that I am, I
brought it to Oyster and rifled through the wallet (any excuse) for
some sign of the shopper's identity. She was found to be contentedly
browsing the racks at Primark none the wiser as to the excitement.
Delighted to be united, she thrust £20 on me for my favourite charity.
We have decided to send it to Labour Behind the Label who work
tirelessly to expose sweatshop practices in the garment industry. Thank
you kind shopper...
Wednesday 29th March
Published by Ceri 4.20pm
Another day and another new thing has been added to our website. We now do basic online trading!!
Only a few products are active for sale on the website at the moment but they will grow as we get our pictures created for the main clothes we stock so keep watching this space. Any suggestions or comments please don't hesitate to contact us on mail@oysterclothing.co.uk
Poem For The Day:'Agenda'
We began with famine Then we had lunch
We talked of drought Then we had tea
We talked of refugees Then we went home.
May 23 1986
SOAS Alumni Magazine #28, 2005
As promised on our homepage, here is more information on our forthcoming events. All shamelessly lifted from other websites naturally! We are delighted to announce that Robert Minhinnick, celebrated poet and Wales Book of the Year award for "To Babel and Back" will also be joining us for both events. See below for details.
Sunday
11th February 2007
Callaghans, Castle Street,
Cardiff
£7 / £5 concessions on the door or in advance from Oyster
Attila the Stockbroker and DavidRovics British
performance punk poet Attila The Stockbroker and US Singer/ songwriter
David Rovics write angry, funny and always passionate songs and poems
about war, politics and other essentials of everyday living. This is
what they say about themselves. Oh - and by the way - they put on a
great
show...
Attila the Stockbroker Making Poetry History
So who/what is Attila the Stockbroker? I'm a high energy rebel performance poet, songwriter and bandleader, first gig 8th September 1980, about 2500 so far! My themes are topical, my words hard-hitting, my politics unashamedly radical, but I aim to make you roar with laughter as well as seethe with anger......
Inspired by the spirit and the Do It Yourself ethos of punk rock, and above all by The Clash and their overtly radical, political stance, I started as a punk bass player in 1977 and took the name Attila the Stockbroker in 1980, blagging spots for my poems and songs in between bands at punk gigs. I quickly got a couple of John Peel radio sessions, a deal with London independent label Cherry Red Records and before very long was on the cover of Melody Maker. I haven't looked back since!
And to prove that truth is indeed stranger than fiction in our brave new world my website is recommended as one of the top fifty stockbroking sites on many search engines.
David Rovics
"David
Rovics is a guy George W. Bush would probably like to clamp in chains
at Guantanamo Bay -- the last American protest singer (or so it
seems)... In these days of ongoing neo-conservatism he carries the
torch of dissent and protest -- in fact if the great Phil Ochs were to
come back from the dead tonight he'd probably be hailed as the new
David Rovics."
Andy Kershaw, BBC Radio 3
David Rovics has been called the musical voice of the progressive movement in the US. Amy Goodman has called him "the musical version of Democracy Now!" Since the mid-90's Rovics has spent most of his time on the road, playing hundreds of shows every year throughout North America, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. He and his songs have been featured on national radio programs in the US, Canada, Britain, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Denmark and elsewhere. He has shared the stage regularly with leading intellectuals (Noam Chomsky, Howard Zinn), activists (Medea Benjamin, Ralph Nader), politicians (Dennis Kucinich, George Galloway), musicians (Billy Bragg, the Indigo Girls), and celebrities (Martin Sheen, Susan Sarandon). He has performed at dozens of massive rallies throughout North America and Europe and at thousands of conferences, college campuses and folk clubs throughout the world. He makes all of his recordings available for free download on his website, www.davidrovics.com, and the downloads are in the many hundreds of thousands. More importantly, he's really good. He will make you laugh, he will make you cry, and he will make the revolution irresistable.
As an added extra, Robert Minhinnick will be performing some of his poetry written by and inspired by his trip to Baghdad in 1998.
If the above isn't enough, put this one in your diary...
Thursday 15th February at8.00pm Chapter Arts Centre Usual Chapter prices apply
Who's getting killed. Who's making a killing.
The story of what happens to everyday Americans when corporations go to war.
Acclaimed
director Robert Greenwald (Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price,
Outfoxed, and Uncovered) takes you inside the lives of soldiers, truck
drivers, widows and children who have been changed forever as a result
of profiteering in the reconstruction of Iraq. Iraq for Sale uncovers
the connections between private corporations making a killing in Iraq
and the decision makers who allow them to do so.
"Brave New Films are both funded and distributed completely outside corporate America. Over 3000 people donated to make Iraq for Sale, and it is up to you to distribute it. Give copies to co-workers and organize a screening in your neighborhood. Get involved →"
So we did. We rang up Chapter who were delighted to oblige. Come and see the stories you won't find on the BBC.
Money raised will be donated to campaigns against the arms trade.
Before the main film and by way of stark contrast, we will be showing "Black Hands". This short film was shot in the Amiriya bunker in Baghdad in 1998 during Robert Minhinnick's visit to Iraq. Robert will be there to put the film into context, and to read some poetry written during the period.
Wednesday 22nd March published by Jenny 2.20pm
Well - judging by the responses to my St David's Day Poll, not a whole lot of Royalists shop at Oyster (why am I not surprised?!) There is talk of setting up an Oyster blog on ethical clothing and related issues. I'll let you know if we get it going. In the meantime, don't be shy - get in touch anyway.
Saturday Febuary 25th published by Ceri 12.40am
Hi everyone. Haven't blogged for a while so thought now was a better time as any. The Colour afternoon was a great success so thanks to all who came. The new Chandni Chowk colours have once again brightened up the shop and we are all now praying for better weather!! Come on sun it's freezing!!!
Tuesday February 14th published by Jenny 11.50am
Nothing to do with Valentines you'll be glad to hear. I just wanted to plug the guys who are working tirelessly to ban seed terminator technology. The impact of this technology will be to prevent farmers and gardeners around the world saving their own seed. Almost 1 1/2 billion farmers worldwide depend on saved seeds and have established exchange systems within their communities. Terminator technology will force these people to buy their seeds fresh from the seed companies every year, together with the added risk that the 'suicide' gene could spread into wild species. Find out more at www.banterminator.org and lobby your MP to prevent the current moratorium from being listed.
Tuesday February 7th
published by Jenny 1.30pm
Ceri and I went to Birmingham NEC by train on Sunday. Over 6 hours on a train to reach a bunch of tin sheds selling all manner of Christmas decoration and associated stuff (little did I know how much stuff there is in this world!) It gave me plenty of time to get stuck into 'No Logo' by Naomi Klein. For anyone who hasn't read it - do so now! It is an incredibly easy read given the breadth of subject matter tackled, and you'll never sit easy in a branch of Starbucks again.
We went to Birmingham to see Chandni Chowk who supply all our incredibly beautiful cotton women's clothing that make Oyster such a riot of colour. Boy - have we got a treat in store when the winter '06 stock hits. An unexpected pleasure though was checking out Pachacuti. We have bought a stock of real Panama feodoras and crochets hats for the summer, as well as ordering some boleros made in sumptuous colours out of Alpaca wool. I'll let you know more when they come in.
Friday February 3rd
published by Ceri 3.15pm
Well it's chilly!! Apparently it was minus 2 this morning! So we have decided to have an event to warm us all up. We will be holding a colour afternoon on Sunday February 19th. Beth Price from 'Colour me Beautiful' will be here from 1.00 till 3.00 pm and will be doing five minute sessions, for those of you who are interested, on which colours suit you. It's completely free of charge. What's better than that I hear you cry. Well how about we throw in a free glass of organic white wine? We hope to see you there.
Thursday February 2nd
Published by Jenny 11.00 am
A friend of mine dropped round yesterday and showed me a magazine she had flogging all things organic. My attention was caught by the coolest full page photo I have seen of a pair of battered Converse trainers. They must be organic - my friend surmised (probably not the first). Not so convinced by their credentials I did the slightest bit of half-hearted digging and found this fab picture from Adbusters (I know - I just love these guys!)
Remember we carry Adbuster and No Sweat trainers. Don't be fooled!!!
Wednesday February 1st
Published by Jenny 3.25 pm
Just thought I would put a couple of photos on our blog for your entertainment. They'll join our rogues gallery as well of course.
Our friends from BBC Breakfast - Guto, Suzannah, Mark and of course Ceri in her new Fairtrade jeans.
Thanks Rhys for all your help - How's that for customer loyalty. Getting up at 5.30 to help us out! May it lead to highly paid world wide modelling assignments.
Monday January 30th
Published by Ceri 10.50 a.m
Well Oyster has made it's premier debut on live television!! We have been up since 4.30 this morning and are now desperate for a coffee! But it all went well and the BBC crew were lovely. And as an added bonus we were put on News 24 as well as the breakfast show.
Also we at Oyster would like to thank one of our loyal customers Rhys who came and did a cameo role. Cheers you did good matey! (Photos of the event to follow in the photo section.)
Friday January 27th
Published by Jenny 1.15 pm
I blog today in praise of the USA. A strange position to take given their highly dodgy activities on the world stage. Still Ceri and I have spent the long dark days of January checking out innovative ethical products to sell in Oyster, and there is no doubt that a lot of very exciting stuff is happening Stateside.
We have just taken delivery of our first bags and belts from English Retreads, a small company in Colorado who use inner tubes, fan belts and seat belts to make the funkiest bags and belts for our delectation. I'll stick a photo here later for you to see for yourself. Meanwhile you can visit them at www.englishretreads.com. Find out more in our 'what's new' section.
We also hope to be stocking belts and flip flops from Californian dudes Splaff who make them in between surfing trips to Mexico. Look them up at www.splaff.com. Finally, we have the No Sweat trainers from the wonderful people at www.nosweatapparel.com. Enthusiastic as always to be transparent, I have put a load of info on the What's New page about the provenance of these shoes.
On a different note, for those of you who live a little further away, we plan to start on-line trading for some of our products. Of course you can already ring us and we will send anything to you. E-mail us at mail@oysterclothing.co.uk if you want to be kept informed.
Thursday January 19th
Published by Ceri 4.11p.m
Hello again long time no blog so to speak. Oyster is now selling fairly traded shoes and they are lovely! We are getting the shoes from two companies at the moment. No sweat (www.nosweatapparel.com) and Blackspot (www.blackspotsneaker.org) both do fantastic trainers, boots and sneakers (see Pic below) So come and see them for yourselves!
They come in different colours and are all made ethically. What could be better! Also we will be getting some more Hemp trainers in from Sativa from March onwards so keep coming back and we will further update you.
Friday January 13th
Published by Jenny 4.20 pm
As mentioned on my last blog, I found Braintree Hemp in Camden Lock London (thanks to our customers who suggested we check them out). Today I received our first consignment of clothing from them and it's everything we thought and more. Most hemp clothing has (in my experience) been a tad dowdy and shapeless, but no more. Braintree Hemp have created a clothing range which is well cut, beautifully simple (for those logo haters) and in several gorgeous colours and natural shades. When Ceri gets back in on Monday I'll get her to stick some photos on the web. Meanwhile, why don't you come and have a look for yourself. Finally, we have also started selling Adbusters shoes. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, you have a real treat in store. Find out the story at www.adbusters.org.
Tuesday December 27th
Published by Jenny 2.25 pm
Well we're back after a great break (using a different notch on my belt as tradition dictates...) I ate well, drank plenty, checked out the new Doctor Who and had a go on my son's new skateboard. (How do you steer??)
So what's next for Oyster? We are not in the middle of Sale frenzy as the rest of the city is, however, we have got a little modest sale rail of howies clothing left over from our summer stock for your delectation.
Our socks and hemp bags have sold so well we will be expanding our ranges. I am also going to London tomorrow to check out some hemp clothing ranges. We are also trying to source belts made out of recycled car tyres (how cool is that...!) and shoes so watch this space.
Monday December 19th 2005
Published by Ceri 5.19 pm
Tis the season to be merry!!! We have socks! the most popular stocking filler of all time! And they are all organic. Many thanks to all who have asked about them and I hope you all come to check them out.
Tuesday December 13th 2005
Published by Ceri 1.03 pm
Looks like there is a rush on our new hemp Tee-shirt range supplied by the great Gav from The Hemp Trading Company! as well as the Hug King Kong Tee-shirts which are fab! So once again thanks for all the support and we all wish you a great end run to Christmas which is nearly in sight now!
The King Kong Tees - More being ordered in as we speak and in another colour!!
Friday December 9th 2005
Published by Jenny 2.30 pm
'Tis the season to be running around attending school concerts, fairs etc. Dan, one of my sons, goes to school in Gabalfa which is conveniently situated on the Taff Trail as is Oyster. Both yesterday and today I cycled along the trail between the two and was bowled over by the beauty of the route at this time of year. Milky sunshine, bare trees, autumnal colours etc., etc. If you do one thing this Christmas, get out your bike and do the same. The perfect antidote to all that Christmas pud!
Thursday December 8th 2005
Published by Ceri 1.31 pm
Well another howies and Hug delivery order has arrived and we are busy getting it out onto the shop floor. Thanks to all the people who have visited us in the past we are getting some wonderful comments!
Looking forward to Christmas now!!
Tuesday December 5th 2005
Published by Jenny 12.30 pm
We had a busy weekend, the word is definitely out there and spreading. In addition, we have been the happy recipients of a load of new stock.
Have a look at our new section "Oyster Recommends" to find out why we are so excited about Ventile, Merino Wool base layers and our new Hemp bags. We got our bags in this morning, and while I was still signing for them, one customer was down on his knees rifling through the box. He went away happy and we were already one bag down.
We have also put in an order for organic socks which will be in before Christmas. Who says blokes don't like socks as presents. When they see ours, they will change their minds - and women will be fighting for them too!
Finally, are there any Welsh Speakers out there who dress ethically and would like to be featured on Cwbwrdd Ddillad - a popular programme on S4C. If you think you fit the bill, or would like to know more, e-mail us at info@oysterclothing.co.uk.
Thursday December 1st 2005
Published by Ceri 2.27 pm
And we have entered the Christmas month! Must do our Christmas window at some point. howies lambswool jumpers are in and today we start the job of steaming, pricing and getting these gorgeous clothes out onto the shop floor. Plus the photo gallery is finally up and running so get those photos to us and you'll find yourself and your Oyster clothes up on the website!!
Wednesday November 30th 2005
Published by Jenny 5.15 pm
Loads to report today. We received our first batch of hemp/ cotton mix tee shirts from The Hemp Trading Company. You may well ask why in this freezing weather we are ordering yet more tees. However, you haven't seen these ones. Firstly they are so good, we can't wait until the summer to bring them to you. Secondly, the hemp/cotton mix is really warm and thick (they remind me of old fashioned US sweatshirts from the 50s). And of course they can be worn over our new Fairtrade certified long sleeved Hug tee shirts. So, no excuses - come and check them out.
Next, we are really pleased to have become a Friend of New Consumer magazine. Look in Fair Trade News to see what this means, or pop into see us and pick up their latest edition.
Finally for all you howies fans - the winter stock has finally made it to Cardigan (yesterday) and is on its way to us in Cardiff. We have about half our stock already and hope to have the rest by the end of the week. We'll e-mail all those who have asked us as soon as it's all in. Let us know if you want to be put on our list.
Monday November 28th 2005
Published by Ceri 10:41
Well Snow is causing mayhem for our suppliers at the mo! Causing major delays for our precious howies stock!! However the jumpers have arrived at howies. But with the A40 shut who knows when it will arrive! we will keep you updated...
Picture taken by Ade of the road leading to howies
Friday November 25th 2005
Published by Ceri 25/11/05 15.44
Welcome to the Oyster Blog! We were out last night at the WM launch party for their December issue at the very grand St David's Hotel in Cardiff Bay. Was a great experience and the crew of Oyster's first launch party. One of the major highlights being of course the Belgian chocolate Fountain. Yes there is definately a Heaven!! mmmmchocolate!
See http://www.chooseyourevent.com/WOWEventHire
Thursday November 24th 2005
published by Ceri 13.05
We have finally recived our first batch of authentic Fair Trade organic cotton from HUG! This is the first piece of clothing that has been fully certified by the Fair Trade Association and can therefore display the recognisable logo (see Fair Trade News). Hopefully this means good things for the future.
Here's another Oyster Poll for you...
Thom Yorke of Radiohead has been invited to speak to Tony Blair about all things environmental. Here's his response (with thanks to the Guardian Website this week)
He dismissed Tony Blair as a man with "no environmental credentials" and said dealing with Labour spin doctors had made him feel ill.
"Initially when it came up I tried to be pragmatic. But Blair has no environmental credentials as far as I'm concerned. I came out of that whole period just thinking, I don't want to get involved directly, it's poison. I'll just shout my mouth off from the sidelines."
He added: "Blair has been uttering nonsense lately about Kyoto and such, real la la stuff ... looks like the American right have finally eaten his mind ... blah blah why on earth would I meet this man?"
Thank god for a sensible rock god ... Was I the only one who cringed when Liam and Noel (those fine purveyors of the spoken word) took tea at no. 10?
Friday 17th March published by Jenny 3.05pm
I am really excited about Oyster's latest venture. We now have a library of books and DVDs to share with all you customers. Well - it was one DVD made by Walmart protestors in the US until today when our friend and loyal customer Ray came in to add to it. We now have a box with, among other titles:
Don't Eat This Book Morgan Spurlock (and the DVD Supersize Me)
In Praise Of SLOW Carl Honore
Fences and Windows Naomi Klein
I'll put more info on a new 'library' page soon. Meanwhile, ask to have a browse next time you come in to see us.
Thursday 16th March published by Ceri 4.16p.m
Well Oyster have taken part in another fashion show on Saturday (11/03/06) in Crickhowell. Thanks to Natasha for all her hard work the event was great and it gave Oyster another chance to show off some of its latest collection.
Could get used to all these shows!
Wednesday 8th March published by Jenny 3.50pm
Yesterday the University organised a fashion show in aid of International Women's Day (Well done Kate and Josie for all your hard work.) The models looked great on the catwalk, and we were really pleased to see our clothes alongside other independent shops in the Arcades.
BowHo Oyster Drop Dead Budgie
Saturday 4th March published by Jenny 3.40pm
One of the surprise successes of Oyster is the popularity of our organic socks. Having had real difficulty sourcing top quality socks in the UK or Europe, we went to the USA where we found a fab company called Maggies Organics. The socks are luscious as anyone who has bought some will testify. And for those who have real skin sensitivity we sell ecru socks with only 0.2% lycra.
However, the story behind the socks is really worth telling as well. Following the devastation left behind by Hurricane Mitch the manufacturers of Maggies socks have created the first worker owned Free Trade Zone. They hope to create a model which can be followed by other workers in the region who currently work under sweat shop conditions. Check out Fair Trade News for more info.
St David's Day published by Jenny 2.10pm
Why doesn't this website behave! St David's Day greetings to you all. Like all foreigners (I'm from London) I hang onto these traditions with more enthusiasm than most. There is nothing like daffodils and sunshine to boost my mood after the grim winter months. Today was even better though. My boys spent the morning before school fighting with snowballs in the garden and have now gone to check out the Queen and the Assembly building (Iwan this morning "Mum, what's more important today - the Queen or the Assembly?" Answered in time honoured fashion "get your coat on - you're going to be late") I'll leave you to ponder a more appropriate response.
Oyster Poll: Who's side are you on?
Cute little kiddy widdies (mine are there somewhere)
or mean, nasty, bah-humbug protesters.
YOU decide!
Tuesday February 28th published by Jenny 11.30am
A customer came into the shop today and tried on a pair of No Sweat trainers. As she quizzed me on the background of the manufacturers, I realised I was more than a little vague on the details. I'll let No Sweat explain for themselves:
PT Sepatu Bata TBK is a union shop located in Jakarta, Indonesia and is affiliated with Bata International, the second largest shoemaker in the world. Bata was a social enterprise before the word was coined. Back in the 1930s, in Czechoslovakia, old man Bata was one of the few industrialists in middle Europe that considered independent trade unions to be a reasonable alternative to Bolsheviks. Most thought the Nazis were a reasonable alternative to Bolsheviks. So when Hitler rolled into Prague in 1938, the Bata factory was promptly confiscated. The Bata family fled to Canada and rebuilt the company in Toronto from scratch.
Bata has deteriorated a bit over the last two decades, due to the relentless race to the bottom, but most of their factories are still unionized and a significant cut above the rest. One of our objectives is to help Bata return to its founders roots by proving that the march to the top can be just as profitable as the alternative. These workers produce all of our footwear products.