Diary of Events 2012:

Second Monday of odd months: Full Forum meetings of CWDF, normally 6.45 for 7.00pm at St Peter’s Centre, St Peter’s-by-the-Cross, Chester. Contact 01244 350323

Third Monday of the month (normally): Chester Amnesty International meets at 7.45pm in Brewery Tap Pub, Lower Bridge Street Chester. Contact 01244 570711

Third Tuesday of the month, except for December: Chester Humanists meet at 7.30pm in the Custom House, Watergate Street Chester. Meetings open to anyone interested in the talks presented. Contacts: 01244 383488; Johnsonvlntn@aol.com web www.chester.humanist.org.uk

Third Wednesday of the month: Chester and District Friends of the Earth meet at 7.30pm in the Custom House, Watergate Street, Chester. Contact Peter Benson 07740 179939 for further information.

JANUARY 2012

Jan 28^th - Feb 5^th - “Breaking Barriers” The chosen theme of Poverty and Homelessness Action Week 2012. www.actionweek.org.uk Watch out for local events.

Mon 30^th – India’s Dalits: human trafficking & slavery. Talk by Malcolm Egner of the Dalit Freedom Network UK. 5.00-6.00pm in the Best Building (Dept of Geography & Development Studies) University of Chester. www.dfn.org.uk

FEBRUARY 2012

Mon 6^th – Fairtrade Open Day 10.30am to 5.00pm at CDEC Developing Global Learning, 1-3 The Mount, Boughton, Chester CH3 5UD. A chance to engage with CDEC staff to learn more about Fairtrade and ideas about getting involved with the campaign. Contact 01244 347880, email: info@cheshiredec.org

Tues 7^th – Transition Chester Next meeting of the Chester group, 7.30pm, Brewery Tap Pub, Lower Bridge Street, Chester. Contact 01244 675465

Wed 8^th – Dialogue Project Monthly meeting, including speaker Rev Stephen Sizer on Christian Zionism. 9.30am start at Stanlaw Abbey, Dover Drive, Ellesmere Port, CH65 9BF. 0151 355 4008

Wed 8^th – Microfinance Photo Exhibition An evening to see and learn about the remarkable work Five Talents are doing to transform the lives of communities across Uganda. 6.30- 8.00pm at Chester Town Hall. Further information from kenjanislewis@greenbee.net or phone 01244 335353. See also www.fivetalents.org.uk

Fri 24^th – “Student Focus on Kenya” 6^th Formers & staff from Chester Catholic High School recount their experiences and impressions of their 2011 expedition to Kenya, including voluntary work in school and villages. Tutor Richard Ives will also look at plans for a visit to Borneo in 2013. 7.30pm in St Columba’s Hall, Plas Newton Chester CH2 1SA. Further details 01244 350323.

Sat 25^th – Christian Aid Coffee Morning 10.00am to 12 noon, Hoole United Reformed Church, Hoole Road Chester. £1.00 entry including coffee & biscuits. Various stalls including homemade cakes, gifts, Traidcraft, etc.

Feb 27^th – Mar 11^th - “Take a Step in 2012” The chosen theme of Fairtrade Fortnight 2012. www.fairtrade.org.uk There will be Fairtrade displays at St Peter’s Centre,The Cross, Chester throughout the Fortnight. Watch out for local events coordinated by the Cheshire West & Chester Fairtrade Steering Committee.

Wed 29^th – Christian Aid Lenten Lunch. 12 noon to 1.30 p.m at Welsh Presbyterian Church, St John Street Chester. Menu includes homemade soup etc, minimum donation £4.00. Organised by City Centre Churches Together.

MARCH 2012

Wed 7^th – Dialogue Project Monthly meeting, including speaker Janet Davies on the history of Sabeel and Christian Aid involvement in the Holy Land 9.30am start at Stanlaw Abbey, Dover Drive, Ellesmere Port, CH65 9BF. 0151 355 4008

Weds 7^th , 14^th , 21^st , and 28^th – Christian Aid Lenten Lunches. 12 noon to 1.30 p.m at Welsh Presbyterian Church, St John Street Chester. Menu includes homemade soup etc, minimum donation £4.00. Organised by City Centre Churches Together.

Fri 9^th – Fairtrade Wine Tasting – 7.00pm for 7.30pm start, at HQ Offices Chester. Tickets £6 available in advance from Stef on 01244 972435.

Mon 12^th – CWDF Forum Meeting. 6.45 for 7.00pm, St Peter’s by the Cross. Speaker Cat Barton of Chester Zoo talking on the topic “Chester Zoo’s Field Conservation: Orangutans and Sustainable Palm Oil”

MAY 2012

13^TH – 19^TH May - Christian Aid Week www.caweek.org/

Mon 14^th – CWDF AGM, 6.45 for 7.00pm at St Peter’s Centre, The Cross, Chester

19^th – 20^th May - 38th G8 Summit, Chicago www.chicagog8nato.org

CUPPA SUNDAYS: St Peter’s Centre by The Cross Chester: open each Sunday from 12.00 to 4.00pm, when proceeds from sales of teas and coffees are going to different local and wider charities, as shown here:

22Jan – 12 Feb: 3^rd World Hope. 19 Feb – 18 Mar: Drug Addition Anon

Call in if you are in town!