Swop2Shop is an exciting new website
providing its members with a platform to swop their clothes and
accessories between each other in a safe and trustworthy environment.

Selected brands from High Street to
Designer are listed and ready to swop.

NO AUCTIONS, NO LISTING FEES, NO CASH,
JUST POINTS

With a Swop2Shop account you can collect
points, through transactions, incentives and generous rewards for
leaving feedback.

Using a points based system to value your
items leaves you in complete control.

FREE TO REGISTER, FREE TO VIEW, FREE TO
LIST, FREE TO SWOP

LIST IT:
Photograph and List your item.

SWOP IT:
A member bags your listing, your points are banked once the item is
marked as posted. No need for cash. Your points build up and allow
you to trade on the Swop2Shop site.

WEAR IT:
Get rid of the clothes you don’t wear and replace them for ones
that you do, all for Free!

Swop2Shop allows a constant re-cycling of
clothes and accessories that enables you to have that enviable EVER
CHANGING WARDROBE .If you don’t have enough points for that little
black dress or designer handbag then buy more online. Treat a friend
to a gift voucher and make their day.

Guilt Free Shopping all the way!

FREE TO REGISTER, FREE TO LIST, FREE TO
VIEW, FREE TO SWOP

With NO Auctions you can buy what you
see, no need to wait. If your looking to buy something different for
that Saturday party but have nothing to list, worry not-just buy your
points on the website .

BAG IT, WEAR IT, LIST IT !

THINK SWOP WITH AN ‘O’ BECAUSE
WE’RE ONLINE !

To be part of Swop2Shop or for further
information please go to www.swop2shop.co.uk

Swop2Shop has issued this release. For
further information please contact

Kathryn Jenkins on 07545493841, email
kathryn@swop2shop.co.uk

About Us

Ever increasing listing fees on existing
online sites along with a credit crunch market resulted in the birth
of Swop2Shop. Buying that new dress for a party was just not within
the budget anymore so we began to swop clothes amongst our group of
friends. Sharing a designer handbag or swopping a dress for a pair of
trousers and a top became the solution, eliminating the need for cash
and guilty feelings. Swop2Shop was launched. Swop2Shop has plans to
launch further sites where points can be traded. All points will be
tradable within all Swop2Shop sites.

Swop2Shop Classics, Trends and now
Swop2Shop Kids

Throughout the months of June
and July, top chefs including Atul Kochhar (Benares restaurant), Vivek
Singh (Cinnamon Club & Cinnamon Kitchen), Navin Bhatia (Dockmasters
House), Mehernosh and Sherin Mody (La Porte des Indes), Sriram
Aylur (Quilon), Kuldeep Singh (Mela), Ajay Chopra (Mint Leaf Restaurant
and Bar, and Mint Leaf Lounge and Bar) and Sanjay Anand (Madhu’s)
will all come together to support Food For Thought
by adding a voluntary £1 to every bill in their restaurants. 

Hunger and malnutrition are
common experiences for families living in rural India.  Over the
months of June and July, the top Indian eateries will be joining forces
with charity Find Your Feet to strive to ensure that hunger and poverty
become experiences of the past for thousands of families living in northern
India.  The money raised from the Food for Thought promotion will
help FYF develop and expand its work to reach a further 6,000 families
in the coming year – so that 24,000 families have the opportunity to
build a better future.   

Recognized as their country’s
greatest culinary exports, these top chefs feel they are best placed
to raise the awareness of the plight of hunger and poverty that still
affects millions of families in rural India.

“Sharing a meal with good
company is one of life’s great pleasures. While we are enjoying the
delicate spices and vibrant flavours of our food, thousands of people
in my home state of Jharkhand in India are going to bed hungry every
day. I’m proud to be an ambassador for Find Your Feet’s Food
for Thought promotion.  Together, we can help make sure some
of the poorest families in rural India have enough food to eat not just
today but all year round.”

Atul Kochhar,
Chef Director, Benares 
 

“Food has given us (the chefs)a
great living and  has propelled us into the media spotlight. We
must now use our status to in turn bring food to families in rural India
that are suffering from hunger and malnutrition.”

Vivek Singh,
Chief Executive and Chef, Cinnamon Club & Kitchen 
 

To celebrate the launch of the
Food for Thought promotion, the chefs held a champagne reception at
Langtry’s Restaurant, Cadogan Hotel just off Sloane Street. Guests
included top food journalists and supporters of Find Your Feet and were
treated to mouth-watering canapés created by the award-winning Indian
chefs in the elegant surroundings of the historic Langtry’s restaurant.

For more information visit http://fyf.org.uk/news/foodforthought.htm

We at Eco Print would like to inform you of our
‘Paper of the Month’.
We have just started printing on Straw
Paper made
from post consumer waste and straw!
The straw is embedded in the paper which gives a great natural look
and feel. We only use biodegradable inks anyway so any printing done
on this paper or card is 100%
eco-friendly.
The Straw Paper
is ideal for Riding Stables, Farmers’ Markets, Farm shops and any
other rural concern. This paper also looks great
for special occasions, weddings, birth celebrations,
as well as offering something different for everyday stationary.

Along with our more exotic range we print on ’standard’
white cards and papers that are also 100% recycled too!

Our
Eco Policy is Reduce, Reuse and
Recycle and
this should not mean compromising on quality, or for that matter
costing the earth! Eco Print handles all jobs, digital and litho,
specializing in short and medium size print runs. We even have an
experienced graphic designer on board if extra help is needed.

Like
our printing process, every member of the Eco Print team is free from
artificial colours and preservatives and happy to offer friendly
helpful advice. We are an approachable, locally based company, big
enough to cope but small enough to care.

For
more information on us and our range of papers and cards, check out
our stunning website http://www.ecoprintUK.com
or call us on 01722 340350

Weather the recession: go to work in the garden   

Not so long ago gardens were exclusively for leisure. For lying
around in, pottering in, eating al fresco, barbecues, bonfires, boules
and swingball. But as 2009 progresses the picture is looking very
different. Once a haven of relaxation, gardens are turning into hives
of activity as people all over the UK go to work in the garden.

As the recession points Britain towards a new way of living, people want much more from their green spaces. These days, in addition to a lawn, shrubs and flowers, many people are serious about growing their own produce and keeping chickens, others are bringing their businesses home to their gardens. Just like our ancestors in pre-industrial revolution agrarian communities, we’re returning to our roots. Not so much a nation of shopkeepers, more a nation of smallholders as we spend more time working at home, from home and in our homes!

An amazing 4.2m businesses in the UK employ less than 10 people and in today’s unpredictable economic climate, many small businesses are strengthening their financial position by taking their business home. It is no longer just the self-employed and home-workers who run their businesses from home. Micro businesses are also saying goodbye to rented offices in town centres and taking their staff home with them to a fully functional home office at the bottom of the garden.

Nigel Peters’ business was paying more than £10,000 a year rent for an office that was half an hour’s commute away from his home in Surrey. Last autumn he decided to move back home and contacted InsideOut Buildings who design and build garden offices and, unsurprisingly, run their business from an office in their garden. “InsideOuts’ offices aren’t cheap, but they’re absolutely ideal.” He said. “We wanted an eco-friendly building that we’d be proud to bring clients to, but also a comfortable working environment that would house the business for years to come and that compliments the main house. Staying at home with the dog and the chickens is much better than commuting and we feel we’re doing our bit for the environment by cutting down on commuting and heating bills.’

Lynn Fotheringham, director of InsideOut is seeing a huge increase in this type of enquiry. “One of the key questions for small business owners who want to take their business home is ‘Can I employ people in an office in my own garden?” Lynn explains “The answer is yes, as long as you have the approval of your local planning department. They will assess your plans, taking into consideration things like the nature of your business and the availability of parking spaces. If your garden office is for your own personal use, you might not need planning permission, full stop.”

Patrick Boggan of Tarnside Consulting is currently building an eco-friendly office in his garden, in the beautiful Lyth Valley just outside Kendal. Tarnside is a fundraising and management consultancy that works with charities: a thriving business that already employs four people working inside Patrick’s family home.  He and his family wanted to regain control of their home, which is where InsideOut stepped in. “Despite the fact that Tarnside Consulting is in the Lake District National Park” says Lynn Fotheringham, “Patrick was still given planning permission to house his business in an InsideOut office in the garden. The company’s new office even has a shower room for employees who cycle to work.”

People who already work at home who are desperate to move to a larger house but unable to sell their current home are finding that a good alternative is to build an office in the garden instead. Sally Heneghan of South Wales, who chose a garden office rather than moving, says, “Creating an office was a great deal cheaper – and faster – than moving to a bigger house. The thing that really sold the idea to us was that Inside Out’s garden offices are built to last a lifetime. They’re also beautiful to look at, designed with sensitivity and a genuine appreciation of their surroundings.”

It is wise to bear in mind that taking your business home doesn’t mean you can leave legislation on the doorstep! If you’re planning to bring employees into your office in the garden, buildings with more than 30sq metres of floor space must meet a variety of stringent regulations regarding structural standards, insulation levels, fireproofing, access and facilities for people with restricted physical mobility. But whatever the size, InsideOut’s garden offices are built to the same strict Building Regulations specifications as a new home.

As our life/work values change we all want our gardens to work harder for us. Thankfully building in your garden isn’t as complex as you might think and the results can be stunning. Bringing your work home can be rewarding financially and emotionally – perhaps our ancestors had it right all along!

For more information and hires please contact: -
Lynn Fotheringham
01524 737999    lynn@iobuild.co.uk  www.iobuild.co.uk  InsideOut Garden office Brochure.
Insideout Buildings Ltd. The Green, Over Kellet, Lancashire LA6 1BU.

Introduction to Permaculture Design – A two-day course
These courses introduce the basics of Permaculture and show how this approach can be applied. These courses are run regularly.
3rd-4th June 2009 – NOW TAKING BOOKINGS
For full details and bookings please visit:
www.brightonpermaculture.co.uk

Soap Star Gets Quizzing For Christian Aid Week

Eastenders star Kara Tointon is helping put the fun into fundraising by
backing this year’s nationwide Quizaid during Christian Aid Week (10 –
16 May 2009), which aims to raise vital funds for the world’s poorest
communities.

Last year Quizaid raised £185,000 for Christian Aid’s
overseas development work in 49 countries across Africa, Asia and Latin
America. This year the charity is challenging the great British public
to use its grey matter to raise £225,000.

Organizing Quizaid couldn’t be easier with the charity providing packs with all you need including question cards, posters, invites, answer sheets and a certificate for the winning team. All quiz organisers will be entered into a draw for a year’s supply of chocolate courtesy of the fair trade company, Divine Chocolate. There is a similar draw for those that participate in Quizaid.

‘I hope all the pubs, clubs and community halls up and down the country get quizzing for Quizaid,” says Kara. “Having seen some of Christian Aid’s work myself in Zambia, where I saw children who have been orphaned by HIV given homes and care, I know how vital this money is.’

In a bid to get even more people quizzing, four new levels of questions have been introduced – Brainiacs, Average Joe’s, 11-18 year olds or under-10s.  Just choose which category your participants fall into and then pick from subjects such as sport, music, geography, pot luck, history and maths.  The emphasis is on having fun while raising money for a great cause.

Click here for quiz teasers and to request a free Quizaid pack, log on to www.christianaid.org.uk/quizaid or call 0808 000 5005.  Get your friends, family or work colleagues together at home, at school, in the office or in the pub, charge everyone £2, then get quizzing!

ENDS

For further press information contact Emma Wigley ewigley@christian-aid.org or call 020 7523 2452

Charity events provide extra motivation to get fit, according to new research

Signing up to take part in a charity challenge can boost your motivation to exercise, according to a new poll by marketing agency YouGov. In the poll – commissioned by Christian Aid and completed by more than 2,000 respondents from across the UK – 60 per cent of 18 to 34 year olds said they are more likely to stick to a regular exercise routine if they have signed up to a charity challenge such as the BUPA London 10,000.

The BUPA London 10,000, the capital’s newest 10km race, takes place on
25 May 2009. The route takes in many of London’s famous landmarks
including Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye and St
Paul’s Cathedral.  With all non-charity places now filled, running for
Christian Aid not only provides the motivation to get fit but also the
opportunity to raise vital funds to help fight poverty in the
developing world.

Christian Aid will provide participants with a high-spec running vest,
a training plan, nutritional advice, lots of moral support and a
fundraising pack full of ideas and materials. The deadline for entry is
24 April and registration costs just £50. Participants must raise a
minimum of £300 for the charity.

If you’re interested in finding out more about the BUPA London 10,000
or other challenge events visit www.christianaid.org.uk/events
call 020 7523 2248 or email events@christian-aid.org.

ENDS

For further press information contact Emma Wigley at ewigley@christian-aid.org or call 020 7523 2452.

Notes to editor

Christian Aid is an international development agency working in 50 countries with people of all religions and none.
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.  Total
sample size was 2194 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 30th
January – 2nd February 2009.  The survey was carried out online. The
figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults
(aged 18+).

A revolutionary new eco-friendly paint tray is to be stocked by Travis Perkins, one of the UK’s leading builders’ merchants.

The Ezee paint tray is fully recyclable, unlike conventional plastic or
metal trays, and has been created to make painting a pleasure not a
chore.

Manufactured from recycled waste paper, the tray and can be reused again and again, its special design is pleasing decorating professionals too. Research has confirmed that they can carry out their work faster and more efficiently, as the tray allows them to use less of the roller head to pick up an even covering of paint.

Cleaning the tray is easy too and requires no water. Excess paint can simply be wiped out and the tray left to dry for reuse.

Linda Doughty, trade marketing director, Travis Perkins, commented: “We are delighted to introduce the Ezee Paint Tray to our product range, not only because it’s an innovative alternative to the products traditionally used by decorating professionals, but because of its outstanding environmental credentials.”

Natalie Barnwell, managing director of Eco-Ezee Ltd, commented: “The Ezee Paint Tray is so much more efficient to use than the plastic or metal products currently available, and as it is made from recyclable paper pulp, the manufacturing process and product disposal has a far lesser effect on our natural resources and the environment, especially landfill. We are incredibly proud that this is a truly ‘green’ product and are pleased that Travis Perkins has taken the lead in promoting it to trade professionals.”

ENDS

For press enquiries about EcoEzee please contact: adam@crimsonpoint.co.uk
Website: www.ecoezee.com

More information on Travis Perkins from David Manning
Tel: +44 (0) 1604 683197 Fax: +44 (0) 1604 683164
E-mail: david.manning@travisperkins.co.uk

More press information from:
Ayleen Dunbar or Duncan Gallagher at Publicasity on Tel: 01442 261199 or Fax: 01442 236401 or e-mail travisperkins@publicasity.co.uk

Travis Perkins
Travis Perkins supplies more than 100,000 product lines to the trade, including general building materials, plumbing and heating products, landscaping materials, timber, kitchens and bathrooms, and tool and equipment hire, along with a wide range of services including its trade-dedicated website, Trademate, www.trademate.co.uk.

Travis Perkins continues to follow a successful growth strategy of acquisition and organic investment: its branch network has increased to 581, making the company one of the largest timber and builders’ merchants in the UK.

Travis Perkins plc
The Travis Perkins Group includes some of the leading companies in the builders’ merchanting and home improvement markets. Its brands include Travis Perkins, Keyline, City Plumbing Supplies, CCF, Benchmarx Kitchens and Joinery, Wickes and Tile Giant. The company has over 1,227 branches nationwide.

By Joe Turner of the Freedom Clothing Project
Published in the Ecologist 19/03/2009

Dressing poorer
countries in our designer cast-offs while we invest in shabby sweatshop
chic? Invest in their infrastructure, not vetements, argues Joe Turner

For
many years, those of us well-versed in fair trade and trade justice
issues have been campaigning under a certain banner. We believed that
years of handing out money had been ineffective, and that actually what
we needed to do was to open our markets. ‘Trade, not aid’ was the buzz
phrase.

Continue reading the article at the Ecologist online > > >

Christian Aid is asking people to choose gifts that ‘cheep’ this Easter to help tackle poverty

A fluffy brood of chicks for £31 and quacking ducks for £24 are amongst the Present Aid gift ideas on www.presentaid.org.uk that could help change lives in developing countries.

In rural Bolivia, Christian Aid partners provide chicks, roosters and training to poor communities to help them make a living, and in Bangladesh duck farming helps people become self-sufficient after devastating floods.

Daniel Charles, Head of Present Aid, said: “Everyone always gets
chocolate eggs for Easter, but what about getting chicks for your loved
ones this year? Just as brown was the new black, so chicks are the new
chocolate eggs. It’s a gift that will help some of the poorest
communities. And thanks to Divine, you don’t need to miss out on your
chocolate treat.”

All money raised by Present Aid gifts is allocated to a project
fund related to the gift. For example  if you spend £24 on 16 ducks the
money will go into the agriculture and livestock fund, from which
Christian Aid partner organisations in more than 50 countries get
funding for their work helping some of the world’s poorest people.

Everyone who orders a Present Aid gift from 1st March until 31st
of August 2009 will not only receive a card for the recipient of the
present but also a free bar of Fairtrade Divine chocolate.