So, a number of intrepid adventurers associated with the Treehouse Café have, for reasons not even quite clear to them, decided to put themselves up for raising some cash for the slightly beleaguered but much loved social centre by cycling the Coast to Coast – from one side of England to the other, through the Lake District, over the Pennines, and through onto the east coast with its wonderful sun rises and candyfloss.  Leaving on the 24^th June, the trip will hopefully be around 150 miles and take 4 days of cycling.

The centre has, in recent times, hit some financial problems which has sparked some much needed revisioning, re-energising and restructuring.  Lots of brilliant fundraising has been happening, and any amount of sponsorship for the cyclists, however small, would be warmly appreciated.

If you would like to sponsor our cyclists, get involved yourself or learn more about what’s going on at Treehouse then email workgroup@treehousecafe.org

Andrew and Sarah : Treehouse Coordinators

Treehouse – the world’s first Fairtrade cafe rooted in Bradford – could face the chop unless its £7,000 debt can be paid off.

The cafe opposite the university in Great Horton Road also desperately needs more volunteers if it is to survive.

The community cafe has been a hub for meeting and eating since it opened in 1994 as the first cafe in the world to set up under the Fairtrade Mark.

The Reverend Chris Howson, who has his Fresh Expressions office in the same building, said: “It’s a lovely space and Bradford hasn’t got many places like this so, we really can’t lose it.

“As well as providing ethically-sourced food, it’s been a cultural hub for Bradford – with events like music and poetry evenings. And it’s been important to all sorts of people, not just students.”

The cafe is being run by Bradford Centre for Non-Violence at Desmund Tutu House on Ashgrove Road.

Among its uses the building – owned by the Diocese of Bradford – is the location for a Food Co-op distributing cheaper food to students, the Commonwealth Children’s Peace Library, the Victor Jara Liberation Theology Library and Fairground’s Fairtrade project.

Mr Howson said: “We are appealing to all people in Bradford who think this is a worthwhile cause to support the cafe. It would be such a tragedy if it closes.”

Sarah Lawson, one of the Treehouse Cafe’s co-ordinators, said: “We’re going through all the logistics at the moment and are having an open public meeting today between 6.30pm and 8pm for anyone interested to come along.

“We want to hear from people who want to use this space for their group or project. We want to hear their ideas and suggestions. We want to make it work.”

Steve Cooper, 19, is a regular at the café when he is not working at the Playhouse Theatre. He said: “Apart from them being really lovely, friendly people here I like their ethical agenda. They don’t ram in down your throat though – although the food is great. It’s local and organic – fantastic. It’s a good place to come.”

Hello Everyone,

First and foremost, I would like to say a big thank you to all of you for turning up on Tuesday, and sharing some brilliant thoughts and ideas. There is hope yet!

Minutes are in the process of being written up and will be emailed round as soon as they are ready. To summarise very very briefly:

• Treehouse in it’s current form is not sustainable and cannot continue.
• The key elements that came out of the visioning part of Tuesday’s meeting were that we would like a place where a fairtrade/ethically sourced cafe, a non-violent social centre and a community space/resource could all happen. At this moment in time, everything is open for discussion.
• There is currently around £7000 worth of debt which needs to be cleared before anything new can realistically take place

For the next three weeks there will be a meeting from 6:30-8pm at the Treehouse cafe in order to make plans. I am happy to facilitate these if people wish me to do so. The dates for the meetings will be:

Tuesday 27th April 6:30-8pm
Tuesday 4th May 6:30-8pm
Tuesday 11th May 6:30-8pm

A wiki will soon be set up to enable better communication between us all, so even if you can’t make the next few meetings but would like to be involved in the future of this project, please keep in touch. If you would like to contact the Work Group then email us on workgroup@treehousecafe.org

Looking forwards to seeing you soon!

Though better than we thought, this is only a short term solution that will give us a bit of breathing space.

At 6pm on Tuesday 20th April there will be a public meeting, held at Treehouse, for anyone with a vested interest in the cafe, the curious, those who want to get more involved… everyone! The Treehouse needs a radical change in thinking and organisation to be sustainable. It needs more people and commitment, and in the short term, some serious fun fundraising needs to happen. It needs recognising and using as an alternative social space, not just a cafe. It needs cake. Though there are plenty of options, exactly how this happens is pretty much open to any suggestions. Don’t leave it to others – now is the time to get involved, next month might be too late!

Saving the Treehouse is important. Its history is rooted in the original Fair Trade Cafe. As in, the first fair trade cafe in the whole wide world. Supporting local refugees, alternative mental health groups, providing locally sourced, organic and fair trade food and drink, volunteer work experience and employment opportunities, supporting campaign groups, and being just a relaxing and friendly alternative to Starbucks! Bradford cannot lose this space.

Please pass this on to any of your contacts or lists who feel might be interested; we want to publicise these changes and opportunities to get involved to the widest possible audience. Sorry if you get this email more than once!

Thanks,

The Treehouse Team.

Cheers,
Cafe Collective
http://www.treehousecafe.org/