GA news
GA to draw up new toy safety guidelines
The Giftware Association is drawing up guidelines and facts’ sheets for members ahead of the implementation of new toy safety regulations on July 20. The European Commission has issued a directive aimed
at “strengthening, clarifying, modernising and completing the essential safety requirements for toys, in response to market developments, scientifi c progress and to deal with an increased awareness of health and safety issues by consumers and enforcers.”
Isabel Martinson, [pictured] chief executive of The GA, cautions that both UK importers and retailers of toys should be aware of their new obligations. The overhaul has changed the defi nition of ‘play appeal’, potentially widening the scope for other products to be covered by the regulations.
David Beaumont, the GA’s product safety adviser, will draw up the new guidelines for members.
Chairman Michael rides again for Heroes’ charity
‘British design at the top of its game’
Premium, hand made products were in the spotlight at the British Craft Trade Fair in Harrogate, where The Giftware Association’s Award for excellence was presented to Richard Glass [pictured] of Plymouth-based Fluid Glass. John Allan, buyer for the retail arm of gift and home business Stone The Crows!, selected the glass sculptor’s stunning sea-coloured piece, Splash, for the prize. The premium statement offering, which can also be used as a vase, stood out as being both exciting and commercial within a gallery environment. The runner-up was Stoke-on-Trent based ceramic artist Tony Laverick for one his beautiful and striking black porcelain bowls.
John Allan, who has judged the competition for The Giftware Association for several years, said that the standard of premium British gallery and collectables products at the fair was improving every year. And Isabel Martinson, The GA’s chief executive, commented: “The pieces on view illustrated that British design is still at the top of its game. We are proud to be associated with such innovative artists.”
14 gifts today
Not satisfi ed with completing one 350-mile ride on behalf of Help for Heroes, GA chairman Michael Sweeney [pictured] will be getting back on his bike for The Big Battlefi eld Bike Ride in France this summer. Bryn and Emma Parry, who formerly ran their own design studio, supplying gifts and
homewares, established the now famous national charity for badly wounded service men and women.
Dismissing the suggestion that he is a glutton for punishment, Michael – joint director of Natural Products/Worldwide – says: “I think it’s just that the memory of the pain and tiredness has subsided! The cause is a good one so I am more than happy to do my bit, and it keeps me fi t.” The route covers some of the most well-known and poignant battlefi eld sites along the coast of France, including the beaches used during the D-Day landings of World War II. Along the way the riders will be laying wreaths and remembering those who died before reaching Paris where they will cycle down the Champs Elysées and fi nish under the Eiffel Tower. The Big Battlefi eld Bike Ride takes place from June 5-11 and readers who would like to support Michael and Help
for Heroes should make their donations by either credit card or debit card so that Gift Aid can be claimed back by the charity. The link is
http://www.bmycharity.com/michaelh4hride
The GA opens window of opportunity for Cornucopia
It’s not all doom and gloom on the retail front. Some gift shops have not only avoided closure but are facing the future with confi dence. Things looked bleak for the owners of Stratford-Upon-Avon business Cornucopia before it became a guinea pig for the
training programme being offered to members of The GA through the national training organisation ActionCOACH. Anthony Goldby and his wife Caren [both pictured] acquired Cornucopia – a shop she had managed for its previous owners – just before the credit crunch. According to Anthony – who had given up his job painting scenery for the famous Shakespeare theatre to assist her – “when we took over the world turned upside down fi nancially and we struggled from day to day”.
So they jumped at The GA’s invitation to ‘test drive’ ActionCOACH and embarked on a mentoring programme with the
company’s local representative Matthew Thornton-Brown. It undoubtedly helped creative Caren and her assistant Biddy to win Stratford-Upon-Avon’s Best Christmas Window 2010 competition for Cornucopia. And the “gift shop full of unique and magical ideas for everyone” was to receive a further boost: Elijah Choo, founder and creator of the highly regarded Bodhi Botanical Therapies natural bath and shower range – stocked by respected retailers such as Harvey Nichols – selected Cornucopia to be its exclusive stockist in the historical town.
Whilst practical advice, the introduction of new systems and help with building a website has clearly paid dividends, it is the psychological impact of having a mentor that has helped the Goldbys the most. “It sounds a bit corny but Matthew’s input has empowered and revitalised us. It’s been a real boost,” says Anthony.
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