Editor's Endwords

New Minister

Nigel Griffiths was a very active Consumer Affairs Minister at the DTI but, like all Consumer Affairs Ministers it seems, he did not stay in the job very long. The new Minister is Dr. Kim Howells; we welcome him and hope that, perhaps, he will be able to stay in the job long enough to get to know the only genuine grass roots consumer organisation

Just opposite a huge D.I.Y store in the Editor's home town is an old established ironmonger. One would have expected this shop to suffer and even fail, but it is doing well. It does it on personal service by shop staff who know about the goods they are selling. Worth a nomination?

More Press Releases

One result of changing the title to Consumer News is that PR people seem to have noticed us. Those who usually send me Press Releases have changed the labels in double quick time, a most unusual event, and many bodies from whom I have not heard before, now send Releases to Consumer News. Mind you, some of them are misdirected. I enjoyed reading the Press Releases from LEGO who are to introduce LEGO Media with software titles for children aged between two and sixteen in time for Christmas. This is consumer news in its broadest sense but it is hardly of a campaigning nature or likely to cause consumer concern.

Back to Roots for Sainsbury?

One remembers the faded photographs of Sainsbury the high street shop. In the middle of July, Sainsbury opened a high street shop in Fulham Palace Road stocking more than 120 different lines in ready-meals. What is perhaps more interesting, there is an in-store bakery. It seems that there is now a bakery, convenient for the locals, with the added attraction of ready-to-cook meals alongside the freshly baked loaves and the fresh produce.

An unusual attraction is a coffee counter where thirsty customers can have a reviving cup as well as buying coffee, ground or beans, to take home. They plan two more, one in Kent and one in Hampshire.

Thanks to Contributors

As usual, may I thank the many contributors who have sent in material, particularly Alec Samuels several of whose articles I have 'banked' for future issues. The Letters Page this issue is healthy. Please write and keep it that way. Articles are welcome, hand written (provided I can read the writing), typed, or best of all on a floppy disk. I use Word for Windows which has quite a good conversion programme. Roy Bisson, who is doing the layout for this issue, is always calling for photographs and they certainly help to liven up and illustrate the written word.

NfCG Autumn Meeting & AGM 26th September

Just a reminder that our AGM is on Saturday 26th September at Connaught Hall, Tavistock Square. London. The day starts at 10.30 a.m. with coffee, followed by a Keynote speech by Colin Breed MP, Liberal Democrat Consumer Affairs Spokesman. Colin worked for Midland Bank for 17 years, has twice been Mayor of Saltash and is a local Methodist Preacher. His address, "The Consumer Role" will be followed by a discussion time. At 12.30 a Buffet Lunch will be served.

The NfCG Annual General Meeting will commence at 2.00 p. m. President Bob Gale will be retiring and Marie Jennings has been nominated to succeed him.

Edinburgh Consumer Group has proposed a resolution that "NfCG welcomes the termination of duty and tax-free shopping across EU boundaries." This should certainly provoke a lively discussion.

The morning meeting and lunch costs £15, the AGM is, of course, free. Send your cheque to Esther Rose, 7 Rawlings Grove, Abingdon, 0X14 ISH. Thanks

This edition of Consumer News has been produced in Association with NfCG Corporate Associate TESCO Plc.

Contributions to the Editor
Please send contributions to: John Brown:
6 Priory Gardens, Dartford, Kent. DA1 2BE
Telephone or fax 01322 280673.

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