Dear Members and Supporters:

this is probably my last update in 2006 and to those of you who I won't see before Christmas, I would like to wish you a Happy Christmas & New Year!

It has been a very busy and fruitful year for Slow Food Oxon. I will prepare a report by end of January, but would like to list here a few highlights of the year:

March - launch of the Slow Food Book club, organised by Liz Wilding, more meetings took place in May, July, September, November. Next book is

Salt: A World History by Mark Kurlansky

and the meeting is on 24 January in the Summertown Wine Cafe. Sign up with Liz Wilding and don't forget to bring your favourite salts for tasting!

April - visit to Slow Food Market in Bristol, organised by Jane Carlton-Smith

May - "Celebrate the Taste" fund raising dinner, organised by the Committee

June- Ethnic Foods Dinner - Chinese, organised by Geoffrey Whittle

July - Terra Madre fundraising dinner, organised by Tamara Schiopu

July - Coffee & tea tasting evening, organised by Jim and Sally Turnbull,

August - Heath Farm, Cotswolds Brewery tour, pub dinner, organised by David & Nena Barbour

October - Fungi Foray, organised by Ian Bird,

October - Terra Madre in Turin, visited by 12 SF Oxon members and producers

November - Slow Food Student & website launched, sponsored by Midcounties Co-operative, organised by Ted Maxwell and Committee

November - publicity in The Guardian and with UK press at La Manoir

November - Bread Event - book discussion and bread tasting, organsied by Liz Wilding.

Impressive! Many thanks to all organisers and supporters! Without you this Convivium would not be as exciting and fruitful as it has been! I hope to see new organisers and more ideas for the next year.

Our next event - "Terra Madre in Oxford" is planned for 13 December, Wednesday, 6:30-9pm at Oxford Brookes University. We've invited all those who went to Terra Madre to bring samples, photos and other memorabilia to share and talk about this great event. However, so far I only have 5 bookings. Unless another 10 people sign up by Monday, we may have to cancel this event, which would be for the first time in SF Oxon history, but understandable, given this very busy time of year. So, you are still welcome to sign up and let me know what Italian dish/drink you will be bringing, by Monday, please.

Last but not least, thank you all those who supported our Local Food for Christmas Guide!

Looking forward to seeing you all soon,