This Year
2003 is Rugby Christmas Cracker's 13th year and since 1991 has raised nearly £100,000 for third world aid and development projects. The sections below give a short summary of what we've done each year, how much we raised and where the money went. There are still some web pages available to view for the more recent project years - just follow the links below.
2002: Raised £7,820.62.
In 2002 Rugby Christmas Cracker was helping to transform the lives of street girls and other destitute girls and young women in Kampala, Uganda. Poverty, AIDS and the death of relatives may lead a young girl to an existence on the streets or into slum communities where they are vulnerable to illness, abuse and sexual exploitation. The ultimate aim of the Bambejja Project (it means “Little Princesses”) is to re-settle girls back into their own or foster families and for the older ones, to empower them through training, to establish their own homes and sustainable lives.
No Cracker FM in 2002 since Rugby FM had only been on air a few months. But, we had one of the best Crackerterias yet at 22 Regent Street. See the 2002 web pages for more information
2001: Raised £7,282.96.
We were raising money for the Snedhadan School in Bangalore India which was in desparate need of new premises earlier in the year. Brenda had spent 6 months working with Oasis India in Bangalore and so knew the school and staff well.
Cracker FM was back on air on 106.8FMand ran for 3 1/2 weeks up until Christmas Eve, we didnt think the radio authority would allow it, but the gap between Rugby FM being awarded their Licence and going on air in 2002 was long enough for us to have our own RSL licence. Had Cracker FM live on the web for the first time!
We opened a Crackerteria at 8 North Street (next to the amusement arcade) - thanks to Andy F who let us use his empty premises. It was nicely appointed but rather cosy!. The upstairs room allowed us to have one of the best locations yet for the "Cracker a la Carte" evening restaurant
2000: Raised £5,539.05
We took part in Oasis Trust's national Junction Radio Project this year, which involved producing "radio on demand" online radio programmes. Most of our Junction Radio web site is still online (though the programmes themselves are not currently available)
Fitting in with the online theme we opened the "Java Junction" internet cafe in Rugbys Museum and Art Gallery Building. This was successful enough to open for a week or so after Christmas AND again for two weeks at Easter! There are pictures on the JunctionRadio (Rugby) Java Junction web pages.
1999: Raised £3020.62.
We took part in Oasis Trust's national Big Take "Shout" project once again this year, though there was no video competition in 1999. "Shout" was high lighting the plight of millions of young people exploited by child labour around the world by means of petitions and poliical campaigning. The money raised was for Oasis Trust projects which helped young people escape from their poverty traps and exploitation. See the 1999 web pages.
The project culminated in a visit to London to meet International Development Secretary of State Claire Short. We were unable to find any premises in which to open a permanent Crackerteria, but managed to open briefly for two Saturdays in St Andrews Church Hall.
However, Cracker FM was back on air on 106.8FM - operating from a domestic dining room!
1998: Raised £7065.06.
This was the second year of Oasis Trust's national Big Take project. With a theme of "learn to live the project was highlighting how important education is to help young people in the developing world break free of thier desparate situation. See the 1998 web pages.
"La Crackerteria" was back in the same premises as 1993 on Sheep Street, and served a more "continental" menu. It was prepared in less than a week, but was one of the more attactive Crackerterias. It was opened by the mayor at the beginning of November and stayed open a little into the new year.
Cracker FM had its regular slot shifted due to a trial commerical station operating in November. But Cracker FM, 106.8FM, was on air over the Christmas and New Year period and with a new logo.
The Big Take project had a video competition element again, and once again the Rugby Group won with our "Mission Impossible" video!
The awards were presented at Planet Hollywood in London and part of the prize was tea at Number 10 Downing Street with Cherie and Tony Blair a month later.
1997: Raised £7082.63.
The national Christmas Cracker Project came to an end in 1998 and was effectively replaced by Oasis Trust's national Big Take project. It aimed to raise awareness of the plight of millions of street kids.
The Crackerteria found premises at the bottom of North Street, although bright and cheerful it was not the most attractive premises we have used! Rugby's new PM Andy King opened the cafe at the beginning of December.
Cracker FM was located above the cafe and broadcast to Rugby on 107.0 FM. Thanks to Martin R, the station had some really high quality adverts and promos this year.
The Big Take project also ran a video competition element again, and Rugby Christmas Cracker took first prize with our "Justice - not Just Us" video! The awards were presented by Cheri Blair at the National Museum of the Moving Image on London's south Bank.
1996: Raised £5595.16.
Christmas Cracker linked up nationally with Sight Savers International to raise money and awarenes of the problem of preventable blindness in the developing world.
There was no Crackerteria this year as premises could not be found.
Cracker FM found last minute premises in the town centre and broadcast to Rugby on 107.1 FM.
The Cracker newspaper was back on streets for a few weeks in December, produced in conjunction with pupils in local schools.
1995: Raised £5879.05
Christmas Cracker nationally launched a campaign where local groups produced their own newspaper. The focus was on child labour and how it is effectively modern day slavery.
There was no Crackerteria this year as premises could not be found.
Cracker FM found broadcast to Rugby on 107.8 FM from an upstairs bedroom in town!.
Four editions of The Cracker newspaper were sold during December, with articles provided by young people from local schools and youth groups.
1994: Raised over £9000
Nationally Christmas Cracker focussed on a project that encouraged the concept of "Trade and Aid", by opening a national chain of "Really Useful Present Stores". Aid is needed to deal with crisis in the developing world, but sustained and fair trade is need to help countries develop and support themselves.
The Crackerteria found last minute premises in the former Gas Show rooms on the High Street. Now Hunts bookshop)
Cracker FM took a break in 1994, but Cracker acquired an exhibition trailer which was used in a chain of roadshows in Rugby town centre and schools.
Four editions of "The Cracker" newspaper were sold during December, with articles provided by young people from local schools and youth groups.
1993: Raised over £13,000.
Christmas Cracker focussed again on promoting "Aid and Trade" promoting the national chain of temporary Crackerteia. The total was 2nd highest in the UK (behind Ballymena, N Ireland).
Rugby's Crackerteria set up in the former Peppers cafe on Sheep Street this year. The first "Cracker a la Carte" evening restaurant events were also launched for pre-booked groups wanting an excellent meal whilst supporting the project.
Cracker FM broadcast to Rugby from an upper floor of the cafe building.
1992: Raised over £15,000.
The Christmas Cracker national campaign focused on the problem of 3rd world exploitation through tea and coffee trading and launched a network of Eat Less - Pay More Restaurants and Crackerterias.
Rugbys first Crackerteria opened up on North Street opposite the Clock Tower (now Klick photo processing) and did a roaring trade.
Radio Cracker was back on air with a more powerful transmitter to get get better coverage.
1991: Raised over £10,000
The first year of Rugby Christmas Cracker taking part in Oasis Trust's national Christmas Cracker campaign raising money for aid and development projects in the third world. The campaign consisted of a national network of Radio Cracker stations.
Rugby's Radio Cracker broadcast to Rugby on from St. Matthews Church in the centre of Rugby.