Intro as sent to new subscribers to Lancaster SwapShop 2000-2001

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INTRODUCING LANCASTER SWAPSHOP
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(please keep this message to pass on to others)

You know, there's no such thing as junk, only stuff that hasn't found the right person.

LANCASTER SWAPSHOP is a new local "green" platform to help you find the things you need, and to recycle the things you don't. By using the SwapShop you will help minimise waste and landfill, reduce consumerism, save money, and perhaps feel good too. What's more, it's free.

I'm setting up the SwapShop because I can't bear to throw things away that would be useful to someone else. It's not for commercial use, or profit making. You can give things away for free, ask for payment in Lets or in pounds and pence, or try and do a direct swap.
A WEEKLY E-MAIL will list the SwapShop wants and offers. To advertise your want, or to put your goods in the virtual shop, you simply e-mail lancaster.swapshop@virgin.net by early SUNDAY evening. I will cut and paste all the messages I receive, and send out the edition on Sunday evening (or thereabouts). To avoid the problem of out-of-date ads, I will start from scratch again each week. So if you want to readvertise your want or offer, you must resend your message to me before Sunday evening to appear in the following edition. If you didn't receive this direct from SwapShop, then JOIN the SwapShop mailing list by sending an e-mail to lancaster.swapshop@virgin.net saying "yes please" or something similar. If you don't want to receive any further messages, just tell me and I'll take you off. "Unsubscribe" in the subject line will do.
SPREAD THE WORD and help build up a critical mass of swapshoppers by forwarding this message to other people in Lancaster (please note, I am aiming to keep this local to make it useful and relevant, unlike other schemes which cover the whole country). The more people who take part, the better it'll be.

WHAT SORT OF THINGS will be in the SwapShop? That's up to you. Could be a jam jar collection, an unwanted kitchen work surface, excess produce from an allotment, an old sewing machine, spare computer parts or timber for burning. We shall have to wait and see what's in the first edition.

TO SUBMIT AN ITEM cut and paste this form and e-mail it to lancaster.swapshop@virgin.net

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Wanted/offered
Item:
Info:
The deal:
E-mail:
Tel no:
Name:
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EXAMPLES..

Wanted
Item: COMPOST FOR ALLOTMENT
Info: One-off, or a regular thing. Must not include meat!
The deal: I collect it, you get a lettuce every now and then.
E-mail: dimmock@greenet.org
Tel no: 382640
Name: Charlie
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Offered
Item: 2 COMFY 1930s ARMCHAIRS
Info: a bit worn, but nice chunky art deco style in dark green
The deal: free if you can collect
E-mail: brian@sittingcomfortably.com
Tel no: 21930, please call between 6pm and 9pm
Name: Brian
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The small print:
-I reserve the right to refuse unsuitable entries.
-Users and their products will not be vetted, so I take no responsibility for their actions or goods.
-I'm setting this up in good faith, and hope it will be used in the right spirit.
Feedback and ideas very welcome.

John Cantor