Selby joins the fold
Hot on the heels of the launch of Fairtrade Halifax, a campaign for Fairtrade Town status has been launched in Selby. A launch event was held at the ‘All’s Fair’ Fair Trade shop in Selby’s historic Counting House on 19th November. Students from Cawood School gave an impressive presentation detailing the work that the school has done to promote Fair Trade; the school’s Fairtrade Steering Group was the first organisation to call for Selby to become a Fairtrade Town.
The ‘All’s Fair’ shop was packed for the event and the campaign for Fairtrade Town status was officially launched by Yorkshire Euro MEP, Linda McAvan. Joanna Pollard, owner of ‘All’s Fair’, and the Coordinator of Fairtrade Selby, gave a rousing speech to kickstart the campaign and everyone in attendance was invited to sign the petition calling on Selby Town Council to support the Fairtrade Town status. The petition has been endorsed by the Bishop of Selby.
‘All’s Fair’ will give Selby shoppers the chance to purchase a wide range of Fairtrade and fairly traded goods, including beautiful craft products from around the globe. Councillor Eva Lambert, of Selby Town Council, welcomed the campaign and also the opening of ‘All’s Fair’ in the historic Counting House. The building is part of the medieval Abbot’s Staithe complex which local people hope will be restored to its former glory.
Joanna Pollard and Councillor Eva Lambert at All’s Fair
Linda McAvan MEP stated “Having a Fairtrade centre in the community helps promote the principles of Fairtrade and encourages a different attitude regarding ethically sourced products. Joanna has worked extremely hard to bridge two Fairtrade events- the opening of All’s Fair -Selby’s first Fairtrade shop and the launch of Selby’s bid for Faitrade Town status.”
Coordinator of Fairtrade Yorkshire, Mark Dawson also attended the launch and commented ‘Selby is a fantastic place and I wholeheartedly welcome their campaign to become a Fairtrade Town. All’s Fair provides the people of Selby with a convenient and exciting way to buy products that offer producers a fair deal.’
Visit All’s Fair at the Counting House, 79 Micklegate, Selby and pick up the perfect gift for Christmas.
See the All’s Fair website.
Photos courtesy of Robin Stokes.
