On 23rd September Fairtrade supporters from across Yorkshire (from Settle all the way to Hull) met in Ilkley for the first face to face conference since 2019.

There was a vibrant mood as Fairtrade Yorkshire celebrated its 10th birthday with a cake made by a supporter in Embsay Fairtrade Village.

Joanna Fianu told the conference about the 10th birthday of Golden Exotics, a banana farm in Ghana and the participants in Ilkley sent their congratulations all the way to Ghana via a video message.

The celebratory mood continued as the conference was informed of the newest Fairtrade community in Yorkshire, Settle and all the wonderful work which is taking place there to promote fairness in the global trading system.

Liz Roodhouse (Skipton) and Hilary Davies (Ilkley) advised the attendees on where they could buy fairly traded products in the region, recommending Fairer World, From the Source and Namaste, alongside online buying from True Origin. They showcased products from a range of companies including Whitaker’s Chocolates and Zaytoun.

Dr Mark Dawson (York St John University) then talked about his research on different religious communities coming together to work on Fair Trade, with a case study of Luton Fairtrade Town. Mark then led a discussion on Fairtrade communities working in partnership with other organisations.

Baildon Fairtrade group has been showcased in a national resource promoting a new initiative launched by the Fairtrade Foundation to attract and support local campaigners across the region and the UK.

The group features in a set of eight case studies that highlight the inspiring, creative and committed work carried out by a number of Fairtrade Communities nationwide.

Published on the Fairtrade Foundation website, the resource describes the difference that Baildon Fairtrade has made through its campaigning and awareness-raising activities in the region.  This includes rewarding local businesses with a Fairtrade Supporter Certificate.

The case study is part of the launch of a new-look Fairtrade Communities scheme run by the Fairtrade Foundation to mobilise and resource grassroots campaigners across the UK to stand up for trade justice.

Communities have emerged nationwide. These include Fairtrade Towns, Cities, Islands, Villages, Boroughs and Counties, all committed to campaigning for fairer earnings, access to rights and better working conditions for farmers and workers in low-income countries who grow products such as coffee, cocoa, tea and bananas.

Speaking on behalf of the group Mike de Villiers said: “Our local florist Emma is passionate about all things environmental. So we approached her to discuss Fairtrade, and she is now a firm supporter. We’ve awarded her one of our certificates to show that and she has been proud to share that with the local community. It is a real bonus and honour that our Baildon community is featured among national Fairtrade resources.”

As part of the launch of the new-look Fairtrade Communities, the Fairtrade Foundation has published a Campaigns Action Guide created to inspire and resource new and existing campaigners interested in joining the movement for trade justice. The guide explores the concept of trade justice, how Fairtrade works, how to become a Fairtrade campaigner, and ideas for campaigning across the different action areas.

As well as Fairtrade Communities, the Fairtrade Foundation also oversees awards for Fairtrade Schools, Fairtrade Universities and Colleges, and Places of Worship groups.

For more information, visit the Fairtrade Foundation campaign website

Hull has once again been recognised as a Fairtrade Community.

Fairtrade ensures farmers and workers in developing countries around the world are paid a fair price for their goods, earn a living wage and their communities benefit from educational and medical provisions.

The accolade was awarded by the UK Fairtrade Foundation a proves the city’s commitment to have promoted Fairtrade across Hull through campaigns and events, as well as demonstrating that a wide range of people and organisations are involved.

Hull’s Fairtrade Partnership is made up of representatives from voluntary, community and faith sector groups, Fairtrade activists, council officers, elected members, local Fairtrade businesses and Hull University Student Union.

Cllr Rob Pritchard, portfolio holder for culture and leisure at Hull City Council, is chair of the Hull Fairtrade Partnership.

He said: “Hull has always had time to stand up for social justice and is proud to be recognised as a Fairtrade Community.

“Every action taken to support Fairtrade locally challenges unfair trade practices and advocates for decent workers’ rights, safer working conditions and fairer pay for farmers and workers globally.

“Everyone involved in the Hull Fairtrade Partnership and many others who have supported our local Fairtrade campaigns should be proud that Hull has achieved this award.”

Hull City Council passed a resolution to become a Fairtrade City in 2005.

Isabelle Tracy, Co-op Member Pioneer and Hull Fairtrade Partnership member, added: “The Co-op pioneers Fairtrade products as part of our mission to promote the aims of the World Fairtrade Organisation and Fairtrade Charter. As a Co-op Member Pioneer, I help to drive Co-op’s commitment to ethical trade and local community activism. I am proud to have supported Fairtrade events in Hull over the past two years and look forward to many more of them. Well done Hull for re-accreditation as a Fairtrade Community!”

Yorkshire’s roster of Fairtrade Towns is set for a new addition as Settle sets out on the path towards Fairtrade Town status.

Settle: Trading the Trainers

Starting this year, as part of ACE (Action on Climate Emergency, Settle) food group, several events were organised for Fairtrade Fortnight.  There were two at Settle Primary School. The founding father of the Fair Trade Town movement, Bruce Crowther led a chocolate making session with Year 3 and Liz Roodhouse, from Craven Development Education Centre, worked with Year 5 and 6 pupils using a ‘Trading the Trainers’ game. St John’s Methodist Church raised funds through a coffee morning and the church Eco-Explorers (4–11yrs) learnt about Fairtrade during their afternoon session.

And sorting out the beans (with Bruce Crowther)

So far, the Fairtrade Settle campaign has received support from the Town Council, all of the churches, the Quaker Meeting House and the Library.

As there are many events already held annually in Settle it makes sense to join those rather than create too many new ones. For example, every year from July to September there is a Flowerpot Festival and the Fairtrade Settle supporters are going to enter a display as part of this.  In the Autumn there is Settle Stories, this year the theme is Climate Justice and ACE will be in attendance.  The Fairtrade Foundation’s leaflet on Climate Justice fits nicely into that.

Find out more about the fair investment organisation, Shared Interest

JOIN US IN YORK
When: May 25th 2023 at 12:00pm

Where: Priory Street Centre, 15 Priory Street, York, YO1 6ET

ABOUT THIS EVENT
Join us in York to find out more about Shared Interest, learn about our impact and hear from our guest speaker.

PROGRAMME
Registration, lunch and an opportunity to meet other supporters
Welcome
Overview of Shared Interest’s activities over the past year
A presentation from a guest speaker
Question and Answer session
Places are free but limited.

Book your place via Eventbrite here or by calling us on 0191 233 9101 or email membership@shared-interest.com

DIRECTIONS
Priory Street Centre is within easy walking distance from York railway station.

BOOK YOUR FREE PLACE:

https://www.shared-interest.com/gb/news-events/events/join-us-york

Christ Church Key Stage 1

In Craven, this year’s annual competition for schools was sponsored by Namaste-UK, the Skipton company that specialises in fairly traded clothing, accessories, unusual gifts, furniture and home furnishings mostly from Nepal, India, Thailand and Indonesia. Inspired by items made for Namaste using repurposed sari silk, children created bunting, banners, bags, scrunches, cushions and a quilt from left over fabrics, pre-loved garments, curtains and bedding and even discarded medical scrubs.

Lothersdale School

All the Key Stage 1 children at Christ Church School, Skipton, carefully chose fabrics to bring the greeting ‘namaste’ alive. “We had lots of fun designing, choosing materials and creating the letters for the sign” said Miss Garland, the Year 2 teacher. At Lothersdale School, the sewing group made bunting and used it at their Fairtrade coffee morning in the village hall.

A six year old boy, with a little help from his mum made a bag using one of his mum’s old jumpers that he couldn’t bear to see being thrown away. There was  a cushion made from a little brother’s Babygro too.

The upcycled bag

The competition provided an opportunity to link Fair Trade with the need to look after the environment and cut down on waste, and work in partnership with a local company supporting marginalised small producers.

The Lothersdale school council (and some additional Year 5s) created a fabulous Fairtrade team this year and joined forces with Christ Church to hold a village coffee morning on Tuesday 14th March. What a fabulous turn out we had! Thank you to the children and parents who donated the delicious cakes and bakes to sell. During the coffee morning, the children from school spoke really clearly and confidently to adults from the community about what Fairtrade is and why it is so important to buy Fairtrade items. A big recognition goes to Jack A, whose Fairtrade passion and knowledge impressed lot of members of the public. A huge thank you to, Laila, Isabelle and Harry who excelled at selling squares to a game and congratulations to Stephen Cohen for winning the grand prize of your Fairtrade socks – we hope they keep you toasty warm and no more holes.

A new addition to the coffee morning this year, was the hugely successful tombola. Thank you to Fairtrade Yorkshire who donated £50 to Lothersdale Primary School so we were able to run this properly. The tombola was filled Fairtrade items from the CO-OP, Tesco, Aldi and items donated by ‘From the source’ in Skipton. The tombola raised £45 in total which will be donated towards Fairtrade charities.

A huge part of the coffee morning is connecting with the community, and we are really appreciative to Liz Roodhouse who joins us each year to promote her fairly traded items. On offer were a range of Fairtrade items including Easter eggs, socks and purses.

Bradford Cathedral has been commended by the Fairtrade Foundation with the confirmation of its status as a ‘Fairtrade Church.’

This is valid for the next two years, the Cathedral having held the status since 2007.

Mike de Villiers of the Cathedral’s EcoGroup says:

“The Fairtrade Foundation has recognised Bradford Cathedral as a Fairtrade church, which recognises us for the Fairtrade products that we offer and our promotion of Fairtrade.”

The Revd Ned Lunn, Canon for Intercultural Mission and the Arts, says:

“We’re delighted that once again we have been awarded Fairtrade Church status.”

“This recognises the sustained passion and commitment Bradford Cathedral has shown over the years to seeking to live equitably with brothers and sisters across the globe as an expression of God’s justice and love for all people.”

To celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight, members of York Fair Trade Forum gave away Fairtrade bananas in the city centre. But Yorkshire weather can threaten the best laid plans and the bananas were pedalled into the city during a snowstorm. Amazingly, bang on the stroke of noon when the giveaway was due to start, the snow stopped.

Although the conditions weren’t the best for having an outdoor chat, several passers-by did stop to learn more about fair trade. Lots of leaflets about York as a Fairtrade city, as well as free copies of the Forum’s booklet ‘Fair’s Fair’, were handed out. The five hardy volunteers distributed all the bananas to grateful snackers – though it was suggested that Fairtrade hot chocolate would have been more suitable given the temperature!

The Fairtrade bananas were kindly donated by local branches of Waitrose and Sainsbury’s.

Baildon Northgate Co-op hosted a Fairtrade Stall from March 3rd to 11th .  Members of the Fairtrade group handed out a newly designed postcard and pointed out Fairtrade’s assistance for farmers in protecting their environment and the integrity of the natural world.

There was also  a display in the local library and talks for all 4 Primary Schools and  3 uniformed groups.

On Saturday 25 February there was a Fairtrade stall at Baildon Farmers Market selling goods as well as distributing information.