Fair trading in the spotlight
A Caribbean banana farmer will speak at an event in Southwell to mark Fairtrade Fortnight.
Mr Gideon Gilbert, from St Vincent in the Windward Islands, will talk about the impact of Fairtrade on farmers at a market and reception in the Minster School.
Fairtrade Fortnight, which promotes Fairtrade produce, runs from February 25 until March 9.
Southwell became the first Fairtrade town in Nottinghamshire two years ago.
Stalls selling Fairtrade clothes, jewellery, craftwork, fashion accessories and food will be on display at the event at Minster School on February 26, from 7.30pm.
Bags, wall hangings and embroidery from the Sunbula Co-operative, made by 1,800 women, refugees and disabled people in Palestine, will be on sale for the first time in Southwell.
The Minster School’s Poverty Group will have a display showing its links with a school in Uganda.
There will be a film showing the work of Traidcraft, which imports Fairtrade produce and works to strengthen Fairtrade producer co-operatives in the developing countries.
A retired bishop, the Right Rev Ronald Milner, of Crafts Way, Southwell, led the campaign for Southwell to become a Fairtrade town as chairman of the Southwell Churches Together Fairtrade Steering Group.
Bishop Milner said the highlight of the event would be Mr Gilbert’s talk on his experiences of Fairtrade and how it benefits farmers and their communities.
The Fairtrade premium is an additional amount that is paid on top of the price for a box of bananas.
The farmers’ associations that make up the Windward Islands Farmers’ Association use the premium to buy computers for schools or build farm access roads.
Part of the premium is kept in an emergency fund and some of the money was used to help repair damage caused by Hurricane Dean that struck the islands last August.
Producers from across the world visit the UK during Fairtrade Fortnight.
The event is a joint venture by the Fairtrade town and the Minster School, which is now working to achieve Fairtrade School status.
People who attend will receive a glass of Fairtrade wine when they arrive and Fairtrade tea, coffee and biscuits will be served.
Tickets costing £1 are available from the Turnaround shop on King Street, Southwell.
