Royal Leamington Spa has been awarded the coveted title of a Fairtrade Town.

The Town Council has signed up to the principles of "Fairtrade".  Together with a Voluntary Group it has worked to achieve the various objectives set out by the Fairtrade Foundation and is now able to use the Fairtrade logo to further promote awareness of this important initiative.

Fairtrade is often defined as providing a better deal for producers from third world countries; buying Fairtrade means that the farmers and producers in poor countries can get a better return for their hard work  This in turn has benefits in terms of improving incomes, preserving the environment, securing clean drinking water and educating children in those countries which are reliant to a significant extent on trade with the developed world.

The five goals of Fairtrade Status are:-

• The Council must resolve to support Fairtrade and agree to serve Fairtrade coffee/tea at Council Meetings and at its Offices
• a range of at least two Fairtrade products are readily available at shops in the Town
• Fairtrade products are used by a number of local work places and community organisations such as Schools, Churches etc
• Achievement of the above objectives is publicised through the media and the opportunity is taken to involve local business
• A local Fairtrade Steering Group is formed to ensure continued commitment to the objectives of Fairtrade.

You can find out more about Fairtrade by visiting the website of the Fairtrade Foundation http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/

We have commissioned a revised version of the Fairtrade Directory which shows you where you can buy the huge range of Fairtrade products now available. You can download a copy below.

Each year during Fairtrade fortnight we sponsor or organise various events which aim to promote the message of Fairtrade or encourage the wider community to become involved in the Fairtrade campaign. You can find details about these events on this website as they are planned.

 To complement this process we are now looking to recruit "Fairtrade Champions"  These are people who:-

• are already active in promoting or educating the public about Fairtrade and/or Fairtrade justice in some area within the Town (eg. work place, community organisation, faith group etc) OR
• are willing to take on such an activity on a continuing basis AND
• are willing to liaise with others who are engaged in fairtrade activity.

Fairtrade Champions will enable us to:

• acknowledge and commend work that the Champions are doing
• support their work through information, resources, and opportunities for training or development
• co-ordinate the work of individuals or small groups working in isolation for mutual benefit
• identify a pool of people who can be invited to support "whole town" events and initiatives

If you would like to becone a Fairtrade Champion get in touch by contacting us either by phone 07909984277 or email admin@towncouncil.entadsl.com

Associated Files:

Fairtrade Directory 2009