Fairtrade

Didcot Fairtrade Group

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Peter Williams, Farmers Market Manager welcomed the Didcot Fairtrade Group to e Market. Tea and Coffee went down well but the hot chocolate was a sell out. We hope to have many more customers and volunteers at future markets

45 children and adults really enjoyed tasting the chocolate at the event at South Didcot Childrens Centre. Sharon Griffiths, PACT Centre Manager and Councillor Collier also gave a thumbs up to Fairtrade Chocolate.

if you missed this event, catch a Chocolate Tasting at the Christmas Street Fair on Thursday November 29th see events

Didcot First has been working closely with Didcot Chamber of Commerce, the Churches Fairtrade Group and many individuals to bring the issue of Fairtrade to the public’s attention.

Didcot Fairtrade Group has now been convened and the group is busy working towards attaining Fairtrade Town Status for Didcot. See the report presented to Town Council here

The group meets on a regular basis and has lively discussions on global / local shopping, carbon emissions, ethical consumerism and, of course, Fairtrade.

In order to be recognised as a Fairtrade Town we need to meet the five requirements laid down by the Fairtrade foundation:

The local council must pass a resolution supporting the concept of Fairtrade and committing itself to making Fairtrade tea and coffee available at council meetings and in staff areas.

A Fairtrade steering group needs to be convened, drawn as widely as possible from the local community and must meet regularly.

There must be an ongoing campaign in the local media publicising and promoting Fair trade.

Fairtrade goods should be available in local shops and cafes. The number needed depends on the town’s population. See here for the current directory of what is available locally. Let us know about additional stores or products.

Local businesses and community groups must commit to the concept of Fairtrade.

We think we are doing really well and have met most of the requirements already, but we plan to raise awareness a bit more before we apply for the status in time for Fairtrade Fortnight 2008.

One of our biggest commitments will be to have a Fairtrade tea and coffee stall at the Farmers Markets in Didcot, run from the Didcot First Office and we are looking for volunteers to help make this happen on the second Saturday of each month from 8am – 2pm. Volunteers for all, or part, of each second Saturday will be most welcome. Get in touch with di@didcotfirst.org.uk

Young Fairtrade Champion (03.04.08)
During Fairtrade Fortnight Didcot Fairtrade Group (made up of Didcot First, Didcot Chamber of Commerce and Individual members) ran a competition through the Library. Children were challenged to find words related to Fairtrade within a wordsearch square.

7 year old Michael, from Willowcroft School, was the overall winner with Maddy, aged 5 from All Saints School, Sasha aged 9 from Chilton School and Sophia also 9 from Manor School drawing for 2nd place.

All the winning pupils received a goody bag of fairtrade products including fruit, chocolate, fruit juice, biscuits, muffins and hot chocolate drink. Even the bag itself was made of fairtrade cotton.

Michael said he was looking forward to trying all the nice things and would let Didcot Fairtrade Group know which was his favourite!