Fairtrade Fortnight 2007 in Wrexham

The Wrexham Fairtrade Coalition ran a series of successful events as part of its support for the national initiative of Fairtrade Fortnight, February 26 - March 11 2007.

• Darland High School
• NEWI
• My visit to a Fair-trade Challenge
• School Challenge

The theme for Fairtrade Fortnight 26 Feb - 11 March 2007 is Change Today, Choose Fairtrade. With over 2500 Fairtrade certified products now available, it’s easier than ever to change what you eat drink and wear to Fairtrade, and make a positive change today for the lives of millions and farmers in developing countries.

As well as supporting Fairtrade Fortnight the Wrexham Fairtrade Coalition produces the Wrexham Fairtrade Guide. The Guide lists local retailers and other outlets, such as cafes and restaurants, that support Fairtade products and is available free of charge from the Economic Development Department of Wrexham County Borough Council. Further general information on Fairtrade can also be obtained from the national website at www.fairtrade.org.uk.

Fairtrade Fortnight 2008 in Wrexham

The Wrexham Fairtrade Coalition has again been busy in supporting the national initiative of Fairtrade Fortnight with a number of events across the County Borough between the 25th February and the 9th of March.

The Fortnight is being promoted under the consumer message of “Change Today. Choose Fairtrade” and organisers are keen to see more people in Wrexham buy Fairtrade products. In addition to a range of Fairtrade events at Glyndwr such as wine-tasting and film shows, local schoolchildren attended a Fairtrade conference on 5th March. Chris Pilsbury, Chair of the Wrexham Fairtrade coalition says: “It is great for schoolchildren to meet Fairtrade producers such as the grapefruit producer who attended this year. The first time I met a sugar producer from Malawi I learnt first hand what a real difference Fairtrade makes to peoples lives and gives them a chance of a future. On that day Fairtrade stopped being something I knew was right and good to do and became something real and tangible. I hope our young people share that experience.”

As a member of the coalition, Wrexham County Borough Council has been very active in supporting the Fortnight with the Mayor, Cllr Joan Lowe, inviting children from two local schools to tea in the Mayor’s parlour. The tea was of course Fairtrade and representatives from Bryn Alyn High School, Darland High School and St Josephs School were in attendance. Bryn Alyn has already achieved Fairtrade status while the other two schools are working towards achieving that status this year.

The Council has already installed Fairtrade coffee machines in all its meeting rooms and Councillors took time out from a meeting in the Guildhall during the fortnight to sample some Fairtrade biscuits too.