Fairtrade - celebrating One World Week

Fairtrade campaigners launched One World Week at St Mary Magdalene Church hall with an event called Peacing Together One World.

There were stalls laid out with a range of clothing, chocolate, coffee, scented soaps, mueslis, beanies, and dried fruit - all complete with the Fairtrade logo.

Part of the campaign has been to encourage local use of ethically produced tea and coffee, with the invitation to everyone in Bexhill to count the number of cups they drink during this week and then submit their total.

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Town Mayor Cllr Jimmy Carroll said: “I’m very pleased to be Mayor of Bexhill Fairtrade Town with many cafes, shops, businesses, churches , schools and organisations using and promoting Fairtrade.

“I’m pleasantly surprised with the range and beauty of so many products. I urge everybody to use the Fairtrade option when shopping and especially for this week and send in the number of Fairtrade cuppas of tea and coffee drunk.”

Allan Bula of the United Nations Association commented on the impact of Fairtrade as a force for peace in the world.

David Ball of Natural Flow discussed the positive effects his trade has with small producers in Nepal and Gambia - with clothing going straight from village to Bexhill warehouse to the customer.

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Soap Sanctuary in Sackville Road displayed soaps, the production of which supports small farmers, as well as clothing.

Maitreya’s Buddhists had a range of creative artifacts, while the women’s section of the Labour Party provided refreshments and tombola.

Campaigner Jack Doherty praised Fairtrade as a peaceful revolution and quoted Alan Duncan whom he met at a conference in London, who said: “Dont scoff at Fairtrade. “Those who doubt it are wrong. It is a robust and sensible economic model. It rewards hard work and quality products.”

Report your cuppas online on www.bexhillfairtrade.co.uk

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