Village celebrates Fairtrade status

The signs, which are located at either end of Amlets Lane, clearly inform visitors that Cranleigh is a Fairtrade village and is the gateway to the Surrey Hills.

Cranleigh’s Fairtrade committee put on events and help to spread the word about the Fairtrade ethos. Cranleigh first became a Fairtrade village in 2012.

Residents, businesses and shoppers have a positive influence on Fairtrade by using many of the shops, offices, schools, churches and businesses, which supply, sell or use Fairtrade goods and products.

Jane O’Leary who is a member of the Fairtrade committee says: “It was about a year ago when the committee first identified that one of the entry points into Cranleigh didn’t have a sign and that a sign on a second site was falling apart.

“It has taken months of negotiation and fundraising to achieve the new signs but we are thrilled to finally see our efforts rewarded. I would like to thank everybody who has contributed and Cranleigh Parish Council for their support.”

She adds: “We are delighted to have recently been informed that our application to renew our Fairtrade village status has been approved. This news makes the signs even more meaningful as they really do show that ‘Cranleigh Cares’.”

Contributions towards the cost of the sign were received from Surrey County Councillor Alan Young who generously gave £1,500 from his member budget allocation; £100 from Cranleigh Parish Council; £100 from Cranleigh’s Fairtrade committee and £50 from the Co-Operative.

More information about Fairtrade can be found at www.fairtradecranleigh.org.

Pictured: Lynda MacDermott- Fairtrade committee member and Co-operative representative, Alan Young - Surrey County Councillor for Cranleigh, David Gill- Chairman of Cranleigh Parish Council and Jane O’Leary, -Fairtrade committee member and chair of the Cranleigh Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group.

Report and picture contributed by Julie Jackson.