BEING an archive of news items noted during our progress towards Fairtrade Borough status...
First Borough Fairtrade School!
Pupils of George Pindar Community Sports College drummed up support for Fairtrade at the Fairtrade Festival at the Spa in May, and they have now been awarded Fairtrade School status by the Fairtrade Foundation.
This comes just one month after the Borough of Scarborough was itself awarded Fairtrade Borough status. Anna Macdonald, speaking for the school, said, "The students involved have been outstanding, [and]we can develop further from here!"
To find out how your school can work towards and be awarded Fairtrade School status, please see the Fairtrade Foundation web site
June 25, 2008:
Fairtrade Borough status granted!
More news on this achievement will be posted soon. This web site is now being reconstructed to reflect our new aims and focus - so please watch this space!
We think it might be a first for local cricketers to declare their team a Fairtrade team! But thanks to the efforts of Chris Fairchild, one of the founder members of the Bitter & Twisted Cricket Club here in Scarborough, and Councillor Jonathan Dixon, both members of Scarborough Fairtrade Action Group, I enjoyed Fairtrade refreshments during the interval of their recent match against a team representing Scarborough's St Nicholas' Hotel! And by the looks of the team, they enjoyed it too!
All they need now is to source a Fairtrade cricket ball, says Chris!
Chris Fairchild writes:
The club was formed, from a conversation in the Crown Tavern, as a social side to play friendly matches against any suitable opposition. Our first match was on 21st July 1993.
We play around 15-20 matches against various teams around the Scarborough area, including the Staff of Dean's Garden Centre, Muston, Lockton, Oriel and St Nicholas Hotel Staff. We also travel to Northowram near Halifax to play 1 in 12 (drawn from a Bradford punk music club) and Bishop Auckland to play King James I CC.
We have played at various home grounds over the last 15 years, but have now settled at Oriel.
Since the old pavilion was destroyed by vandalism in January and has been replaced temporarily by a Portakabin with teamaking facilities, we have been serving Fairtrade tea at home matches.
A big thank-you goes to everyone who has worked so hard to make this event such a success throughout the Borough. I have been informed of at least 35 events taking place and the profile of Fairtrade has certainly been raised with photographs and articles appearing regularly in the local press, so thanks also go to The Evening News, Whitby Gazette and Yorkshire Coast radio for their support and encouragement.
For me the fortnight began a little early with a visit to Fylingthorpe Methodist Church's weekly Friday coffee morning (10.30 -12noon) with Traidcraft Stall providing a focus for local residents. It was such a happy gathering of folk, my friends and I were warmly welcomed, the scones served with the coffee were delicious and we even got to share in a birthday celebration and enjoy a piece of birthday cake. I'm sure that the many other 'Big Brew' coffee mornings held throughout the Borough, from Filey and Hunmanby to Whitby and Sleights, in the following two weeks were equally happy occasions and I know that, at several, the opportunity given to watch DVD's, look at displays and enjoy 'tastings' helped in the vital role of education.
Handing out leaflets at Sainsbury's
Those who gave out leaflets and answered questions at Sainsbury's in Scarborough and the Co-op and Somerfield's in Whitby will attest to the ignorance about the Fairtrade movement that still abounds, but it was encouraging to find a general level of interest, support and willingness to learn. The opportunity for contacts to be made with teachers in our local schools and youth leaders in our communities, who approached the stands while doing their shopping, and which hopefully will bear fruit in the future, was an added bonus.
Talking of education it was encouraging to note that 'Black Gold' was shown to staff and students at Scarborough 6th Form College. St Augustine's RC Secondary School organised a Fairtrade Fair, with pupils baking a tempting display of cakes and biscuits made using Fairtrade ingredients. The Fair was attended by the Borough Mayor Mrs Janet Jefferson who enjoyed looking at a display of the pupils work on Fairtrade and sampling their cooking. George Pindar Community Sports College's Fairtrade enterprise teams visited two local primary schools at Eastfield and Seamer and organised fun workshops which included Fairtrade food tasting, offering an explanation of the benefits of buying Fairtrade goods and highlighting how Fairtrade helps people all over the globe.
The town centre stall in Scarborough on both Saturdays attracted a lot of attention and this couldn't happen without the rota of willing volunteers and the support of Scarborough Borough Council who waive the fees.
Scalby's Big Brew feast was well attended
The Fairtrade Feast at Scalby was well attended and provided an opportunity for the diners to hear a first hand account of the value of Fairtrade to local third world communities, from Mr Ian Carter-Brown who had very recently returned from India. There was also an opportunity to begin to appreciate the very wide range of Fairtrade products now available in the retail outlets throughout the Borough some of which were on display. Similar displays were also mounted at other venues, highlighting the importance of making 'Everyday a Fairtrade Day' -a sentiment boldly displayed in Westborough Methodist Church Coffee lounge.
On the 29th Feb I attended Scarborough Film Club's Screening of 'Amazing Grace' with it's moving message of the importance of persistence in the face of opposition so graphically exemplified in Wilberforce's anti-slavery campaign. This theme of the importance of 'keeping on' recurred in the very moving sketches of Credo at Queen Street on March 8th as we were dramatically but simply reminded of why we are all involved with Fairtrade. For me the linking of Fairtrade Fortnight with prayers for Justice and Peace was very special and I really appreciated the Iona style worship at Ravenscar on March 2nd and as the final act of the Fortnight at St Mark's Newby at 4.00p.m.at the close of their 'Big Brew' on the 9th March. So we go forward, encouraged to submit our bid to be a Fairtrade Borough…..and then the work really starts!!
Diane.
We thought you might like to see the certificates which were presented at Scarborough Uni the other month (see our story on the news page.
While your webmaster has been static of late (see below...) the rest of the Scarborough Fairtrade Action Group has been very busy, and with Fairtrade Fortnight starting soon the work doesn't let up! So here's a roundup of recent events. See our upcoming events page for details of events in Fairtrade Fortnight and others.
January 11th saw a ceremony to mark the Scarborough campus of the University of Hull being granted Fairtrade status and being recognised as a "flagship employer" in the town. Engaging with a flagship employer is one of the goals the Scarborough Fairtrade Action Group had to achieve before the area can be granted Fairtrade status by the Fairtrade Foundation.
Left to right, Tom Metcalfe, vice-president Scarborough Students' Union, Janet Jefferson, Scarborough's mayor, local MP Robert Goodwill, Craig Gaskell, Dean of Scarborough Campus, and our own Chairman Diane Robinson presenting the certificates to the assembled press photographers!
Presenting Craig Gaskell, Dean of Scarborough campus, with the certificate from the Fairtrade Foundation conferring Fairtrade University status, local MP Robert Goodwill said, "Fair trade isn't just about helping people in the developing world. The Fairtrade campaign is also linked to helping the local economy and the environment by encouraging people to buy locally whenever they can."
Also at the same ceremony Scarborough mayor, Janet Jefferson, presented a certificate to Mr Gaskell recognising the Scarborough campus as a Flagship Employer. She said: "Scarborough Council is supportive of the group's ambition to achieve Fairtrade status for the borough. I buy Fairtrade produce whenever I can, and I also shop in the indoor market to support local traders and producers most days. I will do whatever I can to help the group achieve their aim of creating a Fairtrade borough."
Another criterion to be met before we can be granted Fairtrade Borough status was also met on January 11th with the publication of a directory listing Fairtrade outlets in the Borough. Five thousand of the leaflets have been printed and are now being widely circulated.
The leaflet was designed by Committee member Pete Redwood and invites people to let us know of any nerrors or omissions which can be incorporated into a larger and more comprehensive version next year.
If you find any outlets selling or providing Fairtrade goods, do please let us know by email, or see our contacts page.
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The Scarborough Methodist Circuit is now officially a Fairtrade Circuit with all eleven churches having obtained their Fairtrade certificate. It's a real cause for rejoicing and encouragement. Folk in all eleven churches have worked hard to reach and maintain this position and continue in the task of raising the profile of Fairtrade and Trade Justice in this part of the Borough. Mark Haynes, the Superintendent Minister, deserves a lot of the credit for keeping the momentum going. The eleven churches are:
Although The Diocese of York committed itself in 2005 to becoming a Fairtrade Diocese the take-up in the Church of England has been relatively slow. Last october the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, launched a "chocolate challenge", in which he asked consumers "to buy only Fairtrade chocolate from now on". So why not encourage your parish to seek formal recognition as a Fairtrade Church? More details from Scarborough Fairtrade Action Group, or from the Fairtrade Foundation website.
Top of pageVolunteers are always needed to man the Action group's monthly stall in Westborough. It's an opportunity to interest people in faitrade and the sales are a source of income for the group. Click here for a list of the dates and the telephone number of the organiser.
The webmaster's computer has been very sick - three times! - in the last couple of months and with other commitments as well there hasn't been time to update the website as it should have been. My sincere apologies for the gaps. It did, however, give me a chance to tidy up some of the site to make it a little more logical to navigate. For example, the stories of retailers who have 'gone fairtrade' now have a page of their own: if you have a business and would like to contribute to this section to encourage others we would be delighted to hear from you! Contact details are on our contacts page.
Top of pageOne of the criteria for being awarded Fairtrade Borough status is that we publish a directory of businesses who sell or provide Fairtrade goods, including workplaces which serve Fairtrade coffee and tea in their canteens and offices and so on. The steering group has beavered away collecting this information which can be see on our outlets page.
IF YOU SHOULD BE IN THE DIRECTORY please let us know as soon as possible! You can email us or write to Scarborough Fairtrade Action Group, c/o Scarborough District CVS, Allatt House, 5 West Parade, Scarborough YO12 5ED, or telephone 01723 370710
The Business Breakfast at the St Nicholas Hotel was voted a great success! Over 25 local businesses were represented, and the ideas flowed as freely as the excellent cooked breakfast! THe event gave a much-needed infusion of new enthusiasm to the steering group who are now working to develop more and better links with local businesses. Watch this space!
Action Group chairman, Diane Robinson, writes:
The Fairtrade Fashion show at St Mary's House, Scarborough, on Saturday 6th October was a roaring success. More than 90 people came to eat a harvest supper followed by a fashion show. Viewers were treated to a variety of fashionable clothes ranging from 'going out' attire to pyjamas, winter woollies, casual gear and 'Pants to Poverty' underwear.
Sales of clothes on the evening raised a whopping £500 for St Mary's Rainbow Centre. The clothes came from People Tree, Fairchild's Green Shop, the Fairtrade shop in Gillygate (York) and Traidcraft. In all, an excellent evening of fun, awareness-raising and information about Fairtrade Fashion.
This month, in line with company policy, the store is focusing on "Sourcing with integrity". As part of this month's focus, Sainsbury's have offered Fairtrade Towns groups an open invite to visit local stores and meet with store managers to discuss ways in which Sainsbury's and Fairtrade Town groups could work together in the future. This could include activities over Fairtrade Fortnight, support with tasting events etc.Between August 16th and September 11th we are promised a big promotion of Fairtrade goods. Our ‘Lets make Scarborough Fayre fair!’ leaflets are to be made available to customers during the promotion period.
All staff have been given Fairtrade pin badges to wear and will be briefed on what Fairtrade is about. There will a “greeter” on the doors on Thursday to encourage customers to buy Fairtrade goods (with double Nectar points for the duration of the promotion). Lots of displays around the store are planned with descriptive “shelf barkers” explaining Fairtrade.
They have taken six Fairtrade Foundation posters and have agreed to display all those possible so if you’re in there, see if you can spot one.
They have also agreed to supply a copy of their current stock list and to supply updates on request so that we can confirm that the range of Fairtrade goods is increasing all the time.
We hope the store will have received some Fairtrade Cotton goods in to coincide with this promotion.
Pete and Ros raised many other issues with Fiona, ranging from where Fairtrade goods are positioned on shelves to the criteria required for becoming a Fairtrade employer, and felt that it was a very positive meeting. Plans are already in hand for manning a stand in the store during Fairtrade Fortnight 2008, on the two Saturdays, March 1st and 8th The stand is available to us for as long as the store is open!!!!!!!!!!! Volunteers and ideas required!
For more on Sainsbury's and their commitment to Faitrade, please see see their website
On May 1st 2007 an offer of advisory and financial support from the Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Fairtrade Project was accepted by the Scarborough Group. The project's overarching aim is to develop a regional commitment to fair trade and to support zones, towns and cities across the region in achieving Fairtrade status. This Project, which aims to share existing regional knowledge and good practice in the area of fair trade across the Yorkshire and the Humber region and finishes in March 2008, is funded by the Regional Centre of Excellence which aims to improve local government efficiency. The Project, therefore, required the support of the local authority for the campaign to make Scarborough into a Fairtrade Borough and this was achieved on April 30th 2007, when Scarborough Borough Council (SBC) voted to accept the recommendations of the report written by Councillor Jonathan Dixon. Achieving Goal 1, Local Authority Support, is a major step towards being recognised as a Fairtrade Borough.
David Gomersall, the Council's Corporate Procurement Officer, has been designated as the link person between the Project and SBC and we very much appreciate the help and support David is giving to the campaign as he oversees the implementation of the recommendations of the report.
For more on this news and a full list of the agreed goals and Action Plan please see the full documents.
The Co-operative has been a strong supporter of the Fairtrade movement since 1992 - see their Co-op fairtrade website for more details. Now they have introduced their own brand Faitrade tea, and they're to be the first outlet to offer Fairtrade grapefruit!
And now we've heard that all Co-operative stores are to serve fairtrade tea and coffee in their staff canteens, so we've added a new category to our outlets page - fairtrade workplaces! If you know of one, or of any other fairtrade outlet not yet on our list, please let us know!
The Fairtrade Research group has reported very positively to the Environment and Heritage Scrutiny Committee of North Yorkshire County Council. Diane has prepared an extract from the report which can be read on our newsletter and reports page, and it contains a link where the full report can be read - warning: the full report is very lengthy!
Pete Redwood wrote:
Details of FT Campaign Day at Newcastle have just been released - Saturday 13th October at the Civic Centre, Newcastle. There's a form to complete on the website http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/events_campaignday.htm for anybody who wishes to go but they to their names in quickly.I went to the one in Leeds last year. Well worthwhile.
See our events page for more on the Campaign days and a link to a booking form.
Of course our campaign costs money! So we are delighted that there is a very strong possibility of grants to help us to buy a banner for the Saturday stall in Town, to target key faith communities in the Borough, and to hold a business breakfast in town to encourage local businesses to join the campaign to make us a Fair Trade Borough. if you know of any possible sources of funding, please let usknow!
Big Brew Day saw a number of events around the Borough, at least two of which made it to the pages of the Scarborough Evening News! Look on our picture gallery for some more submitted photos!