Worldwide Fairtrade Banner in Bradford 2007
The magnificent 3 metre square banner of the world-wide International Fair trade Association (IFAT) was in Bradford on Sunday 22 and Monday 23 March. It had visited 47 countries and attracted vast crowds in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The banner symbolises the global movement of Fairtrade producers and retailers. Since Bradford has been a Fairtrade Zone since 2006, the banner came here on its journey through cities in Britain. It brought a fair trade message which had been read out to thousands in 17 languages. It was read out six times at key fair trade locations in Bradford.
On Sunday 22 April at the Methodist Church, Newton Way, Baildon a ‘Fair trade, not slave trade’ service was held, bringing together the celebrations of the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire and the bounding success since then of fair trade.
Then it was borne ceremonially to Baildon Coop, a flagship retailer for Fairtrade Baildon, where it was received by the manager.
The banner next went to Haworth Fairtrade village; to the accompaniment of Morris Dancers, djembe drummers and a brass band it was carried noisily down Main Street to Haworth Station where it took a journey on the Fairtrade Haworth and Worth Valley Railway.
It was filmed with a fair trade steam locomotive. For photographs of this colourful event please go to http://www.haworth-village.org.uk/events/events.asp
On Monday 23 April the Lord Mayor, Councillor Choudhary Rangzeb, received the banner at a Civic Reception in City Hall. He signed the banner in the name of all the citizens of the District.
Three Bradford College students then paraded the banner to Bradford College where students received it.
Finally three University of Bradford students, from 1300, took it ceremonially to the Treehouse Fairtrade café and the University Atrium where an official of the University received it, and a video of its progress round the world was shown...
This was a great honour for our District. Fair trade in Bradford was recognised for its growing importance in all areas and among all ages in our forward-looking District.
Contact: John D Anderson. Chair of Fairtrade Bradford.
Email. dumelama2000@yahoo.co.uk
