Shipley is a Fairtrade Town!
Philip Davies [MP for Shipley] and Barbara Judd [Fairtrade Shipley Convenor] celebrate Shipley's Fairtrade Town status 2005
On 15th August 2005 our MP, Philip Davies, received the Fairtrade Foundation's Certificate on behalf of the people of Shipley from Barbara Judd, convenor of the Shipley Fairtrade Town Steering Group. The presentation took place outside Shipley Library and the Certificate is on display inside. But this is just the start.
A significant factor contributing to the extreme poverty in Third World countries is the injustice of the world's trading system - which we in the West benefit from whenever we go shopping. For us to be able to fill our trolleys with cheap groceries, the growers in poor countries must work long hours for a pittance - not even enough to buy food or medicine for their children or to send them to school. Now the people of Shipley can put their purchasing power to work for justice by choosing to buy fairly traded goods, thus encouraging the shops to stock more.
Within a year of its formation, the Shipley Fairtrade Town Steering group has managed to achieve its first objective - recognition for Shipley from the Fairtrade Foundation. They attribute this success to their grassroots origins, having lots of connections with Shipley churches and making more contacts through several Neighbourhood Forums. It is ordinary shoppers who will make or break the Fairtrade campaign through the choices they make on a day-to-day basis. It is only consumer pressure that will keep Fairtrade goods on sale and broaden their range. The loyal support of enthusiastic volunteers is crucial to the success of publicity events that encourage more shoppers to look out for the Fairtrade logo.
Progress by Fairtrade Shipley
Shipley Fairtrade Group attended all the 2007 Shipley Fun Days and awarded Fairtrade basket balls and wine to the winners of the free quizzes.
The group will serve refreshments at the Eco Fair at the Kirkgate Centre on 3rd November and have a quiz, with a prize every hour, at the Peace Fair at Victoria Hall on Sat 17th November.
Shipley Fairtrade Town status has been renewed by the national Fairtrade Foundation.
Fairtrade stall and quiz at Saltaire Festival 2007
Fairtrade man in Shipley
Shipley Fairtrade Group update June 2008
100 people attended the Fairtrade tea and coffee tasting and showing of the film ‘Black Gold’ at St Margaret’s Frizinghall in Fairtrade Fortnight.
Shipley College is almost ready to apply for Fairtrade College status from the Fairtrade Foundation.
Shipley Fairtrade Group members have been active in schools. One member spent a morning at Nab Wood School promoting the understanding of Fairtrade. Fairtrade assemblies have been held at Saltaire and St Walburga’s Primary Schools. These schools took part in Fairtrade competitions and some of the entries were displayed in Shipley Library at the beginning of June.
The group are planning to produce a set of postcards with views of some of Shipley’s Fairtrade premises. The aim is to promote Shipley’s Fairtrade status.
