Fair Trade
Fair Trade


Wymondham's Bid to become the first Fairtrade Town in Norfolk

Wymondham a Fairtrade Town?
What do you know about Fair Trade and Fairtrade products? Do you sell, buy or serve fair trade products such as coffee, tea, sugar or chocolate?

Members of the newly formed Wymondham Fairtrade Steering Group will be posing these questions to Wymondham businesses as they conduct a local survey of awareness and use of Fairtrade products.

Following the initial well-supported public meeting in June, a plan of action is being formulated to make Wymondham Norfolk's first Fair Trade Town.

"Our goals are to raise awareness of Fairtrade products in Wymondham and achieve Fairtrade Town status during 2006," said Doug Underwood, Chair of the newly formed steering group.

For more information on these issues please contact Kay Southgate, secretary, kaysouthgate@wymondhamhigh.norfolk.sch.uk

Fair trade Public Meeting 29th June 2005
There was a good turnout to the first Fair Trade public meeting held on 29th June 2005 in the Fairland Church Centre, Wymondham.

The idea of Wymondham becoming a Fair Trade town came from Wymondham resident, Mr Robert Curley, who had seen it achieved in Keswick, where he used to live.

The meeting heard from Margaret and Philip Hunter who are involved with Fair Trade in Norwich and with their group succeeded in getting Fairtrade status for Norwich.

Fairtrade is a trading partnership based on dialogue, transparency and respect which seeks a greater equity in international trade and is operated under the Fairtrade Foundation. It guarantees disadvantaged producers and workers in developing countries a fair and stable price for their products. 90% of fair trade goods is coffee but also includes tea, chocolate, sugar, bananas, citrus fruits, wines and biscuits.

For Wymondham to achieve Fairtrade status the following criteria have to be met:
  • The local council must pass a resolution supporting Fairtrade and serve Fairtrade coffee and tea at meetings and in offices and canteens.
  • A range of Fairtrade products must be readily available in the area's local shops and served in local cafes and catering establishments.
  • Fairtrade products must be used by a number of local workplaces (such as shops, estate agents, hairdressers, etc.) and community organisations (such as churches and schools, etc.)
  • There must be popular support for the campaign.
  • A local Fairtrade steering group must be set up to work towards achieving Fairtrade status and to ensure a continued commitment thereafter.

    The meeting approved this in principle and the following volunteered to be members of the Steering Group: Trevor Brown, Ruth East, Patrick Harrison, Kay Southgate, Christine Spur, Doug Underwood, Mike Welton and Horace Wilkinson.


    Fair trade for Wymondham?
    Could Wymondham be one of the first Fair trade towns in Norfolk?

    An initiative led by Horace Wilkinson of Wymondham Development Partnership to promote the issues and ethics of Fair trade is gaining momentum.

    The next step is a public meeting to be held on Wednesday 29th June 2005 at 7.30pm, with refreshments from 7.15pm, at the Fairland Church Centre, Fairland Green, Wymondham.

    At the meeting two speakers from Fair trade in Norwich will be talking about what Fair trade is and how to achieve the status of a Fair trade town. A selection of Fair trade products will be on display and for sale. Fair trade products, including, tea, coffee, biscuits, and chocolate, are already available from outlets in the town, including the Health Food Shop, Waitrose and local churches.

    Following a recent presentation to the Town Council, the Mayor, Councillor David Fletcher, said, "I am enthusiastic and supportive of principles of Fair trade and hope Wymondham is successful in its bid to become a Fair trade town."

    Further information from Horace Wilkinson on 01953 602093