Fairtrade news in Wolverhampton
Local business in Fairtrade t-shirt deal
Wolverhampton not-for-profit company, Revolver World, are now supplying t-shirts made from Fairtrade certified cotton from South India, to Mid-Counties Co-op.
Each t-shirt is sold in a colourful box and retails at £4.99.
Schools achieve Fairtrade status
Two Wolverhampton schools who have achieved Fairtrade School Status, celebrated the last day of the Winter term in Fairtrade style.
Bantock Primary made it a Fairtrade Friday, whilst Bilston Church of England school held a Fairtrade Christmas Fair.
Two other schools working towards Fairtrade status are Our Lady of Lourdes who held a personal health and education day on Fairtrade and Uplands, who held a very successful Fairtrade bazaar.
To back up the schools’ efforts, Wolverhampton's libraries are organising Fairtrade project boxes containing books and relevant materials for circulation to schools.
We hear that more than 2,500 schools across the country have now registered with the Fairtrade schools scheme.
Starbucks joins partnership
Starbucks in Wolverhampton has joined the Wolverhampton City Fairtrade Partnership – that is the steering body which co-ordinates Fairtrade promotion in the City.
The Starbuck Coffee Company has now made a major commitment to purchasing Fairtrade coffee.
From now on, all their espresso and their steamer coffee will be from fairly traded sources.
Fairtrade chocolate is also on sale at all their outlets.
Fairtrade status for church and school
Bilston Church of England and Bantock Primary are two Wolverhampton schools which have just been awarded Fairtrade status.
They were presented with certificates by the City’s Mayor, Councillor Surjan Duhra, on Friday October 30, 2009.
This follows from the year-long course which each school’s teachers and pupils have undertaken in understanding Fairtrade and how it draws a closer link between food producers and their customers and in promoting Fairtrade within the school.
The course forms part of the Community Cohesion programme in which all local schools are involved.
Six other primary schools in the area are now working to achieve Fairtrade status also.
UK and global sales increases for Fairtrade products
Fairtrade success continues in Wolverhampton and in the UK at large. Total sales figures for the UK show a 43% increase in 2008. The increase across the globe in 2008 was 22%.
Jewellery now on display
Wolverhampton Fairtrade is now displaying jewellery at the Darlington Street Methodist Centre Store.
Tara Projects from India is one of the suppliers of beautiful jewellery and zari embroidery, which uses metal thread with beadwork and sequins.
Tara is currently working to fulfil an order for 7,000 Christmas decorations to go on sale in the UK this December. Tara are also suppliers to leading fashion retailer Monsoon.
Autumn catalogue out now
Wolverhampton Fairtrade now has copies of the Traidcraft catalogue for Autumn 2009 which lists and describes 400 new Traidcraft products.
You can pick up a copy of the catalogue from the Fairtrade Store at Darlington Street Methodist Centre. Store times are:
- Wednesday 10am to 4pm and 5.30pm to 7.30pm
- Thursday 5.30pm to 7.30pm
- Friday 11.30am to 2pm.
Just Fayre
Wolverhampton Methodists have committed to having Fairtrade refreshment at all their functions wherever appropriate.
This covers the 23 churches of three former circuits – Trinity, Bilston and Wolverhampton Darlington Street.
Later this year, the circuit will hold its annual Just Fayre – which will include selling Fairtrade goods along with other products.
Just Fayre will be at Fallings Park Methodist Church, Wimborne Road, on Saturday October 17, 2009.
Fairtrade Schools
Lord Turner of Bilston turned up at Bilston Primary School on June 26 to assist at the pupils’ Sports and Fun Day. The school has plans to become a designated Fairtrade school.
Their football team will be kitted out in Fairtrade sportswear and there will be a regular Fairtrade shop on the premises.
Lord Turner is Chair of Wolverhampton City Fairtrade Partnership and used this opportunity to talk to the children about supporting Fairtrade.
Another school awaiting Fairtrade status is Bantock Primary School.