Wolverhampton Celebrates Fairtrade City Milestone
Wolverhampton Fairtrade celebrated a milestone in their history on Friday as campaigners and supporters from across the city gathered to celebrate the 21st anniversary of Wolverhampton first gaining its Fairtrade city status back in 2004.
A special event was held at the Civic Mayors Parlour in the presence of Mayor Linda Leach and her Consort.
Brenda Shuttleworth from the Wolverhampton Fairtraid shop paid tribute to Mavis McManus who was the first pioneering women to campaign for Fairtrade in the city.
Clare Short, former MP for Ladywood and Minister of State for development of the United Kingdom remembered Lord Bilston Dennis Turner MP and his part in helping the city gain its status.
Amongst the guests and dignitaries were young people from Bilston C of E Primary School, Wolverhampton Girls High School and Barcroft Primary who showcased their Fairtrade posters and recited poetry.
Pupils from Ormiston SWB Academy Bilston entertained the guests with guitar music and singing.
12-year-old Layla Perry, from Ormiston SWB Academy the current Wolverhampton Young Fairtrade Campaigner of the year read her moving poetry, and 12-year-old Mia Bedi gave a passionate and inspiring speech about child poverty and child labour and why buying Fairtrade is so important.
Chair of Wolverhampton City Fairtrade Partnership Julia Farrell said:
" What an incredible event we have had today. While we look back and applaud the incredible achievements over the last 21 years we also look to the future, and I am overwhelmed with the young people who came and joined us today.
With young caring compassionate young people like this representing our great city the future of Wolverhampton Fairtrade is in very good hands indeed.
Here's to the next 21years of us proudly declaring 'Wolverhampton is a proud Fairtrade City'
#BeTheChange this Fairtrade Fortnight
Shoppers are being encouraged to do their bit and help over two million farmers and workers across 58 countries to earn a fairer wage as Wolverhampton marks Fairtrade Fortnight from today (Monday 9 September 2024).
It's 30 years since Fairtrade products first hit the shelves and this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight campaign is shining the spotlight on how consumers can #BeTheChange, by choosing Fairtrade every time.
Councillor Obaida Ahmed, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Digital and Community, said: "This year’s campaign will highlight that however big or small a purchase you make this Fairtrade Fortnight, you have the power to #BeTheChange.
"When you choose Fairtrade, you contribute to a fairer, more sustainable future for food production, help ensure farmers receive a fairer price for what they grow and help rebalance power in supply chains."
To mark the start of Fairtrade Fortnight, Wolverhampton's Fair Traid Shop is opening in its new home at Shop in the Square in the Mander Centre for the first time today and will be open Monday to Saturday from 10am-5pm and Sundays from 11am-3pm.
Also, over the next couple of weeks, Jools Farrell, Chair of Wolverhampton City Fairtrade Partnership, will be giving a talk to members of the Midcounties Co-operative as part of its Fairtrade Fortnight celebrations.
The Partnership will be hosting its AGM next Tuesday 20 September in the presence of The Mayor of Wolverhampton Councillor Linda Leach and distinguished guests during which an inaugural annual award will be presented to a young person who goes above and beyond in supporting Fairtrade in Wolverhampton. Wolves Foundation will also be giving a presentation about its work with the Partnership to promote Fairtrade in the city's schools.
Meanwhile, the Partnership will also be using Fairtrade Fortnight to work on celebrations to mark 21 years of Wolverhampton being a Fairtrade City in 2025.
Jools said: “The Fairtrade movement and campaigning has been monumental in putting Wolverhampton on the map, showing our city to be a fair, ethical and sustainable city, and we are going to be doing a year of events to celebrate this in 2025, including the creation of a book on the social history of Fairtrade in Wolverhampton over the last 21 years from when it started to the present day.
"It's very exciting and we are always looking for any businesses, faith groups, schools or societies to join us on the Partnership to help promote Fairtrade in our city."
For more information, email joolsfarrell@hotmail.co.uk or join the Wolverhampton City Fairtrade Partnership group on Facebook.
To find out more about the Fairtrade movement, please visit www.fairtrade.org.uk.
Wolverhampton City Fairtrade Partnership AGM, Friday 14th July 2023
Wolverhampton City Fairtrade Partnership were delighted to hold its 2023 AGM, on Friday 14th July, at the Change Maker Hub based at Wolverhampton Railway Station. The event was well attended and refreshments were gratefully received from sponsors Midcounties Co-operative.
Guests heard about why Wolverhampton is recognised as a Fairtrade city and partner organisations ongoing support for the work that the Partnership do. Key speakers included The Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Mike Hardacre who also opened the event; Pat McFadden MP; Brenda Shuttleworth, outgoing Chair of the Fairtrade Partnership; John Roseblade Director of Resident Services at City of Wolverhampton Council and Marnie Richards, Young People Engagement Co-ordinator at Midcounties Co-operative.
The Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Mike Hardacre and Fairtrade Partnership Chair, Julia Farrell, had the pleasure of presenting the Lord Dennis Turner Award to outgoing Fairtrade Partnership Secretary Brenda Shuttleworth for her services to Fairtrade in the city for over many years. Ann Bickley was this years joint recipient of the award for her services to Fairtrade in schools across the city for over 35 years.
Wolverhampton City Fairtrade Partnership AGM, Thursday 12th May 2022
Wolverhampton City Fairtrade Partnership held their AGM on Thursday 12th May 2022 at City of Wolverhampton College. They were hosted by the catering and hospitality students who served a wonderful 3 course dinner using Fairtrade ingredients where possible and were rewarded with a round of applause for their efforts.
Lady Bilston was guest of honour and was presented with a bouquet of Fairtrade flowers on behalf of the Partnership. Her late husband - Lord Bilston - Dennis Turner MP - was instrumental in promoting and supporting the work of the Partnership across Wolverhampton over many years.
Julia Farrell, Chair of the Partnership, said ''We are delighted to have had the opportunity to once more hold our AGM at the college. The students were amazing and looked after us all so well and we wish them every success in their future careers. We would also like to thank everyone who continues to support us across the city in the work we do to ensure Wolverhampton remains a certified Fairtrade city.’’
Wolverhampton City Fairtrade Partnership AGM, Thursday 21 October 2021
The Fairtrade Partnership’s 2021 AGM was hosted by University of Wolverhampton. The Lord Bilston Dennis Turner awards were presented by the Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Greg Brakenridge to outgoing Wolverhampton City Fairtrade Partnership Chair Dr Barbara Gwinnett and outgoing Treasurer Ganesh De.
Wolverhampton City Fairtrade Partnership AGM, Friday 7 February 2020
The Fairtrade Partnership’s 2020 AGM was hosted by the University of Wolverhampton, with a fairtrade breakfast, and attended by the Mayor and her Consort. It was attended by MPs, faith groups and other representatives from across the city.
Wildside Environment Day. St Andrews Church, Whitmore Reans, Saturday 18 February 2020
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Contact: Julia Farrell, Chair of Wolverhampton City Fairtrade Partnership – Email: joolsfarrell@hotmail.co.uk – Mobile: 07913 920 786