Fairtrade Malmesbury
It had been the Justice and Peace Group's intention to embrace an ongoing campaign with special relevance to the town of Malmesbury. The focus during the last couple of years has been the acquisition of Fairtrade Town status for Malmesbury.
This aim was the subject of the Malmesbury Justice and Peace Group meeting on the 6th June 2007. Colette Som gave an informative and interesting account of the Fairtrade movement, with a focus on the Tradecraft organisation. She also described the steps that had to be taken for Malmesbury to achieve "Fairtrade Town" status.
Following this meeting, Malmesbury Town Council voted on a resolution supporting Fairtrade Town status. This was followed by the setting up of the Town Council Fairtrade Committee, a group to coordinate the various activities that had to be undertaken to achieve the status. Further information on the Fairtrade Town status five goals can be found here. Members of the Justice and Peace Group were on this committee.
On 23rd February 2008, during "Fairtrade Fortnight", the committee organised a market stall to raise awareness about Fairtrade Town status and to promote Fairtrade products. Members of the Justice and Peace Group contributed to organising and running this event.
On the 8th March 2008, the film Black Gold was jointly sponsored with Malmesbury Film Club and the Fairtrade Committee and was considered a success in terms of numbers, publicity and influence on the move towards Fairtrade status in the town.
Fairtrade Town status was awarded to Malmesbury in July 2008.
A celebration event was held on 12th July
2008, when a certificate of Fairtrade Town status was presented by
the Fairtrade Foundation
to
the Mayor.
Fairtrade supporters and
organisations that helped to make Malmesbury a
Further information about Malmesbury's achievement of Fairtrade Town status,
a list of local organisations that are "Fairtraders" and future plans can be
found on the Malmesbury Portal and the Town Council website.
See the Fairtrade Foundation website for more information about the Fairtrade movement.