The Tees Valley Fairtrade Boroughs (Hartlepool, Stockton & Middlesbrough) have been named as runner up for the most imaginative campaign in this year’s prestigious Fairtrade Fortnight Awards in recognition of their local ‘Go Bananas’ event
The award winners were presented with prizesby George Alagiah at the national Fairtrade Supporters Conference in London on Saturday 10th October The Hartlepool Fairtrade Town Steering Group was represented by Jennifer Kelly (front left of the picture)
‘The judges were really impressed with the way that the three groups in the Tees Valley teamed up and worked together to create maximum impact in Going Bananas for Fairtrade. It was a really creative idea and sounded quite complicated to pull off, but through working together you managed to reach a lot of new people – especially bemused passengers on the train!’
2 - FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT 2010
Winners of the primary school Faitrad bag competition
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and the designer dress made (almost) entirely from Fairtrade cotton bags
3. When you take the Grand Central Trains to and from HARTLEPOOL you can now enjoy Fairtrade Coffee and Fairtrade Speciality Tea.
Every year we drink 31 billion cups of coffee in the UK!
How much of what you pay goes to the farmer? On average small coffee farmers receive just 1.5 pence from a cappuccino that costs the consumer £1.75 here.
What is Fairtrade?
An alternative to conventional international trade
Many farmers in developing countries have to contend with fluctuating prices that may not even cover what it costs to produce their crop. Fairtrade is a trading partnership that focuses on sustainable development for poorer producers. It does this by providing better trading conditions, raising awareness of their situation and campaigning. Fairtrade promises a stable price and a long term trading relationship, guaranteeing producers a better deal.
Fairtrade practices are designed to guarantee
> That the producers receive a minimum price for their goods that always covers their costs > Long-term and more direct trading relations > A premium for producers to invest in their communities – clean water, health care, education etc.
The FAIRTRADE Mark on a product guarantees that it meets international Fairtrade standards governed by The Fairtrade Labeling Organisations International (FLO), a body representing and coordinating national organisations. Visit their website at: www.fairtrade.net. In the United Kingdom Fairtrade standards and certification are overseen by The Fairtrade Foundation. No product can carry the FAIRTRADE Mark unless it has been licenced by the Fairtrade Foundation, FLO or other LI as compliant with internationally agreed Fairtrade standards as audited by the FLO.
Hartlepool declared a Fairtrade Town
History of our Fairtrade declaration: In 2004 the Hartlepool for Global Peace & Justice Group mounted a campaign to have Hartlepool declared a Fairtrade Town. Following a presentation to and support from Hartlepool Strategic Partnership, the idea was taken on board by Hartlepool Borough Council, and in July 2005 Hartlepool became the first of the four Teesside Boroughs to become a Fairtrade Town, with the certificate being presented during the maritime festival. See photo below.
Photo from left to right: Mr Martin Green - Chair of Hartlepool Fairtrade Town Steering Group, Anthony Day - English Martyrs Young Cooperatives pupil , Jane Wilkinson - Chairman's Lady, Councillor Carl Richardson - Chairman of the Council, Stuart Drummond - Mayor of Hartlepool and Philip Warnes - English Martyrs Young Cooperatives pupil.
Becoming a Fairtrade Town is a prestigious honour, which enables a town to show its commitment to supporting Fairtrade across all sectors of the community, and a number of bodies demonstrated their support.
What is a Fairtrade Town?
There are five goals set by the Fairtrade Foundation to become a Fairtrade Town
1. The local council must pass a resolution supporting Fairtrade, and serve Fairtrade coffee and tea at its meetings and in offices and canteens. 2. A range of Fairtrade products must be readily available in the area’s shops and served in local cafés and catering establishments (targets are set in relation to population, therefore Hartlepool must have at least 17 shops and 9 catering establishments) 3. Fairtrade products must be used by a number of local work places (estate agents, hairdressers etc) and community organisations (churches, schools etc) 4. Attract media coverage and popular support for the campaign 5. A local Fairtrade steering group must be convened to ensure continued commitment to Fairtrade Town status.
Hartlepool and Fairtrade
In 2004 the council signed up to a resolution (view the resolution on the 'Contact Us & Other Info' page) to become a Fairtrade Council, recognised as actively supporting and promoting the concept of Fairtrade - by residents, visitors, the local business community, its own employees, suppliers and other local authorities. The Council will pursue this aim as part of its wider commitment to social responsibility. As part of this commitment the council now serves Fairtrade tea and coffee as standard in its meetings.
A Hartlepool Fairtrade Town Steering Group was set up and meets regularly to promote Fairtrade in the town. It has a voluntary chair and a secretary from the Council. Members represent
If you would like any more information about fair trade in Hartlepool, about becoming a Fairtrade organisation, or if you have any comments, corrections or additions to the premises listed on this site, please contact us at fairtrade@hartlepool.gov.uk
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