The Yorkshire Fairtrade Supporter Conference provided a boost for Fairtrade campaigning in the region. Held at the University of Leeds on 22nd September, attendees were able to learn of the huge amount of activity that was taking place to promote Fairtrade across Yorkshire.

Some of the conference attendees at the University of Leeds

Speakers included: rice farmers from Malawi, Webster Kita and Howard Msukwa; Linda McAvan MEP; Professor Bob Doherty, trustee of the Fairtrade Foundation; Fairtrade Yorkshire Coordinator, Mark Dawson; and Head of Campaigns at the Fairtrade Foundation, Kevin McCullough.

Workshops were held on: the latest developments in Fairtrade, working with social media, ideas for introducing Fairtrade to young people and Fairtrade in places of worship.

Mark Dawson was elected as the new National Campaigner Committee member representing Yorkshire. He paid tribute to the work of his predecessor, Karen Palframan.

With the addition this year of Fairtrade Embsay with Eastby, there are now 38 Fairtrade places across Yorkshire. In recent years new active Fairtrade groups have been established in Morley, a faiths group in Hull, a renewed group in Sheffield and, two years ago, Halifax achieved Fairtrade Town status.

Rev Matt Wright of Lister Hill Baptist, Horsforth, addresses the places of worship workshop

The Yorkshire tour of Malawian rice farmers, Webster Kita and Howard Msukwa, was a great success.  Webster and Howard visited Ilkley, Leeds, Sheffield, Skipton and York and spoke of the issues affecting farmers in Malawi. In Skipton they were given a civic reception from Town Mayor, Alan Hickman. Webster and Howard addressed hundreds of people across their tour and told of the difference their trading partnership with Just Trading Scotland (JTS) has made to the lives of farmers and their families.

Howard and Webster (holding bags of rice) at an event organised by the Fairer World shop in York

Canon John Riches of JTS, who accompanied Webster and Howard, pointed out that although JTS provides some impetus for the farmers, it is the farmers themselves who have created innovative and efficient ways of working in order to face the future. As Webster and Howard explain: ‘the future belongs to the organised.’

Webster and Howard produce the renowned Kilombero rice, regarded as one of the finest available for purchase in the UK. See the JTS online shop.

JTS has challenged schools, as well as churches, colleges and other organisations, to sell 90kg of rice – the amount of rice sold that would enable a Malawian farmer to pay for a year’s basic secondary education for one child.

Click here for more details: 90kg rice challenge

On Saturday 8th September, hundreds of visitors walked round the centre of Baildon, on a drizzly wet day, looking at scarecrows on a theme of Literary Characters. Most children recognised Charlie who stood by a Fairtrade Chocolate Factory, replete with tall mill chimney. They, and their families, were offered Divine Fairtrade Chocolate samples, which were very well received. In all, 520 chocolates were handed out, mainly to the children, suggesting a figure of around 800 visitors who interacted with members of Baildon Fairtrade Group who braved the weather to introduce Charlie.

On 7th September a celebration was held at Halifax Town Hall to mark the renewal of Halifax’s Fairtrade Town status. Halifax has now been a Fairtrade Town for two years. During that time Fairtrade activity has expanded to include many different sectors of life in the town including: the Piece Hall, Halifax Minster, many local schools, community groups and employers.

Halifax MP, Holly Lynch spoke at the event, as did the Coordinator of Fairtrade Yorkshire, Mark Dawson. Mark thanked Holly and Adam Wilkinson for the work that they had put in to ensure that Halifax Fairtrade Town was such a success. Other attendees included: the Mayor and Mayoress of Halifax and the Leader and the CEO of Calderdale Council.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Halifax with the Fairtrade Town renewal certificate