At this month’s full Council meeting, Ilkley Town Council unanimously voted to continue its support for Ilkley Fairtrade Group and Fairtrade.

Cllr Linda Brown, Ilkley Town Council’s representative on Ilkley Fairtrade Group’s steering committee, said: “I am really pleased that Ilkley Town Council has reiterated its wholehearted support for Fairtrade in the town. I have been impressed by Ilkley Fairtrade Group’s commitment to educating us all about what better trade can, and should, look like.”

Ilkley Town Council’s renewed commitment to supporting Fairtrade was further demonstrated when Deputy Town Mayor, Cllr Amanda Simmonds, joined Ilkley Fairtrade Group members to promote this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight campaign.

Braving the rain, supporters gathered at Ilkley Bandstand to launch the ‘Brew it Fair’ campaign for a fairer tea trade.

Chair of Ilkley Fairtrade Group, Karen Palframan, commented: “We’re delighted that Ilkley residents have the opportunity to try a wide range of Fairtrade teas, and will hopefully find one they love and want to swap to. The local supermarkets and Ilkley Oxfam all stock a range of Fairtrade tea. Each Fairtrade purchase will contribute directly to more sustainable global trade, at a time when many tea growers are facing lower yields, harsher conditions and rising poverty.”

Do it Fair this Fairtrade Fortnight
This Fairtrade Fortnight will be taking place 22 September – 05 October 2025. Over these fourteen days we’ll be asking each of you to Do it Fair.

We’ll be celebrating the difference we can all make when we choose Fairtrade and campaign as part of a UK-wide movement calling for a fairer system behind the things we consume every day.?

With the world in a tailspin,? fairness isn’t a given.? But the power to get there is in our hands.? Together, our actions can have a positive impact? on real people’s lives.? Fairer pay. Fairer treatment. Fairer futures.? That’s Fairtrade.? It’s not just a label – it’s a movement.? So, whatever you do,? and however you do it:? Do it Fair.

As part of Fairtrade Fortnight, we’re asking the UK government to Brew it Fair. Like all of us, the people growing and picking our tea deserve to be able to plan for their futures, and to protect themselves from the impacts of climate change. Take action by signing our petition and asking your MP to Brew it Fair.

Sign the Petition

Ask your MP to Brew it Fair

Join the Fairtrade Fortnight online High Tea Talk

This Fairtrade Fortnight, we’re inviting you to take a relaxing moment with your favourite cup of tea and connect with the people behind it on Thursday 25 September at 6pm.

Join our online High Tea Talk via Zoom with Fairtrade Foundation CEO, Eleanor Harrison, and Nancy Githaigo a Fairtrade tea farmer and manager of the Gatunguru Tea Factory in Kenya.

The organisation Christian Concern for One World has produced a suite of Fairtrade Fortnight resources for churches. The materials offer information for services as well as general information about Fairtrade, Fairtrade Fortnight and possible activities.

The main resource can be downloaded from the Christian Concern for One World website

Prayer and preaching resources, including a reflection on tea, can be found at: Prayer, preaching and study – Christian Concern for One World.

At the Cow and Calf rocks

Bradford Fairtrade Zone members from Fairtrade Baildon and Fairtrade Ilkley lead a very enjoyable, sunny walk on 2nd August, on leg 5 of the Bradford District Fair Trade Way as part of the City of Culture’s “Bradford on Foot” programme.

After setting out from Burley-in-Wharfedale, the walkers arrived in Ilkley to enjoy the party atmosphere as the town’s extensive Yorkshire Day celebrations continued.

Journey’s end in Ilkley by the new sphagnum moss fountain.

Hull Fairtrade Partnership has continued to mark Hull’s 20th year of maintaining Fairtrade City status with the unveiling of a redesigned flower bed in the city centre.

The vibrant Fairtrade mark is now on display on the corner of Ferensway and Freetown Way, on the same day that Hull City Council reaffirmed its commitment to the movement.

Throughout 2025, in addition to the regular Fairtrade campaigns and events to promote the ethos of social justice that fair, ethical and sustainable trade brings, Hull Fairtrade Partnership, of which Hull City Council is an important consumer, opinion leader and key member, is linking with other initiatives to mark the milestone.

This include Great Big Green Week, a celebration of community-led action on climate change, in which the message that there is no climate justice without trade justice was reinforced.

Maintaining this momentum over two decades is a cause for celebration for Hull Fairtrade Partnership and this is the first time the city centre flowerbeds have been used to promote this.

The Fairtrade Partnership members together with members of the Hull City Council grounds team responsible for installing the display

Do come and join us for…

The Fairtrade Yorkshire Annual Conference on Saturday 5th July 2025

Christchurch, The Grove, Ilkley LS29 9LW

(Just a couple of minutes walk from the Station and from the main car park)

12 noon until 3pm

Free of charge but please book using the link below

Free tea, coffee and biscuits

Chance to browse an extensive stall of Fair Trade goods

·       Come hear Matt Oliver from Fair Trade importer and online retailer, True Origin. Matt is also the custodian of Fair Trade sports ball brand, Bala Sports.

·       Presentations from two schools

·       Sharon Clay from Fairtrade Hull will speak about their year of events

·       Chance to chat with other Fair Trade supporters about achievements, challenges and plans

Do come and join us. All Fair Trade supporters are welcome.

Book here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ fairtrade-yorkshire- conference-tickets- 1380899620939?utm-campaign= social&utm-content= attendeeshare&utm-medium= discovery&utm-term=listing& utm-source=cp&aff= ebdsshcopyurl

Fair Trade supporters celebrated World Fair Trade Day on 10th May by walking the Fair Trade Way.

In Thornton village

World Fair Trade Day shines a spotlight on the transformative power of the Fair Trade business model and its positive impact on people’s lives and communities.

The walk began in the village of Thornton in Bradford Fairtrade Zone and concluded at Bradford City Hall, where supporters were met by the Lord Mayor of Bradford.

Do check out the Fair Trade Way tab (above) to view guides to some of the Fair Trade Ways in the Bradford area.

At Bradford City Hall with the Lord Mayor

Celebrating its 20th birthday as a Fairtrade City, roads leading into Hull will be marked with a Fairtrade sign.

Priory Way, Hessle Road, Boothferry Road, Anlaby Road, Priory Road, Bricknell Avenue, Endike Lane, Raich Carter Way, Wawne Road and Ganstead Lane are the chosen locations for the signs.

Hull City councillor Julia Conner states that “Hull has shown ongoing support for fairtrade for 20 years, challenging unfair trade practices and making a stand for decent workers’ rights, safer working conditions and fairer pay for farmers and workers globally.”

We have known for some time that all roads lead to Hull but now they will be marked with a Fairtrade sign.

Mark Dawson of Fairtrade Yorkshire commented “the signs are a visible symbol of the commitment of the City of Hull to fairness and justice for those who produce the goods that we all enjoy.”

Fairtrade Settle is celebrating the putting up of two Fairtrade Town signs in prominent places: on Skipton Road and close to the Football Ground.

Fairtrade Community signs erected in Settle. Photo by Tim Smith. 

The variety of Fair Trade goods available in the town has been greatly increased by the establishment of a regular Fair Trade stall. This is held on the last Wednesday of every month at St John’s Methodist Church. Melanie, Chair of Fairtrade Settle describes the new sale as “a great initiative.”

Mark Dawson, of Fairtrade Yorkshire comments “Fairtrade Settle is Yorkshire’s newest Fairtrade Town and it’s great to see them hit the ground running,”

There’s certainly no settling down. Fairtrade Settle are on the up.