Based in North Yorkshire, From The Source import and sell fair trade and ethical fashion and accessories online and at special markets, events and festivals. In an age of fast fashion, throwaway products and faceless high street shops, from the Source aim to connect their customers with the people that make the products they sell, and promote trade that can help make the world a better place.

Fiona of From The Source having a go at weaving whilst visiting fair trade producers in rural Laos.

From The Source was set up in 2007 when, whilst living and working in Laos, Paul and Fiona were inspired by the rich heritage of traditional crafts, particularly textile production. They made some great contacts, returned to the UK, and started to import textiles and crafts from Laos, providing an opportunity for a range of producers to get their products into international markets, and export to the UK, for the first time.

From the Source specialise in high quality, handwoven, natural textiles – silk and organic cotton scarves and handwoven cotton clothing – gorgeous handmade fabrics that are a joy to wear and admire. From the Source actively support organic cotton farming, the use of natural, botanical dyes, and work directly with organisations that provide training, resources and a sustainable livelihood for the people in some of the poorest countries in the world.

Check out the fabulous From The Source website:

From The Source

There was a great day of sporting activities and ‘global bingo’ organised by Fairtrade Yorkshire’s Hannah Dalrymple.  Fairtrade refreshments were provided by Fairtrade Leeds. Medals were awarded by the Lord Mayor of Leeds and Leeds Rhino’s team players.

Fairtrade activist Cynthia had donated a Fairtrade football which became a lucky draw prize, won by Kirkstall Valley Primary School.

Cynthia Dickinson of Wakefield Fairtrade steering group, took assemblies in the three primary schools using the story of a Fairtrade football. She then asked the children to draw footprints and collect Fairtrade marks over the following couple of weeks. The result was amazing and Cynthia was delighted to revisit the schools with certificates and prizes (footballs and chocolate) for participating youngsters. Shay Lane Primary School children produced a staggering 1312 footprints.

Meanwhile older residents made Footprint Pledges to support Fairtrade. Thanks to librarian Lynne Loy and library staff, hundreds of footprints from school children, library users and local groups such as Crofton Mothers’ Club, Community Cafe, Reading Group and Darby & Joan Club, were on display in Crofton Library.

Here’s video number 1 from Allerton Primary School – Raisin Hope:

Finalist number 2 comes from All Saints School in Otley: The Journey of a Fairtrade Banana.

Number three is also from All Saints School in Otley, called Fairtrade Chocolate Adventure:

Video number 4 is from Miriam Lord Community Primary School – The Journey of a Fairtrade Cocoa Bean

And our final video is from The King’s School in Wakefield – The Lifecycle of a Fairtrade Cocoa Bean.

Congratulations to all five finalists, and again, thanks to everyone who entered.

You can cast your vote by hitting ‘Like’ on the video on the Leeds DEC facebook page (if you have a facebook account), or doing it on YouTube if you have a YouTube or Google account, or just using the voting form below!

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Karen of Fairtrade Bradford (left) & Fair Trade Way founders join the Lord Mayor of Bradford (right)

A series of 9 walks are taking place.  The first ventured to Bingley and the 9th will return to Bradford on 12th May.

Full details can be found at the link below:

Bradford Fair Trade Way

Photo taken at Boar’s well, Bradford

Capoeira dancers at York Fair Trade Market

On the Saturday afternoon at the Fair Trade Market, the annual entertainment event took place with a full musical programme, including the vibrant sound of York Samba and a display of capoeira.  Fair Trade volunteers gave out Fairtrade York map leaflets and spoke to hundreds of people at the Fairtrade info stall.

Photo: Julian with Fairtrade supporters Freya and Rebekah.

Simply visit each of the six venues listed on the leaflet, (available to download FREE from www.harrogatefairtrade.co.uk or you will be able to pick up a copy in the participating coffee shops) and you will find an A4 poster (look for a footprint shape!) prominently displayed in each of them. Enter the two pieces of information you will find on every poster onto the leaflet, then rearrange the letters to form a word linked to fairtrade and send your completed form back to the address given by 15 March 2012. The trail will take from 20 to 30 minutes to complete – a bit longer if you stop for refreshment in one of the venues! All correct entries will be entered into the draw to win the hamper.

The aim: To show the journey of a Fairtrade product in a fun and interesting way.

• Watch the mini film example uploaded on LeedsDEC’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/LeedsDEC
• Choose a Fairtrade product to research
• Find out about the people who grow/make it. What work do they do? How does selling Fairtrade goods benefit them and their communities? How do their lives differ from people who make goods not sold on fair trade terms?
• Find out about who else is involved in bringing us the product
• Decide how you are going to tell the story of the product: puppets telling the story? A story book read out by the product? An animation?
• Do your preparation (make props, draw your pictures etc) and practice (or not in the case of the Fairtrade Yorkshire rose example!)

Record your story and upload it to Youtube (no longer than 2 minutes please!)

Send the link to Hannah@leedsdec.org.uk by Friday March 16th. The best 5 will be chosen and uploaded onto www.fairtradeyorkshire.org.uk

There will be a week for you to vote for your favourite.

The winner(s) will be presented with a Fairtrade hamper and a Fairtrade Yorkshire schools certificate.

Want to know more? Watch the video!

Good luck!

Download the competition flyer (PDF).