Join us for Fairtrade Fortnight

From 22nd February - 7th March 2010 it is Fairtrade fortnight. For those of you who don't know Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. By requiring companies to pay sustainable prices (which must never fall lower than the market price), Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers. It enables them to improve their position and have more control over their lives. You can find out more on the Fairtrade Web site http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/

For this year's Fairtrade Fortnight the theme is The Big Swap. For two whole weeks the Fairtrade Foundation will be asking you to swap your usual stuff for Fairtrade stuff. Your usual bananas for Fairtrade bananas, your usual cotton socks for Fairtrade cotton socks, and your usual cuppa for a Fairtrade cuppa. Whenever you pop to the shops, you can use your wallet to make a stand. Melksham is a Fairtrade town and we will be joining in the celebrations. The event is being sponsored by the Co-op.

The Arthouse Cafe (http://www.arthousecafe.net/) and Melksham Fairtrade Group will be hosting a Fairtrade coffee morning on Saturday 6th March between 10 am and 1 pm. There will be a Traidcraft stand selling beautiful gift items, free Fairtrade samples, competitions and much more. Please come along. If you are interested in participating contact Marieke Guy 01225 703928.

Photo caption: Last year's Arthouse Cafe Fairtrade event: Adrienne Darts, Duncan Hames and Marieke Guy support Fairtrade fortnight