Spreading the Fair Trade message

A SPECIAL one-day Fair Trade market in the events hall at Warrington Market attracted more than 25 visiting traders from all over the North West.
They brought along a huge variety of fairly traded goods including handmade toys, greeting cards, jewellery, scarves, incense, carved wooden ornaments, clothes and crafts made from recycled products.
The items for sale came from many different parts of the world including the Phillipines, India, Palestine and a variety of African and South American countries.
The hall was festooned with masses of Fairtrade cotton bunting decorated with messages of support for Fairtrade by people from all over Warrington including children from various schools and church congregations. The bunting will be sent to the Fairtrade Foundation to become part of their World Record attempt to create the longest-ever piece of bunting.
There was a “Fairtrade Fun” children’s activity area organised by Fair 4 All, the permanent Fair Trade stall on Warrington Market.
At various times during the day the market management provided free Fairtrade bananas to shoppers at the event, which all added to the carnival atmosphere.
There was a visit from Warrington Wolves’ mascot Wolfie who drew a raffle for a Fairtrade rugby ball, signed by Wolves players. The winner was Mr. A. Bates. Proceeds from the raffle will be used for Warrington Fairtrade Steering Group’s promotional activities in the town.
Ruth Earnshaw, one of the management team at Fair 4 All said: “It’s been a great day. Shoppers have enjoyed the immense variety, quality and uniqueness of the fairly traded products on display. In addition they’ve discovered that prices of fairly traded goods often compare well with those on the high street. We’ve also enjoyed the opportunity to explain more about Fairtrade as people joined in the various crafts and activities.”
Pictured: Wolfie lends a paw for Fairtrade