CUMBRIA FAIR TRADE NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT APRIL MARCH 2013 FOR AGM 20 TH APRIL 2013, AMBLESIDE PARISH CENTRE

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1 CUMBRIA FAIR TRADE NETWORK ANNUAL REPORT APRIL MARCH 2013 FOR AGM 20 TH APRIL 2013, AMBLESIDE PARISH CENTRE Cumbria Fair Trade Network: The Steering Group has continued to meet every two months at Esquires in Ambleside for planning and sharing. A very well attended Open Day was held in September at which Avraham Levi, a Rotary sponsored Peace Fellow at Bradford University, spoke about the promotion of Fairtrade as a means of Trading my way through the Israeli-Palestine conflict. Throughout the year Jo Alberti has supplied us with monthly updates and action points on Trade Justice (See separate report on Trade Justice). Through the diligent work of Susan Beale we are at last making serious headway with the churches as will be reported at the AGM. Cumbria Local and Fair: The Steering Committee which was set up following the Conference in November 2011 has struggled to make headway with any of the issues which the Conference highlighted. This has been a huge disappointment. It is not that there is no will, but that trying to apply fair to local is very much more difficult than was realised. We also lack financial resources. However, at last we have an idea which we think can be implemented to promote 'Cumbrian Local and Fair Beef', using an existing system known as BCMS (British Cattle Movement Service) as a means of demonstrating traceability. It will require a number of Cumbrian butchers would sign up to being involved, probably initially up to a dozen. (Names of family butchers have been supplied by the Network.) Signing up would mean agreement to use the BCMS system to verify origin. In practice this would mean that: a) a participating butcher would have the BCMS printout up in the shop; b) the meat sold through the system would bear a Cumbria Local and Fair Mark. A fair (i.e. agreed minimum) price is not part of this deal, but we believe that it will be fair in the sense of openness and traceability, and this will mean that all those butchers claiming to sell Cumbrian, actually have to buy Cumbrian. Because this is done through the open market, with consumers buying more guaranteed Cumbrian Beef, the sellers will in their turn have to source more Cumbrian Beef, which will automatically mean that the chain develops a premium. In the meantime, as this report shows, many Cumbrian Fairtrade Groups are promoting local alongside Fairtrade in a range of creative ways (see the Millom and LDNPA reports, for example) enough to suggest that we have the beginnings of a local and fair movement. (Is it time to consider changing the name of our Network?) Churches: At last we are making progress in getting the leadership of the churches in Cumbria seriously engaged, thanks to Susan Beale, who will give an oral report at the AGM. Schools: The number of schools in Cumbria now with Fairtrade status is around 2 dozen, and rising quite rapidly. This is due both to the good work being undertaken by local groups (see individual Page 1 of 10

2 group reports) as well as to the work of CDEC, who over the past three years have received three grants from the Fairtrade Foundation to promote Fairtrade Schools. The University of Cumbria recently received Fairtrade Status. Ambleside (Lakes Parish) Fairtrade Group: 1. Organising ourselves: We have lost a few members, but retain active core of 12. October s AGM voted in new Chair (Cherry Robbens), Secretary (Julie Wright) and Treasurer (John Payne). Now have representation on CFTN Steering Group (Alec Burford). For selfeducation Anita Payne developed a presentation, available to all to use with range of groups. At AGM, agreed 3 year action plan. This formed the basis of re-application for Fairtrade status, just submitted. 2. Spreading the word: During 2012, renewed Lakes Parish directory, visiting all businesses in Ambleside, Grasmere and Langdale Valley, to establish Fairtrade credentials. Directory (print run 5,000) distributed in April Noticed a marked increase in businesses supporting Fairtrade. Certificates provided for display. Two presentation given local WIs, who received pack of Fairtrade tea, coffee and sugar, provided by Co-op. 3. Activities: We were asked to provide Fairtrade tea and coffee for Olympic Torch relay at challenging location by the Lake. Received help from Rotary and Parish Centre. Co-op provided tea, coffee, sugar and milk. Also provided Fairtrade cakes, biscuits, tea and coffee at 2 day Ambleside Ceramics Fair. For 2013 Fairtrade Fortnight, organised Big Banana Hunt in Ambleside with banana stickers with name of one Fairtrade banana producing nation supporting cafés and shops. The hunt advertised in schools and entry forms provided. They had to go to all the cafés and shops, find sticker and record name of the Fairtrade nation. The winner given a free tree top walk donated by the LDNPA; runners up and other entrants received Fairtrade chocolates donated by the Co-op. A great success! Arnside Fairtrade Group: 1. The group s main aim this year was to motivate the young people in the village about Fairtrade and in particular to help Arnside Primary School to achieve Fairtrade status. This has not been easy despite our offers of help to complete the necessary forms. However, the pupils had been inspired when Francis Chisuse came in Fairtrade Fortnight 2012 and our contact teacher responded positively when we asked that Arnside School communicate with the school in Malawi which Francis children attend. She felt that this would help Arnside s application to become a Fairtrade school. 2. The group has been involved in managing the logistics of this as the school in Malawi does not have internet access. This influenced our decision to have a Pennies on the Pier day during Page 2 of 10

3 Fairtrade Fortnight Our aim was to raise money for internet access and computer equipment. Using the frontage of a local shop, we served free Fairtrade coffee, giving out stickers and free samples. Children from the local school and youth project laid out 1p and 2p coins down each side of the pier until the 2 lines met at the end. We raised 200 and are now engaged in discussions with Francis about what equipment they actually need. 3. Our other main event was last October, when we held a coffee morning under the Big Fair Bake theme. Again, young people were involved and Arnside guides made or decorated competition cakes which were then sold, with winners receiving Fairtrade prizes from an accredited judge. Brampton Fairtrade Town Group 1. Fairtrade Flower Bed Continues to be planted seasonally Secondary school student now assists elderly volunteer gardener 2. Shared Interest Account. Maintaining July 2012 Began planning Fairtrade and Local recipe book Contributions from key Brampton people Taken longer than anticipated (as warned by Sarah from Kendal) Ready by February 2013 Fairtrade Fortnight 4. September 2012 Took up offer of Global Poverty Project public talk from Co-Op ambassador 5. October and November 2012 Traidcraft stalls at Fairtrade coffee morning and local craft fair (regular stalls in local churches throughout the year). 6. November 2012 Group AGM. Theme: Fairtrade and Local Speaker Rory Stewart MP Indoor market of Fairtrade and Local producer stalls, e.g. cheese, wool, etc. Served Fairtrade wine, local cheeses, and biscuits donated by Carrs. Very successful, about 80 attended. 7. Fairtrade Fortnight 2013 Launch of Fairtrade and Local recipe book at Saturday coffee morning. Glossy, colour, A5 book, spiral bound. 100 books at 5.00 sold within a week 100 reprint, now on sale Fairtrade lunch at Community Centre using recipes from the book. 35 people attended. 2 local Fairtrade Primaries held coffee afternoons. One now holding weekly Fairtrade tuck shop; the other won the Make something from Fairtrade packaging competition run by Carlisle Group. Fairtrade assemblies in other schools taken by group s Chair, the new Methodist minister Page 3 of 10

4 Caldbeck and Hesket Newmarket Fairtraders 1. Publicity using Community events: Supporters dressed as Fairtrade bananas and Fairtade teabags took part in the Caldbeck Fancy Dress Parade as part of the Queen s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Fairtrade stand at Hesket Newmarket Show Display in Caldbeck church at Harvest Festival Christmas tree decorated with a Fairtrade theme as part of the Caldbeck Church Christmas Tree Festival. 2. The Fairworld Shop, This is entirely manned by volunteers and was open every afternoon from Easter to Christmas. The shop also provided goods for one off stalls at: Two Greystoke Church Craft Fairs Christmas sale at a private house in Carlisle (very successful) Oxfam Coffee Morning in Caldbeck In addition the Fairworld Shop took part in the Village Late Night Opening for Christmas Shopping, which was very successful. 3. Fairtrade Fortnight Provided goods for a stall at a private house coffee morning in Greystoke Fairtrade Display in church which stayed up until Holy Week Fairtrade and Local Coffee morning in church. This provided a platform for local craftspeople to sell their goods. In addition to bunting & balloons, Fairtrade was promoted by: o Fairtrade stall o Fairtrade coffee tasting o Competition for best chocolate cake made with Fairtrade ingredients o Display of Fairtrade goods available from the local (Wigton) branch of the Co-op. Carlisle Fairtrade Group 1. The extension of the Fair Trade Way twice on World Fair Trade Day in May (Caldbeck to Dalston) and again in September (Carlisle to Brampton). Walkers from a range of community groups joined, some dressed up as bananas for a visual impact. Pedometers were borrowed from the City Council to measure the number of banana steps it took to walk the distances. 2. The Fairtrade Supporters Conference took place in London. Carlisle Fairtrade Group came runners up in the National Campaigns Awards for the Fairtrade Schools Conference, the group accepted the highly commended award for running a campaign with excellence in all areas. 3. Carlisle Fairtrade volunteers support the Eden Valley Hospice s Santa Dash providing participants with Fairtrade refreshments. 4. Fairtrade fashion shows have showcased Fairtrade clothing from Carlisle World Shop. Trinity School and the University of Cumbria both staged successful events. 5. Fairtrade joined with Christian Aid this year to host a joint coffee morning, the Mayor attended. 6. Douglas Recinos, Guatemalan coffee producer visited Carlisle One World Centre in Fairtrade Fortnight and gave an inspiring presentation about his work. Page 4 of 10

5 7. A Fairtrade Civic Reception took place to celebrate the renewal of Carlisle s Fairtrade city status. A highlight was having the Fairtrade Art Exhibition on display. This was a competition run with local schools using Fairtrade packaging. The artwork was on display in Tullie House for the duration of Fairtrade Fortnight. The Mayor chose 3 winners. Carlisle Fairtrade Group also received a cheque for 1000 from the City Council. 8. Carlisle Fairtrade supporters wore banana costumes to bag pack in Sainsbury s. A great way to raise funds and awareness. Cockermouth Fairtrade Group 1. We have reformed January 2013 after 1 year sabbatical. 2. We have 1 new member. 3. Activities to date: Supported Fairtrade sculpture display by local girl guides in empty shop window. Another Fairtrade church awarded: St Joseph s RC church. 2 members spoke to Town Council: now have nominated councillor. Supported Mayfield school Fairtrade day: sculptures & bake off. 4. We are now planning debate/discussion with local sceptics group later in year: topic Food Poverty: local and global. We hope to have expert speakers. Coniston and Torver Fairtrade Group 1. Our main achievement during the year was to get all the churches in Coniston and Torver to become Fairtrade Churches. 2. We continue to hold our Fairtrade Coffee Morning every week at St Andrew's Church, serving both locals and visitors. Although this never set out to be a money raising event, we have sent thousands of pounds over the years to Fairtrade and world development organisations. 3. This year most of our donations went to the Water Aid Big Dig Appeal, changing the lives of 134,000 people in Malawi, by digging 34 new boreholes and 43 shallow wells, building over 20,500 latrines in homes and schools, and training 2,160 hygiene educators. We sent 1,600 which was doubled by the UK Government. 4. For Fairtrade Fortnight, we held a Coffee Morning, Soup Lunch and Table Top Sale. The money raised went to Traidcraft Exchange, along with the money taken at the two regular Wednesday coffee mornings during the Fortnight. This amounted to 1,003.50, a larger sum than usual, as it included an unexpected donation and support from the Co-operative North West and North Midlands Membership Team. Eden Fairtrade Network March: Fair Trade Fashion show at Queen Elizabeth grammar school, Penrith. Fairtrade and Local stalls. Page 5 of 10

6 2. June. Fair and Local Strawberry tea. Penrith Music provided by Bluejam Folk band. Local producers had stalls. In spite of monsoon rain, and very damp bunting, spirits were undiminished! A good time was had by all. 3. St. Catherine s School Jubilee celebrations. Fairtrade stall and promotion. One little girl, when asked what she knew of Fairtrade, spent 10 minutes telling us all she knew, which was considerable. 4. Penrith on a plate. Town centre local producers market. Stall promoting Fairtrade and giving away chocolate. 5. Craft Fair with Fairtrade stalls, at St. Andrew s Penrith, and St. Andrew s Greystoke and fundraising for charity at Lazonby village hall Fairtrade banner erected in town centre. Fairtrade connection made with Sainsbury s, meeting in their café. 7. Cake competition run by Penrith Soroptimists in partnership with Eden Fairtrade at Salvation Army Hall. (Funds raised for micro-finance scheme in Choche, Ethiopia.) 8. Three School assemblies, run by Eden Fairtrade Network. Also workshops took place, all during Fairtrade Fortnight. 9. Fairtrade Ceilidh in Penrith in Fairtrade Fortnight. Fundraising for Choche again in partnership with Penrith / Keswick Rotary and Penrith / Keswick Fair Trade Campaign. Egremont Fairtrade and Local 1. Our focus remains our monthly Farmers Market (twice from April), where we have Fairtrade goods from Traidcraft, serve Fairtrade refreshments as well as encourage local food and crafts. 2. We have started monthly cooking demonstrations trying to use Fairtrade and Local ingredients wherever possible. 3. During Fairtrade Fortnight we gave a presentation and served Fairtrade wine and goodies plus local cheese. We are grateful to the Co-op for donating the wine. 4. We are still working on our renewal of Fairtrade town status, widening the area to our locality. 5. We are in need of new committee members to re-invigorate our campaign! Gosforth & Wasdale Fairtrade Steering Group 1. Two of our very enthusiastic members retired at the end of October 2012 and left the village. In addition the Co-ordinator of the Group is now only part time in the county. However, two new young members agreed to run the monthly Traidcraft stall at Gosforth St Mary s church. These stalls and ad hoc stalls at Gosforth Methodist church continue to do well and have allowed us to donate over 400 to Traidcraft Exchange this year. 2. In addition stalls and/or displays were held at Wasdale May Festival, the Queen s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations in Gosforth in June and Seascale Methodists Eco-Day in November. A further display and stall was prepared for Gosforth Agricultural Show in August but cancelled due to the appalling weather. 3. A Fairtrade Cake Stall was held at the Harvest Thanks Giving in October and raised 85 which was shared between Fairtrade Innovation Fund and Traidcraft Exchange. Page 6 of 10

7 4. Christmas promotions consisted of displays and sales of Christmas cards, advent calendars and Christmas Foods at the November and December church stalls. In addition Fairtrade catalogues were circulated to people who had previously supported our Christmas events and orders were taken. A Fairtrade Christmas stall and raffle were held at the local Abbeyfield for residents and guests. 5. Promotional and informative articles were placed in the Parish Magazine regularly. 6. Five Fairtrade stalls were held during Fairtrade Fortnight 2013 at which The Real Easter Egg was promoted and resulted in a satisfying number of sales. Kendal Fairtrade Group Our small but faithful group has organised 3 main events this year. 1. In June we stepped out for Fairtrade on a very wet day as we walked along part of the Fair Trade Way from Kendal to Staveley, finishing with afternoon tea at a Fairtrade cafe which was very welcome! 2. In November we organised a Wine Tasting evening with the leader of our local U3A wine appreciation group and had a generous donation of 100 from the Co-op with which we bought the different wines to taste. We also served local cheeses and biscuits. People were given background to the different wines and information about how Fairtrade was making a difference for the producers. 3. In Fairtrade Fortnight 2013 we held a Puddings & Quiz evening with a great turn out of about 60 people. As well as delicious puddings using Fairtrade ingredients we had quiz rounds about Fairtrade in the UK and internationally, flags of the world, puddings around the world etc. We also had a Fairtrade stall selling craft items from the One World shop in Carlisle. 4. We have continued our links with the local schools with assemblies during Fairtrade fortnight at two primary schools, and a series of lessons in Queen Katherine secondary school linking in with the Key Stage 3 Geography curriculum. Keswick and District Fair Trade Campaign 1. Having spent much energy in early 2012 trying to get three Ethiopian friends to Keswick in June, we were again thwarted by the (now defunct!) UKBA. 2. In June our annual Strawberry Tea in Borrowdale raised well over 1000 in fine weather. 3. Also in June we held a well-attended AGM. 4. On 29 th August we greeted a foot-sore group of Fair Trade Way walkers from Garstang, plus two lamas, and Oxfam s veteran long distance walker, Pushpanath Krishnamurthy. Bruce Crowther presented us with our Fairtrade Town renewal. 5. We held a well-attended Fairtrade Wine and Cumbrian Cheeses evening in October. 6. In January a group of 5 visited Choche, the Ethiopian coffee community with whom we are linked. One aim of the visit was to check the Rotary funded Micro-finance Project set up in An outcome of the visit is a proposal to set up a second Rotary funded project to help farmers upgrade their coffee bushes. Known as the One Million Birr Project ( 35,000), the scheme will be launched in August. 7. We continued auditing the Fairtrade businesses. Page 7 of 10

8 8. In Fairtrade Fortnight 2013 we held a lunch attended by 40 at Theatre by the Lake for a report on Ethiopia. And our Town Crier promoted Fairtrade cake baking in the Market Square! 9. We have funded 5 primary schools in and around Keswick in a CDEC led project with the aim of making them into Fairtrade Schools by the end of We have been kept well-informed and active on Trade Justice matters. 11. At last we have 5 Borrowdale slate town entrance signs! Kirkby Lonsdale Fairtrade News 1. Our most important news is that our Town status has finally been renewed! 2. We have continued to hold our regular Saturday coffee mornings. These usually feature a Fairtrade product e.g. honey; chocolate; coffee tasting. 3. Our (now regular) Fairtrade and Local Supper was a great success and brings together new and old supporters. 4. The Methodist Church invited us to join in their summer park festival the Snakes and Ladders game a bonus for this. 5. We were able to give hampers to 2 new businesses that are selling Fairtrade products. Lake District Local and Fair The highlight of this year has of course been the award of Fairtrade Zone status for the Lake District, which was confirmed on 8 th January and marked by a presentation of our certificate by Tim Farron MP on 4 th March. This makes us the world s first Fairtrade National Park! And predictably, people have been asking, So what does that actually mean? Well, firstly, this recognises the tremendous work put in over the years by all of the local groups to promote the Fairtrade message and boost both local demand and supply in Lake District outlets and other businesses, enabling us to achieve goals 2 and 3. Secondly, looking forwards, it means several things: we can use the reputation and brand that the Lake District enjoys to promote Fairtrade nationally and internationally we can use forms of outreach and communication available to the National Park Authority (such as its website and presence at events) to reach more people, both resident and globally we can use avenues of influence (such as through the Lake District Partnership) to promote Fairtrade at an executive level. Our next steps are: to have a discussion with the Lake District Partnership about how our steering group relates to them in terms of governance and influence to plan an event in June to celebrate Fairtrade Zone status for the National Park to work with Brockhole and other LDNPA shop windows to make sure our Fairtrade commitment is communicated and followed through. Page 8 of 10

9 Millom F.L.A.G. Joe Human set a ball rolling for us with his inspirational talk on Fairtrade Local and Global. Our future emphasis is now local and fair as well as global, we are now Fairtrade Local and Global, FLAG. Since last year s Fairtrade Fortnight: Regular attendance at MNC Business Breakfasts. 1. June: Took part in of Millom Carnival 2. July: A relaunch event celebrating the new name and renewed status as a Fairtrade town was held with 50+ attending. The Mayor was presented with the certificate of renewal for the town s Fairtrade status, and Jim Webster spoke on milk marketing issues in Cumbria 3. October: A successful Fair Bake coffee morning 4. November: FLAG at the town s Christmas Lights with Bay Radio. Fairtrade and Body Shop supper and speaker. 5. December: Successful application for a 500 Community Grant for publicity. A Fairtrade stall at Millom s Christmas Market. Presentation to Broughton Bakery, finalists in Britains Best Bakery. 6. February: Birthday Supper for 62 at Da Vinci s. Fascinating talk with slides about Kilimanjaro, Sand Dams & Fairtrade. 7. Fairtrade Fortnight: Table-Top sale and Coffee Morning. Bag-packing at Tesco with over 300 donated. Competition for local Primary schools to design a FLAG as a new logo for the group. This has been a busy and successful year thanks to the dedication of a committed core of people, the enthusiasm and guidance of the original, founder members, and of course the public who support us! New contact address for FLAG: Millomfairtrade@ymail.com Ulverston Fairtrade Group Over the past year we have been trying to raise the profile of Fairtrade in the town in various ways: 1. We produced our own Fairtrade Town certificates for retail outlets and cafes to display in their windows. 2. We had Fairtrade stalls at school fairs, the North Lonsdale Show, and the Dickensian Festival. At the North Lonsdale Show our theme was Fairness for Farmers at home and abroad and we displayed a banner and produced leaflets to stress the theme. At the NLS and the Dickensian Festival we also interviewed local people on their views and buying habits with regard to Fairtrade and we are using the results as a campaign tool. 3. We have been looking at getting our Fairtrade Town status featured on the Council website, all Council produced leaflets and any other publications that we can think of where the cost is not prohibitive! 4. We still haven t given up on getting (eventually?) Fairtrade Town road signs! 5. We have continued to develop links with schools and also with the Town Council. 6. For Fairtrade Fortnight we had a coffee morning at the Coronation Hall which was well attended and kindly sponsored by the Co-op. Gillams also donated a super hamper as a raffle prize. Page 9 of 10

10 Wigton Fairtrade Group 1. We advertised our A.G.M. this year with the title Make your stocking fillers Fairtrade and gave away Fairtrade chocolate bars, Maltesers and KitKats. The attendance improved a little! 2. During Fairtrade Fortnight we made a scale model of the Wigton Fountain in the entrance to the Co-op. Although there was not time to collect enough Fairtrade packages we managed to decorate it with Fairtrade posters and bits off Fairtrade packaging. We used Fairtrade banana boxes for the base, the Youth Station made the spire and we had a Malteser box cross on top. A photo has entered the Fairtrade Foundation picture petition. The top half went on exhibition in the library with props from the assemblies. 3. Trish joined the IF campaign for the assembly theme in the 3 Wigton primary schools and showed the difference in life from non-fairtrade to Fairtrade using tea, bananas, sugar and chocolate. 4. We plan a Fairtrade and Local supper on 14 th June with our local celebrity chef John Crouch, and we have musicians on our committee to provide entertainment. 5. We shall renew our Fairtrade town status this year. Windermere & Bowness Fairtrade Group We have had a busy year. 1. We celebrated World Fairtrade Day in 12 th May with a Fairtrade breakfast on the Glebe. We talked to many tourists and locals and gave away samples of Fairtrade chocolate. 2. In June 2012 we had a very successful Fairtrade strawberry tea for some 60 guests. 3. We have visited schools and given lessons on Fairtrade. 4. One of our members visited South Africa and met up with a founder member of fair tourism, a Fair Trade initiative involving tours into the townships. They are working on getting official accreditation from FLO. 5. Another member with helpers has had regular sales of TEARCRAFT goods throughout the year. 6. Several members attended the Rotary District Conference and ran a Fairtrade stall. 7. In August we hosted several walkers travelling from Garstang to Keswick along the Fair Trade Way and organised a Fairtrade supper for our guests. 8. We visited THE FIG TREE in Garstang and enjoyed a very informative day with gorgeous food! Reports not received from Barrow, Dalton-in-Furness, Grange and Hadrian s Wall (though we know that the latter is dormant, as Lauren and Liam Harrison have just had a baby girl.) JH Page 10 of 10