Hitchin Fairtrade Town: The Journey So Far
| Published: 5th March 2008 22:09 |
It's Fairtrade Fortnight 2008 and the perfect time to take a look at Hitchin's very own Fairtrade story...
Hitchin became a Fairtrade Town in February 2006, which means it is formally recognised by the Fairtrade Foundation as a town where there is strong support for Fairtrade from local residents, businesses, community organisations, schools and faith groups.
In order to achieve this status the Hitchin Fairtrade Steering Group was formed three years ago in March 2005 and its members set about meeting the following criteria set by the Fairtrade Foundation:
- The local council must pass a resolution supporting Fairtrade, and serve Fairtrade coffee and tea at its meetings and in offices and canteens.
- A range of Fairtrade products must be readily available in the area's shops and served in local cafés and catering establishments.*
- Fairtrade products must be used by a number of local work places, educational establishments, faith communities and other community organisations.**
- Attract media coverage and organise events to gain popular support for the campaign.
- A local Fairtrade steering group must meet regularly to ensure continued commitment to Fairtrade Town status. The composition of your steering group should be representative of your community overall.
Hitchin Fairtrade Town Launch Event (July 2006)The following year Hitchin became the first town in Hertfordshire to be awarded Fairtrade Town Status - a status that has to be renewed annually - and on 22 July 2006 the Hitchin Fairtrade Steering Group officially launched Hitchin as a Fairtrade Town with an event planned to coincide with the Hitchin Festival. The launch was held in Market Place and comprised of a Fairtrade fashion show, a cookery demonstration using Fairtrade food with Co-operative chef Mike Cullen, and Fairtrade clothing and craft stalls.
The 9 members of the steering group are currently busy organising an event in the market square on World Fairtrade Day 2008 (Saturday 10 May) and amongst other things plans to have stalls selling Fairtrade goods and refreshments, and live music. Previous events organised by the group to promote Fairtrade include (starting with the most recent):
Fairtrade Cafe (October 2007)Fairtrade Fortnight 2008: Fairtrade wine-tasting evening at Wine Rack in Hermitage Road to promote the range of Fairtrade wines available.- October 2007: Fairtrade café at Christchurch.
- World Fairtrade Day 2007 (12 May): Fairtrade event in Market Place where there were Fairtrade craft and clothing stalls, a children's storyteller incorporating the Fairtrade message, and a quiz promoting the shops that sell Fairtrade goods in Hitchin.
- Fairtrade Fortnight 2007: Fairtrade café at Christchurch serving two- and three-course lunches, as well as a Fairtrade stall. Approximately 120 people were served lunch in a two-hour period!
- December 2006: Fairtrade Winter Gala
*See Buying Fairtrade in Hitchin for details of cafes and shops that sell Fairtrade products.
** Examples of places in Hitchin that use Fairtrade items are St Mary's Church, Christchurch, Tilehouse Street Baptist Church, and the staff rooms at Highover and Strathmore schools.
If you would like to join the Hitchin Fairtrade Steering Group or help out at Fairtrade events phone Keith Hoskins at Hitchin Initiative on 01462 453335 for more information.
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