by Kath Sheard, Holme Valley Fairtrade member, and volunteer at Fair Trader.
Fair Trader had a stand on 7 November 2015 at the One World Christmas Fair in Uppermill. Held in the Sacred Heart Parish Centre, this fantastic fair, now in its fifth year, is organised jointly by all denominations of churches in the Saddleworth villages. It is their ‘big event’ to show commitment to fair trade.
Fair Trader had a stand on 7 November 2015 at the One World Christmas Fair in Uppermill. Held in the Sacred Heart Parish Centre, this fantastic fair, now in its fifth year, is organised jointly by all denominations of churches in the Saddleworth villages. It is their ‘big event’ to show commitment to fair trade.
We went along, not knowing quite what to find. It was amazing! A huge hall, filled with the aroma of freshly cooked scones and coffee, and with lots of interesting stalls. The ‘big players’ – Traidcraft, Oxfam and Divine Chocolate were there, but so too were lots of small organisations. These included –
• Hand crafted wooden toys and homewares, from Oshandi in Namibia, where the orphanage is supported by one of the Churches.
• African fabric bags and materials
• All things Palestinian, including Zaytoun foods and stunning cross stitch embroidered linens
• Christian books and calendars
• Fairly traded jewellery
…and Fair Trader! We took our fairly traded Nepalese felt slippers, children’s bootees, knitted slipper socks, ceramic mugs. Also, a range of Indian scarves and much more! We got lots of interest, and pledges to come over the Pennines to Holmfirth!
The hall was buzzing all day long, with hundreds of visitors looking at the goods, talking about the fair trade stories and enjoying the home-made food.
There is no charge for the stall holders. When I asked the organisers ‘What’s in it for you?’, they said ‘It’s the big event in the year when we can jointly show our commitment to fair trade, and our total support for organisations and retailers’.
Brilliant! We’re already looking forward to this event in 2016.
• Hand crafted wooden toys and homewares, from Oshandi in Namibia, where the orphanage is supported by one of the Churches.
• African fabric bags and materials
• All things Palestinian, including Zaytoun foods and stunning cross stitch embroidered linens
• Christian books and calendars
• Fairly traded jewellery
…and Fair Trader! We took our fairly traded Nepalese felt slippers, children’s bootees, knitted slipper socks, ceramic mugs. Also, a range of Indian scarves and much more! We got lots of interest, and pledges to come over the Pennines to Holmfirth!
The hall was buzzing all day long, with hundreds of visitors looking at the goods, talking about the fair trade stories and enjoying the home-made food.
There is no charge for the stall holders. When I asked the organisers ‘What’s in it for you?’, they said ‘It’s the big event in the year when we can jointly show our commitment to fair trade, and our total support for organisations and retailers’.
Brilliant! We’re already looking forward to this event in 2016.
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