Salisbury Fairtrade

A group of people from Salisbury went to Bristol recently to the Triodos Bank AGM. The theme of the day was “The Financial crisis and other Opportunities”. Triodos is a shining light in the current financial turmoil. During the past year it has considerably increased its business, both deposits and loans. There was frequent applause as the large audience heard reports about the bank’s achievements. One of the recent loans granted was to Plush Fairtrade chocolates, which are on sale in Oxfam shops. Plush was amongst the numerous stalls displaying their wares, a sample of the businesses which have received loans from Triodos.

Sixty people celebrated Fairtrade Fortnight with a delicious meal cooked by Sarah Stancliffe.

They later listened to three speakers from organisations supporting Fairtrade producers practically and financially.

Triodos Bank, founded in 1980, finances enterprises only in areas that add sustainable value. Its Fairtrade Saver Account invests exclusively in Fairtrade

businesses, for example Café Direct and Zaytoun.

Shared Interest was set up in 1990 to provide long and short term loans to Fairtrade producer organisations and importers who work with

them. Producers usually have difficulty in raising money from banks because they have no collateral. Shared Interest also provides training and advice to producers to assist them in improving their productivity. Investors deposit funds with Shared Interest to finance the loans made.

Traidcraft Exchange is the charity arm of Traidcraft plc, founded in 1986. It is the only charity in the UK fo

cussing exclusively on trade. Traidcraft Exchange trains and supports businesses as well as working with governments and international bodies to ensure that trade and development policies take the needs of the poor into account.

Further information about these organisations is available at triodos.co.uk, shared-interest.com, traidcraft.co.uk.

The following day a Civic Service, attended by the Mayor, was held in St Thomas’s church to celebrate the granting of Fairtrade City status to Salisbury.

St Thomas’ Church, Salisbury
Sunday 1st March 2009

6.00pm

Preachers
Canon Melvyn and June Matthews
Melvyn is a former
Chancellor of Wells Cathedral
June is a Traidcraft Fairtrader
Melvyn and June have visited Fairtrade producers in both India and Kenya

All Welcome

Download a poster to print out and display

Saturday 28 February 2009
Salisbury Methodist Church
St Edmund’s Church Street

12.45 for 1 pm
Two-course Fairtrade lunch (vegetarian option if required)
cooked by Sarah Stancliffe from her book of “Simple Feasts”
Booking essential by February 22

2.00 – 4.45 pm
Seminar
How do poor producers in developing countries obtain finance to grow their business? How can people in this country contribute towards producers’ business needs?

All businesses need credit in order to get established, develop and provide sufficient cash flow between an order being placed and payment for goods supplied. Even in the best of times businesses have to prove their credit worthiness in order to persuade financial institutions to lend to them.

The seminar will explore ways in which organizations in the UK are providing financial and other business support for Fairtrade producers and how individuals in the UK can get involved in the process. There will be speakers from Triodos Bank, Shared Interest and Traidcraft Exchange.

Come and hear some good news in this harsh economic climate.

Fairtrade Stall

Cost: Lunch only £10
Seminar only £5

For tickets, telephone 01722 349740

December 11 late shopping event in Salisbury: There will be a Fairtrade element to this evening’s activities. Local firms are being invited to contribute Fairtrade produce, which will later be donated to Salisbury Trust for the Homeless. Two packs of Salisbury Brownies will accompany Councillor Ian McLennan, Chairman of the Council, who will collect the donated produce in a shopping trolley and process round the Market Square, accompanied by music and singing by the Brownies. Come and join in the fun between 6.30 and 7