Salisbury Fairtrade

Philemon Allen, a Fairtrade banana farmer from St Vincent island in the Caribbean, visited Salisbury during Fairtrade Fortnight.   He talked to students from Sarum Academy about his work and the problems affecting the Caribbean banana trade.

Until the 1990s, the Windward Islands alone supplied 60% of the UK banana market, but since then there has been a rapid decline because of reduced protection from the EU and the cutting of tariffs on bananas from South America.   It is only access to the UK Fairtrade banana market that has enabled the industry in the Caribbean to survive.

A further blow to banana farmers in Philemon’s area has been the damage done by successive hurricanes, which in 2010 destroyed Philemon’s farm and blew off half the roof of his house.   He now faces the prospect of surviving the next 9 months with no bananas to harvest and no income.

For further information see www.fairtrade.org.uk

Salisbury Fairtrade is delighted to announce an exciting lineup of events for this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight in the Salisbury Area.

If you have somewhere you could put up a copy of the poster to help promote these events click here to download a PDF file and feel free to print one off!

Fairtrade goods on sale
Saturday November 13th
10.00am to 2.00pm

At Quaker Meeting House
51, Wilton Road
Salisbury

Parking at rear via Fountain Way

Christmas Cards and Crafts

Catalogues available – Orders Taken

Also Fair Trade Tea Coffee Dried Fruit
Sugar Muesli Biscuits Chocolate
Refreshments

Further information 01725 512653

World Cup fever was alive and kicking at Salisbury High School as South Africa (Salisbury High) played England (Ringwood School) in two friendly but competitive five-a-side matches to raise awareness of Fairtrade. The students wore Fairtrade shirts (sponsored by Barchester Green Investments), meticulously embroidered with each country’s national flag by SHS parent Mrs Judith Wreford, and played with a Fairtrade football. Staff served Fair Trade orange juice, bananas and biscuits whilst students, fittingly, sold Fairtrade jewellery produced by Nqabakazulu School in South Africa with whom SHS has enjoyed a link for many years.

Student commentator, Joe Booth, kept up a witty description of the matches as Salisbury High School boys outclassed Ringwood to win 2-0. The girls were evenly matched and despite heroic efforts on both teams, ended in a 0-0 draw.

Mrs Jane Munroe from the Salisbury Fairtrade Group presented trophies to the winning teams. Mrs Rock, Extended Schools Co-ordinator, explained, ‘Events like these are essential in raising awareness of Fairtrade issues and if we can have fun in the process, so much the better. There was a fantastic atmosphere here today and the event has been so successful that Ringwood School have invited us for a re-match next year. Ringwood even took away the Fairtrade shirts to use in a fashion show they are holding this week to raise awareness of Fairtrade and eco issues.’

To find out more about Fairtrade and what it means you can log onto their website www.fairtrade.org.uk. For more information about Fairtrade events and outlets in the Salisbury area you can visit the Salisbury Fairtrade website at www.salisburyfairtrade.org.uk.

Over 50 people from Salisbury surfed the Wave in London on December 5th with about 40,000 others of all ages from babies in prams to older people in rickshaws and wheelchairs as well as many wheeling bikes.   We were regaled by several bands, creative outfits in all shades of blue, fancy dress polar bears and icebergs, giant waves made from blue and white plastic bags and many Fairtrade banners.

For once a totally peaceful and good humoured event had fairly prominent coverage in the news that evening.   Let’s hope it all pays off.