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

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!

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

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.

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.

The Stop Climate Coalition is calling for the UK Government to focus on:

• Quit Dirty Coal: End our reliance on dirty coal power, and instead boost the UK’s renewable energy supply to help build a green economy and create new jobs;
• Protect the Poorest: Provide resources to help the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people adapt to climate change;
• Act Fair & Fast: Deliver a fair global deal in Copenhagen that keeps global warming under 2 degrees C.

Before the demonstration in London there will be a service at Westminster Methodist Central Hall from 11 am where participants can pray for climate justice before they join the march. The Wave: Wear blue and bring blue banners to join the human wave.
http:/www.stopclimatechaos.org/the-wave.

We need to persuade lots of people of the importance of this event and arrange coach transport. If you live in the Salisbury area and are keen to attend please would you contact me (Rachel Lucas, 01722-325266, rlucas@givemail.co.uk) before the end of September.

Wave Poster

Free event featuring expert speakers from the Fairtrade movement and other organisations, workshops, debate, stalls, networking opportunities and Fairtrade sampling

For more info and to book go to www.Fairtrade.org.uk/supporterconference09

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.