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Fair in the Square
We are pleased to send our congratulations to our Fairtrade Friends in Paisley who celebrate achieving 5 years of Fairtrade Town status in August, 2008. Renfrewshire Council, Paisley Fairtrade Partnership, Rainbow Turtle and other members of the Renfrewshire Fairtrade Zone Steering Group have organised Fair in the Square.
A marquee will be set-up in County Square, Paisley on Saturday 23rd August from 10:30am until 4pm. There will be a number of stalls featuring information, items for sale, workshops and fun activities. Representatives from Bishopton and Lochwinnoch Fairtrade Steering Groups will have a stall and provide information on their experience in achieving / seeking Fairtrade Village status. (Lochwinnoch is likely to join Bishopton in achieving Fairtrade Village status in the very near future.)
Bishopton Day
Bishopton Day was a great success, there was fun and laughter all day, even the rain mid-afternoon did not spoil the day. The Fairtrade Sports for All float won the 2nd prize (£50) in the annual float competition. The Fairtrade stall provided information on Fairtrade and an opportunity to sample or purchase some fairly trade goods.
Bishopton Christian Aid Plant Sale
The Bishopton Christian Aid Group organised a very successfull Plant Sale and Coffee Morning on Saturday 10th May, 2008. The event included a "Fairtrade Cafe" and sale of Fairtrade goods, which is very appropriate as World Fair Trade Day is the 2nd Saturday in May. Tickets were reasonably priced at £1.50 which included a cup of Fairtrade Coffee/Tea and baking.
Renfrewshire Fairtrade Zone Group
A Fairtrade Zone Steering Group has been set up comprising Members and Officers from Renfrewshire Council and representatives from local Fairtrade Groups, Churches, University, College and schools.
For Fairtrade Fortnight 2008, the Group co-ordinated publicity a number of events within Renfrewshire, including Fairtrade Roadshows at a number of locations throughout Renfrewshire.
Within the local community for Fairtrade Fortnight in 2008:
Bishopton Primary - Fairtrade Coffee Afternoon including performances from a number of year groups
St John Bosco Primary - Fairtrade Coffee Morning
Fairtrade Display during Fairtrade Fortnight in the local Library.
Member of the Bishopton Fairtrade Group assisted at Fairtrade Roadshows organised by the Renfrewshire Fairtrade Zone Committee.
Proposed Renfrewshire Fairtrade Zone
On Thursday 8th November,07 Renfrewshire Council agreed a detailed Committee Report to work towards achieving a Renfrewshire Fairtrade Zone. The report included details of:
- Fairtrade Principles
- Current position, with Paisley and Bishopton already having Fairtrade status, and seeking to promote Fairtrade to the remaining communities across Renfrewshire
- Internal Scoping exercise and benchmarking
- How to become a Fairtrade Zone
- Financial and Resource Implication
- Action Plan
Renfrewshire Council Taking Fairtrade Forward
"Paisley in 2003 and Bishopton in May of this year (2007) have achieved Fairtrade Town and Village status, leading the way for the rest of Renfrewshire to becoming a Fairtrade County. It is our aim to build upon the achievements and commitments made by local communities to take the message across Renfrewshire.
I have personally agreed to join the Renfrewshire network to ensure they receive maximum support. Fairtrade status is gaining national momentum too, with a national summit coming up shortly.
The Council has supported Fairtrade Fortnight for a number of years and continue to publicise Fairtrade events. We also use Fairtrade products within the Council.
Our schools are carrying out a number of activities to highlight Fairtrade, through the wider context of citizenship activities and selling a variety of products through tuck shops and stalls either on a one off basis or as an ongoing activity. A Renfrewshire school, Trinity High school, was also the first school in Scotland to obtain Fairtrade status for the work it did in raising the profile of products across the school community.
More could and will be done. A report will be presented to the Council in November where we hope to unite to pursue Renfrewshire becoming a Fairtrade Zone. This will include some of the following actions :
- Increase the awareness of Fairtrade for both employees and the wider community. Such as making information available on the Council website
- Increase the purchase of Fairtrade products we buy in as a Council
- Develop a Fairtrade procurement policy
- Increase our usage of Fairtrade products for public meetings, events and conferences
- Continue to support Fairtrade Fortnight, related activities and make the connections required to boost Fairtrade activity
A steering group is currently being organised with representatives from across the Council, such as Economic Development, Procurement, Communications and Marketing, Corporate Policy and Catering Operations to develop and deliver on the Council's Fairtrade action plan.
We are fully committed to this, and are delighted with the community leadership and innovation. Together we can achieve even greater support for the Fairtrade movement, a just and honourable cause"
Councillor Derek Mackay, Leader of Renfrewshire Council 4th October, 2007
One World Week Coffee Morning
As part of One World Week, a successful Fairtrade Coffee and Activity Morning was held in Bishopton Community Centre on Saturday 27th October, 2007. The event included activities for children, a PowerPoint presentation, Fairtrade information Boards and Fairtrade Goods for sale, including Christmas Cards and Fairtrade Hampers. Adults £1 and Children 50 pence.
Bishopton Awarded FAIRTRADE Status
On 17thMay, 2007 the Fairtrade Foundation awarded Fairtrade Village Status to Bishopton.
Our application was considered under 5 requirements or goals.
Goal 1 : Obtain Local Authority support for Fairtrade This goal was achieved and an extra achievement was noted that local councillor Iain Langlands is a member of the Steering Group. Further action - seek amendment to Council Resolution making a clear commitment to using Fairtrade tea and coffee across all departments.
Goal 2 : A range of Fairtrade products are readily available This goal was achieved and extra achievement noted that the Steering Group had presented certificates to local retail and catering outlets with certificates on display and local press coverage achieved. Further action - encourage shops to increase range of Fairtrade products and seek to advise visitors that Fairtrade products are available locally.
Goal 3 : Fairtrade products are used by local businesses and community organisations This goal was achieved and extra achievement noted that the 3 schools located outwith the village boundary which children from the village attend, all support Fairtrade. Further action - seek to encourage more local businesses to use Fairtrade Products at their tea breaks, including hairdressers, estate agents, local library, guesthouses etc. Investigate whether the schools would like to be recognised directly by the Fairtrade Foundation.
Goal 4 : Attract media coverage and popular support for Fairtrade This goal was achieved and extra achievement noted regarding the setting up of this local website (thanks to Stuart for all his help). Further action keep a record of all media coverage and continue to generate greater awareness of Fairtrade.
Goal 5 : Local steering group to ensure continued commitment to Fairtrade Village status This goal was acheived and extra achievement noted that the head girl of Trinity High School has attended some of the Steering Group meetings.
Final Comment from Fairtrade Foundation : Congratulations on achieving Fairtrade Village status for Bishopton and many thanks for all that is being done to promote Fairtrade in the area.... having a positive impact on the lives of so many people in developing countries. Please do not forget that a renewal application should be submitted in May 2008 with full details of further achievements.
Sale of Fairtrade goods, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish House:
Once a month, we sell Fairtrade groceries, greetings cards and gifts. Come along to find out how you can use Fairtrade tea, coffee, etc, either in your home, business or group.
All welcome (after Church Services: 10 am, 12 noon; and at 7 pm)
PowerPoint Presentations on Fairtrade
A number of Powerpoint Presentations on Fairtrade have been given to publicise Fairtrade in the local Community and encourage the purchase of Fairtrade products :
Subject / Event or Group
Check Out Fairtrade
Oct05 One World Week Coffee Morning
Make Fairtade your Habit
Mar06 Bishopton Primary Coffee Morning
Aug06 Inbetweenies Ladies Group
Oct06 One World Week Coffee Morning
Change Today - Choose Fairtrade
Jan07 Erskine & District Rotary
Mar07 Bishopton Primary Coffee PM
Mar07 Bishopton Library (2 talks)
Mar07 Spotlight Youth Group - Fairtrade evening and quiz
Fairtrade Coffee Morning
To celebrate One World Week the Fairtrade Steering Group hosted a successful Fairtrade Coffee Morning in the Bishopton Community Centre on Saturday, 28th October, 2006. Tea, coffee, homebaking, Fairtrade groceries, cards and gifts, children's craft activities, and information on Fairtrade and One World were available. Local residents were informed about how we hope to make Bishopton a Fairtrade Village. Where else could you get all this for as little as £1 for adults and 50 pence for children?
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