A Fairtrade borough
Its official North Tyneside is a Fairtrade Borough!
During the second week of Fairtrade fortnight North Tyneside were informed that their application to become a Fairtrade Borough had been successful.
To celebrate this major success and to raise awareness of Fairtrade fortnight a series of events were held on the 2 March 2009. North Tyneside's Mayor made the special announcement at a business breakfast at the quadrant - where members of the local business community and council officers met with two cocoa farmers from Ghana who talked about the difference Fairtrade has made to their lives and their local communities.
Following the business breakfast a day of activities were organised to show the cocoa farmers around North Tyneside. The day's programme included:
- A visit to St Thomas Moor RC High School where members of the sixth form and the schools Fairtrade Steering Committee met them.
- A Fairtrade Lunch at the Rising Sun Country Park.
- A trip to Beacon Hill Special School where the farmers were welcomed with songs from the children of Beacon Hill, Wallsend Jubilee and St Bernadette's.
- A session at the Langdale Centre where local residents were invited to watch a DVD on Fairtrade, ask the farmers questions and enjoy Fairtrade wine, chocolates, tea and coffee.
Cllr Norma Redfearn, who has been instrumental in leading the borough towards the achievement of Fairtrade status, said: "This borough is now a place where we have raised awareness of Fairtrade and where residents can have access to a range of Fairtrade products. We are absolutely delighted by this announcement, particularly as it comes during Fairtrade Fortnight. It justifiably recognises the hard work that businesses, members of the community, schools and others have put in to achieve this."
"I hope this announcement will kick-start even more good work with Fairtrade in the future."
In July last year, North Tyneside Council made a commitment to make North Tyneside a Fairtrade borough.
Hannah Reed from the Fairtrade Foundation said: "It has been an absolute pleasure to learn of all that's been going on in North Tyneside and the panel were very impressed by the amount that has been achieved. A great deal of work and dedication has obviously been put in over the past year which we hope will further enhance and create a focus for the long-standing activity, outreach and educational work by fair trade pioneers in the North East."