Christmas market full of all things Fairtrade

A dozen traders selling unusual fairly traded goods made a colourful display on our ninth Fairtrade market which was held in St John’s Roman Catholic Church Hall, just north of Shelley’s Fountain.

This was the ninth Fairtrade Christmas market in Horsham and once again the opportunity to buy temptingly distinctive goods which are largely unavailable from high street shop.

That these items are marked with the Fairtrade logo makes the present a gift that keeps giving since the suppliers have been given a sustainable price for their goods, the workers have a decent and safe working environment while their communities receive funds which they can democratically choose how to use.

This community fund is often used to improve infrastructure such as water sourcing or schools. Supporting communities where producers receive a fair price for their labours is a way of combating the injustice which leads to the despair that can inspire violence abandonment of home and country.

A regular trader said: “Horsham is a popular venue because we enjoy the friendly atmosphere with its warm comfortable indoor location. There is always willing help and the wonderful coffee and cakes.”

All the cafe profit once again went to Medicines san Frontier(MSF), which is the medical organisation supporting disaster areas of the world, whether due to natural causes or war. The excellent cakes donated by supporters helped the cafe raise £343 for MSF.

The Salvation Army Choir gave a recital at 2pm to entertain the shoppers with their support for the Fairtrade Market.

The Fairtrade traders attending the market this year were:- SEW Project, Siwok(Peridata), Pim Gleadle, Magic Little Helpers, Script, Corrie Cort, Madajazz, Lost in Samsara, Oxfam, Moyna Bridge(Traidcraft), Ni Ka Delux, Green Sea Turtle. Further Details of the traders are available through the Fairtrade Horsham Website http://www.fairtradehorsham.org.uk/.

Sainsburys displayed a selection of their Fairtrade goods which were also part of the raffle prizes. Raffle prizes were also donated by Tesco and Waitrose as well as private individuals.

The raffle income of £228 will support Fairtrade Horsham’s promotional activities throughout 2016. For instance, Fairtrade Horsham will be the host organiser of the West Sussex Fairtrade celebration in the Horsham Capitol Theatre at 7pm on Friday March 11, 2016.

This event will celebrate the progress West Sussex has made towards being recognised as a Fairtrade County by the Fairtrade Foundation and should be an interesting event with the Chairman of the Fairtrade Foundation, Michael Jarry giving a keynote speech.

Fairtrade Horsham is a not-for-profit group whose aim is to promote the use of Fairtrade products in the Horsham area.

The Fairtrade Foundation is a charity based in the United Kingdom that works to empower disadvantaged producers in developing countries by tackling injustice in conventional trade, in particular by promoting and licensing the Fairtrade Mark, a guarantee that products retailed in the UK have been produced in accordance with internationally agreed Fairtrade standards.

The organisation exists to improve the position of poor and marginalised producers in the developing world, by encouraging industry and consumers in the United Kingdom to support fairer trade.

For further information about the Fairtrade Foundation see http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/

Fairtrade West Sussex consists of representatives of the Fairtrade Towns and the County Council in West Sussex.

Its objective is to promote Fairtrade throughout the county by supporting the Fairtrade towns within the county and county wide initiatives.

For further information on Fairtrade West Sussex see http://www.fairtradewestsussex.org.uk/

Report and picture contributed by John Cooper.