SPECIAL EVENTS

FAIRTRADE SUPPORT

PLEASE KEEP UP YOUR GOOD INTENTIONS

FAIRTRADE SUPPER

The invitation to the free celebratory Fairtrade Supper held in the Village Hall at the end of February was taken up by over seventy five people.  This evening was made possible because of generous support from the Parish Council and the SE Co-op Group.  It was an opportunity to recognise and thank many of those who have helped to achieve Fairtrade Village status for Tatsfield and to get up to date with current issues.

The guest speaker for the evening was Alison Roel, Head of Certification at the Fairtrade Foundation. She came to present the award of Fairtrade Village status to the Tatsfield community and clearly enjoyed meeting people, engaging in discussion and answering their questions. Glynis Whittle, Chair of Tandridge District Council, was there to present special certificates to St Mary’s Church, The Bakery Restaurant, Tatsfield School Parent Teacher Association, and our two indispensable village shops, Linda’s Stores and Tony and Di Brown’s Greengrocers in recognition of the support they are giving to the Fairtrade Village initiative.  An additional focus for the Tatsfield Fairtrade Group is to continue to promote and encourage the purchase of local produce. Ingredients for the meal were bought where possible in the village shops.

This is a great achievement for Tatsfield. However we cannot rest on our laurels, nor do we want to.  The steering group will be looking at other ways of spreading the Fairtrade message and increasing support which helps to guarantee better prices, working conditions and local sustainability for farmers and workers in the developing world. Another check will be made by the Fairtrade Foundation in a year’s time to see what further progress has been made and so the work goes on in earnest.

The evening was held during the national Fairtrade Fortnight and in addition members of the steering group led an assembly at Tatsfield Primary School, illustrating how small is the percentage of the cost of a bar of chocolate that goes to the cocoa producer. Typically just ½% is paid to cocoa farmers; not enough for most people to live on.  It was heart-warming to see how the younger generation appreciate the concept of ‘a fair deal’.  Do give Fairtrade chocolate a go yourself – look for the logo on Cadbury’s Dairy milk, KitKat 4 bars, Divine Chocolate or Dubble bars and look out for Fairtrade Easter eggs!

Jennie South