Fairtrade Market

BEXHILL'S Fairtrade Fortnight drew to a close this weekend with a Fairtrade market held at St Mary Magdalene's church hall on Saturday.

Many people attended the event including Town Mayor Cllr Paul Lendon and Chairman of the Bexhill Fairtrade Town Steering Committee Jack Doherty.

Stalls sold a variety of Fairtrade products including jewellery, crafts, scarves, soaps and bath products, confectionary and a range of teas.

Mr Doherty said that the Fairtrade Fortnight had done much to raise peoples awareness of Fairtrade products and they had received a lot of support from both shoppers and business's in the area.

He said: "Bexhill has been a Fairtrade town for ten years now and we've had a tremendous reception for Fairtrade products. We've had an amazing variety of events where people have shown their support, from church sponsored coffee mornings to Pebsham and Bexhill High school's designing poster's and showing the important 'Black Gold' film."

Mr Doherty explained that 'Black Gold' depicts the story of a farmer who is trying to sell his coffee at a fair price and that the farmers story encapsulates the true meaning of Fairtrade.

He said: "His point is that we have got the balance wrong. In support for developing countries we need more fair trade which will then ultimately lead to less aid. Helping these people look after and fend for themselves is the aim."

For those who enjoy a coffee or two then the 'Black Gold' movie might make them pause for thought and Mr Doherty encourages anyone who is interested in what Fairtrade means to see the film.

A website, dedicated to the film, states the following: 'As westerners revel in designer lattes and cappucinos, impoverished Ethiopian coffee growers suffer the bitter taste of injustice. In this eye-opening expose of the multi-billion dollar industry, Black Gold traces one man's fight for a fair price.'

Mr Doherty went on to say that whilst Bexhill had celebrated the Fairtrade events of the past fortnight in "grand style", it was important for people to continue buying Fairtrade products and for traders to increase the range of goods they sell.

He added: "When it comes to world poverty we can make a difference."

For more information on Fairtrade visit the website at: www.fairtrade.org.uk and, for further information on 'Black Gold': www.blackgoldmovie.com.