Fairtrade Fortnight celebrated in Beccles by its community

Beccles' Fairtrade Fortnight launched in 2007 and it was the first market town in Suffolk to make the commitment, preceded only by Lowestoft in the county. 

The fortnight began on a high note with the raising of the Fairtrade flag above the town hall by mayor Barry Darch.   

Barry Darch raising of the Fairtrade Community flag above the Town Hall (Image: Elizabeth Bracken)

Mr Darch said: "Beccles’ choice to support Fairtrade is typical of the generous spirit of our community.

"Fairtrade helps farmers in the developing world, often working on small acreages, gain a reasonable return on their produce that means that they can survive economically and reinvest in their businesses.

"Today when climate change is affecting the production of much of the world’s food Fairtrade is even more important."

The Fairtrade Town Group visited the local schools of St Benet's Primary, Sir John Leman, SET Beccles, Beccles Primary Academy, Worlingham Primary, Albert Pye Community Primary and Ravensmere Infant, with gift baskets of Fairtrade produce for their staff rooms.   

Other events have been held by Beccles organisations across the two weeks, with Fairtrade displays around the town. 

Mr Dacrh said: "As we have seen from recent problems in the supply chains for fruit and vegetables in Britain and the rest of Europe, farmers and growers all over the world need to be paid well enough to be able to stay in business and invest in the future.

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"By choosing to buy items depicting the FairTrade logo you know that a larger, fairer share of the price has gone to the producer.

"Today when climate change is affecting the production of much of the world’s food Fairtrade is even more important."

To find out more, visit the Beccles Fairtrade Facebook page 

SET Beccles School receiving their Fairtrade goodies (Image: Elizabeth Bracken)

Worlingham Primary gladly accept their goodies (Image: Elizabeth Bracken)Ravensmere Infant School receive their Fairtrade goodies (Image: Elizabeth Bracken)