Rochdale Fairtrade borough - official presentation

Councillor Allen Brett, Councillor Ashley Dearnley and Chief Executive of Rochdale Council, Roger Ellis with Schoolchildren from Furrow Community Primary School

A celebration event was held at Rochdale Town Hall on Friday 17 March to mark Rochdale becoming a Fairtrade borough.  Many local Fairtrade supporters enjoyed Fairtrade refreshments before seeing the Mayor, Councillor Ashley Dearnley presented with the official certificate from the Fairtrade Foundation from the Leader of Rochdale Council Allen Brett. 

Councillor Allen Brett, Councillor Ashley Dearnley and Chief Executive of Rochdale Council, Roger Ellis, all spoke of their delight that Rochdale is now officially Fairtrade borough and that they are proud that the Council has played their role in helping to achieve the award – Fairtrade tea & coffee is now served in the Town Hall canteen and for all Council meetings.  It was a fitting end Fairtrade Fortnight 2006.

Schoolchildren from Furrow Community Primary School, Middleton & St Edwards CE Primary, Castleton also came along to represent some of the many schools in Rochdale that help promote Fairtrade.  They arrived at the event with a colourful Fairtrade banner made jointly by pupils at both schools to celebrate the occasion. Each school was given a Fairtrade football by United Co-operatives as a thank you.

Rochdale Fairtrade Forum, with is made up of members from the World Development Movement Rochdale, Traidcraft, RoFTRA, United Co-op Members, local faith groups and Rochdale Council, organised the event and was pleased to see people from all sectors of Rochdale community call in to offer support.

The award is about the whole community including individuals, retailers, caterers, workplaces, community groups, schools, and the Council, working together to promote Fairtrade.  Rochdale has received the prestigious award in recognition of its work so far but the award needs to renewed annually so work will not stop.  Forum members are eagerly planning further work to continue to encourage local people to support Fairtrade by either selling, serving, buying or indeed promoting Fairtrade.

Forum members would like to say a huge thank you to all those who have supported their work so far and helped the people of Rochdale receive this fantastic award and ask the people of Rochdale ‘Make Fairtrade your Habit’.

Further information on Fairtrade and how you can support it locally, view:

Community/Groups/groups_web_page.asp?ID=497