Clifton Diocese - A Fairtrade Zone?

There has been a real buzz this Fairtrade Fortnight, with Catholics across our diocese actively involved in promoting and supporting the campaign to ‘Make Fairtrade Your Habit’.

From a talk on fairtrade in South Africa and stall to coincide with the Women’s World Day of Prayer at St Pius X in Withywood, Bristol; a successful coffee morning at the Cathedral; a new stall at Our Lady of Lourdes, Weston-Super-mare; Year 8 pupils starting a fairtrade tuck shop at St Ursula’s Catholic High School in Westbury-on-Trym; staff at diocesan headquarters, Alexander House joining a box scheme that has been running at the Sacred Heart in Somerset’s Chew Valley, to the upcoming Fashion Show at St Augustine of Canterbury in the Downend area of Bristol. And that is just to name just a few!

The national average for recognising the Fairtrade mark is 40% but here in the South West it is 70% - so many thanks to all those who are already involved.

It would be great to pool this information and look towards our diocese achieving certain goals set by the Fairtrade Foundation to become a Fairtrade Zone by next year’s Fairtrade Fortnight.

Debbie Forge, from the Chew Valley parish, and Deirdre Duggan, of the Cathedral parish, have both represented Catholics and Traidcraft on the Bristol Fairtrade Network which achieved Fairtrade Status for the City of Bristol last year. They are keen in building a group to look at the fantastic activity already going on in the diocese and to encourage others to take part.

If you are involved in fairtrade in your parish, school, or charity contact us and let us know how fairtrade products are present where you are. If you would like to join us in looking at what needs to be done in the diocese please contact valleyfairtrade@aol.com or call Debbie Forge on 01275 472391.