Fairtrade Association Biggleswade

On Saturday 04 March 2013 The Chapter House at St Andrew’s Church was a hive of activity. Passers by could not help but notice a giant inflatable banana and teacup. Those who ventured in  to the annual Think As You Shop event were treated to a range of displays and stalls plus delicious refreshments.

The stalls showcased local and Fairtrade suppliers and products. This included two  Biggleswade businesses. The CO-OP recently started trading from a brand new store in the Saxon Gate Shopping Area. They sell a wide range of Fairtrade,  local and ethically sourced products. Also The Courtyard Wellbeing Centre (next to St Andrew’s Church) which offers  complementary therapies plus a Courtyard Café with  healthy, home cooked food produced from  locally sourced, Fairtrade or organic ingredients.

Other stallholders were  Garden Friends (vegetable boxes), Teresa Washington (Neal’s Yard organic natural health and beauty products), Rebecca Fugill (hand made jewellery), Bridget Mappley (eco-friendly jute bags) and Traidcraft (Fairtrade products) .

Edward Peake  are working towards becoming a Fairtrade School.  At the event a team of pupils produced a sculpture from Fairtrade wrappers and packages. This was a suggested activity for Fairtrade Fortnight which this year is   February 25 – March 10.

In keeping with the theme of the event,  the refreshments were of course all made from local or Fairtrade ingredients. Visitors, including Alistair Burt, our North East Bedfordshire MP, enjoyed tea / coffee plus homemade soup and cakes.

2013