Ilkley is preparing to celebrate 20 years as a Fairtrade Town, with a series of events planned to mark the milestone and highlight the town’s commitment to fairer trade.
Ilkley was awarded Fairtrade Town status in 2006 and has displayed its accreditation on welcome signs around the town ever since.
The campaign to secure the status began around 2003, when a group of local supporters led by Rosie Tudge of All Saints Church worked to raise awareness of Fairtrade in Ilkley.
The late councillor and former parish council chairman Brian Mann and the late Alan Lowe of Christchurch were also among those involved in the campaign.
Fairtrade Town status recognises communities that promote Fairtrade products and raise awareness of the social, economic and environmental benefits of fairer trade for farmers and workers in developing countries.
The Ilkley Fairtrade Group continues to campaign for fairer trading practices and has organised events in the town over the years, including walks, breakfasts, fashion shows, coffee mornings and tea parties.
The group says Fairtrade can help improve working conditions, provide fairer pay for producers and support sustainable farming practices.
As part of this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight, which runs from September 21st to October 4th, a Fairtrade Trail will take place around Ilkley.
Quiz questions will be displayed at businesses selling Fairtrade products, with entry forms available from the foyer of Christchurch, Oxfam, Tesco Customer Services and other locations.
Residents are also being encouraged to look out for the Fairtrade logo when shopping at local stores and cafés.
The Ilkley Fairtrade Group is also working with Ilkley BID to create a new directory of local shops and businesses supporting Fairtrade.
The directory will be available through the Discover Ilkley website.
The 20th anniversary celebrations will culminate in a coffee morning at Christchurch, Ilkley, at 10.30am on Saturday 10th October.
The event will include refreshments, a Fairtrade stall, information about the campaign and the cutting of a birthday cake.
The winner of the Fairtrade Trail quiz will also be announced, with a prize of Fairtrade products donated by the Co-op.
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