Karen Bradley joined councillors, officials, volunteers and local businesses on March 12th to celebrate Biddulph achieving Fairtrade status. Five years' of work has culminated in the town achieving the award that recognises its support for producers in the developing world.
Karen awarded prizes to pupils of Woodhouse Middle School and John Bateman Middle School who were winners of a Fairtrade quiz, as dozens of local people gathered for the celebration of Biddulph's Fairtrade status award at the end of Fairtrade Fortnight. Karen said:
"It is testament to the community spirit that is so evident in Biddulph that elected representatives, officials, community groups and businesses have come together to achieve something that the whole town can be proud of."
Mr John Bamford, organiser of the celebration congratulated the school children and the town and encouraged everyone to buy the Fairtrade goods available.
Among other requirements local councils must stock and use Fairtrade goods and enough businesses must also sell them. In Biddulph small traders as well as the large supermarkets are doing so.
As well as displays of the goods available there was information available on the Shared Interest Society which supports small scale investments that support Fairtrade.
Karen is pictured with the Biddulph Town Mayoress Mrs Dean, the Town Crier John Robinson, Cllr Hilda Sheldon, Town Mayor Cllr Roger Dean and Mr Bamford receiving the certificate of Fairtrade status.