Fairtrade Shopping Evening 2019 – Buy Fairtrade and Make a Difference

The Fairtrade shopping evening at St Martin in the Wood Church in Hiltingbury last Friday was successful and enjoyable. Many people attended and had an opportunity to buy a variety of high quality fairtrade products to support disadvantaged producers and workers in the developing world. 

Fairtrade events encourage us to be ethical consumers and raise awareness of trade justice.

For many years, Tricia Urquhart has promoted Traidcraft and Heather Dibb has promoted The Leprosy Mission. They both have worked closely to promote fairtrade in Chandler’s Ford and Eastleigh.

Both Tricia and Heather helped organise this Fairtrade shopping evening. They were also supported by Sue Moll from Asvanna Fairtrade, who supplied all the clothes from Nomads Clothing, Sue Hunt from Shop Equality at Wells Place in Eastleigh, and members from Fairtrade in Eastleigh Borough Committee.

Eastleigh Borough was officially declared a Fairtrade Borough on 7 May 2015, thanks to the hard work of the volunteers for the Fairtrade in Eastleigh Borough campaign.

Debbie Pearce from Debbie Pearce Photography captured some lovely photographs during the evening, and have kindly shared them with us.

Well done for Tricia and many passionate people for making this event so interesting and enjoyable. One of the items I bought was the Fairtrade advent calendar – The Real Advent Calendar by The Meaningful Chocolate Company. The 2019 design calendar comes with a free 24-page Christmas story activity book designed to be used every day in Advent. This year, the book is illustrated by award-winning artist, Martina Peluso.

It’s rather meaningful to have an advent calendar which really tells children (and adults) the true meaning of Christmas. You can buy this calendar from Tricia and Hazel – from St Martin in the Wood Church and St Boniface Church, and also from local churches (such as the Methodist Church) which sell Traidcraft products. In Eastleigh, you can buy the calendars from Shop Equality.

My grown up child still requests an advent calendar and it’s the one for him.

All of us have enjoyed a free glass of wine, or tea and coffee, and some lovely nibbles from Traidcraft during this shopping evening. Many members from the church family were wonderfully helpful – serving drinks, running the stalls, and managing the check-out (I must say the efficiency and friendliness at the check-out were superior than some of my experiences from local supermarkets.). And, best of all – beautiful smiles and friendly conversations from friends and neighbours we met.

Eastleigh Mayor Attended the Fairtrade Fashion Show in Chandler’s Ford – 17 May 2019

Review: Fairtrade Evening in Chandler’s Ford 2018

Highlights of Fairtrade Fashion Show at St. Martin in the Wood Church: May 2017

Show You Care – Chandler’s Ford Fairtrade Autumn Market

For a Fairer World: Fairtrade Fashion Show in Chandler’s Ford

Fairtrade Fashion Show: Who Made Your Clothes?

Building Strong Fairtrade Community In Chandler’s Ford

A Fruitful Fairtrade Evening With Community Spirit