Waveney’s two Fairtrade Towns, Beccles and Lowestoft, are getting behind the national campaign for this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight and asking everybody to join in The Big Swap.

From 22nd February to 7th March, people are encouraged to show their support for small producers in developing countries by swapping items on their regular shopping list for the Fairtrade version. You can make a choice and make a stand, by swapping your usual cuppa for a Fairtrade cuppa, your usual bananas for Fairtrade bananas, or your cotton socks for Fairtrade cotton socks.

This year’s campaign is aiming for one million and one swaps, and every swap will be proof that the people of the UK want producers in the developing world to get a fairer deal. For more information visit www.thebigswap.org.uk – a hub for all your swapping needs. It tells you how to get involved, what you can swap and most importantly, how to register your efforts.

Members of the Fairtrade Steering Groups in both Beccles and Lowestoft were recently joined by Councillor Alan Duce, Chairman of Waveney District Council and the Mayors of Beccles and Lowestoft in a call to encourage as many people as possible to get behind the campaign.

Waveney District Council’s Chairman, Cllr Alan Duce said: “We are very lucky to have two Fairtrade towns in Waveney and the dedicated Steering Groups in Beccles and Lowestoft have put in a lot of work to promote this important issue and show their town’s support for Fairtrade Fortnight. Across the district, cafes, restaurants and shops will be highlighting the wealth of products available, so I hope people seize the opportunity to make a swap and help the world’s poorer producers.”

Beccles will be hosting a ‘Big Brew’ event on Sunday 28th February at Hungate Church from 4pm until 6pm. Alongside a range of Fairtrade teas to try for free, there will be homemade cakes and biscuits which include Fairtrade ingredients and a stall where you can buy products from leading Fairtrade suppliers Traidcraft.

At 4pm, there will also be a chance to find out how Fairtrade works on the ground. Elizabeth Bracken, who has been involved with Fairtrade in Beccles for the past 18 years, will give a talk entitled ‘My visit to India with Traidcraft.’ She will describe her visits to different Fairtrade producers ranging from farmers in South India who grow ginger for biscuits, to jewellery makers in Delhi, stone carvers in Agra and embroiderers in Calcutta. This will be followed by Fairtrade tea with cakes and biscuits at 5pm.

Wendy Moxon, co-ordinator of Beccles Fairtrade Town Steering Group said: “We are excited to be offering people the opportunity to get a real sense of how Fairtrade benefits producers and why we should all make the change. We hope people come along and support our Big Brew event and Fairtrade Fortnight’s Big Swap.”

The Mayor of Beccles, Cllr Jack Walmsley added: “Beccles is proud to be a Fairtrade Town. We are committed to the Fairtrade cause and you can’t go far without being given the option to choose Fairtrade. The list of available items is endless and there really is no excuse not to swap. I’d like to encourage everybody to think about their choices during the next two weeks and hopefully beyond.”

In Lowestoft, the 12th Annual Fairtrade event takes place on Saturday 6th March from 10am to 3pm at the Stella Maris Hall, Gordon Road, Lowestoft. As always, a wonderful variety of fairly-traded items will be on sale, including jewellery, crafts, clothing, bags, foods, including Easter eggs (made from fairly-traded chocolate of course), hand-stitched cards and a wide range of children’s gifts.

There will also be refreshments, including home-made soups, rolls and a large cake stall with items donated by long-time supporters Martellos coffee house and Heil’s bakery. Admission is free, but donations are welcome and will go to the Kampalan Street Children Fund along with the proceeds from refreshments.

Jo Knight from Lowestoft’s Fairtrade Steering Group said: “There has been a massive increase in awareness and use of Fairtrade items in many local businesses and eateries over the years. There is a thriving Fairtrade Steering Committee in the town, continuing the hard work and dedication shown by its founder member Francine Nahai and we welcome new ideas and new supporters.

Please come along to this event if you wish to meet the group or you would like more information about becoming a Fairtrade school or business.”

Elsewhere in Lowestoft, Whitton Green Primary School has invited a speaker to give a Fairtrade assembly and many of the town’s churches, will be choosing Fairtrade as a theme for their services or youth work. They will also be promoting the sale of Fairtrade goods by holding stalls after church.

The Mayor of Lowestoft, Cllr Malcolm Cherry said: “We should all be very proud of Lowestoft’s Fairtrade status and this is our chance to show our continued support. Fairtrade is a people’s movement and we can all make a real difference. I would like local people to show that Lowestoft is a town that cares and ask everyone to get involved. Please make the change and register your support for The Big Swap.”

Across the district, many shops and supermarkets will have displays supported by members of the local Fairtrade committees. Please stop and take a look at just how many fairly-traded products are available and take the opportunity to gather more information.

To find out more about Fairtrade Fortnight in Waveney visit our dedicated Fairtrade page. For details of Fairtrade in Beccles call 01502 712 832 and for Lowestoft call 01502 511 469. You can also visit www.fairtrade.org.uk.