Egremont is a traditional market town, with a charter going back to Henry III, and the remotest town in England. Famous for its Norman castle and unique Crab Fair It has a population of 7500 and not necessarily the obvious choice for the 102nd Fairtrade Town, the 11th in Cumbria.
   There are a number of exciting projects aimed at regenerating Egremont; Fairtrade can play an important part in raising the profile of this attractive town.

We convened our Fairtrade town committee in December 2005 and launched our campaign in March 2006. The launch was made by Mayor Clarkson at our Farmers' Market. We had local Cumbrian and Traidcraft produce as well as Fairtrade refreshments. Three local schools had produced wonderful banners for the “Get Creative” theme of Fairtrade Fortnight. There was also an inspirational talk by Beryl and Peggy from the successful Millom Fairtrade Town group.

Our campaign was able to draw together different parts of the community that had been supporting Fairtrade for many years — the Methodist and Catholic Churches, St Bridget's Catholic Primary School and various sections of Wyndham secondary School. The Copeland-Rungwe, Tanzania Community link had provided an important direct link with a developing Country. Dedicated individuals had already laid the groundwork for our campaign for Fairtrade Town status, it was just a case of drawing everything together.
   Because of this we were able to apply for Fairtrade Town status in record time, which was granted in July. Joe Human officially presented our certificate on October 10th in the presence of the Mayor Willis Metherell, the leader of Copeland Borough Council (Elaine Woodburn) and a number of Town Council, Copeland Council and Cumbria County Council members. We had a talk by the Rungwe Tanzanian link about their recent visit and Fairtrade wine kindly donated by the Co-op and local cheeses from Mawsons of Seascale.

   We are lucky to have a committee of dedicated individuals representing different sections in the community. Simon Walker and Toni Lewthwaite (Egremont Regeneration), June Bland (Egremont Town Council), Ruth Banks (WI), Ralph Merrett (Local Business), Karen Storr(Arts Project) and Carole Woodman (Local Farmer).
   Egremont Fairtrade Town Committee took over the running of this market in March 2006 after it folded in 2005. We have built it back up to a very successful bustling market, currently the only one in Copeland. We have over 12 regular stalls, ranging from local crafts, pork, Cumberland sausage, lamb, beef, speciality breads and cakes, milk, cheese, butter, fudge, free-range eggs, preserves, fruit and vegetables, and plants, to Traidcraft and other Fairtrade produce and crafts. Fairtrade refreshments are provided by different community organisations, which has been a useful way for them to raise money. The market is in Egremont Market Hall on the 3rd Friday of the month between 9.30 and 1pm (18May, 15 June, 20th July, 17yh Aug, 21 Sept, 19 Oct, 16 Nov, 21 Dec). The income from the Market supports our Fairtrade Town campaign.

The link was established 20 years ago and during that time they have funded and hosted visits of 50 - 60 students, teachers and members of the Rungwe community to this part of West Cumbria. Around 200 West Cumbrians have experienced rural Tanzanian life and assisted in building schools and funding youngsters in Secondary education (the annual school fee is currently £60).
   Rungwe is a major tea growing area and we have been able to put the community in touch with local Fairtrade groups. The Fairtrade Group in Egremont is looking at extending this, hoping to sell more of their crafts and produce in Egremont.

Carole Woodman (01946) 822375.

After the official business we had a fascinating talk by Mary Kipling who had been out to Rungwe, Tanzania to set up volunteer links to make it easier for anyone to go out to Rungwe. There is now a link between West Cumberland hospital and Tukuyu hospital, and teachers and builders are always needed. Mary showed some wonderful pictures, particularly of a group of Massai women who were producing beadwork to sell to fund their childrens' education. Mary had some samples for sale and we are looking into finding a way to sell more.

Even Ugandan coffee farmer, Sam Magona was startled by the challenging questions asked by primary as well as secondary school students in Wyndham Theatre when he gave a presentation on what it is like to be a coffee farmer in Uganda and the difference that Fairtrade makes to the families that work on the coffee farms.
   Listening with indignation to the basic needs made possible by the social premium attached to Fairtrade - the right of children to go to school, of families to have clean water to drink and sick people to go to hospital for life-saving treatment, one primary school child asked, "Should Fairtrade be a law?" Stunned for a moment, Sam reflected and eventually replied, "No, because we live in a democratic community and we should not have to force people to do things."
   A few minutes earlier his young audience had been listening intently as he described how members of his co-operative had risen to the challenge of producing premium grade coffee in order to meet Fairtrade's demanding standards and earn the benefits of guaranteed prices. It involved scrupulously selecting coffee beans at the peak of condition and drying them, not on the ground, but in trays that will allow warm air to circulate around them. For producing a crop of such high standards they can expect a price nearly four times higher than they could expect before the days of Fairtrade, guaranteeing a profit margin that can transform lives and allow whole communities to live in dignity.
   "Yes, children do work on the farms," Sam told another young questioner, but only for a few hours a day. They need to absorb the skills that keep their communities going, but they also go to schools with roofs provided by the Fairtrade social premium.
   An ardent enthusiast for the ideals which Fairtrade draws from the international Rotary movement, he set out the acid questions that determine the movement's priorities: Is it fair? Will it bring benefits? Will it improve the lives of the community? Crucial to improving the lives of the community was the effect of Fairtrade agreements in empowering women in the African farming communities. Previously sidelined as cheap labour, women are now proving themselves the best managers. Gender issues have to be addressed in every committee. Boys as well as girls in the audience were moved as Sam declared passionately, "Educate a woman and you educate a nation."
   Earlier, Copeland Mayor, Willis Metherell had praised St Bridgets for being the first school in our area to gain Fairtrade status and read a statement from Jamie Reed, MP. Jamie Reed hoped that in years to come all goods will be Fairtrade and that whenever crops and commodities are bought they receive a fair price, so that producers are economically liberated not exploited. The composition of supermarket shelves would change, and the effects would be widespread for buyers and producers alike, if shoppers hit the exploiters where it hurts them most - in the pocket.
   Wyndham Secondary School, Egremont hosted a conference where Sam was able to explain the difference Fairtrade made to his community. At least 6 other local schools attended. Afterwards Sam and guests enjoyed a Fairtrade buffet provided by local community groups and businesses. It was an inspiring visit. We have ordered some of Sam's Gumutindo coffee which we will sell at the Farmers' Market, and our local news editor will be supplying it to his local café to serve!

• Launch of Egremonts' Fairtrade and Local Directory.
• Coffee tasting, to persuade more cafés to offer a Fairtrade alternative.
• Fairtrade Fashion show, refreshments and African dance and music night with visiting Tanzanians in July.