Reflection on Fairtrade – Kath Rickards

Fairtrade Fortnight runs from 21 September to 3 October 2026. As members and officers in the RCT Fairtrade since it was formed many years ago, we have always appreciated the support and help that local Churches have provide over the years.

Many will probably remember that Fairtrade Fortnight was originally held in March and with the help of volunteers the group would attend local supermarkets to give out leaflets and speak to customers about Fairtrade and products that could be purchased. Initially the concept was new to many people and there were only limited local shops that stocked Fairtrade goods. We were fortunate in Pontypridd to have the Harvest Book Shop which sold a number of Fairtrade Goods and some of the local supermarkets like Tesco, Co-op and Marks & Spencer that had a limited selection of goods such as Tea, Coffee, Bananas, Chocolate sugar etc. followed in a few years by Sainsbury’s and Lidl’s. Nowadays more local Café’s serve Fairtrade Coffee.

Each year the RCT Fairtrade group had a Fairtrade Stall in the Big Bite when we were grateful for help from volunteers from local churches and the Harvest Book Shop for providing Fairtrade goods to sell. Fairtrade Goods were sold at the Lent Lunches with supplies provided by the Harvest Book shop on sale or return basis. Over time other events such as coffee mornings, Phil as Banana Man during Fairtrade Fortnight and school visits took place. Many local schools are now Fairtrade Schools.

After Lockdown many activities were no longer possible and the RCT group became less effective.  However in 2025 a Pontypridd Fairtrade Group was formed by local volunteers and the group is now doing some amazing work publicising the wide range of Fairtrade products which are available from the original items such as tea, coffee, sugar, bananas etc to other products such as toys, wine, flowers, clothes and many more.

They have a Fairtrade Pontypridd Facebook page which gives news of all events and various products that are available both locally and further afield.

Pontypridd Fairtrade Group have arranged many events during Fairtrade fortnight in venues around the town. For those not familiar with Facebook, there is a display in the Pontypridd Library which will give more information.

Further information about Fairtrade can be found on the Fairtrade Wales website https://fairtrade.wales/campaign/fairtrade-fortnight-2026/ but briefly Fairtrade guarantees:

• Minimum price
• Additional premium
• Environmental protection
• Safe and fair working conditions
• Democratic decision making

There are around 2 million Fairtrade farmers and workers across 70 countries, with over 37k Fairtrade products being sold in over 140 countries. This Fairtrade Fortnight, we’re askingthe public to:

• Buy Fair Trade products from their local Fairtrade businesses and grocery shops.
• Attend a Fairtrade Fortnight event hosted by your local community
• Share with others the importance of Fairtrade and why everyone deserves Fair Pay.
• Ask their local MSs to show their commitment to Fair Trade.

   Birthdays in October:

3rd Oct – John Henson
6th Oct – Bethan Walkling
7th Oct – Alan Hills
16th Oct – Maralyn Tomlinson
18th Oct – George Tustin
30th Oct – Joyce Mordecai

Colleen’s personalised cards are still only £3.00.  Final reminder that if anyone would like personalised Christmas cards please get your orders to Colleen by the end of October to ensure that she has plenty of time to complete them.  It’s Colleen’s busiest time of the year.

Colleen also asks if you can please save the bags that she provides to display the cards in and return them to her once you have used the cards. Some people already do this and it’s much appreciated. This will in turn cut down on costs as she can recycle them and it’s much more environmentally friendly than throwing them away.

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