About the Tunbridge Wells Fairtrade Town Campaign

The Fairtrade Town movement has been spreading across the United Kingdom, following the lead of the first Fairtrade Town – Garstang – in Lancashire which declared Fairtrade Town status in May 2000. There are currently 309 confirmed ‘Fairtrade Towns’ and over 248 more working towards Fairtrade status.

The Tunbridge Wells Fairtrade Town Campaign has its roots in the Tunbridge Wells Churches’ Social Responsibility Group (TWCSRG). This group is made up of local Churches united in their belief that Christian love is best revealed through social action. The Fairtrade movement aims to help individuals and communities struggling with poverty throughout the world – simply by guaranteeing that producers in the developing world get a fair price for their produce. This concept of justice in the marketplace, and care for our brothers and sisters is fundamental to the Christian faith and therefore the TWCSRG readily supported the Tunbridge Wells Fairtrade Town Campaign. Under their umbrella a steering group was formed to spearhead the campaign and it was Initially launched to the Churches in the Tunbridge Wells area in May 2004. As a result many of the Churches have now joined the campaign and have applied for Fairtrade Church Status.

However, the fact is that Fairtrade involves all of us from the oldest to the youngest from every walk of life. Justice in the market place, fair wages and fair prices for goods are concepts that all of us understand and would like for ourselves. Every individual, every faith group, every business, every school, every community centre can be involved in the campaign and we invite you to join us as we work to maintain our Fairtrade status. See here

The Campaign seeks to support local producers, who are also struggling to survive in the global market place. As such we are currently exploring ways to encourage, promote and support our local producers.