Fair enough: council change of heart over Third World farmers

Councillors have done a U-turn over plans to help disadvantaged farmers and workers in developing countries.

In 2009 when Cheshire East Council was born, Fairtrade status, proudly achieved by towns including Congleton, Alsager and Sandbach, was “put on the ackburner” by the council.

On only its second day of existence, council leader Coun Wesley Fitzgerald said the authority would be too usy to “fully commit to supporting the principle”.

The remark was made in the face of opposition from councillors, as the “Chronicle” reported at the time.

Coun Ainsley Arnold, who represents Broken Cross, said: “We are hardly reinventing the wheel. Councillors have already done the spadework and we know what has to be done. I am disappointed we are looking at ways to postpone things for an indeterminable time.”

Coun Shirley Jones, who represents Alsager, proposed a motion that the council recognised the “significant work undertaken by the councils forming Cheshire East towards gaining Fairtrade status” and set up a working group to carry forward the Fairtrade agenda, which was rejected.

But now the council has said it wants to achieve Fairtrade status and is working towards that goal.

Alsager, Congleton and Sandbach have already secured the status through their town councils and Crewe, Macclesfield and Wilmslow, which do not have town councils, can now achieve it through Cheshire East Council.

For some time, the authority has used Fairtrade products such as sugar at its head office in Westfields, Sandbach, but it must implement further measures to achieve Fairtrade status.

Caroline Simpson, head of regeneration at Cheshire East Council, said: “We are committed to achieving Fairtrade status and we would also encourage all towns to apply through their various councils.

“Becoming a Fairtrade council will also be an achievement everyone can celebrate and a powerful message about how the community wants trade to work.

“We are committed to growing and developing a sustainable Cheshire East and we believe moving to Fairtrade status will help us to achieve that.”

By choosing to support Fairtrade, communities expect to add their voices to demands that people should come before profit.

Fair to local farmers Campaigners say the movement can co-exist with the “buy local” philosophy, and Cheshire farmers would not suffer.

Dennis Wood, chairman of Congleton’s Fairtrade steering group, said: “If you look at Fairtrade goods, the vast majority of them are sourced from Third World countries. Products like tea, coffee and bananas aren’t grown in this country. You can support Fairtrade and local farms; it doesn’t have to be one or the other.

“I always look to buy local products and support local businesses.

“As far as Fairtrade is concerned, it is about ensuring people are not exploited.

“I think it is important that as many authorities as possible across the country support it and I was very keen that Cheshire East becomes a Fairtrade borough. This is good news for everybody involved.”

When the council’s Fairtrade status was discussed at a recent Cabinet meeting this month, Coun Jones said: “This is not going to be something that happens overnight. Just because you are Fairtrade it doesn’t mean you are pressuring people into having one product.

“It isn’t a dictatorial system, it’s about Third World farmers saying ‘give us a chance’ and helping improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in the world.”

Pursuing the status will cost the council £500 for leaflets and posters.

Annual parochial church meeting

The annual parochial church meeting at St James’s Church, Gawsworth, takes place on Tuesday at 7.30pm with the Easter vestry meeting (of the parishioners) when two churchwardens will be appointed for the year (nomination forms available from the PCC secretary).

There are vacancies for five lay people to be elected to the church council for a period of three years. The list for nominations is on the notice board at the back of church and names must be proposed and seconded, and confirmed by the nominees.

All parishioners on the church electoral roll are invited to the meeting, when reports on the activities of church organisations over the past 12 months — including parish finances and the state of the church fabric — will be given.

Anyone with an interest in the future of the church is welcome to attend the meeting.

The Chronicle, Thursday, 31st March, 2011. www.chronicleseries.co.uk 5

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‘It’s good to talk’ cancer support group praised

A local support group for peole affected by head and neck cancer has been commended by a national cancer foundation.

On the last Wednesday of every other month, patients, relatives and carers who have experienced head and neck cancer are welcomed to the Macmillan Cancer Unit at Leighton Hospital to share their experiences, gain information and receive support from medical staff and peers alike.

The group, known as “Talk’s Cheap”, has regular guest speakers on topics relating to head and neck cancer, and has recently received a letter of commendation and £150 prize from the Mouth Cancer Foundation for its ositive contribution to supporting those affected.

In the letter, the group, which is run by its attendees, was raised for the members’ “consideration and care for one another” and recognised that “all aspects of the group are deeply valued by patients, carers and rofessionals.” Attendees of the group include patients of all stages of head and neck cancer, as well as past patients, many of whom act as buddies to those currently undergoing treatment. The sessions are o en to everybody and are not restricted to patients of Leighton Hospital, meaning that patients from all over the region are welcome to attend.

Margaret Doyle, Macmillan head and neck clinical nurse specialist, said: “I am delighted that the group has received the commendation, as I feel our members have achieved such a lot in a relatively short space of time.

“Our members put so much effort into supporting other patients and carers with what can be a devastating and lifechanging cancer. They also get involved in various fund-raising activities for Macmillan Cancer Support, helping to further aid those who are affected by cancer.”

The sessions for 2011 are listed below, all of which run from 6pm until 7.30pm. The sessions are informal, and people do not have to book to attend. Sessions, all Wednesdays, are on March 30th; May 25th; July 27th; September 28th and November 30th.

For further information call Margaret Doyle, Macmillan head and neck clinical nurse specialist, on 01270 273665 or email Mar aret.Do le mcht.nhs.uk

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