St Andrews Fairtrade Town Campaign

St Andrews Fairtrade Town Campaign Group 

3^rd December 2024

Present PR, AC, MP, PM, AM, MR, EP, JG

Apologies LG

Welcome and introductions

·       We welcomed Jen Grayley, currently a 4^th year student in Sustainable Development.

 Matters arising from minutes 23.09.24

·       Website update:  to be done once the noticeboard is in place.                            ACTION MP

·       Noticeboard:  the scaffolding delay continues.

·       Schools poster competition:  Two St Leonards Year 5 pupils were judged equal first.  AC to liaise with their teacher Ailsa Beebee about when to meet to present their prizes and to ask permission for a photo for our website and local print media.                           ACTION AC

Financial report

·       Balance £2,419.73         

University update 

·       Andy Ashworth of KoolSkools gave a talk during Sustainability Week, organised by EP.  Andy will be returning in March 2025.  Before then we hope to get the Links Trust interested in Kool Schools sustainable T shirts, sweatshirts and polo shirts.                             ACTION MP

·       EP and JG are working on communications about fair trade relating to Christmas, including blog posts and emails.

·       A study group in the School of Sustainable Development has plans to visit three St Andrews primary schools next term to talk about fair trade, fast fashion and agriculture.

·       Meetings about the University’s Fairtrade accreditation are ongoing.

·       EP is on the board of Scottish Fair Trade.  Fairtrade Towns International is to be held at Edinburgh University next summer.

True Origin update

·       MP reported on the crisis involving the withdrawal of Eswatini goods while a hygiene issue is investigated.  This causes a serious cash flow problem.  People can help buy buying from and donating to True Origin.

·       JG to add information about True Origin to the emailed list of Christmas goods. ACTION JG

·       Following Howard Msukwa’s visit in September, St Leonards Church is now supporting Clement through university.

·       St Leonards Church in collaboration with Bananabox is also now working on the collection of spectacles to send to northern Malawi. We agreed to pay £17.50 for the transport of one banana box.  Collection points in churches and opticians. PR to contact Govans opticians and source the banana box. EP to create a graphic for the collection boxes and deliver 20 copies to MP.                                                                                                 ACTION EP/PR

Ideas for celebrating our 20^th anniversary

·       An event in St Leonards Church Hall on Friday 21^st or 28^th November 2025, inviting Louise Davies CEO of Scottish Fair Trade.  PR to book the hall.                         ACTION PR

·       Guestlist to include:  Wendy Chamberlain, Penelope Fraser, University representative.

·       To be discussed at our next meeting.                                         

AOB

·       Fairtrade Fortnight 2025 is to be 22^nd September to 5^th October.

·       Louise Davies is the new Chief Executive of Scottish Fair Trade.

·       Our Fairtrade renewal is due on 10^th November 2025.

·       MP would like to give a talk to Sustainable Development students.         ACTION JG

·       Green Week is during Week 3 of next semester.

Date and venue of next meeting

·       Tuesday 11^th February 2025, 7.30 at 18 Irvine Crescent.