St Andrews Fairtrade Town Campaign

Present  PR, AC, MP, AM, MR, PM, Amy Manvell, Kate Valles 

Welcome to Kate, Sustainability Intern.  And we are delighted to hear that Amy’s job as the University’s Sustainability Coordinator has been extended into a second year.

Financial statement.  Balance £1,439.35

Matters arising from minutes 02.03.26

·       The noticeboard has been fixed.  We are advised that two people should always be present when opening it to keep passersby safe and that WD40 should be used every time.

·       Invitation to speak to the Community Council.   CC Chair Martin Passmore had explained that the CC is keen to better understand Fairtrade and the benefits that any future signage at the gateways to the town would have. AC to write to Izzy Corbin to say that MP is available for the July or August CC meeting.      As there are financial constraints we feel that even one sign on the main road entry would be a successful outcome.                   ACTION AC/MP 

British Open Golf Championship 2027

·       In preparation for next year’s championship, to be held in St Andrews 11^th to 18^th July we discussed how to improve our contacts with the R&A.  MP to try again with her contacts.  Amy to ask the University conservation manager and Andy Ashcroft for suggestions.  PR to contact the Fairtrade Foundation to explore the proposal for a Fairtrade Event category again.                                                                                    ACTION MP/Amy/PR

Fairtrade Fortnight 21^st Sept to 4^th Oct, Do it Fair

·       We discussed three possible events to be held in September/October not necessarily during the Fortnight itself: (1) a traditional coffee morning downstairs in St Marks to raise money for the Catherine Newman Youth Bursary; (2) a speaker event at a University venue, during or soon after Orientation Week. Possible speakers:  Scottish Fair Trade CEO Louise Davies, a Fairtrade producer;  (3) a discussion on fair trade supply chains + tasting session hosted by MP. 

·       Amy to contact Louise. MP to explore dates with St Marks. PR to find out from Scottish Fair Trade and the Fairtrade Foundation if there are plans to bring a producer to Scotland.                                                                                                     ACTION Amy/MP/PR

·       PR to contact the Baptists re one banner; 2^nd one for St Leonards.   ACTION PR

·       MP to contact the Town Hall later for permission to fly the flag there.  ACTION MP

Catherine Newman Youth Bursary

·       This is a fund set up in memory of Catherine Newman to enable a young person to attend the International Fair Trade Towns Conference each year. 

University update, with thanks to Amy for supplying this information for the minutes.

·       ·       Fairtrade events for Sustainability Week in March went well – at the Skate, scoot and bike festival, Amy and the Environment Network (including Kate) gave out 150 cups of Fairtrade drinks; Andy Ashcroft (Koolskools) gave a talk on their Fairtrade cotton supply chain and a group of students have created a project to redevelop Koolskools’ website.

·       Results from Fairtrade Survey – see breakdown of the results here Fairtrade Survey 2026 – Results and Analysis – Sustainability Blog 

·       Fairtrade University Award – the University of St Andrews has achieved the top accreditation of 3 stars, with a total of 470 points through meeting 54 out of 56 criteria. 

·       After the Youth Ambassadors from Flanders came to the UK last August, Amy has been invited to speak on at the Sunday session of the International Fair Trade Towns Conference on How to engage young people in the fair trade movement? in Belgium in October. There is the potential for three youth delegates to be funded through Scottish Fair Trade – one through Catherine Newman bursary. Kate will be applying for one of these places. 

·       Happy to encourage student collaboration through Environment Network (eande@st-andrews.ac.uk) for Orientation Week/Fairtrade Fortnight events in September. Ideas include inviting Louise Davies to talk to young people, a taster session and trade talk from True Origin, and a coffee morning fundraiser for the Catherine Newman bursary.

True Origin update

·       MP reported on projects being developed with partners such as Meru Herbs.

·       Howard has requested another collection of spectacles. The Scotland Malawi Partnership may take up the role previously played by Banana Box. Money will be needed for the transport.  To be discussed at our next meeting.

·       31^st August at either 3 St Leonards Road or 52 Hepburn Gardens.