THE Rev Adrian Wells is pictured presenting a certificate to the mayor of Newton Abbot, Cllr Ken Lewis, to mark the award of the town's Fairtrade status. The award is given by the Fairtrade Foundation to help people in the developing world. Mr Wells, who is minister for St Paul's, Wolborough, and Ogwell parish churches, is chairman of the Newton Abbot Fairtrade Town Steering Group. In September 2003, Christians Together, in Newton Abbot, put a motion forward for Newton Abbot to become a Fairtrade Town. 'We had to meet goals which the Fairtrade Foundation set, to get a number of shops and cafes to sell fairtrade items, as well as getting businesses and community organisations involved,' said Mr Wells. Teignmouth was the first in the area to receive Fairtrade status and together with Newton Abbot it has produced a Fairtrade directory, listing where you can shop, stay or take refreshment. The presentation at Newton Abbot Town Hall, on Wednesday last week, was also attended by Sylvia Kennedy, Graham Wickham and Cllr Henry Cole, who are members of the steering group, and former member Pat Haynes. It also drew attention to the national Fairtrade Fortnight, which began on Monday and runs until Sunday, March 19. Tomorrow, the Co-op supermarket in Lower Brook Street, Teignmouth, is offering shoppers the opportunity to taste fairtrade wine, fruit juice, chocolate and cake, and takeaway samples of fairtrade tea and coffee, as part of fortnight. The Co-op has also teamed up with Teignmouth Fairtrade Friends, supporting its directory with a donation of £200.
