Fairtrade first for Hay

8:20am Thursday 20th November 2008

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HAY-ON-WYE Primary School has become one of the first official Fairtrade schools not only in its county but in its country too.

With just 16 across the whole of Wales and no others in Powys or Herefordshire, pupils and staff are celebrating their newfound status following a series of activities to raise awareness of world trading methods.

Sue Richards, eco-schools co-ordinator, said introducing Fairtrade products like tea and coffee to all areas of school life, and events such as Fairtrade breakfasts, helped the children understand how goods were produced and had led to them passing the message on.

“More and more you find parents are buying Fairtrade things because the children know about it, so it’s a knock on effect,” she said.

Pupils have also tried their hand at weaving, looked at a range of Zimbabwean goods and nursery class The Caterpillars also did their bit by switching to Fairtrade hot chocolate during the campaign. Shops in the town that sell Fairtrade products, such as the Co-op and its wholefood store, have also benefitted.

Mrs Richards said: “Everybody’s been involved and everybody’s learning a little bit and thinking about the fact they are helping other people.”