Reward for Oldham’s fair traders

DOZENS of Oldhamers from shops, cafes and churches across the borough were each awarded a certificate as a thank-you for their efforts to make the world a fairer place by using fair-trade goods.

Generous organisations across Oldham came together to help the borough achieve official fair-trade status last December.

But the fight for equality is far from over. Local fair-trade co-ordinator, Judith Haughton, said that the Fairtrade in Oldham Action Group would continue to get the message out there.

She said: “The national fair-trade board will be assessing us soon to make sure that we haven’t slipped back since we became a fair-trade borough and it’s important that we keep publicising this vital issue.

“We are set to take the fair-trade message to schools and are setting up a website.”

The presentation was also an opportunity for local businessman, James Buckley, to show off his fairtrade sweaters.

James, who owns DB Knoll Limited in Shaw, which produces fairtrade clothing, has used a co-operative of cotton producers in India to create the new sweatshirts, which he is hoping will be picked up by local schools.