Emsworth celebrates Fairtrade Fortnight

Patricia Williamson, far right, and others at the Emsworth Fairtrade tea party at Emsworth Methodist Church on February 29, 2020. Picture: June Dowsett

The Methodist Church, in High Street, Emsworth, hosted a Fairtrade group from St James's, in Church Path, for a day of generous treats on Saturday.

On offer alongside tea and coffee were a range of cakes – from banana to walnut – with all the proceeds going to the Fairtrade Foundation.

Organiser Patrica Williamson, who has been part of the Church of England parish for more than 30 years, said the group is hoping to continue previous successful events, including a Fairtrade curry night and wine tasting – but it needs more volunteers.

She said: ‘Volunteers these days are few and far between.

‘But we’d love to host more events.

‘Fairtrade is very necessary because workers are paid so little in the normal commercial world.

‘People today have been very generous – it’s been a lovely event.’

There was also a stall selling produce from Palestine, with all proceeds going to the Help Palestine Community Cooperative.

Fairtrade Fortnight, which runs from February 24 to March 8, is an annual campaign highlighting the importance of producers and farmers worldwide making a living income.