Aberlour makes Fairtrade grade
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ABERLOUR is proud to call itself a Fairtrade Town again after the community worked hard to earn the status for a third time.
In 2014 Aberlour was the first in Moray to be recognised as a Fairtrade Town – a community where it is demonstrated that fair trade matters. The town was presented with a new certificate.
Aberlour Primary School, Speyside High School, Aberlour Scout Group, Aberlour Parish Church, Aberlour Community Association and the Rotary Club have all played major parts in achieving a renewal of the status – along with many local businesses.
They worked together to spread the word that fair trade changes the lives of people in developing countries by paying a fair return for their work.
Disadvantaged communities can use the Fairtrade premium as they think best – to build schools or health centres, bring clean water or electricity supplies, or create jobs and opportunities. No child labour is permitted.
Over the past few years Aberlour has been abuzz with coffee mornings, big breakfasts and quizzes. The town also held a 20th birthday party for the well-recognised Fairtrade Mark, with a cake provided and cut by James Walker, of Walkers Shortbread. It also held a "guess the weight" of a Fairtrade cake competition.
The town has welcomed Fairtrade producers from Mauritius and India, and former MP Angus Robertson.
Aberlour Primary School pupils show their commitment to ethical trading by wearing a Fairtrade uniform. They ran a Fairtrade stall at a recent coffee morning and Fairtrade fruit is on offer in their tuck shop.
And Speyside High School sells Kilombero rice to finance a pupil in secondary education in Malawi. Aberlour Parish Church holds a regular Traidcraft stall.
Sweetest of all, the town launched its own Aberlour Fairtrade Town chocolate bar three years ago with the familiar Old Station building on the wrapper, which is sold in many of the local shops.
