Playing Fair at Work

The choices we make as consumers can mean life or death for farmers in the developing world. The poverty and isolation facing small-scale farmers mean that they are more likely to commit suicide than any other workers. But Fairtrade offers a practical solution. It ensures a stable price is given to growers to cover their costs and also provides a premium for community investment, helping to improve people’s lives. The Chamber is therefore a proud supporter of Chesham’s status as a Fairtrade Town.

Celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight
The town will be celebrating Fairtrade Fortnight 2008 (25th February to 9th March) by holding the first ever Chiltern Fairtrade Film Festival at the Elgiva Theatre, Chesham. The Festival, held on the 3rd and 4th March, brings you a selection of films designed to raise questions about how to be a consumer with a conscience.

The festival kicks off on Monday 3rd March with a matinee screening (1 pm) of Black Gold, featuring an Ethiopian campaign to save 74,000 coffee farmers from bankruptcy. At 8 pm you can see An Inconvenient Truth – the controversial film on global warming that won its presenter, Al Gore, the Nobel Prize. Both films will be followed by panel discussions on the films’ issues.

On Tuesday 4th March at 1 pm, Blood on the Stone will be introduced by a member of the film’s production team. This personal documentary traces the horrific violence fuelled by the diamond trade, but also offers hope of a solution. The festival closes with the George Clooney thriller, Michael Clayton, showing at 8 pm. This blockbuster explores the dilemmas of representing the interests of corrupt big business.

Standard film prices apply, or you can buy a £16 ticket (£12 concession) to see all four films. To find out more, contact the Elgiva box office on 01494 582900, email boxoffice@elgiva.com or see www.elgiva.com. There will also be a display of Fairtrade produce at the Elgiva by Waitrose, one of the festival’s sponsors, to offer a taste of what’s available locally. The festival is also sponsored by Hawkes Design & Publishing.

Chamber Easter Egg Hunt
Look out for other events held during the Fortnight, plus the Chamber’s ever-popular Easter Egg Hunt! Between the 10th and 24th March, children aged up to 14 can hunt for eggs in High Street shop windows, for the chance to win a delicious Easter Egg. Entry forms will be available from Chesham Cameras, FastBreak Sports and Harvey Johns toy shop. For more information contact Jean Pritchard on secretary@cheshamchamber.org.

Switch Your Business to Fairtrade
A recent survey revealed that 38% of UK workers think their companies should make Fairtrade products available at work, whilst only 17% say their companies provide Fairtrade.
With over 2000 products now available on the UK market, including tea, coffee, biscuits and even Fairtrade cotton for company T-shirts and uniforms, it’s so easy to make the switch. Visit www.fairtradeatwork.org.uk to find out more.

If you have a Fairtrade workplace, we’d love to know about it! Contact Kathryn Graves of Chesham’s Fairtrade Steering Group on 01494 583798 or email kathryngraves@chesham.gov.uk.