In Jersey, Ray Middleton was one of the first people to import Fairtrade products.  A number of people used to go to his shop in Vauxhall St. to get Traidcraft tea and coffee to sell after church on Sundays.  Others used to order direct from Traidcraft till a postage charge of £20 per box made this uneconomic. The Oxfam shop began to sell a number of items and were featured in the JEP in Fairtrade Fortnight in 1999.

In 2001, we heard that Garstang in Lancashire had become the first Fairtrade town in Britain.  This stimulated ideas in Jersey and by 2003 representatives of Oxfam, Christian Aid, CAFOD and others met together to discuss promotion of Fairtrade in Jersey, making 1000 sample packs of FT items for the Lent lunches.

A Jersey Fairtrade Island committee formally started on 15th June 2003 and soon declared its objective as achieving Fairtrade Island status for Jersey by October 2005.

The first main event was a public launch at Aquila Community Centre on 23rd October 2003 when the Bailiff, Sir Philip Bailhache, declared our campaign launched in the presence of several States members.

An article in the JEP in February 2004 highlighted our aim to become the first Fairtrade ISLAND though there were already 32 Fairtrade towns and cities. On Sat. 28th February, we had a 10th birthday party for FT in the Central Market.  The Catholic and Anglican Deans and the Superintendent of the Methodist circuit together with the President of the Jersey Overseas Aid committee cut the cake for us.  There was a lot of press coverage.

On Saturday 6th March we held a concert at Haute Vallee school in the presence of His Excellency the Lt. Govenor of Jersey and Lady Cheshire.  The musical items were all written about Fairtrade by local youngsters and in the main were performed by them, a good evening which again got a lot of publicity.  Other, smaller events included coffee mornings and manning stalls at all local supermarkets.  This gave the campaign a major boost.  The Co-op sales figures over a six week period showed a big boost of sales during and after Fairtrade Fortnight.

On Tuesday March 9th, 2004, the States passed a motion proposed by Senator Jean Le Maistre in support of Fairtrade by 46 votes to 2 and several speakers referred to recent events.

All secondary school head teachers were sent a letter in March offering FT talks.  Daniel Wimberley and Ed Le Quesne each gave 2 talks on Fairtrade to year 11 classes at Hautlieu in June in support of Fair trade using a video produced by Jon Snow of Channel 4. And also gave a couple at Beaulieu and Victoria College.  JCG did a chocolate role play game with the entire lower sixth.  In April 2004 we started to collect a list of names of staff rooms, churches and businesses that serve Fairtrade teas and coffees  A simple certificate was produced to recognise those groups that had committed themselves to serve FT products.  At the same time, contacts were made with companies supplying vending machines and a source of Cafedirect vending machines in Jersey was discovered and promoted.

The group received a boost in September 2004 with the arrival of Rev. Liz Hunter and her daughter Charlotte  from Newton Abbott, with great enthusiasm for FT and experience in promoting it. Charlotte won the Lions Young Ambassador of the Year in 2005 for her work in promoting Fairtrade among young people, especially at Hautlieu.

In October 2004 we held a public "tasting" session in the Town Hall  in One World Week, from 0930 to 1530.  The title was "Fairtrade – because they're worth it".  This introduced more people to the range of Fairtrade items available, now including wines.

We agreed to take up an offer by the "New Consumer" magazine to produce a 24pp booklet for Fairtrade Fortnight in March 2005.For £1800 they would supply 10,000 copies of the A5 booklet.  20 pp would be general material about Fairtrade, while the centre 4 pages would be under our control.  The cost was generously sponsored by Jersey Tourism and 3 local frms.  Our 4 pages consisted of 3 photos including the Bailiff drinking Fairtrade coffee with some States members, a letter from our chairman Dave Ellis and a list of all shops and cafes supporting Fairtrade.  The booklets were duly delivered and distributed widely from March 2005 onwards. 

To become a Fairtrade Island we had to meet five criteria.

1. A States resolution of support.
2. A number of outlets supplying FT goods and
3. A number of groups using FT both judged against our population size.
4. Good publicity from the local media
5. A group committed to the promotion of Fairtrade in Jersey.

At the start of 2005 we felt we met all these criteria and sent the appropriate form, signed by Senator Jean Le Maistre on behalf of the States and by Dave Ellis and Ed Le Quesne from the group and sent it to the Fairtrade Foundation at the start of 2005.

As a highlight to introduce Fairtrade fortnight in 2005, we arranged a visit of Simeon Greene for Feb. 23rd to 26th.  Simeon is  a West Indian, who arranges the import of FT bananas into the UK.  He also brought good news that we had been awarded 'Fairtrade Island' status on February 18th and presented a certificate to confirm that to Senator Jean Le Maistre at a public meeting at St. Helier Methodist Centre on February 24th.  We had achieved our aim 6 months early and had much publicity during the following weeks, including a JEP editorial, an in-depth interview with Simeon Greene and a series of talks on Radio Jersey.

Further actions in 2005

In Spring 2005 we had contacts with Steve Mauger of Guernsey Press about moves to set up a Guernsey Fairtrade group.  Their States passed a resolution backing Fairtrade on May 25th.   We are glad they have now got Fairtrade Island status.
Signs were put in place at both the Airport and Elizabeth terminal announcing to visitors that Jersey is a Fairtrade Island.  
With the support of the Jersey Heritage Trust, a Fairtrade and trade justice exhibition was displayed at the Jersey Museum from April to June.  It was opened officially by Mr. Colin Powell and received good media coverage as part of the 'Make Poverty History' campaign.  The 13 panels were displayed for 3 weeks in August in the Airport Departure Hall and the artwork is on a disc for reproduction in a  variety of ways.

A car/window sticker was designed by a local company Signtech and approved by the fairtrade Foundation and 1000 were printed and are available for supporters.

 10,000 copies of a 24 pp Fairtrade booklet were produced through the Ethical Consumer magazine   The centre 4 pp featured Jersey items including the Bailiff drinking Fairtrade coffee and a list of suppliers locally

A Fairtrade Fashion Fest was held at St. Brelades Parish Hall on October 22nd.  Lucy Layton obtained a selection of clothes from the FT fashion company People Tree and they were modelled by young people from St. Brelades Youth Club.  A short video showed the lives of people making the garments. Over £1000 worth of clothing was ordered and the whole collection was given a centre page spread by the JEP.  At the same event there was a chance for people to sample Fairtrade food and wines.  At this meeting a draft constitution obtained from the Fairtrade Foundation and amended by Tony Allchurch was put to the meeting and approved unanimously.  We now have a formal membership of the 'Jersey Fairtrade Island Group' with an AGM each October.   A separate bank account was established apart from Christians Together in Jersey

The year ended with a visit from George Alagiah, patron of the Fairtrade Foundation and a BBC newsreader, on December 3rd. At  a Vin d'honneur at the Town Hall Mr. Alagiah presented to the Deputy Bailiff, Michael Birt, a plaque to hang in the States building  celebrating our Fairtrade Island status and presented membership certificates to a number of people.  He then spoke at 'An evening with George Alagiah' at the Hotel L'Horizon before a meal for 80 people including a dessert of Fairtrade ingredients and Fairtrade wines.  He was accompanied by Bruce Crowther,  Fairtrade towns co-ordinator.

Seminars on Fairtrade were given to all students at Highlands College in  20+ sessions over a week in December.

Membership of the group

2003 :

• Dave Ellis – leader of several Overseas Aid trips
• Ed Le Quesne – chairman Oxfam group
• Daniel Wimberley – chairman Christian Aid
• Sister Hilary Brown – CAFOD
• Derek Pyper – interested in the issues

2004 :

• Rev. Liz Huntterand her daughter Charlotte joined the group.

2005 :

• Tony Allchurch  from JETJAP, Trade Justice Group
• Ed Egglishaw of C.I. Co-op joined.
• Sister Hilary left the Island and was replaced by Elizabeth Donoghue.
• Lucy Layton joined the group

In October 2005  the Jersey Fairtrade Island Group was officially formed :

• Chairman:  Dave Ellis
• Vice-chairman: Rev. Liz Hunter
• Secretary: Tony Allchurch
• Treasurer: Ed Le Quesne
• Committee members:  Lucy Layton, Hazel Jones, Elizabeth Donoghue, Nicky Brown.
• Events in 2006
  Fairtrade lunches at Highlands College Restaurant in Fairtrade Fortnight

  Fairtrade Fiesta held at Church House on Sat, 18th March, including De La Salle’s winning design of  a Fairtrade cafe.

  Alison Tandy, a student at Highlands College, conducts a survey into attitudes to Fairtrade.

  Fairtrade Fashion show held in May, with models from Beaulieu.

  Les Quennevais students in Year 10 do two week project on Fairtrade leading to a display.   This is repeated in future years.

  J.F.I.G. accepted into Association of Jersey Charities on Sept 26th as member no. 285

  Dave Ellis steps down as Chairman, replaced by Tony Allchurch. at AGM in October.  Lucy Layton becomes secretary.

  Fashion Show at JCG held on Nov. 9th

  Events in 2007
  Visit of Sher Ghazi in Fairtrade Fortnight.  He is a producer of apricots in Hunza district, Pakistan. He spoke in schools and at a public meeting. He saw 4 products containing his apricots on sale at the Oxfam shop.

  Fairtrade dinner at Hampshire Hotel, addressed by Vicky Bhogal, author of ‘A Fair Feast’ cookbook.

  10,000 copies of 24 pp Fairtrade guide printed.   The centre 4 pages Include a photo of George Alagiah with Michael Birt

  ‘Black Gold’  screened at the Arts Centre on Oct 16th as part of the Amnesty International film season.  135 people attended. Discussion chaired by Tony Allchurch

  Fairtrade contributed to a series of poverty workshops at Grainville School on 17th Oct

  AGM at Georgetown on Nov. 16th, followed by account of a trip to Kenya. Dr. Lee Durell attends as Patron, and Esther Tremeer and Kezia Cunningham join the committee.    Elizabeth Donoghue replaces Liz Hunter as Vice-chair.  £500 put in Shared Interest account.

  Fairtrade tree displayed at St. Peter’s Parish Church Christmas tree  festival

  Events in 2008
  Fairtrade Fortnight 2008
  Visit by a team of 5 from Shared Interest, including Patricia Alexander
  Shared Interest members speak to 6th form economics students at Hautlieu, JCG, Victoria College and Beaulieu.
  Patricia Alexander speaks at Grouville Parish Hall with display by M&S
  She also speaks at Fairtrade dinner at Hampshire Hotel on Thursday 28th February
  In-store promotions held    at Grand Marche, St Helier
  Waterstones promote fairtrade books in store.
  Investment in Shared Interest raised to £2000.

  Academy restaurant at Highlands offered a special fair trade menu.
  Stall at Foire de Jersey at RJA&HS,Trinity for 3 days in May.
  Stall at West show, St. Peter for 2 days in July

  Deputy Anne Pryke becomes States rep on the Jersey Fairtrade Island Group.
                 
  In Sept  resignation of Kezia Cunningham due to work commitments
  .
  AGM    Thursday 23rd October at Georgetown   Jim Hopley spoke about the Co-op’s ethical values.   Joy Thomson joins the committee.  She has also been elected onto the Council of the Fairtrade Foundation as the national representative of the Federation of Women's Institutes. 
   
  Fairtrade tree at the Christmas tree festival at St Peter's Parish church

  Events in 2009
  ELeQ attends 3rd European Fairtrade Town conference in Lyon, France on Feb 5th/6th.  Meets FT reps from several European countries.   

  Fairtrade Fortnight
  Fair trade themed Street Talk page in the JEP at the start of the Fortnight.

  Jim Hopley / Martin Flageul give a wine talk during a Highlands Academy Restaurant  Fairtrade dinner on Thursday 26th February

  Fashion show  5th March - Beaulieu sixth Freres organise a fashion show. and display at the end of a week of Fairtrade events

  Go Bananas event  6/7th March   Over 30 groups in Jersey take part eating Fairtrade bananas in a 24 hour period.  4800 eaten in Jersey, with to promote Fairtrade 470,001 nationally, a world record for communal banana-eating.

  Stall at Easenmyne Trade Show on March 31st/April 1st at RJA&HS, Trinity bringing Fairtrade message to the catering industry.

  Fairtrade breakfast at Church House on World Fairtrade day in May.

  In August  Deputy Robert Duhamel replaces Deputy Anne Pryke as States representative on the Jersey Fairtrade Island Group.

  In October, Tony Allchurch, Lucy Layton and Hazel Jones attended the supporters conference in London.  Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State
  for International Development announced the award of £12 million to the Fairtrade Foundation. Good contacts made for possible future speakers.  All encouraged by the 43% increase in sales of FT to £710m in 2008.

  At the end of the year a website is launched www.fairtradejersey.org and plans are begun to produce and print our own Fairtrade materials.