On 15 December 2010, school children from St Michael’s C of E Primary School, Stoke Gifford celebrated with Cllr Janet Biggin, Chair of South Gloucestershire Council, the success of retaining of the much coveted title of Fairtrade status which means the district has made a commitment to supporting Fairtrade products and using products with the Fairtrade Mark.

South Gloucestershire Council has worked alongside community organisations, businesses, schools and individuals to pledge to do what they can to support and promote the Fairtrade Mark.

There have been a number of activities organised in the district over the past four years since the council passed a resolution to support and promote Fairtrade in the area.

Cllr Biggin also sits on the Fairtrade South Gloucestershire Steering Group. She said: “This is a terrific achievement for everyone involved in driving this work forward in South Gloucestershire. There are strict goals set by Fairtrade to achieve and maintain this status and the efforts of everyone in South Gloucestershire have meant we have excelled in meeting these challenging targets."

Activities by the local South Gloucestershire Fairtrade Steering Group have included the production of a directory listing all places where Fairtrade products can be bought; the development of a local Fairtrade website; displays about Fairtrade and community events such as a poster competition for schools.