A meeting in Django’s Cafe attended by Steering Group members Mike King, Sheena King, Sarah Moroz and Tony Thornby

Following introductions for those members who hadn’t previously met Mayor Majid Hussain, we worked through several questions and areas of potential collaboration between Wycombe For Fairtrade and the Mayoral Office in a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere. All attendees made constructive suggestions and contributed ideas to continue our excellent working relationship. All parties agreed that: –

1). Wycombe For Fairtrade would provide the Fairtrade refreshments at the Mayor’s Festival of Carols at All Saint’s Church on Sunday 7^th December 2025.

Following introductions for those Steering Group members who hadn’t previously met Mayor Majid Hussain, we worked through several questions and areas of potential collaboration between Wycombe For Fairtrade and the Mayoral Office in a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere. All attendees made constructive suggestions and contributed ideas to continue our excellent working relationship. All parties agreed that: –

2). Mayor Hussain confirmed his interest to take part in a Zoom Conference within the next few months with the Mayor of Grecia in Costa Rica. Grecia is the partner Fair Trade Town of High Wycombe. We have done a lot of collaborative work between schools, managed a celebration coffee project in 2023, jointly authored an academic paper, led workshops on Fair Trade Towns Partnerships at world conferences, and Steering Group members have visited each other’s towns. Dates and times of a future Zoom meeting are being arranged with Grecia Fair Trade..

3). Clarification is being sought from Sue Hynard at HWBidCo to explore the possibility of Wycombe Fairtrade having a Fairtrade product and information stall in the Little Market Place on a Saturday during Fairtrade Fortnight commencing on Monday 22^nd September. If a trading pitch is prohibitive, there is the possibility of doing some collaboration during the Christmas Lights Switch On. Wycombe For Fairtrade has Public Liability Insurance and is covered by the UK Fairtrade Foundation’s Registered Charity status.

4). Mayor Hussain stated that he would ensure that Fairtrade tea, coffee, and chocolate would be served at future Wycombe Charter Trustee meetings as agreed in the resolution back in 2013.

5). With the replacement of Wycombe District Council by Buckinghamshire Council unitary authority, Lesley Clake stated that she would check as to whether the decision to make High Wycombe a Fair-Trade Town back in 2013 is still pertinent, as the resolution was never revoked.

6). Lesley Clarke reported that she would put the Steering Group in touch with Sheena Carmen, who runs a “Culture Centre” at 2 -3 High Street near the Little Market Place, to see if there are any opportunities for a Fairtrade stall.

7). The Abbey Community Board Day on Tuesday 28^th October 2025 at the Guildhall in High Wycombe, could provide an opportunity to present the Mayor of High Wycombe with the High Wycombe Fairtrade Communities (Towns) Renewal Certificate 2023 – 2026.

Mike King

Chairman

13^th August 2025.

1. Group meeting the Mayor of High Wycombe, Councillor Majid Hussain

Members of the Wycombe For Fairtrade Steering Group will be meeting the new Mayor of High Wycombe, Majid Hussain, for the first time on Wednesday 13^th August 2025 in Django’s Coffee House at 10.30 am. We are looking forward to a constructive dialogue, exploring existing and new collaborative projects to spread the fair trade message to the diverse population of High Wycombe.

2. International Fair Trade Towns Conference: Edinburgh 29^th – 31^st August 2025

Two Wycombe For Fairtrade Steering Group members will be attending the International Fair Trade Towns Conference from 29^th to 31^st August in the beautiful city of Edinburgh. Edinburg City Council and the Scottish Government will be funding the conference. The Scottish Fairtrade Forum will be running the 3-day event and have designed an informative, exciting, and challenging agenda. Delegates will be coming from Asia, Africa, Europe, South and Central America to attend the plenary talks and discussion sessions. There appears to be a heavy African presence, which corresponds to the energy and innovation emanating from academics, businesses and activist groups. Last year’s excellent conference was in Drakenstein, near Paarl, in the Stellenbosch Winelands of South Africa. We are looking forward to networking with old friends as well as meeting new contacts.

Mike King

Chairman, Wycombe Fairtrade

The Wycombe group’s steering group will be manning their stall on the Rye from 11.00am onwards. Apart from selling delicious Fairtrade certified tea, coffee, jams, sauces, coffee, and chocolate bars, we will be having a tombola, as well as a children’s board game. There will be both Fairtrade and cuddly toy prizes.

This Fairtrade stall is part of International Fair Trade Weekend.  While the Pan Flour Mill Open Day https://www.pannmill.org.uk/visit coincides with the National Mill Weekend.

We will have Fairtrade information leaflets and posters that tell the stories of intrepid small scale producers who are trying to earn a living wage against a background of climate change and  economic uncertainties, while seeking to improve the social fabric of their communities in the Global South.

An MP met Wycombe for Fairtrade volunteers to discuss their efforts to promote Fairtrade.

The group, dedicated to ensuring more of the town’s retailers and catering outlets stock Fairtrade certified products, was visited by Emma Reynolds MP at Django’s Coffee House in High Wycombe.

This group partners with countries such as Kenya and Costa Rica, and Bucks New University, to promote social justice and fairer opportunities for future generations.

Ms Reynolds said “I pay tribute to Fairtrade and the work it has done over 30 years with farmers, workers, suppliers, brands, retailers, government and consumers to help producers improve their living standards, invest in their communities and businesses, and protect the environment.”

“I was particularly interested to hear about the video Wycombe for Fairtrade and Buck New Uni film students are producing to raise the profile of Fairtrade in our town.”

Wycombe for Fairtrade honorary president, Professor Fred Yamoah, said “Wycombe for Fairtrade aims to convince local people of the importance of Fairtrade in improving people’s lives.”

Wycombe 4 Fairtrade is one of 30 local environmental organizations taking part in the Wycombe Celebrates event on Sunday 8th September. Our stall will be on Church Street and our neighbours will be Greener Future and Wycombe Bee Keepers Association

Take away details will be available on the purpose of Wycombe For Fairtrade and its contact details. More supporters and new Steering Group members always welcome..

Photos of the event will be added later

It was a good event which was helped by the weather.  Lesley had devised a jigsaw game for children which proved popular and drew people to the stall. We sold £106.95 worth of fairly traded products which was a reasonable amount. There were some good conversations as well,