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Meeting between members of Wycombe for Fairtrade Steering Group and Representives of Kelkheim 23rd May 2026

Five Wycombe For Fairtrade Steering Group members met with Christine and Carolin at Trinity United Reform Church on Saturday 23rd May from 2.20 pm to 3.40 pm.

It was a very productive discussion in a very friendly atmosphere. We outlined some broad areas of mutual interest with some examples of local engagement and involvement with local people, organisations, and young people. Everyone made contributions and were looking forward to working together and establishing a list of possible projects we could discuss at a future joint Teams/Zoom meeting.

Those present

Christine Michel (Kelkheim Fairtrade)
Carolin Michel (Kelkhelm Fairtrade)
Mike King
Sarah Moroz
Sheena King
Jhon Munoz
Angus Massie
Tony Thornby

Everyone present introduced themselves and summarised their roles and backgrounds.

Kelkheim Events Since October 2025

A ‘craft circle’ was held and advertised on social media in March 2026. There was also clothes exchange where people could bring old clothes. At these events they talk about the circular economy and sustainability.
They held an event in the Kelkheim market place, where the group had a sofa and people were invited to sit and knit or crochet and chat about Fairtrade.
Two schools in Kelkheim had qualified as “Fairtrade Schools”
Christine informed the Wycombe Fairtrade Steering Group that 11 out of the 12 settlements in the Taunus Regional Fairtrade Group had Fairtrade status.
Cities like Kelkheim benefit from raising their own finances through regional taxation.
Kelkheim Fairtrade noted that public feedback of Fairtrade goods was deemed to be expensive, however, Fairtrade products were generally believed by consumers to be of high quality.
New Kelkheim Fairtrade Coordinator is now Sarah Kruse:
With Frankfurt being declared the “World Design Capital 2026”, there could “spin offs” applications and events by local Fair Trade groups.
An Advent calendar event, in which one of the ‘doors’ is Fairtrade. Hot chocolate and orange juice are offered, primary school children in classes 10/11 sing and are told a story giving them an idea of the Fairtrade system.

Shared Details of Wycombe for Fairtrade Events

The launch of the Wycombe/Grecia collaboration coffee in March 2023 using Coope Victoria beans, roasted in Gerrards Cross, launched by the Mayor and Ambassador Ortiz from the Embassy of Costa Rica at Highcrest Academy on 6^th March 2023.
The Christmas tree event in All Saints Church in December 2025 was very useful promotion for our group.
The link with the Fairtrade group in Guernsey has advanced in that the local Fairtrade Bean-14 roaster had managed to obtain Costa Rican Fairtrade green beans for test roasting.
The formal High Wycombe – Kelkheim Fairtrade Towns link within the existing Town Twinning Association has been agreed, so Wycombe now has a second partner Fairtrade Town in Kelkheim to add to the Fairtrade Town of Grecia in Costa Rica and the Fairtrade producer cooperative, CoopeVictoria.

Suggestions for future collaborations

At this year’s Christmas tree event in All Saints Church, we could do a joint Wycombe/Kelkheim theme for our tree.
We could take part in the popular Christmas market in Marlow this year.
Establishing 3 – monthly Zoom meetings to aid transparency.
Exchanging Kelkheim – and Wycombe For Fairtrade meeting minutes.
Kelkheim are considering targeting nurseries encouraging younger children and toddlers tasting Fairtrade chocolate, while informing their parents through their children the importance of the Fairtrade blue and green logo.

Common Challenges and Issues for both groups include

An ageing Fairtrade core group of volunteers.
Problems getting the message across to a greater volume of local residents.
Attracting and including younger people with new ideas.
Establishing a presence with schools and/or youth clubs promoting sustainability, human rights, biodiversity, climate change mitigation, gender equality etc., all pillars of Fairtrade.

Signing of the Friendship & Cooperation Agreement between the Fairtrade Twin Towns of High Wycombe and Kelkheim (Taunus)

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Saturday 23rd May evening was the 40th Anniversary Dinner of the High Wycombe – Kelkheim Twin Town Association at Hazlemere Golf Club. Over drinks, we were entertained by the Kelkheim OBE Brass Band and the Chiltern Hills Brass Band on the patio.

After the excellent dinner and speeches, the highlight of the evening was the signing of the Friendship Cooperation Fairtrade Towns Agreement between High Wycombe and Kelkheim (Taunus/ Region), in both English and German. Three copies of the Agreement had been previously signed by the Kelkheim Mayor, Albrecht Kundiger, and the First Councillor, Dirk Hoffmann, who were not at the ceremonial signing.

The Twinning Commissioner, Wolf-Dieter Hasler, signed for Kelheim, followed by the new High Wycombe Mayor, Imran Hussain, then Councillor Lesley Clarke, and lastly, Mike King, Fairtrade Coordinator of High Wycombe.

Following Mike King’s “Thank You” speech, Christine gave Fairtrade chocolates to all the guests. Great promotion!

Wolf-Dieter Hasler - Kelkheim Twinning Commisioner

Mike King - Wycombe For Fairtrade Coordinator

It was an amazing event to have been involved with, and extra special that the signing of the agreement coincided with the 40^th Anniversary celebration of the High Wycombe – Kelkheim . Town Twinning Association. It was a privilege to be part of this very special occasion among colleagues and friends from Kelkheim.

High Wycombe Twin Town Association hosting Kelkheim (Taunus) guests for May Bank Holiday Weekend 22nd and 23rd May 2026

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Friday 22^nd May 2026.

Mike and Sheena King hosted Christine and her daughter, Carolin. Christine is a member of the Kelkheim City Council and the Kelkheim (Taunus) Fairtrade group.

Saturday 23^rd May 2026

After a late-night arrival on Friday evening, there were plenty of varied events arranged by the High Wycombe Twin Town Association to occupy their time and interest. Few of the Kelkheim delegation had witnessed the famous, ancient, and unique, “Mayor’s Weighing In Ceremony” before which takes place in front of the Guildhall annually. The newly elected Mayor of High Wycombe in his robes and chain of office, with the town crier and other councillors in formal dress. The outgoing mayor is weighed first, then the new in-coming Mayor, and then all the High Wycombe councillors. If they weigh more than last year, then the Town Crier calls out “And Some More” i.e. they have grown fat at resident’s expense. If their weight is the same or councillors have lost weight, then the call is “And No More”, with cheers from the crowd.

After an hour, the mayor, councillors, and local armed services personnel parade to the town hall, where Kelkheim City Councillors were formally welcomed at the Town Hall with speeches from the incoming and outgoing mayors of High Wycombe and a buffet lunch enjoyed, entertained by both the Kelkheim Brass Band and local Chiltern Hills Brass Band.

Grecia High Wycombe Mayor’s Video Conference

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Attendees:

Donald Quesada Rodriguez – Mayor (Alcalde) of Grecia

Lesley Clarke – High Wycombe Town Councillor & Fairtrade supporter

Shirley Salazar Porras – Grecia Fair Trade Town (Organizer and Host)

Marvin Olviedo – General Manager CoopeVictoria

Mariella – General Manager (Deputy) CoopeVictoria

Esteban Zamora – Commercial Manager CoopeVictoria (English speaker)

Daylin Frances Anchia – Sustainability Manager, CoopeVictoria (English speaker)

Grettel Aragon Ramirez – Executive Director – Grecia Chamber of Commerce

Mike King – Chairman, Wycombe For Fairtrade

Claudia Mangoldt – Interpreter

Online Meeting Summary

This was the first meeting of Grecia and High Wycombe Mayors, Grecia and Wycombe Fairtrade Towns groups, and the managers of CoopeVictoria for nearly 3 years, and provided an excellent opportunity for the new mayors and new personnel at CoopeVictoria to meet each other for the first time and regenerate our partnership.

The online Teams conference was conducted in a very informal, friendly, open, and respectful atmosphere. Despite some technical glitches at the start, there was ample time for everyone to introduce themselves – name, role, and interests. Claudia Mangoldt kindly acted as translator between the Grecia and Wycombe delegations. Sadly, two people from WFTO/CLAC who were invited, including Maria Angela Zamor Chaves who used to work for CoopeVictoria, were unavailable.

The Grecia Mayor, Donald Quesada welcomed everyone and together with the CoopeVictoria managers, thanked the High Wycombe mayors and Wycombe For Fairtrade for their continued interest, support, and motivation in continuing this Fair-Trade Town relationship and in promoting Grecia and CoopeVictoria Fairtrade products. The Grecia Mayor extended invitations to all the Wycombe members to visit Costa Rica and Grecia in particular. This was echoed by all the CoopeVictoria managers too! Majid reciprocated by inviting the Grecia Mayor and the senior managers of CoopeVictoria to visit High Wycombe as well. This was an introductory meeting essentially which took some months to organize to set dates and times that would be convenient for all participants.

Personally, it was very gratifying to reconnect with Marvin Olviedo and Shirley Salazar who I met when Sheena and I visited Grecia in 2022. It was also satisfying to finally meet and talk with Donald Quesada Rodriguez, the new mayor of Grecia as well as two new CoopeVictoria senior managers, Daylin and Esteban., both fluent English speakers and very approachable.

Analysis

Re-established contact with Grecia Mayor, Grecia Fair Trade, and CoopeVictoria senior management.
Grecia is High Wycombe’s Fairtrade Partner Town with informal links starting in 2018 and formally ratified in May 2020.
This constructive meeting demonstrated that the High Wycombe Grecia relationship was still strong and there was mutual interest to continue to develop this partnership into the future involving some possible joint projects, so further cementing our links.
This partnership between High Wycombe and Grecia Fairtrade Towns also includes CoopeVictoria, a 3000 – farmer Fairtrade coffee and sugar producer cooperative.
It was agreed that Esteban Zamora would in the next 3 weeks set up a Teams meeting with me (and any other interested Wycombe For Fairtrade group member) to discuss a project to engage with local coffee roasters and independent cafes, to sample CoopeVictoria Fairtrade coffee beans.
Daylin Achin, the Sustainability Manager, was also keen to re-establish a link between a High Wycombe and Grecia secondary school. According to her email reply, she will arrange a Teams meeting to discuss a plan within the next three weeks. Daylin was supportive of the idea to engage with young people and promote Fairtrade through education.
Judging by the numbers of senior CoopeVictoria managers present in the meeting and the Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Grettel Aragon Ramirez, Grecia value and appreciate the partnership with High Wycombe highly and Wycombe For Fairtrade’s continuing promotion of Grecia and the Fairtrade Cooperative. Our motivation and openness were also noted and mentioned.
The Grecia Team seemed to be impressed that Wycombe For Fairtrade was hoping to formerly link up with the Fairtrade Town of Kelkheim in Germany this year. Kelkheim and High Wycombe have been Twin Towns for over 40 years.
This online meeting, which was recorded by CoopeVictoria/Grecia Fairtrade was vital in updating our contact with our partner town and provides evidence of our international links with a Fairtrade Town in the Global South, in addition to continuing Wycombe Foir Fairtrade’s connection with a Fairtrade certified producer.

Mike King
Chairman, Wycombe For Fairtrade

Meeting between the Kelkheim and Wycombe For Fairtrade Groups

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Kelkheim Rathaus. Committee Room. Sat 25^th October 2025 1.30pm to 2.30pm.

Attendees

Christine Michel (Kelkheim Fairtrade Town Deputy Chair and Councillor)
Her daughter (Translator)
4 Other Kelkheim Steering Group members.
Sheena King (Wycombe For Fairtrade – Treasurer)
Mike King (Wycombe For Fairtrade – Chairman)

Introductions

Sheena and I were warmly welcomed to Kelkheim and presented with bags of Fairtrade Kelkheim coffee, sourced from Brazil, but roasted locally.

Photographs of Individuals

Kelheim Powerpoint Presentation

Christine showed us a Powerpoint presentation highlighting when Kelkheim became a Fairtrade Town in 2018, its local achievements, events, and activities, as well as belonging to the Main-Taunus Fairtrade Region where other towns in the area provide tips, ideas, and assist with stalls such as the “clothing exchange”. Kelkheim is also an active member of the ECCAR organization, the European Coalition of Cities Against Racism.

Photographs of Musicians

Kelkheim Fairtrade Promotional Events 2025

There is an annual Fairtrade Week as well as a Town Festival Day with information stands and a “knitted sofa”.

Creating a Fairtrade “Children’s Café” where youngsters can learn about “The Journey of Fairtrade Bananas” in a playful way of understanding how farmers grow them, export them, and how to recognize Fairtrade bananas on supermarket shelves by the Fairtrade logo. The event also includes competitions to draw the Fairtrade logo together with giving a Fairtrade present to the parents.

There are also regular Fairtrade cake sales with proceeds going to local good causes.

Kelkheim Fairtrade also support a regular Saturday “Repair Café” to underpin their sustainability interests.

Twice a year, the Group supervises a clothes and Christmas decoration exchange stall. No money changes hands, just the clothes and decorations. Young people are invited to volunteer.

They tend not to run too many Fairtrade food stalls, preferring people utilize the fairtrade grocery and retail stores in Kelkheim.

The Kelkheim Fairtrade Town group are very innovative. During the Fairtrade Festival in 2025, members devised 26 different varieties of Fairtrade soup, each with several Fairtrade ingredients. Each member makes 10 to 20 liters, with guests and visitors voting for the best soup. Fairtrade cakes are sold to recoup expenses for the soup, with some money being donated to local charities. The winner this year was a scampi soup, very popular with the children. Over 1000 people came to the all-day long soup tasting event. This seemed to be a great idea to promote Fairtrade across age groups but also to prompt adults to think about Fairtrade products and ingredients in a range of everyday recipes.

Photographs of Groups

Kelkheim Fairtrade Organizations

Grocery and Retail Stores x 8

Restaurants and Cafes x 2

Education Institutions x 7

Clubs x 3

Kelkheim Municipal Government – Procurement

Sustainable Partner Organizations

Catholic Churches

President of the State Parliament of Hesse

Kelkheim’s Plans for 2026

Frankfurt has been selected to host the Annual Democracy and Diversity for Everyone Event featuring over 1000 separate events during 2026. Kelkheim is hosting a Crocheting display and visitors’ skills day. This will also involve schools and sports clubs’ competitions, some with Fairtrade themes.

Kelkheim is also planning a “Fairtrade Bake Off”, devising as many recipes as possible using Fairtrade certified ingredients like chocolate, sugar, and nuts.

Wycombe For Fairtrade: Past Events and Future Plans

Mike King outlined some of Wycombe For Fairtrade’s past events and future plans – locally, nationally, and internationally. I think that Kelkheim Fairtrade members were impressed with our work with local schools, the local university, the strong link with the Embassy of Costa Rica, and the Fairtrade Town Partnership with Grecia and CoopeVictoria in Costa Rica and coffee project.

Kelkheim – High Wycombe Fairtrade Town Partnership Agreement – Draft Proposal

Kelkheim Fairtrade Town are already twined with a French Fairtrade town near Lyon.

At the end of this very positive, constructive, and mutually productive meeting, Mike King distributed copies in both English and German for the Kelkheim Fairtrade Town Steering Group to consider a suggested draft proposal for a Kelkheim – High Wycombe Fairtrade Town Partnership Agreement based on the Fairtrade principles of friendship, understanding, and cooperation.

Such an agreement would be in addition too, but separate from, the “Twin Town Agreement between High Wycombe and Kelkheim”, which was ratified in 1985. Thus this visit was celebrating the 40^th Anniversary of the Twin Town Agreement. Our very generous hosts, Klaus and Rossvite Fahrner, were also members of the Kelkheim Fairtrade Steering Group.

Mike and Sheena King
Chairman and Treasurer
Thursday 30^th October 2025

Wycombe’s Fairtrade link with Costa Rica recognised by Event Invitation

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Mike King – Chairman of Wycombe 4 Fairtrade

Two members of the Wycombe For Fairtrade Steering Group have been invited by the Coffee Institute of Costa Rica and the Ambassador of Costa Rica to attend a “Commemorative Plaque Unveiling Ceremony” at St Katherine’s Dock in London on Sunday 15th September 2024. This date marks the Anniversary of Costa Rican Independence.

Steering group chairman, Mike King, said “This is a great honour for us and for Wycombe For Fairtrade generally. I also think it shows that the Embassy hold us in high esteem.”

The reason for the “Commemorative Plaque” unveiling is to showcase the 160th anniversary of the achievement of William Le Lacheur, a Guernsey-born sea captain, entrepreneur, and humanitarian, who brought the first of many consignments of coffee from Costa Rica to London’s St Katherine’s Dock beginning in 1864.”

An Education Liaison Project

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This idea progressed in summer 2021 with letters sent by the Chairman of Wycombe For Fair Trade to secondary & grammar schools in High Wycombe addressed to the Heads of Geography, Sociology, & Business Studies, with the objective of establishing a working relationship with a school in our Fair Trade Partner Town of Grecia in Costa Rica.

A reply, received in October 2021, from Ms. Barker, then Head of Geography at Highcrest Academy in High Wycombe, who invited me to a teachers’ meeting in November 2021. Simultaneously, the Sustainability Manager at CoopeVictora, contacted the lead teacher, Laura Chaves, at the Colegio Experimental Bilingue de Grecia to enquire about connecting with a UK school.

Head teachers at Highcrest Academy were very enthusiastic about a potential link, citing many benefits including broadening pupils’ cultural understanding and perceptions by sharing lessons. The Highcrest principal gave his total backing to the project. The first joint Teams geography lesson took place in December 2021, with further shared classes occurring in March and April 2022, after the Colegio’s long summer break.

Pupils from both learning institutions seemed engaged and interested, and later even instigated their own independent email & Zoom “pen-pal” groups. Fair Trade is part of the Geography & Sociology GCSE & “A” level curricula, but there are plans to introduce Fairtrade to younger year pupils. During Fairtrade Fortnight in February 2022, Mike King delivered 6 x 15-minute Fair Trade themed school assemblies to all pupils about the philosophy of Fair Trade and how small farming communities are benefiting in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. This provides small-scale farmers with access to world markets, receiving guaranteed fixed prices for their products, while obtaining a Fairtrade social Premium which could be invested in local community health, infrastructure, or education projects.

Ambassador Rafael Ortiz Fabrega, from the Embassy of Costa Rica in London presenting the Mayor of High Wycombe, Councilor Arif Hussain, with a Plaque from the Mayor of Grecia

A total of 995 pupils were engaged over the week, at the end of which, I was interviewed for a Highcrest internal TV programme. Highcrest ran a “Fairtrade Tuck Shop” & organized a competition involving pupils designing a Fairtrade chocolate bar wrapper containing one sentence catch-phrase to entice customers to buy the product. In 2023, Highcrest Academy applied to the Fairtrade Foundation to be registered as a FairAware school.

During Fair Trade Fortnight, on Monday 6^th March 2023, Highcrest Academy hosted HE, Ambassador Rafael Ortiz Fabrega, from the Embassy of Costa Rica in London who presented the Mayor of High Wycombe, Councilor Arif Hussain, with a Plaque from the Mayor of Grecia, stating that Grecia and High Wycombe were sister Fair Trade Towns. Mayor Arif Hussain then graciously donated the plaque to Highcrest Academy in recognition of their sterling work in promoting Fair Trade in the curriculum, as part of school life, and because of the establishment and development of their teaching and cultural links with the Colegio Experimental Bilingue de Grecia, in Costa Rica. The plaque is now inserted on the school awards wall in the main foyer.

The plaque mounted on Highcreat Academy’s Awards Wall

Afterwards, Ambassador Ortiz officially launched the Grecia – High Wycombe Fair Trade Towns Partnership Celebration Coffee, the culmination of a year-long project. There were speeches of thanks followed by the all-important Celebration coffee tasting with “pan de elote “, a Costa Rican sweet corncake. The coffee and the dessert met with universal approval by 60 invited pupils and a dozen teachers.

UK Fairtrade Foundation Fortnight March 2023 – Wycombe For Fairtrade Activities and Events – 5

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Big Fairtrade Fortnight Online Get Together – Thursday 9^th March 2023

Responding to an email request from Stefan Donnelly at the Fairtrade Foundation for descriptions of what type of events Wycombe For Fairtrade organized over Fairtrade Fortnight, Mike King, the Wycombe For Fairtrade Chairman, was asked to speak about the main highlight and activities surrounding the visit of Ambassador Rafael Ortiz Fabrega from the Embassy of Costa Rica to High Wycombe on Monday 6^th March 2023. Organizing these events to bring together different stakeholders was an interesting challenge and involved a great deal of collaboration and liaison.

Agreed events for this incredible day of the visit on Monday 6^th March included: –

Greeted the Ambassador and the Economic Consul at the railway station and escorted them to the High Wycombe Council Chamber building.
Met with and greeted the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of High Wycombe, Wycombe For Fairtrade Steering Group members, and Wayne and Sarah Coetzee, co-owners of Roast Lab, a local, independent, micro-roastery who roasted the green coffee beans.
Ambassador Ortiz engaged in a live Zoom meeting with Directors of CoopeVictoria Fairtrade coffee and sugar cooperative and the Deputy Mayor of Grecia.
Ceremoniously cut the Grecia – High Wycombe Fairtrade Towns Partnership Celebration cake with the Mayor of High Wycombe, Arif Hussain.
The Wycombe Mayors laid on a lavish lunch for the Ambassador and guests.
Conveyed the Ambassador of Costa Rica and the Economic Consul and Mayors of High Wycombe along with five Wycombe For Fairtrade Steering Group members to Highcrest Academy where Ambassador Ortiz: –
Met and greeted senior teachers and the Head Boy and Girl.
Delivered a 15-minute Powerpoint presentation about Costa Rican culture, geography, history, ecology, and the natural environment.
Presented the Grecia – High Wycombe Fairtrade Towns Partnership plague to the Mayor of High Wycombe. The Mayor in turn presented the Grecia –plaque to Highcrest Academy for their incorporation of Fairtrade into the curriculum, and for their outstanding work in establishing a strong and continually developing link with liaison, videos, projects, and joint lessons with pupils at the Colegio Experimental Bilingue de Grecia.
In co-ordination with Mike King, Ambassador Ortiz officially launched the Grecia – High Wycombe Fairtrade Towns Partnership Celebration Coffee with single-origin green beans supplied by CoopeVictoria and roasted locally by Roast Lab, a small, independent, micro-roaster near Gerrards Cross.
This medium-roasted arabica coffee was then sampled by teachers and some pupils, accompanied by the delicious Central American snack – “pan de elote”, a type of corncake.
Photographs and interviews with Bucks Free Press journalist. The whole event was recorded live by the Highcrest Academy Computer Technician.
Farewells and goodbyes at 4 15 pm.

Towards the end of the Big Fairtrade Fortnight Get Together, responders used the Zoom chat box to give their opinions and comments. After my 5 – minute resume of the Ambassador’ s visit, one responder stated, “That’s amazing work in High Wycombe – Inspirational.”

It was an extraordinary day, which all stakeholders involved could justifiably be proud.

Mike King,
Chairman, Wycombe For Fairtrade

UK Fairtrade Foundation Fortnight March 2023 – Wycombe For Fairtrade Activities and Events – 4

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Visit of Ambassador Ortiz and the Economic Consul from the Embassy of Costa Rica on Monday 6^th March 202 to the Mayor of High Wycombe’s Parlour and to Highcrest Academy in High Wycombe.

Wycombe For Fairtrade in association with the Mayor’s Office in High Wycombe had invited Ambassador Rafael Ortiz Fabrega from the Embassy of Costa Rica and his Economic Consul to visit High Wycombe on Monday 6^th March 2023 with the intention of involving Ambassador Ortiz in helping High Wycombe celebrate High Wycombe For Fairtrade’s 4 year partnership with the Fairtrade Town of Grecia in Costa Rica, and with the neighbouring 3000 – farmer Fairtrade coffee and sugar producer cooperative, CoopeVictoria.

This event was recognised by the UK Fairtrade Foundation as a whole with a photograph of the mayor of High Wycombe, the Costa Rica Ambassador and the owners of Roast Labs – see https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/media-centre/blog/thank-you-fortnight-campaigners/

Organizing these events to bring together different stakeholders was an interesting challenge and involved a great deal of collaboration and liaison. This was the highlight of Wycombe For Fairtrade’s Fairtrade Fortnight events. The list of activities surrounding the visit of Ambassador Monday 6^th March 2023 are listed below.

Steering Group members greeted the Ambassador and the Economic Consul at the railway station and escorted them to the High Wycombe Council Chamber building.

Ambassador Ortiz was introduced to the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of High Wycombe, Wycombe For Fairtrade Steering Group members, and Wayne and Sarah Coetzee, co-owners of Roast Lab, a local, independent, micro-roastery who roasted the green coffee beans.

Ambassador Ortiz engaged in a live Zoom meeting with Directors of CoopeVictoria Fairtrade coffee and sugar cooperative and the Deputy Mayor of Grecia.

His Excellency ceremoniously cut the Grecia – High Wycombe Fairtrade Towns Partnership Celebration cake with the Mayor of High Wycombe, Arif Hussain. This delicious cake was specially made by the Mayor’s Office and had the Grecia – High Wycombe Fairtrade Towns Partnership Celebration coffee bag details on the top of the wonderful cake.

The Wycombe Mayors laid on a lavish lunch for the Ambassador and guests.

At 1.45 pm. Wycombe For Fairtrade members and the Mayoral party conveyed the Ambassador of Costa Rica and the Economic Consul and Mayors of High Wycombe along with five Wycombe For Fairtrade Steering Group members to Highcrest Academy where Ambassador Ortiz: –

Met and greeted senior teachers and the Head Boy and Girl.

Delivered a 15-minute Powerpoint presentation about Costa Rican culture, geography, history, ecology, and the natural environment which was very well received.

Presented the Grecia – High Wycombe Fairtrade Towns Partnership plague to the Mayor of High Wycombe. Mayor Arif Hussain in turn, presented the Grecia – High Wycombe plaque to Highcrest Academy for their incorporation of Fairtrade into the curriculum, and for their outstanding work in establishing a strong and continually developing link with liaison, videos, projects, and joint lessons, with pupils at the Colegio Experimental Bilingue de Grecia.

In conjunction with Mike King, Ambassador Ortiz officially launched the Grecia – High Wycombe Fairtrade Towns Partnership Celebration Coffee with single-origin green beans supplied by CoopeVictoria and roasted locally by Roast Lab, a small, independent, micro-roaster near Gerrards Cross.

This medium-roasted arabica coffee was then sampled by teachers and some pupils, accompanied by the delicious Central American snack – “pan de elote”, a type of corncake, made by two of Wycombe For Fairtrade Steering Group members.

During the coffee sampling, there was time for photographs and interviews with the Ambassador, Mayor of High Wycombe, and Mike King, Chairman of Wycombe For Fairtrade. There was even a live link with Maria Angela Zamora Chaves, the Sustainability Manager at CoopeVictoria. She commented that this was a special day because this was the first time that the “Monte Camejo” coffee had been roasted in the UK as a single-origin coffee. The Bucks Free Press journalist interviewed the main stakeholders and took many photographs. These appeared in a full-page colour article the following Friday, both in the High Wycombe and Marlow editions of the Bucks Free Press. The whole event was recorded live by the Highcrest Academy Computer Technician.

Farewells and goodbyes at 4 15 pm.

It was an extraordinary, incredible day, which the Mayors of High Wycombe and Grecia, CoopeVictoria Managers, Wycombe For Fairtrade, Roast Lab independent roasters, and Highcrest Academy pupils and teachers involved could justifiably be proud. Ambassador Ortiz enjoyed his day in High Wycombe and was very impressed with level of the Grecia – High Wycombe Fairtrade Towns partnership linking.

Mike King,
Chairman, Wycombe For Fairtrade

Bucks Free Press cover Wycombe / Costa Rica event organised by Wycombe for Fairtrade

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See https://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/23369082.high-wycombe-ambassador-costa-rica-visits-highcrest-academy/