Arundel & South Downs MP Nick Herbert visited St Mary’s CE School in Pulborough on Friday (23 February) to launch Fairtrade Fortnight.
Mr Herbert was given a tour of the school by two of the pupils, Josh, a member of the school’s eco-council, and Georgina who attends the school’s eco-club each week.
St Mary’s school has been given official Fairtrade status, and the village of Pulborough has been a ‘Fairtrade Town’ since 2007. West Sussex was made a ‘Fairtrade County’ last October.
In school, the children are taught about the values of Fairtrade, enjoying visits from food producers to reinforce their understanding. More than 1.6 million farmers and workers across 74 developing countries benefit from the international Fairtrade system.
Joanna Brown, the school’s headteacher, said: “It was lovely to welcome Nick Herbert to our school and to show him around. Nick’s visit was followed up on Monday with a whole school Fairtrade Assembly and children throughout the school have been making pancakes and banana bread using nothing but Fairtrade products.”
Mr Herbert said: “It was a pleasure to meet Josh and Georgina who were very knowledgeable about Fairtrade, the environment and their school. I enjoyed my tour.”
Fairtrade Fortnight runs until 11 March. For more information on Fairtrade Fortnight see http://www.fairtradewestsussex.org.uk.
