The organisers behind Kendal's successful bid for Fair Trade Town status are planning a summer launch event that they hope will generate massive publicity.

July 12 has been pencilled in as the date for a big

celebration to mark Kendal's achievement of becoming the first Fair Trade Town in Cumbria.

To qualify for the accolade Kendal had to show that several local shops were selling Fair Trade goods and that local businesses used them regularly. The town council also passed a resolution in favour.

Two of the team, Andrew Mason and Muriel Wilkinson, told Kendal Town Council about their plans for a launch.

During the two weeks prior to the event they hope to hold assemblies at schools in the town and invite pupils to contribute Fair Trade ingredients which will go into a large cake.

They would like to put a banner across Stricklandgate with the words: "Congratulations to Kendal the first Fair Trade town in Cumbria."

On the launch day itself, they hope to begin the celebrations with an event at the town hall, including a reception with invited guests and a formal presentation of the Fair Trade Town certificate to the mayor. They hope a speaker from a Fair Trade producer and possibly a celebrity guest will attend.

Afterwards they would organise a procession from the town hall to the Birdcage with children from each of the schools involved, a salsa marching band and stilt

walkers. The cake would be cut and given to passers-by.

A directory of businesses and organisations in Kendal which sell or serve Fair Trade products is also being planned, including a trail' linking the places involved in a walk.

Coun Avril Dobson, said she was sure members

supported the launch idea and they would discuss how to help at a future meeting.

May 21, 2003 09:30