A campaign to make Hadrian’s Wall Country a Fairtrade zone is attracting both international and local attention thanks to the joint efforts of a group of local Fairtrade supporters and businesses, and Hadrian’s Wall Heritage Ltd.

The BBC’s George Alagiah, Patron of the Fairtrade Foundation, helped launch the ‘Hadrian’s Wall Fairtrade Campaign’ (pictured alongside) and new website www.fairtradehadrianswall.co.uk in Carlisle earlier this year.

There are now over 90 businesses and over 50 individual supporters of the campaign, including people from Britain, Ireland, Darjeeling, Italy and Spain.  The website has had hits from all over the world.

The campaign is now encouraging more businesses from the World Heritage Site to support the use of Fairtrade products and highlighting the commercial benefits of using the internationally recognised FAIRTRADE Mark.

A new short film about the Hadrian’s Wall Fairtrade Campaign is now available to view online at www.fairtradehadrianswall.co.uk, YouTube and the new Fairtrade Towns website www.fairtradetowns.org.  The film features George Alagiah helping to launch the campaign, as well as members of the Hadrian’s Wall Fairtrade Group talking about the positive benefits of the campaign.

The Hadrian’s Wall Fairtrade Campaign is also hoping to show the film as a trailer at local cinemas and at other public venues.  People who are interested in showing the film at their venue should contact Lauren Harrison, Chairperson for the Hadrian’s Wall Fairtrade Campaign on 016977-47962.

Hadrian’s Wall Heritage Ltd, is backing the Fairtrade campaign and its Sustainable Development Officer Julie Sloan  said: “This is great news for the region.  We’re a key supporter of the Hadrian’s Wall Fairtrade Campaign, so are keen to see this growing support from local businesses and overseas followers.”

“Fairtrade status for Hadrian’s Wall Country would help to enhance our reputation as a destination that celebrates and encourages sustainable development in one of England’s most unique landscapes.”

Hadrian’s Wall Country covers an area 10 miles on either side of the World Heritage Site all the way from South Shields in North East England to Bowness-on-Solway in Cumbria and down the coast to Ravenglass.

The World Heritage Site campaign hopes to establish Hadrian’s Wall Country as the first World Heritage Site with Fairtrade Zone status.

The Hadrian’s Wall Fairtrade Campaign has representatives from each of the Fairtrade towns, including Carlisle, Brampton, Hexham and Newcastle; as well as businesses from Haltwhistle, Hadrian’s Wall Heritage Ltd and Newcastle City Council.

Lauren Harrison, Chairperson for the Hadrian’s Wall Fairtrade Campaign, said: “With the growing support for the campaign and the new DVD, we’ve taken another big step closer to becoming the first World Heritage Site with Fairtrade zone status.”

In order to be given Fairtrade status, an area must show that it has made a commitment to supporting Fairtrade and using products with the FAIRTRADE Mark.  There are now Fairtrade areas in 15 countries around the world.

Anyone who would like to get involved in the campaign to achieve Fairtrade status or who would like more information should contact Lauren Harrison on 016977 47962 or go to www.fairtradehadrianswall.co.uk

Hadrian’s Wall Heritage Ltd was set up in 2006 to help look after, protect and conserve the World Heritage Site, as well as to enhance the quality of the visitor experience and increase the Wall’s contribution to the local and regional economy through sustainable tourism.

For more information on Hadrian’s Wall Country, visit www.hadrians-wall.org

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