Observer Comment: Fairtrade enjoys anincreasing profile

The Fairtrade cause is enjoying a bigger profile than ever in Bexhill, with schools, businesses and charitable groups all getting on board in the bid to give a fairer deal to farmers and craftsmen in developing countries.

With colourful and ethically traded goods such as coffee and chocolate through to clothes, gifts and soaps, it is easy to see why Fairtrade seems to have captured the public’s imagination.

There has been plenty going on already this week in the town, with fairs, school assemblies, discussion forums and breakfasts.

The centrepiece is set to be at the De La Warr Pavilion on Sunday, where volunteers will be stringing together bunting to help the Fairtrade Foundation try to break the record for the longest bunting anywhere.

It’s definitely worth looking out for Fairtrade products whatever the time of year. And in Bexhill there are plenty of such items available.

Even though Fairtrade products are slightly more expensive, they are much more individual than more mainstream goods and it’s all for a good cause.