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FAIRTRADE FESTIVAL

Saturday 27th February 2010

Captain Cook Square

Middlesbrough Town Center

FAIRTRADE FESTIVAL PAVES WAY FOR MIDDLESBROUGH MELA 2010

A SERIES of events is being planned across Middlesbrough in the build-up to this year’s Mela.

The events are designed to build awareness of the spectacular Albert Park weekend – on July 17 and 18 this year – and give a boost to the town’s intercultural development.

The first of these will be a Fairtrade Festival in Captain Cook Square on Saturday, February 27.

The festival, taking place during Fairtrade Fortnight and marking Middlesbrough’s Fairtrade status, is being supported locally by Middlesbrough Council, Captain Cook Square and Macmillan Academy.

Stalls will promote and sell Fairtrade food and other products, and music and dance will be provided by members of Fairtrade communities living in the North East.

MFC signed Fairtrade footballs are up for grabs in a competition for 11 to 16-year-olds, while Freestyle football champ Mikey Tye will be on hand to show off his dazzling skills. To enter the competition download a form in one of the following formats :

competition-form PDF -|- competition-form DOC -|- competition-form RTF and send your completed entry to  events@middlesbrough.gov.uk or post to Arts and Events, PO Box 99, Civic Centre, Middlesbrough TS1 2QQ

And, for those in need of a refreshing cuppa, Ecogroup students from Macmillan Academy will be staging their very own Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.

Other partners already signed up to support the event include the Co-operative Group, Middlesbrough Football Club and the Middlesbrough Fairtrade Group.

The Co-op has supported Fairtrade since its inception in 1994 and has helped to develop the UK as one of the world’s largest Fairtrade markets, supporting millions of growers and producers in developing countries.

Councillor Barry Coppinger, Chairman of the Middlesbrough Fairtrade Group, said: “The Middlesbrough Mela has established itself as one of the best events of its kind, attracting visitors from across the country and beyond.

“It’s therefore fitting that there should be a number of smaller events to raise awareness in the run-up to the Mela weekend.

“Its multi-cultural approach is emobodied by Fairtrade which is now a well-recognised brand in countless local shops, stores, cafes and restaurants and has the full backing and commitment of the Council.

“It’s important that we ensure that message has a high profile and the Fairtrade Festival will do much to achieve that.”

If you are interested in getting involved please telephone 01642 729135 for more information.