MARCH 2005 Rev Laurence Whitley asked Peter Stevens to help with Old & St Andrew’s Church Fairtrade Stall. Visitor said Queensferry is a Fairtrade Town. Peter also leading Montrose Churches Together Lent Study on Trade, which suggested action. Contacted Fairtrade Foundation and got booklet on Fairtrade Towns. Five goals to aim at 1. Council resolution. 2. Products in shops and cafes. 3. Used in churches and schools. 4. Popular support. 5. Steering Group. Montrose Churches Together supported project but no resources available.
MARCH 2006 Contacted Terry Wood (local councillor) who sent copy of Angus Council resolution dated February 2003 supporting Fair Trade (Goal One).
JANUARY 2007 Attended Montrose Partnership meeting. Fairtrade Town project again supported in principle, further reports requested, contact suggested with Council Fairtrade Officer. First press report.
MARCH 2007 Montrose Academy Fairtrade group hosted talk by Conrad Taylor, Fairtrade banana grower from St Lucia. “Premium money” explained.
MAY 21 2007 Montrose Fairtrade Town campaign formally launched with support letter signed by all four newly elected Montrose councillors. Letters and response forms taken by Peter Stevens to local shops and hotels. Adequate response (Goal Two).
NOVEMBER 2007 First Public Meeting at Montrose Academy. Slide talk by Fiona Thomson, Traidcraft, on Fairtrade producers in Africa, Asia and South America, and the way they spent Premium money. Montrose Steering Group formed with 4 members representing council, churches, schools and businesses (Goal Five). Monthly meetings agreed (7 Union Street).
FEBRUARY 2008First (provisional) Fairtrade Town leaflet launched at Links Hotel, during showing of film “Black Gold” about the problems of Ethiopian coffee growers. (Goal Four)
APRIL 2008 Application submitted – Church/School forms requested (Goal Three)
MAY 2008 Montrose achieved Fairtrade Town status – the first Angus town.
AUGUST 2008 Steering Group began meeting at Montrose Academy, with greater involvement of pupils and staff.
NOVEMBER 2008 First handout of leaflets to public at Tesco and Scot Mid.First ever Scottish Fairtrade Campaign Day in Dundee attended by 8 local campaigners.
JANUARY 2009 First local Fairtrade Churches received certificates. Montrose Academy became first local Fairtrade School. Competition for design of Montrose Fairtrade Town logo for primary school pupils.
FEBRUARY 26 2009 Declaration Day. Depute Provost Peter Murphy presented Fairtrade Town Certificate to Chairman Ian Sykes, and Fairtrade prize to Erin Collier, Town logo winner. Montrose Fairtrade Town website launched thanks to John Dempsey. Second Fairtrade Town leaflet issued.
FURTHER PROGRESS - THE STORY CONTINUES
SEPTEMBER 2009 Fairtrade Town Declaration Certificate presented to Montrose Librarian for public display there.
FEBRUARY 2010 First Year Fairtrade Town Renewal Certificate achieved.
MARCH 1 2010 Visit by Palestinian Fairtrade producer Mahmoud al Quadi, together with Jamil Hizajin, Bethlehem Fairtrade Development Centre, to talk about production and distribution of Zaytoun Olive Oil.
AUGUST 2010 Rosemount Primary School became the first local primary Fairtrade School.
OCTOBER 2010 "Don't put the clocks back on Fairtrade," an evening held at Montrose Academy. Fiona Thomson, Traidcraft, spoke on "A chicken in church," with slides to show how Fairtrade producers spend premium money on helping both the local community and their own cooperatives. Music and activity was provided byAcademy pupils, and there was a range of stalls.
NOVEMBER 2010 Madison coffee shop enrolled as retailer offering only Fairtrade coffee, tea and hot chocolate.
MARCH 5 2011 Fairtrade Wine tasting evening.
MARCH 1 2012 Public meeting in Montrose Academy Canteen with two speakers - John McAllion on "Scotland - A Fairtrade Nation?" and Masauko Khembo, Fairtrade Farmer, on "Sugar production in Malawi," followed by first ever AGM. Peter Stevens received an engraved glass to mark his retirement after 5 years as secretary. Second Fairtrade Town Renewal Certificate achieved. Third Fairtrade Town leaflet distrtibuted - sponsored by Scot Mid.
MARCH 4 2013 Public meeting in Montrose Academy with two speakers - Kelly Ann Dempsey on how Angus became a Fairtrade Zone; and Douglas Recinos, Fairtrade Farmer, on "Coffee production in Guatemala." This was folowed by the second AGM. Everyone present recieved a copy of the new Angus Fairtrade Zone pamphlet sponsored by Scot Mid.
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