Keynsham Fairtrade Group was formed in March 2004. Many people in Keynsham had supported Fairtrade for years, and there was support for Fairtrade from both Councils. The new Group took advice from Bath Fairtrade Network and Bradford-on-Avon Fairtrade Group, and put together an action plan aiming to address the five criteria set out in the Fairtrade town guide.

The campaign in Keynsham was given a real boost in July 2004 when Keynsham Fairtrade Group worked with St. John's Church to host the Fairtrade Foundation's "Taste for Life" photo exhibition. This was a marvellous experience for all involved. The photos themselves illustrated in a very powerful way the real impact of buying Fairtrade goods and over 40 people volunteered to staff the exhibition making it possible to run it for a fortnight. In the run up to the exhibition, the Group also ran a Design a Fairtrade Mug competition for local schoolchildren.
   In order to spread the word about Keynsham's campaign, the Group ran stalls at a Fun Day in June, the Keynsham Music Festival in July and the Victorian Evening in November.
   Over the course of the year, we were delighted at the support from local shops and businesses. Two local cafes signed up to offer Fairtrade tea and coffee. Some of the other local businesses who pledged to use Fairtrade tea and coffee for their staff and clients included a funeral director, hairdressers and the local Post Office delivery and collection team (who were featured in their union's national magazine).
   The Fairtrade Group also agreed to run the tea and coffee hatch at the new Keynsham Farmers Market, which started in October. Each month, we sell tea, coffee, hot chocolate and cookies, as well as giving out free samples and information leaflets. This supports the principle, "If you can, buy local. If you can't buy local, buy Fairtrade."

Our campaign continues as we prepare to re-apply for Fairtrade Town status at the end of this year. We are hoping to recruit at least one more retailer to the campaign. In April we launched a Design a Fairtrade T-Shirt competition, with prizes awarded in July. The Group helped to organise a MakePovertyHistory event at Keynsham Methodist Church in July to highlight the campaign to influence world leaders to make a real difference on aid, trade and debt relief. There were information stalls inside the church, and speakers on the church steps, heralded by a bagpiper who played in the High Street reminding everyone of the Edinburgh connection. We have had stalls at the Keynsham Music Festival and at a local community Fun Day. We hope to produce a Fairtrade Town directory for Fairtrade Fortnight 2006.

In February, we got the good news that we had been awarded Fairtrade Town status and were among the first 100 towns in the UK to achieve this. The official declaration took place during Fairtrade Fortnight, when Regina Joseph, a banana grower from Dominica, handed over the official Certificate to Councillor Andrew Waite, Chair of Keynsham Town Council. Also during the Fortnight, members of the Group ran Fairtrade assemblies in local schools (one member personally ran an assembly for each year group in Wellsway Secondary School). In addition, sixth form students at B6 at Broadlands School undertook presentation skills training around the Fairtrade theme, enabling them to give presentations to a number of community groups and primary schools.

For more information, please contact Rachel Ward on 0117 9868683 or