In Camborne’s tenth anniversary year as a Fairtrade town, three more businesses and organisations have achieved podium places in the annual Fairtrade awards.
Camborne Regeneration Forum, a long-standing supporter of the Fairtrade initiative, has been awarded gold for the first time and Wilson’s Café and the Wesley Centre have both won bronze certificates.
Tanya Stacey, her mum Mary Wilson and brother Shaun Wilson have been successfully running their coffee shop and takeaway for more than 30 years. Situated in Trelowarren Street, the delicious range of homemade fayre on offer attracts a very loyal following.
“Our customers have become like family to us and we even get regular visitors to the county coming back year after year to have breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea here,” says Tanya, who was fifteen when she first started working in the café. “We’re delighted with our Fairtrade award because we know how important responsible food sourcing is – not just to us, but our customers too. The certificate is going up on our wall because we want people to be aware of it and share our pride.”
Tracey Hunt coordinates volunteers and manages the meals on wheels service provided by the Wesley Centre. Part of the Wesley Methodist Church, the centre is a social enterprise which includes a popular café and dining room that are open to anyone.
“Supporting local businesses and Fairtrade suppliers is part of our ethos,” says Tracey. “It’s only right that people should get a fair wage for the work they do.”
Former teacher Brian Terry is the person responsible for ensuring Camborne’s Fairtrade credentials are maintained.
“We were very proud to be Cornwall’s first officially-recognised Fairtrade town ten years’ ago and to have now been awarded gold,” says Brian, a passionate advocate of the Fairtrade charity. “Our local primary schools are part of the initiative as well. St John’s has already been awarded the top level of certification and Weeth is working towards it.”
Camborne’s newly published town guide promotes Fairtrade businesses.
“Products like coffee are produced overseas but that shouldn’t mean we should be any less vigilant in terms of how it is produced,” says BID (Business Improvement District) manager Anna Pascoe. “We’re lucky to have a growing number of excellent places to eat and drink in the town and ethical sourcing undoubtedly plays an increasingly vital role in customer choice.
“Camborne is a shining, national example of Fairtrade awareness and delivery and, on behalf of everyone who loves our town and what it stands for, I congratulate everyone involved.”
The other Fairtrade businesses in Camborne are: Aldi, Café Soul, Chapel Street Boutique, Delight 2 Bite, Sands Boutique, Scallywags Café, Tesco, Trevithick’s Café and the Tyacks Hotel.