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Mar 28 2012 by Linda Foo Guest, Heswall News

WIRRAL’S Fairtrade ambassador and champion winners were revealed at a successful ethical event.

The Great Fairtrade market at Heswall Hall on Saturday was hailed a great success as hundreds of people flocked to sample food and craft goods.

Fairly-traded products on display included craft materials from ‘And Albert’ and ‘Traidcraft’.

Visitors had the chance to taste free samples of fair food, with information available about Fairtrade.

Wirral Peninsula jazz band kept the crowds entertained along with female vocalist Megana Heart.

A Fairtrade café kept drinks flowing and the highlight of the day was the awards presentation.

Deputy Mayor Cllr Gerry Ellis and Paul Winstanley from the Co-operative presented the awards to the borough’s newly appointed Fairtrade Champions.

Two worthy winners were Margaret Smith who scooped Wirral’s Fairtrade Champion and Katherine McAloon as Wirral’s Fairtrade Ambassador.

Cllr Mark Johnston, who has overseen Wirral Council’s Fairtrade work, told the News: “I am especially delighted for Margaret. She has been involved with Fairtrade campaigning for over 30 years – giving talks, setting up stalls in churches, and also selling Traidcraft products.

“Margaret estimates she has sold over £250,000 worth of goods over the years.

“It is people like her that were championing the cause in its very early days, and have helped it become a well accepted and mainstream idea.

“Her tireless work over three decades is most worthy of this award.

“As Wirral’s Fairtrade Ambassador Katherine will visit Ghana and meet with developing world producers who benefit from selling goods under the Fairtrade banner.”

The Wirral News supports the council’s Fairtrade campaign and will follow its progress.

Cllr Johnston added: “ I want to say a massive thank you to the Wirral News, LA21, The Co-operative and Heswall Churches Together for all their hard work on this campaign. I also want to personally thank council leader Jeff Green for having the insight to make this issue a central concern of the council and providing some funding.”