Dunscore put the kettle on at the weekend and brewed up plenty of support for Fairtrade and local producers.
It was a return to the popular live event – Dunscore Fairtrade Big Brew – after missing out last year because of the pandemic.
The hard-working Dunscore Fairtrade Village committee pulled out the stops with the three hour event in Glenriddell Hall and Dunscore Church, spreading community cheer and raising awareness of the Fairtrade Movement.
An annual highlight is always the soup and rolls, Fairtrade tea, coffee and baking – all served with a warm welcome.
The stalls featured Fairtrade goods, local crafts, cider, jewellery, leaf tea and ground coffee, glass work, cakes and savouries.
Young local musician Mia Bennison entertained with her harp music.
Alison Borthwick, who heads the Dunscore Fairtrade Village committee said: “We were delighted to have our Big Brew back again this year. It is the highlight of the Fairtrade year in Dunscore and helps to remind everyone to look out for Fairtrade products when doing their shopping.”
Dumfriesshire MP and MSP David and Oliver Mundell were there to lend their support for Fairtrade and the village community, along with Kyle Thornton from Kirkconnel who is one of the Mid and Upper Nithsdale Scottish Conservative candidates in the forthcoming May council elections. South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth was also at the event and praised the work of local volunteers who work “tirelessly” to promote Fairtrade across the region.
He is chairman of the Dumfries and Galloway Fairtrade Group and Convener of the Scottish Parliament Cross Party Group on Fairtrade.
“The basic principles of Fair Trade—better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in developing countries and across the world—have never been more important than they are now. Buying even a couple of Fair Trade products during the weekly grocery shop can make a big difference to the lives of producers across the world.”
“The ongoing pandemic has meant that Fairtrade Fortnight events have been limited for the past couple of years but I’m proud that our region’s volunteers have kept on working to ensure that Fairtrade is top of the agenda.”
