Fairtrade given boost at Gala

NORTH Eastern & Cumbrian Co-op flew the flag for Fairtrade at the 120th annual Durham Miners Gala last weekend.
The labour movement&#039s summer showpiece event was sponsored by the Co-operative Group and an added ingredient this year was an appearance by the Anglo Gold Ashanti Choir from South Africa, who performed at Durham Racecourse before the speeches and also sang at the city&#039s Cathedral the night before the Gala.
Among the hundreds of guests at the cathedral concert were South Africa&#039s High Commissioner Lindewa Mabuza, and former-MP Tony Benn.
A new Co-operative Group trailer was prominently placed at the Racecourse to dispense samples of Fairtrade products and give information on Co-op membership and activities.
In addition the 20 South African male singers marched and sang with the Co-op banner (as our picture shows) which was paraded through the City by a group of young people wearing Co-op Fairtrade t-shirts.
Scores of miners&#039 banners were also paraded through the streets accompanied by brass bands from all over the North while well-known singer Billy Bragg entertained the estimated 50,000 people who travelled into the city to enjoy the annual event.