Strictly Fairtrade - Casualty star James Redmond

Fairtrade tea (check), Fairtrade fruit (check), Fairtrade biscuits (check). 

Lots of goodies packed neatly in my Fairtrade cotton bag ready for a fabulous Fairtrade day out. Now, where am I going again? 

The great thing about the concept of the Big Swap is that there is something that everyone can do.  

Even if you’ve been dressing Fairtrade since before the Fairtrade mark officially came into being and your kitchen cupboard resembles a small section in the Co-op, if you fancy heading out and about and swapping a Fairtrade day out or event rather than a store cupboard staple, then you’re spoilt for choice over Fairtrade fortnight. 

Here’s a small selection, to see if we can tempt you. 

Fairtrade Walk (Wales)  If you’re feeling fit, or just want to blow away some cobwebs. Then why not take in a Fairtrade walk on 7 March 2010? From Swansea to Ammanford to Carmarthen. Setting off from the Oxfam book and music shop in Castle Street at 11.30am. The Fairtrade walk takes in a range of lovely Fairtrade sites – Fairtrade cafe, nice pub…hmmm. Contact riversidepicnic@yahoo.co.uk for more details. 

Fairtrade Treasure Hunt (London) Sydenham library is having a Fairtrade treasure hunt for children and families on 27 February 2010. 

Strictly Fairtrade Tea Dance (London) Put on your dancing shoes. With dancing demonstrations all afternoon on 27 February 2010 at Crispin Place, Spitalfields, there will be a dancing style for everyone – samba, salsa, even Bollywood. Fairtrade market stalls will be on hand for all your Fairtrade needs. Your host for the afternoon, will be none other than Hollyoaks and Casualty star James Redmond! Details from veronica.pasteur@fairtrade.org.uk 

Fairtrade swap and shop  (Newcastle) Newcastle plays host to the Co-Operative’s Membership event on 7 March 2010 (International Women’s Day). Fairtrade products will be available to buy and daisygreen events will be hosting a lovely clothes swap. Limited free tickets are still available at the time of writing. 

Fairtrade food and local buffet (Birmingham)  This mouth-watering buffet at the University of Birmingham was a sell out in 2009. £8 to get in. Contact Lucy Whalley for details. lxw799@bham.ac.uk. 

Fairtrade summer in winter (Ammanford)  Ammanford will be hosting a Fairtrade Summers Day on 5 March 2010. Watch Fairtrade films shown by a converted 1960s solar powered caravan and join the attempt to make an enormous Fairtrade banana split. Contact riversidepicnic@yahoo.co.uk for more details 

Fairtrade Burlesque (London) – Join Pants to Poverty for Fairtrade burlesque on 27 Feb 2010.  Read about all about it here. 

Fairtrade Fashion Show (Sunderland) – On 4 March 2010, Sunderland University hosts an afternoon of Fairtrade fashion, stalls and an address from Krishnan Sainathan of Agrocel. RSVP by 26 Feb 2010. Contact Yvonne.ewington@sunderland.ac.uk for information. 

Fairtrade Cooking (Galway)  Galway is on the lookout for the best Fairtrade pudding.  Yum! Check out the awards on 5 March 2010 at Galway City Museum. E-mail amnestygalway@amnesty.ie for information. 

The Complete Fairtrade Experience (Glasgow)  A day of Fairtrade fun on 28 February 2010. Fairtrade crafts for children, entertainment, music and stalls. Even Fairtrade football tricks with Graeme Lightbody, Britain’s ‘keep up King’!! Free Fairtrade samples and tastings. Entry £1 for adults and children under 16 go free when accompanied by a paying adult. It’s all happening at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. 

So many options.  What will you get up to? Check out the Fairtrade Foundation websites (UK and Ireland) for more ideas.