Aiming to achieve new status

AN empty Exeter Road shop has been temporarily re-opened to help promote a series of events aimed at giving communities in developing countries a fair deal.The former Little Evers toy shop in Exeter Road, opposite Glenorchy United Reformed Church, re-opened on Tuesday and, for two weeks, will be used as the focus of Fairtrade Fortnight, from this week until March 6.Local dignitaries and business leaders attended the opening of the event which included drink and refreshments.The fortnight will raise awareness of the plight of producers in developing countries and to pave the way for Exmouth to become East Devon's first Fairtrade town.Events kicked off on Tuesday when a good sized crowd watched 'Devon's famous buoy band', the Shanty Men, in a concert at the Blackmore Theatre in the evening.Exmouth Library is running a competition for recipes with Fairtrade bananas, and a children's colouring competition and 'banana trail' over the next two weeks - entry forms are available from the Library.The grand finale will see the group do their bit towards the nationwide attempt on the banana eating record at Tesco, on Friday afternoon, March 6, and in the Magnolia Centre on Saturday morning, March 7.Secretary to the Exmouth Fairtrade steering group Peter Brain said: "We have been given use of the former toy shop in Exeter Road to run an information centre to demonstrate the wide range of Fairtrade goods - with plenty of samples and a free draw! "We thank Little Evers, who sell fairly traded toys in their new shop on The Parade, for this generous offer."The purpose of a Fairtrade Town is to contribute to the aim of tackling poverty by enabling disadvantaged producers from poor countries to receive a better deal, through encouraging support for the Fairtrade Mark.The scheme already has the backing of Exmouth Town Council.A dozen cafes, bars and restaurants and several churches and organisations already serve Fairtrade refreshments.