Children in Monmouthshire have been leading the way in encouraging people to buy Fairtrade Easter eggs and chocolate this Easter by designing posters for a competition organised by Monmouthshire County Council.

Pupils from St Mary’s RC Primary and Pembroke Primary in Chepstow, Undy Primary, Llandogo Primary, Osbaston Primary in Monmouth and Llantilio Pertholey Primary all took part in the competition, with some great designs and artwork.  All the entries will be on display at their closest Community Hubs. 

Monmouthshire is a Fairtrade county, and the council together with volunteers across the county work hard all year round to help people learn about the difference that buying Fairtrade can make to farmers and growers in developing countries. 

Fairtrade town groups in the county are also joining in with the children’s voices to encourage people to choose Fairtrade chocolate this Easter. 

Chepstow Fairtrade Forum has organised an Easter Egg Hunt Quiz Competition in Chepstow from 28th March to 12th April.

Pick up a quiz sheet in Toytastik, find egg pictures in the windows around town, read the facts and answer the questions, then hand in your sheet.  The one with the most correct answers will win a Fairtrade Easter Egg.

Monmouth Fairtrade Forum supported Monmouth Methodist Church’s Spring Fair on Saturday 28th March, featuring a Fairtrade Easter Egg Hunt and Fairtrade stall, plus a talk from Osbaston Primary pupils about Fairtrade. 

Fairtrade cocoa farmers get a fair price for the work they put in, with a guaranteed minimum price for their cocoa.  They also receive a Fairtrade premium, which farmers decide together how to spend to benefit their communities, such as healthcare, education, or clean water.  Fairtrade cocoa also benefits the environment because, in addition to strong environmental standards, the Fairtrade mark guarantees that no tropical deforestation has occurred.

Monmouthshire County Council is grateful for support from the Co-op which stocks Fairtrade Easter eggs, who have donated Fairtrade eggs as prizes for the winning pupils.

A Monmouthshire County Council spokesperson said: “There have been some brilliant designs from pupils across the county who clearly care passionately about speaking up for farmers as well as eating chocolate.

“Do take the time to look at the entries in your local library and in the words of one of the winners “Be a good egg and buy a Fairtrade Easter Egg”.”