Garstang, UK, the World’s First Fairtrade Town, is one of Media, PA’s sister cities. The fairtrade town concept is the brainchild of Quaker and veterinarian, Bruce Crowther, a Garstang resident. Bruce has now inspired over 1,000 towns and cities in 22 nations on 5 continents to go Fair Trade.
Bruce tries every which way to encourage people of the North to visit Fair Trade towns of the South. He’d like to see all of us visit New Koforidua, Ghana, which is the 1,000th Fair Trade town as well as Garstang’s and Media’s other sister city. Despite his best efforts, travelers have made it clear that they want to visit Garstang most of all. Bruce and his family have found many an international visitor at their front door.
Bruce finally surrendered creating a welcome center in Garstang with a display on historic and modern day slavery: The FIG Tree Fairtrade Visitor Centre & Café.
Consider putting Garstang on your travel list. You can also join Bruce on one of his visits to New Koforidua, from which some of the cocoa for Divine Chocolate is grown.
Note that if you visit The FIG Tree on a Sunday, dogs receive free cookies, IF accompanied by well-behaved people.
