Ludlow Town Council and Ludlow Fairtrade Town Group celebrate the refurbishment of the Fairtrade Flowerbed and re-certification as a Fairtrade Town

Ludlow Fairtrade Town Group is pleased to announce the restoration of the Fairtrade flowerbed in Ludlow Castle Gardens, in collaboration with Ludlow Town Council and volunteering group, Guerrilla Gardeners. This significant project has been made possible through the generous support of grants secured by Ludlow Fairtrade Town Group from the Midcounties Co-op, Ludlow 21, and Ludlow Town Council.

The Fairtrade flowerbed is a symbol of Ludlow's commitment to promoting fair trade. The circular flowerbed was first planted in 2014 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Ludlow’s Fairtrade Town accreditation, which coincided with the 20th anniversary of the Fairtrade Mark in the UK. It was re-designed by the late horticulturalist, Nicki-Lewis Smith, in 2015.

Through the dedicated efforts of Ludlow Fairtrade Group and Guerrilla Gardeners who recently received a civic award from the Town Council, the flowerbed has been refurbished showcasing a lovely display of plants.

As well as the restoration Ludlow Fairtrade Town Group is proud to announce that the town's certification as a Fairtrade town has been renewed, reaffirming Ludlow's ongoing dedication to supporting producers and artisans in developing countries.

Ludlow was first awarded Fairtrade Town status in 2003. Local shops that sell Fairtrade-certified or fairly traded products can be identified by the ‘Ludlow: Proudly supporting Fairtrade’ window sticker.

The dedicated volunteers of Ludlow’s Fairtrade Town Steering Group work closely with Ludlow Town Council, Ludlow Chamber of Trade, local businesses, and community groups to embed the values of fair trade.

This re-certification, granted in July of this year, recognises the town's continued commitment to promoting Fairtrade products and raising awareness about the importance of fair-trade practices within the community. Ludlow will now hold its Fairtrade Town status until 2026.

To commemorate this remarkable achievement, Ludlow Fairtrade Town Group and Ludlow Town Council invite the public to join us in celebrating the restoration of the Fairtrade flowerbed.

The event will take place on Friday 15th September 12 pm, where Councillor Glenn Ginger, Mayor of Ludlow will re-dedicate the refurbished bed.

May of Ludlow, Councillor Glenn Ginger said, "The Town Council is proud to celebrate the re-certification of Ludlow as a Fairtrade town and to be part of a community that values fairness and sustainability."