From left to right: Betty Kenyon (Chair of the Church Council), Anne Mills (Chair of the Congregation), Rev. Kate McKenna (Minister),
Councilllor Rishi Shori (Leader of Bury Council), Councillor Dorothy Gunther (Mayor of Bury), Rachael Kennedy (Chair of Bury Fair Trade Group), Pat Jones-Greeenhalgh (C.E.O. of Bury Metropolitan Borough Council), Bernard Emblem (Secretary of Bury Fair Trade Group),
Neville Kenyon (Deputy Chair of Trustees).

The service was devised by The Minister, Rev. Kate McKenna, who chose elements which emphasised ideas of trade justice; this included a fair trade hymn, written by Aberdeen Unitarian, Sue Good, and sung to the tune of Hyfrydol. Anne Mills, Chairman of the Congregation and Fair Trade Champion for the church, researched, wrote and delivered the childrens address in which she talked about cocoa-bean production in Ghana, conditions there, and improvements resulting from Fair Trade involvement. Bernard discussed the Fair Trade process, which helps people in developing countries to help themselves, by supplying housing, education, medical care, training, and whatever else is most needed and valuable to producer-communities. Great strides have been made, since Bury became a Fair Trade Borough, in 2011, and the Council have proved co-operative and encouraging to The Fair Trade Group. Rachael told the congregation about her personal commitment to fair trade but stressed that it was part of her general belief that the planet should be treated with respect, without being damaged in any way; that women should be encouraged to achieve their full potential; and that developing countries should be given every opportunity to take their place in the world. She applies these principles to her business-life, as well; she has her own hairdressing salon, which operates according to highly-ethical criteria.

The civic dignitaries who attended professed themselves delighted with the service and with the warm welcome they had received. Fairly-traded refreshments were served after the service; Anne organised this, and she and Rachael baked cakes appropriate to the occasion. The church Fair Trade Stall was open for business and did a roaring trade. This was a new, joint venture between the church and the local Fair Trade Group, and one well-worth repeating.  

Click here to read Anne's story to the children