St Andrews Fairtrade committee angry over lost signs

Fairtrade St Andrews group after erecting their first town signs.

St Andrew’s Fairtrade Town committee say both the community council and Fife Council have removed their ‘Fairtrade Town’ signs, with a further claim that this was done without any consultation.

The town has held it’s Fairtrade status since November 2005, something it’s hugely proud of, and, to advertise that achievement, had signs erected, proclaiming its award.

Now, chair of the group, Peter Robinson is asking questions as to why there is no mention of Fairtrade on the new signs which have been erected. He is also concerned that while Fairtrade status has been ignored, new secondary signs have been erected announcing the twinning with Loches.

You might also be interested in:

Kirkcaldy cinema still not a done deal

Hunt for escaped python in Kirkcaldy

Fife woman cleared of having sex with 14-year-old boy

He said: “We are saddened at this action, which we hope was an oversight, We would like our Fairtrade status signage to be put back in place, or at least acknowledged on the new ones.”

A spokesman for the community council said: “Our attempts to engage with St Andrews Fairtrade Association were ignored for two months. Of the four signs that existed, Fife Council insisted the sign on the A91 was removed, and the other three were removed as being of an inconsistent style and in very poor condition.

“We are now in discussion with the Fairtrade Association about how to address the removal of these signs.”

Phil Clarke, from Fife Council, said: “We are already engaging with St Andrews Fairtrade Town Committee and the Community Council to resolve this issue as soon as possible.”