IVYBRIDGE’S Fairtrade group took advantage of the balmy weather last weekend to celebrate the recent renewal of ‘Fairtrade Town’ status.

Members of the group baked a cake, which was decorated with an image of the Fairtrade Town certificate and set up their ‘smoothie bike’ pedal-powered juicer outside the Watermark on Saturday.

Passersby were offered pieces of the cake, and the chance to make and enjoy a smoothie made with Fairtrade products.

Sara Hladkij, one of the two Fairtrade town councillors alongside cllr Ann Laity, also read a story about Fairtrade fruits, ’Handa’s Surprise’, to passing children.

Lorna Howell from the group said: ‘Lots of people, young and old, had a go at pedalling, and then enjoying the fruits of their labours.

‘The idea was to remind people that Ivybridge is a Fairtrade town with most of its shops, cafés, community organisations, schools and churches offering Fairtrade products.

‘Fairtrade is about giving small producers a better deal, be they local or in other countries. It was a beautiful, warm, sunny day and we were delighted with how well the event went.’

For more information on the Ivybridge Fairtrade Group, see their Facebook page.