A huge success: Harrogate Fairtrade Group's first 'Christmas with a conscience' event

Shoppers poured into Henshaws Arts and Crafts Centre to show their support for the 'Christmas with a conscience' fair, which was officially opened by keen Fairtrade advocate and wife of the Archbishop of York, Margaret Sentamu.

The event boasted an impressive range of stalls from Harrogate charities, community groups and organisations, all selling stunning handcrafted Fairtrade products

Pupils from St John's C of E Primary School in Knaresborough gave a great boost to the atmosphere and community feel of the event, volunteering and helping to manage some of the stalls, and opening the event with singing to kick-start the festivities.

Speaking at the bustling event, the Chair of the Harrogate Fairtrade Group, Jane Kennerley, said: "We are so pleased and excited about how well it's gone. Mrs Sentamu spoke very passionately about Fairtrade and was so enthusiastic. There's just been a real buzz in the room, and people have commented on how friendly all the stallholders are.

"If you can bring people together to buy and sell beautiful things while making a difference at the same time, it can only be a good thing. People can be supporting Fairtrade without even realising it."

Jenny Byers, who teaches at St John's C of E Primary School, was proud to see pupils helping out at the event.

She said: "It's been an amazing event, the quality of the stalls has just been fantastic."

The stallholders included Oxfam, Open Arms Malawi, Jennyruth Workshops, Craft Aid International, North Yorkshire Rotters, and Harrogate Fairtrade Shop.