A WOMAN who is working hard in Ayr and Prestwick to make the council a Fairtrade Zone has been honoured with an Outstanding Achievement Award. 

Val Gwynne, has been Chair of Troon Fairtrade Initiative for many years and was instrumental in achieving Fairtrade Town status for Troon in February 2010. 

She is currently working with South Ayrshire Council and local groups in Prestwick and Ayr with a view to making the Council a Fairtrade Zone. 

Val was presented her award at the recent Scottish Fairtrade Awards Ceremony in St. Mirin’s Church, Paisley. 

Val said: “I was greatly honoured to receive this award and wish to thank everyone who has supported me over the years in this work, including of course my husband. 

It has been a particular pleasure to meet with producers from recipient countries and to have worked with local primary schoolchildren, whose enthusiasm is an example to us all.”

Fairtrade campaigners, businesses and supporters came together to celebrate the fifth annual event, which recognises individuals and groups who have made a significant contribution to the Fairtrade movement.

Val has worked tirelessly in promoting Fairtrade both locally and nationally for more than 40 years. She has been a Key Contact for Traidcraft, the chief supplier of Fairtrade goods, for much of that time. 

Her activities have included welcoming people into her home to sample and learn about Fairtrade. 

She has also worked with churches, schools and other community groups to promote Fairtrade and has attended numerous regional and national events in support of the movement.

Val was instrumental in collaborating with The Royal & Ancient Golf Club to ensure that The Open Championship held in Troon in 2016 was a Fairtrade event.

To learn more about Fairtrade visit the websites of the Scottish Fairtrade Forum, the Fairtrade Foundation, the Co-op Fairtrade and Schools programmes and locally, the Rainbow Turtle and Just Trading organisations in Paisley.