Throughout 2026 we’ll be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Fair Trade Shop!

In 1976, the Care and Share Shop opened at St. Andrew’s. There was a great need for second-hand children’s clothes locally, and St. Andrew’s church member, Sheila Mutler, rose to the challenge. The concept proved so popular that it expanded to all nearly-new items and the church made space for it on the grounds. It was only the second charity shop to open in all of Kent.

In 1979, Fairtrade was launched to tackle the problem of unfair wages for people producing food in some of the poorest parts of the world, and the Care And Share Shop started to stock the first products with the Fairtrade mark.

Since its early days, the Fair Trade Shop has been staffed by volunteers and this has allowed us to donate over £220,000 to various charities, both close to home and across the world.

On Sunday 18th January, we will launch our 50th anniversary year’s celebrations with a Bring and Share lunch from 12.30pm. Plus, we’ve got a special event planned in May, and another in the autumn. Look out for more details nearer the time. We’re hoping to have our best fundraising year ever. And you can help us make a huge difference to peoples’ lives all around the world, either by buying something from the shop, by coming to one of our events, or by giving a few hours to help. We’d love to have you join us!