Ann Wigglesworth

Born Ann Livesley on 21 March 1939, in Wallasey, Merseyside. == Work and volunteering ==

Following the Second World War, Ann Livesley spent a year working in a refugee camp in Austria. and had a daughter, Judith. In 1964, the Wigglesworths moved to Edinburgh, where her husband studied for Christian ministry, and they hosted international students regularly. Wigglesworth worked for the 'cutting edge' Traverse Theatre. In 1979, on returning to Scotland, Wigglesworth was in Aberdeen, teaching again in local secondary schools. She had another two daughters, Karen and Sara. With her husband's active role as a Labour councillor, as well as university lecturer, she was involved in the Labour and social justice movements, and hosted leading anti-apartheid campaigners such as Adelaide Tambo and Desmond Tutu. == Fair trade leadership ==

Wigglesworth was committed to making a fair trade shop a working example, and selling tea, coffee, clothing and jewellery which had been sourced ethically, was initially located in St. Nicholas Kirk in central Aberdeen. In 1983, she was a leader in raising awareness of the Fairtrade City movement, influencing the city council and bringing together a multi-denominational team to create a Third World Centre, which became a registered company in 1988. From the work that Wigglesworth began, Aberdeen Council was able to meet the criteria for becoming the first Scottish Fairtrade City (along with Dundee) in March 2004. Visitors from Fairtrade producer organisations in Africa and Asia were invited to share the impact the organisation and movement had had on their lives, with the people who were buying the produce in Aberdeen. But as other mainstream charities and supermarkets or brands began to sell Fairtrade accredited produce, and with pressures due to a financial recession, the specialist shop eventually closed in 2011. Wrigglesworth's organisation had developed teaching materials for schools and universities about social justice, and she led workshops, using the unit's lending library of resources, suitable for the formal education curriculum, eventually leading to an education centre in Aberdeen, the Montgomery Development Centre, based at Queen Street Church. In 2014, the outreach organisation that Wigglesworth had begun became Aberdeen for a Fairer World, a Scottish charitable incorporated organisation (SCIO). Wigglesworth was honoured in 1985 by the City as one of three Women of the Year, on the theme of peace. In 1987, the Wigglesworth moved to back to Edinburgh, where she taught in Graysmill School, and volunteered with the Citizen's Advice Bureau. Politics Wigglesworth's notions and role as an active worker for social justice, based on her faith was not welcomed by all. An American tourist visiting the 15th century chapel where the Aberdeen fair trade shop was based, said it was a 'vulgar display of garish politically-propagandistic posters and cheap merchandise'. Wigglesworth was an active member of the Labour party, supporting her husband as a councillor in both Aberdeen and Edinburgh. == Death and legacy ==

Ann Wigglesworth died on 24 September 2022 in Edinburgh, aged 83. Her funeral was held in St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh. The current leader of Aberdeen Fairtrade City group, Sue Good, said "Ann is firmly established as one of the pioneers of Fairtrade in Aberdeen and, as such, will be remembered." == References ==