Go bananas and win a Fairtrade hamper

Left to right back row: Grayden Daniels (Matlock), Ingrid Pasteur (Darley Dale), Councillor Irene Ratcliffe (DDDC), Sue Stockwell (Wirksworth), Laura Stevens (Matlock),
middle row - Monica Render (Darley Dale), Paul Morgans (Bakewell's Mayor) , Barbara Daniels (Matlock), Steve Parker (Ashbourne), Front row (banana) Stuart Green (Ashbourne). — Left to right back row: Grayden Daniels (Matlock), Ingrid Pasteur (Darley Dale), Councillor Irene Ratcliffe (DDDC), Sue Stockwell (Wirksworth), Laura Stevens (Matlock), middle row - Monica Render (Darley Dale), Paul Morgans (Bakewell's Mayor) , Barbara Daniels (Matlock), Steve Parker (Ashbourne), Front row (banana) Stuart Green (Ashbourne).

Sainsbury’s, in Cawdor Way, Matlock, is offering a hamper of tasty treats in support of this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight, which runs from February 24 to March 9.

The theme of this year’s fortnight is bananas, and a banana relay will take place between the five Fairtrade towns – Matlock, Bakewell, Wirksworth, Darley Dale and Ashbourne – on Saturday.

To celebrate the ‘Banana Day’ traders in Bakewell are being asked to step up and show their support for Fairtrade.

Mayor Paul Morgans said: “If you don’t currently stock Fairtrade products now is a great time to start. Cafes could give the option of a Fairtrade coffee/tea, banana milk shakes, banana cake or even a Fairtrade banana split.”

The most popular banana in the world is the Cavendish banana, which descends from a single plant grown on Chatsworth Estate more than 170 years ago and was developed by the famous horticulturalist Joseph Paxton.

Wirksworth is also doing its bit for Fairtrade – hosting a Fairtrade wine and beer tasting session and quiz in partnership with the Wirksworth Coop, in Harrison Drive.

It will take place on Friday, February 28, at Waltham House, in St John’s Street, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Tickets cost £5 and are available from the Coop and Traid Links, in Wirksworth.

The Matlock Fairtrade group will host a free showing of Black Gold, which examines the coffee trade, at Designate@The Gate, in Smedley Street, Matlock, on Wednesday, February 26, at 8pm.

In Darley Dale, a Fairtrade tea room is being held in the Whitworth Centre from Monday until Saturday, March 1, between 9.30am and 4.30pm. Youngsters from Rowsley and Darley Dale Primary Schools have taken part in a contest for the best recipes using Fairtrade bananas.

The best recipes will be displayed on a Fairtrade stall in the tea room in the Whitworth Centre on Monday.

To be in with the chance of winning a hamper full of Fairtrade goodies courtesy of Sainsbury’s, Matlock, answer the following question – what is the name of the banana which originates from Chatsworth Estate?

Send your answer, along with your name, address and telephone number to Matlock Mercury, Spire Walk, Chesterfield, S40 2WG, or email [email protected]. Deadline for entries is 9am Thursday, February 27.