Pioneers go bananas for Fairtrade

Fairtrade Tea Party attended by members of Rochdale Circle

The Rochdale Pioneers Museum has gone bananas for this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight which runs from 23 February until 8 March.

The museum on Toad Lane kicked off the festivities with a Fairtrade Tea Party attended by members of Rochdale Circle.

Members started their visit with a Fairtrade quiz and then discussed the Fairtrade movement with Jan Hicks of ‘Fair For All’.

‘Fair for All’ formerly had a stall selling Fairtrade goods in the indoor market but has now moved to 19 Baillie Street.

The visit continued with chocolate tasting, Fairtrade games and a tour of the museum. Group organiser Pat even dressed as a Fairtrade banana!

Jenny Mabbott, Museum Manager says: "Fairtrade Fortnight is a great campaign and enables us to support farmers in developing countries to get a fair deal, make their own decisions and control their futures. We love to organise fun events as we raise awareness of this important initiative."

The Fairtrade Festivities will continue with a family friendly Pioneer Fairtrade Tea Party on Saturday 7 March. The event will include a wide range of activities for all ages. Families can play Fairtrade hoopla or decorate a Fairtrade cookie and younger children can make a dough cake and host a mini tea party. Grown-ups will also be able to enjoy a nice cup of Fairtrade tea or coffee and watch videos about Fairtrade.

Jenny Mabbott says: "Children will also be able to get their face painted with the Fairtrade logo. Last year a little boy asked for the logo to be painted on his arm instead and his mum said he wouldn’t wash it off!

"Now whenever they go to the supermarket he goes around spotting the Fairtrade symbol, so fun activities really can have a long lasting impact."