AN ART project embracing the talents of townsfolk from Ashbourne, Bakewell, Darley Dale, Matlock and Wirksworth has been unveiled.
Groups from each of the Derbyshire Dales towns have created a piece of art relating to Faitrade, creating a unique artwork which is set to tour the district.
The Fairtrade Art Cube was unveiled on Monday at Matlock Town Hall, where it will be on display in the reception area before being conveyed to each of the five towns.
Ashbourne Fairtrade’s Stuart Green said: “Community groups in Ashbourne have been helping to create the town’s artwork for Fairtrade Fortnight.
“The artwork slowly took shape as more people contributed their names to the collage, which eventually formed multi-coloured footsteps.”
Fairtrade Fortnight started on February 25, highlighting the need to think about where food comes from.
Through an interactive petition, the campaign calls on the government to take action before the 2013 G8 Summit, signalling the start of a three-year long campaign by Fairtrade Foundation to Make Food Fair.
The fortnight in Derbyshire Dales culminated in the unveiling of the Art Cube.
The district council’s Fairtrade representative Councillor Irene Ratcliffe said: “We believe this is a great way to perpetuate the important messages of Fairtrade Fornight beyond March 10.
“We’re reminding the people of the Dales to go further for Fairtrade in 2013 and to look after the food we love and the people who grow it.
“Without our support now, farmers in developing countries face a difficult and uncertain future.
“Smallholders in developing countries are increasingly hit by fluctuating commodity prices affecting their income as well as the prices they pay for the food they buy themselves, rising global food prices, rising production costs and climate change.
“Fairtrade Fortnight is the nationwide effort to promote awareness of Fairtrade and urge people to buy products carrying the Fairtrade mark.
“It unites all Fairtrade supporters, bringing together retailers, manufacturers, producers and consumers.”
Ashbourne was the first place in Derbyshire to become a Fairtrade town in 2005, meaning Fairtrade products were widely used or available at shops, restaurants and cafes.
The town’s Fairtrade group also achieved a world record in 2009 when 361 people gathered in Victoria Square to break the record for most people eating bananas at the same time.
