Banana Alarm in Devonshire Square

THE 24 hour Fairtrade Bananathon finished with the Banana-Alarm in Devonshire Square last week.

At 11am on Saturday, March 7, a public gathering marked the final hour with alarm clocks and music from the Robertson Pipe and Drum Academy Band.

Free bananas, and information leaflets on where to find Fairtrade goods locally, were handed out to members of the public.

One couple managed 12 bananas between them.

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The event was also supported by local businesses and schools.

St Mary's, Wrestwood Rd, St. Peter and St. Paul of Buckhurst Rd, St. Mary Magdalene of Hastings Rd and Pebsham Primary each accounted for around 200 bananas.

St. Richard's Catholic College ate 855.

By Monday evening the total number of Fairtrade bananas eaten was found to be 1, 838.

At least one school had serious difficulties finding bananas after the event caused a run on shop supplies.

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Julia Dance, of St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Primary School, ordered 250 bananas well in advance only to be told on the morning of the event the supermarket had none available.

The Banana-Alarm was part of a national Fairtrade project, in which 384, 779 people aimed to set a new world record for the most number of bananas eaten in 24 hours.

The results will be posted on-line at www.fairtrade.org.uk/gobananas

Jack Doherty, Fairtrade Councillor for Bexhill, said: "It's a fabulous result. The Co-op, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Woosters must be thanked for making many donations and increasing supplies. They have helped us with our serious message - defeat poverty by good selective use of your shopping list."