Feeling patriotic? How about making a delicious Yorkist Tart, choc full of yummy Fairtrade ingredients. Here is the recipe:

When we think of chocolate we think of Rowntree’s, Cadbury and Fry. Back in the Victorian era these manufactures of chocolate and sweets were the largest in the country. Here in the North in York to be exact we were privileged to have a Quaker called Henry Isaac Rowntree who set up a factory in 1862 making sweets and chocolate. This factory soon grew taking over an old Iron foundry at Tanners Moat also in York.  Soon the business needed a new injection of cash and the brother of Henry Isaac Rowntree became a partner. Joseph Rowntree was an industrialist and believed in a happy work force giving the workers’ rights and privileges.

The business now thriving moved to Haxby Road on the Outskirts of York in 1890.  Sadly, Rowntree’s was bought by Nestle in 1988.  Still, when we think of York and all it has to offer never forget that it was once the home of Rowntree’s chocolate.

This not the easiest tart to make but take care and persevere and you will have a delight to be proud of. Fabulous to present for an impressive dinner or party. Be careful with the slices, because as much as we in the North are somewhat over generous with our potions this tart does not need large slices, much better if people go back for a second slice.

The decorations are optional and what you use to decorate is not set in stone, chocolate curls, fresh raspberries, strawberries dipped in chocolate would look amazing, or just a plain slice of deliciousness with a drizzle of single cream, perfection!

For the Chocolate Pastry
175gms plain flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
50gms Fairtrade cocoa
50gms Fairtrade icing sugar
140gms unsalted butter
3 egg yolks

For the Filling
300gms 70% cocoa solids Fairtrade chocolate
200gms Fairtrade milk chocolate
200mls whole milk
350mls double cream
3 whole eggs
1 tablespoon of Fairtrade instant coffee made up with 2 tablespoons of water (optional)

To decorate (optional)
200gms Fairtrade white chocolate
100gms Fairtrade freeze dried cherries

Method

Pre heated oven: Gas 5, 375f, 109c,170 fan

Reduce the oven to : Gas 1, 275f, 140c, 120 fan to cook the filled flan

Make the pastry using the Hollywood chocolate pastry recipe, allowing the pastry to chill.

Meanwhile, line a flat baking tray with parchment paper butter a tart ring and put this on the lined tray.

Roll out the chocolate pastry between two sheets of cling film. Peel off the top layer of cling film and gently lower the dough into the flan ring, using the cling film to guide.

Press gently into place and leave an overhang of pastry.

MAKE SURE THERE ARE NO HOLES.

Peel off the cling film and put a piece of parchment inside the flan case fill with baking beans.

Bake for 15 minutes, remove the paper and beans and bake again for a further 10 minutes. Remove and leave to cool on the tray. Trim off the excess pastry.

To make the decorations (optional)

Melt the white chocolate and spread thinly onto a flat clean tray, sprinkle of the crushed cherries and leave to set.

To make the filling

Gently melt the chocolate in a bowl over a pan of barely simmering water.  In another pan gently heat the cream and milk together with 2 tablespoons of camp coffee if you are using it.

In another bowl lightly whisk the eggs. When the milk has heated pour it onto the egg whisking all the time.  This becomes a custard. Once the chocolate has melted, take it off the heat and placing a sieve over the bowl of chocolate pour the custard onto the melted chocolate.  Make sure you do this part of the recipe as this process removes any cooked egg that may have formed a ‘lump’ and gives you a silky-smooth finish. Gently whisk the mixture till it turns chocolatey.

Gently pour the mixture in the pastry case and bake in the oven for approximately 1 hour or until just set in the middle.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. Slide onto a serving plate using a large spatula. This is the trickiest part of the whole dish; best thing is to leave the ring on until the last minute and use a spatula that is large enough to cover the bottom of the tart.

Alternatively bake the whole tart in a loose bottom tart case and serve it by lifting off the side and leaving the base of the tin under the tart. (No-one will ever know)

Decorations.

Using a metal scraper or palette knife push it through the cold set white chocolate to make random curls and shavings, alternatively break the white chocolate into shards

When the tart is cold arrange the white chocolate decorations.

Then just tuck in and feel good!

Fairtrade Fortnight is from 21st February to 6th March this year.

The theme is ‘Choose The World You Want’: a call for everyone to stand up for farmers and producers across the globe and choose a different type of trade. One that stands for fairness and justice and is part of the solution to the climate and ecological crisis.

Campaigners, shoppers, students and businesses will come together in a show of support for the farmers behind our food on the front line of the climate crisis.

From online panels, to bake-offs and coffee mornings, over 100 events will take place up and down the UK, shouting about the power of Fairtrade and what needs to happen next to ensure farmers and workers are put front and centre of conversations on how to tackle the climate crisis.

We are delighted to announce that the online ‘Choose the World you Want’ Festival will return for the duration of the fortnight.

Click here for more details: Choose the World you Want online Festival 

Check out some great Fair Trade resources for Lent under the ‘Faith Groups’ tab on this website.

Chocolate Has A Name: Sunday 6th March 2022 at 6pm
An online event organised by Africaniwa (based in Halifax) and sponsored by Fairtrade Yorkshire

Join us for an online evening of story telling, music and art with the Africaniwa tribe from the UK, Ghana and around the world. Renowned musician, Richard Wiafe (pictured) is one of the featured artists.

Richard Wiafe

Here is the link to register:

Meeting Registration – Zoom

Most people who grow the cocoa that goes to make our favourite chocolate bars can’t afford to buy the fruits of their labours. Too often the cocoa beans are whisked off to the coast and sent off in ships to be processed in Europe. Children of cocoa farmers deserve better jobs in cocoa growing areas so they can stay with their families. And you can help.

Africaniwa are raising funds for a landmark project to incorporate cocoa processing into the curriculum of basic schools in cocoa growing communities in Ghana using Tarkwa Breman Girls School in the Western Region as pilot.

The pilot is expected to involve 6 staff and 210 pupils. We are working with a chocolate maker in Accra to deliver training to the teachers. Some of the pupils and teachers will be joining us live from Ghana on the evening to share their experiences and hopes for the project.

Throughout the evening you will have an opportunity to find out about the project and contribute to the fundraiser. We hope you enjoy hearing our story and if you are able, we’d be very grateful if you could help us raise funds to support the teachers and students in this vocational education programme.

Haworth’s own celebrity chef and Great British Bake-off contestant, Sandy Docherty will be baking from home and broadcasting online. Join us on Thursday 3rd March for the Fairtrade Fortnight cookalong.

Here is the link to register:

https://us06web.zoom.us/ meeting/register/ tZIqdeugpzMtE9ShTLqExzXckD38iO av4KGI

Sandy will be sharing her recipe for York Tart – the rich chocolate tart that earned her a coveted Hollywood handshake. For anyone wanting to cook along, the ingredients list is below:

For the Chocolate Pastry
175gms plain flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
50gms Fairtrade cocoa
50gms Fairtrade icing sugar
140gms unsalted butter
3 egg yolks

For the Filling
300gms 70% cocoa solids Fairtrade chocolate
200gms Fairtrade milk chocolate
200mls whole milk
350mls double cream
3 whole eggs
1 tablespoon of Fairtrade instant coffee made up with 2 tablespoons of water (optional)

To decorate (optional)
200gms Fairtrade white chocolate
100gms Fairtrade freeze dried cherries

Local Events for Fairtrade Fortnight

Please see below for details of some of the events in our region.

Bradford District 

Leeds

Malton

Pocklington

Skipton and Embsay

Bradford Cathedral

Join the Bradford Cathedral Big Brew! on Sunday 27th February 2022, from 11:30am, or by sending a #VirtualBigBrew selfie

Bring in your own cakes, buns or biscuits for the Big Brew! – a list of recipes, guidance and where to get Fairtrade ingredients, can be found on the Bradford Cathedral website.

Alongside the food and drink there will also be quizzes and competitions, and a presentation all about the work of Traidcraft Exchange, a charity that works to promote justice and fairness in trade. All the money raised at the Bradford Cathedral Big Brew! will go towards Traidcraft Exchange’s work.

The Cathedral’s ‘Traidcraft stall’ will also be returning. There you’ll be able to buy many of your favourite Fairtrade products, and you’ll even be able to place an order for Fairtrade Easter eggs.

Those who would like to come along to the Big Brew! in person will be able to join in from around 11:30am on Sunday 27th February, following that morning’s service.

There will also be the opportunity to get involved even if you can’t physically get into the Cathedral. If you’re at home, you can also support the event by making yourself a Fairtrade drink and buying or making some Fairtrade treats, and sharing a #VirtualBigBrew selfie with the Cathedral. Full details of how to get involved can be found on the Bradford Cathedral website, including how to join the online service that is streamed before the Big Brew.

BRADFORD DISTRICT FAIRTRADE COMMUNITIES

Bradford, Baildon, Burley, Haworth, Ilkley, Keighley, Shipley

A special feature in Bradford will be the Lord Mayor showing the Fairtrade flag and City Hall being lit up in Fairtrade colours to brighten City Park at night. The district’s seven Fairtrade Villages and Towns organise a variety of events throughout the year to promote Fairtrade, and collaborate with schools, places of worship, organisations and businesses whenever possible.

ACTIVITIES

Mon. 21 Feb – Sat. 5 March in Baildon Library

Fairtrade display with information available.

21 Feb  University of Bradford in Student Central

Student members distribute information about Fairtrade Fortnight

22 – 27 Feb in Northgate Co-op, Baildon

Display of Fairtrade goods available in Co-op stores with arrangement of Fairtrade flowers by Emma’s Florist, Baildon

24 – 25 Feb  in Northgate Co-op, Baildon

Baildon Fairtrade Group members staffing information desk with focus on Fairtrade and Climate Crisis.     Thurs. 24  12 – 3pm    Friday  12 – 5pm

26 Feb – Christchurch, The Grove, Ilkley

10am – 12 noon. Fairtrade coffee morning and Fairtrade stall.

26 Feb Baildon Farmer’s Market

Stall selling Traidcraft Fairtrade products with information distribution by members of Baildon Fairtrade Group

4 March – St John’s Church, Ben Rhydding

9 – 11am  Fairtrade coffee morning with Traidcraft stall

1 – 5 March in Northgate Co-op, Baildon

Display of Fairtrade products available in Co-op stores with arrangement of Fairtrade flowers by Secret Garden Florist, Baildon

3  March  5pm  Upstairs at Pennybank House, Haworth

Join Haworth Fairtrade Group watching Sandy Docherty.  Free and open to all

on a first come basis.  Please email: upstairsatpennybank@gmail.com

Baildon

A special feature in Northgate Co-op this year will be an arrangement of Fairtrade Flowers as the Fairtrade Foundation is asking supporters to encourage local independent florists to use Fairtrade Flowers.  We are delighted that Baildon’s two florists, Emma’s and Secret Garden will each create an arrangement (one for each week), including flowers donated by the Co-op and with publicity for their shop.

At the Farmer’s Market on Saturday 26th Feb there will be a Fairtrade Stall organised and staffed by Sean Hayes and friends from Baildon Methodist Church.  The stall will sell Traidcraft Fairtrade products as well as providing information on Fairtrade and the Climate Crisis.

See events list above for details of Baildon events

Celebrate the 18th anniversary of Leeds becoming a Fairtrade city with our birthday card competition!

Who can enter?

All schools and youth groups, for 5-16 year olds in Leeds. All organisations who enter will receive a certificate.

How can entries be sent?

Email photos or scans of the designs, together with the names and ages of children to hannah@leedsdec.org.uk but please keep the original A5 design for printing!

Prizes

The winning card will be printed and sent to all councillors and MPs across the city. The school/ youth group will receive a Fairtrade football and Sarah Ridley’s new book “ Fairtrade First”!

Deadline for entries: 07/03/22. Winners will be announced 18/03/22.

What is Fairtrade?

Fairtrade means workers’ rights, safer working conditions and fairer pay for people growing and making the products we use.

Leeds DEC can run fun and interactive workshops at your school to deepen children’s understanding about Fairtrade, such as Be a Cocoa Farmer. To find out more click here  https://www.globalschools.org.uk/workshop-list

“Chocolate is made out of cocoa beans!”

“Why is cocoa farming so hard and why do people get paid less money?”

“I didn’t know that the shell of the cocoa pod is yellow!”

“Fairtrade should be all around the world!” Year 3 pupils at Tinsley Meadows Academy

“What went well?” “ Everything! Just at the right level. Very engaging and interactive. Good plenary- pulling it all together!” Year 1 teacher at Wakefield Grammar Pre- Prep School

“ Lots of hands on (actions) to reinforce, lots of children given opportunities to share ideas.” Year 1 teacher at Wakefield Grammar Pre- Prep School

What is Fairtrade Leeds?

Leeds has been a Fairtrade city since 2004, this means that the council support Fairtrade ( eg by serving Fairtrade refreshments in their meetings.) Across the city, Fairtrade products can be bought. Schools and faith groups support Fairtrade. Events are organised to promote understanding of Fairtrade and a steering group keeps up the pressure to make sure activities continue to happen! Fairtradeleeds.org.uk

Fairtrade and Local Craft Fair

Saturday 5th March 10am to 4pm at the Friends’ Meeting House in Greengate, Malton

Free Entry

Local crafts, cards, decorations, pottery, weaving, basketry

Craft demonstrations

Fairly Traded goods

Fair Trade refreshments

Pocklington FLAG (Pocklington Fairtrade and Local produce Action Group) is hosting a Fairtrade & Climate Change Virtual Coffee Morning via Zoom at which we will be considering the issue of climate change and the part we can all play in addressing it. There will be a brief introduction about Fairtrade and why it is so important. The proprietor of our local ‘I Love Zero’ shop will also talk to us about how she came to open her shop and what we can do to reduce our own impact on the climate.  There will be a short film about how to be a more ethical consumer, and time for discussion and chatting. We are grateful for the support of our MP Sir Greg Knight for this event.

Our event will take place on Saturday 5th March from 10am until noon.

Please book your place via Eventbrite on the following link:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/fairtrade-and-climate-change-virtual-coffee-morning-tickets-268910196637?aff=ebdssbonlinesearch

Skipton

We will be using the knitted tree bands we made last year around the trunks of the trees on the High Street. Water Street and Greatwood Primary schools will be decorating two railings around the young trees with messages to world leaders and politicians urging them to keep the promises made in Glasgow, and messages to passers-by that choosing Fairtrade is choosing to tackle the climate crisis.

On Saturday 6th March there will be a Fairtrade stall in Holy Trinity Church at the top of the High Street from 10am to 3pm when we will be promoting local Fair Trade businesses – Namaste, Whitakers chocolates and From the Source.

Embsay with Eastby

Monday 21st February – Fairtrade chocolate cake will be served at ‘Making Waves’, the village weekly community café and this year’s promotional leaflets will be given to every customer. We are also going to be raising money for Traidcraft Exchange by using their ‘Find the Queen Bee’ game.

Saturday 26th February – There will be a coffee morning with a Fairtrade stall in the village Institute Hall from 10am to 12. To link with this year’s theme the village Library is going to display a selection of books on the environment and sustainability, which will include Skipton author, Katie Daynes’s book, “Can we really help the polar bears” published by Usborne last September.

Monday 28th February – Another chance to promote Fairtrade at ‘Making Waves’. Café profits for both Mondays in FT Fortnight will be given to Traidcraft Exchanges’s Big Brew

Shrove Tuesday 1st March – Fairtrade banana pancakes will be served from 12 to 2pm in the Cavendish Pub in the village and once again in the evening from 5.30pm to 7pm.

The primary school will be decorating the railings around the elm tree in the centre of Embsay village with messages and pledges.

An online event organised by Africaniwa (based in Halifax) and sponsored by Fairtrade Yorkshire

Join us for an online evening of story telling, music and art with the Africaniwa tribe from the UK, Ghana and around the world. Renowned musician, Richard Wiafe (pictured) is one of the featured artists.

Here is the link to register:

https://us06web.zoom.us/ meeting/register/ tZwkcu2qrj8vHtBIvUYovEGcWSg1gO Duzjcl

Most people who grow the cocoa that goes to make our favourite chocolate bars can’t afford to buy the fruits of their labours. Too often the cocoa beans are whisked off to the coast and sent off in ships to be processed in Europe. Children of cocoa farmers deserve better jobs in cocoa growing areas so they can stay with their families. And you can help.

Africaniwa are raising funds for a landmark project to incorporate cocoa processing into the curriculum of basic schools in cocoa growing communities in Ghana using Tarkwa Breman Girls School in the Western Region as pilot.

The pilot is expected to involve 6 staff and 210 pupils. We are working with a chocolate maker in Accra to deliver training to the teachers. Some of the pupils and teachers will be joining us live from Ghana on the evening to share their experiences and hopes for the project.

Throughout the evening you will have an opportunity to find out about the project and contribute to the fundraiser. We hope you enjoy hearing our story and if you are able, we’d be very grateful if you could help us raise funds to support the teachers and students in this vocational education programme.

Fairtrade Fortnight webinar with Shared Interest’s Kodzo Korkortsi

Join Kodzo Korkortsi – Foundation Manager at the Shared Interest Foundation live from Ghana as we explore the challenges faced by cocoa farmers in the region.

Tuesday February 22nd, 2022 11:00 AM

Learn what it’s like to farm cocoa in a time of climate change and how we can support the industry and keep up our supply of our favourite Fairtrade chocolate

Here is the link to register:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEpcuivpzIpEtRwkI7Morf017H75ST3_ZMY