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I'M not a professional photographer but I enjoy taking photographs. Here is one from my collection of workers collecting fresh dates.

We all eat dates and date products and the following facts may be of interest, particularly to newcomers to Bahrain.

Dates are the fruits of the date palm-tree.

The tree gives shade, provides greenery and protects the environment.

It requires good care and nursing to produce good dates, so skilled workers are needed.

Dates are locally available in many varieties during season. They are affordable and mainly used for breaking the fast during Ramadan.

They are also a symbol of Arab hospitality, along with Arabic coffee.

Dates are popular energy boosters with several health benefits. The dried fruit is also very good but during season mainly fresh dates are eaten.

Dates, stuffed with nuts and sweets and topped with different flavours, are available in sweet shops and supermarkets. They are our local and family fruit.

So, we can say that dates are the blessed fruit during Ramadan.

Thomas Varghese

by email.

WITH reference to the new St Christopher's School uniform. It may look nice but why are some items twice the cost of the old uniform and where is the competition when it comes to buying the clothing?

If there were two rival stores selling the items, then surely the prices would come down!

Perhaps the school gets a cut of the profits? If so, how will the money be used?

Can I suggest reducing the school fees? Remember, some expat families are facing tough financial times.

Concerned parent, Saar.