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Rutland Fairtrade Forum hosts online Christmas market instead of event at Oakham Castle




The Rutland Fairtrade Forum is hosting an online Christmas market instead of its usual event at Oakham Castle.

Several of the stallholders who normally attend the annual event at Oakham Castle are featured on the new section of the forum’s website at: https://rutlandfairtrade.wordpress.com/christmas-market-2020/

Richard Cole, the High Sheriff of Rutland, is encouraging local people to support the online market.

Rutland Fairtrade Market at Oakham Castle last year
Rutland Fairtrade Market at Oakham Castle last year

He said: “The opportunity to sell produce on Fairtrade terms provides a desperately needed lifeline to farmers and workers who are battling against the devastating impacts of the global pandemic.

“Most of these producers are operating in countries where there are very limited health services and there is no financial support for workers who lose their livelihoods due to the pandemic.

“By buying Fairtrade in the run up to Christmas, shoppers in Rutland can play a small part in helping people in the developing world to support their families through the pandemic. Fairtrade is unique because it is the only certification scheme whose primary aim is to tackle poverty through better terms of trade.”

David Lewis, chairman of the forum, said the castle event had been cancelled with a “heavy heart”.

He said: “Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. Fairtrade also promotes sustainable production and environmentally friendly practices. These principles are now more important than ever.

“Over the past decade Rutland’s Fairtrade Market has gone from strength to strength and we are grateful for all the support that our event has received from the people of Stamford and Rutland. We hope to see the Fairtrade Christmas Market back at Oakham Castle next year.”



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