Rutland Fairtrade Forum will be holding a Big Brew at Oakham Methodist Church, in Northgate, on Saturday (29 Feb) as part of Fairtrade Fortnight starting today (Mon).

The themes for this year's Fairtrade Fortnight are cocoa and a living income, with particular focus on the role that women play in the production of cocoa.

The UK chocolate industry is worth more than £4b each year, but the average cocoa farmer in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana where 60 percent of our cocoa is grown, earns less than 75p a day.

Women make up the majority of cocoa workers, inspiring the Fairtrade Foundation to launch the 'She Deserves a Living Income' campaign last year.

At the Oakham Big Brew, Rutland Fairtrade Forum will be sharing the inspiring stories of women cocoa farmers in West Africa and explaining how Fairtrade supporters across the UK are campaigning for change.

Fairtrade refreshments will also be on sale, with all money raised donated to Traidcraft Exchange to support the charity's life-changing work with marginalised farmers, artisans and workers in developing countries.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to test their knowledge of Fairtrade in a prize-winning quiz and purchase Rutland's own Fairtrade chocolate bar.

On the same day and at the same times, a Fairtrade coffee morning is being held at Whissendine Village Hall.

Rutland is a Fairtrade county, recognising the support it gives to the promotion and use of Fairtrade products throughout local communities.

Rutland Fairtrade Forum champions greater use and recognition of Fairtrade products locally and promotes Rutland businesses, schools and organisations that support Fairtrade.

Its endeavours - including organising the annual Fairtrade Christmas Market at Oakham Castle and helping to bring Rutland's own Fairtrade Chocolate Bar to shops around the county - are supported by Rutland County Council and Oakham and Uppingham town councils.