FAIRTRADE supporters from Keighley and Haworth met a Kenyan gold miner at a special event in Bradford Cathedral.

More than 60 people from across Yorkshire listened to the experiences of Dan Omondi Odida, general secretary of the Micodepro Miners Association.

They included many representatives of the county’s Fairtrade movement, including Rita Verity from Haworth Fairtrade Group and Keighley councillor Adrian Farley.

Fairtrade is a global campaign to promote ethically-sourced goods from developing countries, allowing money from UK sales to go direct to the growers and producers.

Cllr Farley, Bradford Council’s Fairtrade champion, said Mr Odida spoke about the conditions and aspirations of a whole district of small-scale artisanal miners.

He said: “Men dig pits and tunnels where they are at risk from toxic generator fumes, tunnel collapses and flooding. The ore is crushed with hammers and the gold extracted using mercury.

“Without the resources of large companies, these miners are then exploited at the market place.”

The Bradford Cathedral gathering also included ethical jewellers, who spoke about their commitment to a more just and fully traceable method of trading with producers.

Cllr Farley added: “Between university students, teachers, faith leaders and other supporters there was plenty of conversation at the café-style event while they tried various Fairtrade cakes and biscuits.”

Adam Gardener, from the Fairtrade Foundation, said that in the current political and economic circumstances it was more important than before safeguard trading arrangements in order to continue support for Fairtrade producers.

Mr Gardner presented Haworth Fairtrade Group with their national winner’s certificate for the Most Creative Fairtrade Breakfast, which they had hosted on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway during Fairtrade Fortnight.

About 14 years ago Haworth became the world’s first Fairtrade Village following the efforts of local supporters.