Scotland: National Rural Network
Editor's NoteWe'd like to thank everyone who took part in the online survey being run by Ipsos MORI about the Scottish National Rural Network website. The survey closed on Wednesday, and results will inform the future development of the website. Talking of surveys, we had a posting this week in our Forum about higher delivery charges to rural areas. In response, Consumer Focus Scotland got in touch with details of their survey on this very issue. The survey closes today, 12th February, so you'll have to be quick if you want to have your say. You can find out more in Delivery charges survey closes this week.
There is still time to book for the Scottish Borders and Dumfries & Galloway regional events of the Scottish National Rural Network. The events are an opportunity to get funding updates, to hear from projects from the area and further afield and to network with a wide range of people. The Borders event takes place in Kelso on Tuesday 16th February and the D&G event takes place in Lockerbie on Wednesday 17th February. You can get more information and a link to the booking forms in Book now for South of Scotland regional events.
Booking is open for the regional events in West Lothian and Rural Tayside. The West Lothian event takes place at the Howden Park Centre, Livingston on 24th February. You can get further details and a link to the booking form here. The Rural Tayside event takes place at the Birnam Arts & Conference Centre on 27th February. You can get further details and a link to the booking form here.
The East Renfrewshire regional event took place at the Glen Halls, Neilston on 4th February. It was a very interesting day with presentations from Neilston Development Trust, a project to encourage community renewables in the area and the Access to the Antonine Wall project from the Kelvin Valley LEADER area. The discussion session was lively, and it was great to hear about successful projects in the area, and also potential for others. You can find out more about the event in Rural Network East Renfrewshire event (Part One) and Rural Network East Renfrewshire event (Part Two). In our Regional Events archive you'll also find links to photos and all the presentations from the day.
Many of the inspiring projects that were highlighted at the East Renfrewshire event engaged with young people, for example midnight football in the neighbouring Renfrewshire region. We've started the Inspirational projects involving young people forum so you can share your experience.
Have you been affected by higher delivery and carriage charges to rural areas? What do you think can be done to address the issue? You can share your views and experience by adding a comment to our Delivery and carriage charges discussion forum. And don't forget that Consumer Focus Scotland are carrying out a survey on this issue. The survey closes today, 12th February, so you'll have to be quick if you want to take part. You'll get details in Delivery charges survey closes this week.
The first conference from the UK National Rural Network takes place in Belfast on 10th and 11th March 2010. The main purpose of the conference is to provide an opportunity for the four regions of the UK to come together to share ideas, experiences, knowledge and practices of delivering and implementing Rural Development Programmes. Booking is now open for the event. You can find out more in Book now for first UK National Rural Network conference.
Every country in Europe has a National Rural Network, so what's going on in other places? In a fantastic special report from the Finnish National Rural Network you can find out what's been happening there. Read about issues for rural Finland and how these are being addressed in Maintaining the vitality of rural Finland.
Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and if you're whipping up a meal for someone special why not try Michelin-star chef Tom Kitchin's Razor Clam and Chorizo dish? Mr Kitchin prepared this recipe at the recent launch of the Eat Fresh, Eat Seasonal campaign. You can find out more about the initiative and get the recipe in Eat Fresh, Eat Seasonal: Razor Clams and Chorizo recipe.
Congratulations go to Machars Movies who have won a top prize at the UK Countryside Alliance Awards. The most southerly cinema in Scotland won the prestigious Best Rural Enterprise Award at the 'Rural Oscars'. This community initiative serves a population of 300 and is supported by members and a team of 80 volunteers. Find out more in Scotland's most southerly cinema wins national award.
Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham announced recently that the Crofters' Bull Hire Scheme is to continue. However, she emphasised that in the long term communities should keep and maintain their own bulls. Find out more in Crofters' Bull Hire Scheme to continue.
The Rural Housing Service Annual Conference will take place on 26th February 2010 at the Birnam Institute, Dunkeld. The Minister for Housing and Communities Alex Neil MSP will give the keynote address. Day delegate rates are from £80 and there's still time to book. Find out more in Minister to address Rural Housing Conference.
If you're involved in nature interpretation, wildlife tourism or getting people involved in nature activities, then the Swedish Centre for Nature Interpretation wants to hear from you. They're currently seeking contacts across Europe. You can find out more, and get a link for more information, in Swedish Centre for Nature Interpretation seeks contacts.
Recently added to our Video section is the 'Wha's Like Us' short film from the Community Woodlands Association. An entertaining and thought provoking poem in Scots provides the soundtrack for a great photographic presentation. The video is described as an 'arts, culture and heritage fundraising chapbook for community woodlands throughout Scotland'. It's well worth a watch.
Perthshire author Felicity Martin will feature on BBC Radio Scotland's 'Out of Doors' programme this weekend to talk about her latest book - Experience Big Tree Country - 12 walks around Perthshire volume 2. You can get more information in Perthshire author walks out of doors with Radio Scotland.
Bowled over by latest Featured ProjectOur latest Featured Project is the Community Development Coach, Dumfries and Galloway Cricket Development Group. The project was part funded by Dumfries and Galloway LEADER. The project aim is to provide the resource of a community development cricket coach for the region to support schools and local clubs. You can find out more in Featured Project: Community Development Coach, D&G Cricket Development Group.
Five projects received a share of over £200,000 in the most recent round of funding from D&G LEADER. You can find out more in Funding boost for five Dumfries and Galloway projects.
A seminar held by the Centre for Remote and Rural Studies will look at 'Migration in a recession - return migration in China'. The event takes place in Inverness on 26th February, and video conferencing may be available. Professor Tony Fuller will describe the flows of migrant labour in China in the context of modernisation and examine the relations between urban and rural China. Find out more.
The Sustainable Estates for the 21st Century takes an integrated look at estates in Scotland's uplands. In their project update document, you can find out about work that has taken place so far and get updates from members of the project team.
The Scottish Rural Property and Business Association's next Demo Day has the theme 'Appetite for Success'. The Food and Drink event will take place at the Lochter Activity Centre, Oldmeldrum on 5th March. You can find out more in our events calendar.
More photos have recently been added to our Big Freeze Gallery - it's full of Winter Wonderland photos from across the country.
Remember, as a registered user of the website you can add your own content directly to the site including news, bulletin board posting, forum topics and events. You can find step by step instructions on how to add your content on the aptly named How to add content page.
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