Rural Community Gateway

RURAL UPDATE: ISSUE 113
21 February 2008
Catch up with the latest news from the Rural Community Gateway
http://www.ruralgateway.org.uk/
To unsubscribe from this newswire email
mailto:editor@ruralgateway.org.uk

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EDITOR'S NOTE
I've been out and about a fair bit recently, and it's been great to
put faces to names and meet Rural Gateway members. You can read my
event reports on the final conference from the Hi Hopes project and a
Scottish Environment Week event on rural development funding on the
site now. I've just returned from the launch of the Calor Village of
the Year awards, and you can find out more about that below. On
Saturday, I'll be manning the registration desk at the eagerly
anticipated (and fully booked!) Village Halls Summit in Aviemore.
I hope to see some of you there.

NEWSWIRE FORMAT
If you have not received this newsletter in our new format, go to My
Newsletters and select to receive the newswires in html format.
See https://secure.ruralgateway.org.uk/cgi-bin/register.cgi?page=33

VILLAGE OF THE YEAR AWARDS
I'm delighted to say that the Rural Gateway is supporting the Calor
Gas Village of the Year Awards for 2008. I attended the launch of the
awards at the Scottish Parliament yesterday, and am excited to be
involved. With so many inspiring projects, enterprises and
initiatives going on across Scotland's rural communities, I'm sure
there will be many great entries! 

Following the success of Calor's Community of the Year Awards, Village of the Year
has been introduced to allow Scotland's rural communities,
with populations under 5000, to promote their success and share best
community practice.

There are four regions: North, Central and South of Scotland and
Scottish islands. The four regional winners will receive a cash prize
of 1000 pounds. The overall winner will receive a further cash prize of
3000 pounds.

For more information on the awards see
http://www.ruralgateway.org.uk/item/2160

PHOTO COMPETITION - LET'S SPREAD THE WORD
We've already had a great response to our 2008 photo competition.
Thanks to everyone who has entered so far. There are only a few days
left to enter photos under the 'My favourite place in rural Scotland'
theme. The closing date for this theme is 29th February 2008, so send
your photos to mailto:editor@ruralgateway.org.uk to be considered.
We're looking forward to judging the competition and putting together
our first gallery of 2008.

Don't forget, you can submit in advance for any of our themes. You'll
find more details on the competition here:
http://www.ruralgateway.org.uk/item/2122

Can you help us spread the word about our new photo competition, and
our special prize for young photographers? I'd be delighted if you
could feature information about the competition in your newsletters,
community papers or on community websites. We'd like to get photos
from as many rural communities as possible! If you'd like us to
provide you with a short article please get in touch by calling me on
01463 251 733 or emailing mailto:editor@ruralgateway.org.uk.

GROWING UP IN RURAL SCOTLAND
Don't miss out on a major conference looking at rurality and rural
policy, and how they affect children, young people and families.
There are still some places available at Children in Scotland's
Growing up in Rural Scotland conference to be held at Dynamic Earth
in Edinburgh on 13th March 2008. The conference will include a
ministerial address from Adam Ingram, Minister for Children and Early
Years. You'll find an event leaflet and booking form in our documents library.
See http://www.ruralgateway.org.uk/cgi-bin/library.cgi?action=detail&id=2195&dir_publisher_varid=1

YOUR PROJECT
In our latest Your Project article, Lesley McLaren tells us about
Scotland's festival for stewardship - The Big Tent Festival. It's a
weekend of celebration, music, art and creativity which champions the
work of the environmental movement. If you're an expert on solar showers
or compost toilets, Lesley would love to hear from you.
See http://www.ruralgateway.org.uk/item/2157

A SOUTHERLY ASPECT
John Gold is our newest regular contributor, and his first article
published last month proved very popular indeed. John's next
installment is now available on the site. 'A Southerly Aspect - A
culture of . . . trust?' looks at his experiences on the Falkland
Centre for Stewardship's Rural Leadership Programme. John remembers
two things vividly from his participation in the programme. You can
find out what they were by reading his interesting and thoughtful
article.
See http://www.ruralgateway.org.uk/item/2159

SRDP NEWSLETTER IN LIBRARY NOW
The latest edition of the Scottish Government's 'Scottish Rural
Development Programme 2007-2013 Implementation' newsletter is now
available in our documents library. If you need to keep up to date
with developments around the new SRDP then this is essential reading.
See http://www.ruralgateway.org.uk/information/documents.html

RURAL RAMBLER GOES TO THE CITY
In his latest Rural Rambling, Patrick Vickery tells us about his
recent trip to Glasgow, which included pigeons and nuns on
bicycles!
See http://www.ruralgateway.org.uk/item/2140

PROJECT SCOTLAND VOLUNTEER
We're currently looking for a Project Scotland volunteer for our
Rural Communities Researcher placement. If you are aged between 16
and 25 and are looking for some great work experience then this could
be for you. You'll get a 55 pounds a week living allowance and reasonable
travel expenses to the placement in Inverness. You'll learn new
skills like writing for the web, and be able to put your ideas into
practice by researching, writing and publishing your own articles. If
you want to know more go to Gateway seeks Project Scotland volunteer.
See http://www.ruralgateway.org.uk/item/2129

HUNTER FOUNDATION OPPORTUNITY
The Hunter Foundation are currently taking applications from young
people for their Hunter Leadership Programme. This six month
programme is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Scotland's future
leaders. If you're interested you'll find more here:
http://www.ruralgateway.org.uk/item/2141
The closing date is 29th February 2008.

NORTHERN ISLES ARTS HUBS UP FOR AWARD
The Shetland Museum and Archives and the Piers Arts Centre, Orkney
have both been nominated for the prestigious Art Fund Prize 2008.
These arts centres are two of just ten galleries and museums
throughout the UK nominated for the 100,000 pounds prize. You can find out
more, and how you can lend your support, in Shetland and Orkney Arts
Hubs up for top prize.
See http://www.ruralgateway.org.uk/item/2142

EVENTS
Recently added events include a Funding Fair in Stirling in March, an
e-Communities event in Skye and open days for the Scottish
Agricultural College. Don't forget to send details of your event -
large or small - to mailto:editor@ruralgateway.org.uk.
Remember to put full contact details including an email
address.
 
FUNDING NEWSWIRE
If you need to know about funding, sign up for our very popular
Funding latest newswire, produced by Sandra Hogg, our resident
funding expert. Remember to select to receive them in html format.
See https://secure.ruralgateway.org.uk/cgi-bin/profile.cgi?page=1

THANK YOU
Thanks to Jill Donnachie, Margo Wheeler, Patrick Vickery, Lesley
McLaren, Helen Lawrenson, SNH, Shetland Museum and Archives, Piers
Arts Centre, John Gold and more for their recent comments and
contributions.

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TOP STORIES
Gateway supports Calor Village of Year Awards
See http://www.ruralgateway.org.uk/item/2160

Have you seen this cat?
See http://www.ruralgateway.org.uk/item/2158

Shetland and Orkney arts hubs up for top award
See http://www.ruralgateway.org.uk/item/2142

A Southerly Aspect: A culture of . . . trust?
See http://www.ruralgateway.org.uk/item/2159

Your Project - Big Tent Festival
See http://www.ruralgateway.org.uk/item/2157

Unique opportunity for future leaders
See http://www.ruralgateway.org.uk/item/2141

Rural ramblings 11
See http://www.ruralgateway.org.uk/item/2140

Future Farmer Award - apply now
See http://www.ruralgateway.org.uk/item/2138

Get spring cleaning in April
See http://www.ruralgateway.org.uk/item/2136

Event report: Hi Hopes final conference
See http://www.ruralgateway.org.uk/item/2135

Event report: Making the most of rural development funding
See http://www.ruralgateway.org.uk/item/2134

Social enterprises enter Dragon's Den
http://www.ruralgateway.org.uk/item/2133

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CONTACT US
We are always happy to hear from Rural Gateway users, so please feel
free to email editor@ruralgateway.org.uk with any comments or
suggestions.

Best wishes
Norette Ferns

Copyright 2008 Rural Community Gateway. The Rural Community Gateway
is a Scottish Government initiative, designed and developed by online
community specialists Sift with content and editorial services
provided by the Rural Communities Team of the Scottish Council for
Voluntary Organisations.

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