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Revitalise Your Market Town...
with
the Market Town Toolkit from the Countryside Agency and
Action For Market Towns.
Click Here
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Quality of
Life in Tomorrow's Countryside
The Countryside Agency's Strategy
Click Here to Read
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South West
Rural Development Case Studies
Click Here
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 Path
of Plenty
Britain's longest National Trail, the 630-mile South West
Coast Path (SWCP), has proved to be a major moneyspinner
for the region. New research reveals that it generates
about £300 million a year for the South West economy,
enough to support more than 7,500 jobs...
click here for more
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Affordable Rural Housing:
Opportunities for Farmers and Landowners
HRH the Prince of Wales launches affordable
rural housing initiative
27/06/2003
click here
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Centre for Rural Research
Click Here
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Rural Matters |
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 When
we think of the word ‘rural’ we often think of it in
environmental terms and forget the real people who live in the
rural communities. These communities, and the services they
need, have changed considerably over the years. The rural business
community is diversifying and in recognition of particular circumstances faced by the agriculture industry,
there are is a variety of governmental documents such as the Rural White Paper
on..., Our Countryside: the future.
Click Here.
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Did you know that
the rural population of
England has grown at eight times the urban rate since 1991
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 The
health of rural communities and economies is the
responsibility of the Department for Environment, Food and
Rural Affairs (Defra) which
 along
with its agencies, in particular the Countryside
Agency, and with the support of the Regional
Development Agencies, aims to sustain and enhance the economy
and social fabric of rural England and
its distinctive environment, for the benefit of all.
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State of The Countryside 2002
from the Countryside Agency
click
here |
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The Countryside Agency's 'State of the
Countryside Report 2002' found that crime is lower than in
urban areas, and people in the countryside are healthier.
Educational standards are slightly higher and recorded
unemployment is not only below urban levels but has gone down
by more between 1998 and 2002 - a 36 per cent drop in rural
districts compared to 31 per cent across England as a whole.
 But
although average total household incomes are
greater in the countryside, the average wage is 12 per cent
lower. On average, housing is less affordable than in towns.
Rural homelessness can be hidden. Access to lifelong learning
and adult vocational training can be difficult.
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Community Council For Somerset |
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This is part of a nationwide network of
charitable organisations working with rural communities on
development and regeneration initiatives. Established in 1926,
their mission is to counter the threats to rural communities
and enhance rural life throughout Somerset. It is an
information portal for the rural community and you will find a
wide range of information from transport and affordable
housing to community projects and village halls. You can
access their publications, find events throughout the County
and their links page will lead you to other useful web sites
for rural community and related issues.
Click Here
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 Somerset
County Farms |
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The principal role of the County Farms
Estate is to provide opportunities for suitable people to farm
on their own account who otherwise would not be able to do so.
As a large physical and financial resource, the concept of a
multi-functional Estate was adopted a few years ago. Against
the backdrop of falling profitability and major structural
change taking place in the farming industry, a major Review of
Estate Policy and Structure was undertaken in early 2000 and
new policies adopted in July of that year. Over time the
implementation of these policies will reduce the number of
farms but enhance the quality of those retained.
Click Here to Enter Web Site
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Somerset Farmers Markets |
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Information on all
Somerset Markets.
click here
Don't forget that Taunton Farmers Market is now held EVERY
Thursday.
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NFU
Countryside
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NFU Countryside - A
resource for those that have a keen interest in today's
countryside - its skills and traditions, landscapes and
wildlife.
click here
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