TV farmer backs boost to rural communities

A TV farmer will be guest speaker at a conference aimed at boosting Leicestershire’s rural economy and highlighting issues faced by rural communities.

BBC1 Countryfile presenter Adam Henson, a successful farmer who runs the Cotswold Farm Park, will be guest speaker at the event at Scalford Hall, near Melton.

The event is being organised by the Leicestershire Rural Partnership (LRP) on Thursday, March 1st.

Key issues that will be discussed at the conference include:

• Supporting economic growth

• Deploying super-fast broadband

• Encouraging the Big Society, with active parish councils

• Ensuring communities have effective transport, housing and services

• Reducing carbon emissions

Adam will join County Council Cabinet member Lesley Pendleton, chairman of the LRP, to launch the new Leicestershire Rural Framework, 2011-2014. The framework includes the BIG 7 priorities for rural Leicestershire and aims to make our county a thriving, strong, effective community in which to live, work and visit.

Lesley Pendleton said: “I want this conference to inspire rural communities, to see how they can thrive in these difficult times.

“Adam is a great example of this – he has shown how farmers can diversify, as his working farm includes a visitor attraction and camping and caravan facilities.”

Adam Henson said: “I am very pleased to support Leicestershire’s rural conference. As we see on Countryfile, it can be challenging living and working in a rural area but there are great opportunities when we work together.

“I consider the Leicestershire Rural Partnership as a model of best practice and clearly demonstrates what can be achieved.”

More than 100 delegates from rural communities, including businesses and voluntary groups, are attending the conference, which is sponsored by Leicestershire County Council and Scalford Hall.

Media note:

Any reporter interested in attending the conference on March 1st and interviewing Adam Henson should contact the county council press office on 0116 305 7046.

For further details about Adam, see http://www.cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk/adam-henson/corporate.html

Background:

The Leicestershire Rural Partnership was established in 1993 by the Rural Development Commission, Leicestershire County Council and Rutland County Council, to enable partners to work more effectively together to deliver improved services to rural areas.

For further details about the Rural Partnership, see http://www.oakleaves.org.uk/

The Rural Partnership’s “Big Seven” priorities are:

1.Sustainable growth, high quality employment opportunities and increased vocational training

2.Increased availability of affordable, well-designed, suitable and fuel-efficient rural housing

3.Retaining good access to essential services within rural areas

4.Active, inclusive and empowered parish councils and meetings

5.Deployment of super-fast broadband connectivity

6.Effective and integrated public and community transport

7.Rural communities and businesses reducing their carbon footprint