Conference Programme (full)

For a summary of the conference programme click here.

TUESDAY 10 OCTOBER 2006 (OPTIONAL)
from 12:00	Reception for early arrivals
18:00–19:00	Bar, reception and buffet dinner
20:00	Chairman's welcome
DAY 1  –  WEDNESDAY 11 OCTOBER 2006
EAST MIDLANDS DEVELOPMENT AGENCY SUPPLEMENT more>>
08:00	Fast-track reception
09:00–10:00	Market Towns in the East Midlands – Past Present and Future • The State of Market Towns in the East Midlands Professor Andrew Atherton, University of Lincoln • Benchmarking Market Towns in the Welland Matt Earnshaw, The Welland Sub-Regional Strategic Partnership • Market Towns – the future Geoff Plummer, Chair, EMRAF Market Towns sub-group
10:00–10:30	Networking and refreshments
10:30–11:30	Market Towns – Best Practice and Lessons Learnt • The regional perspective Ray Edwards, Director of Rural Affairs, emda • Exemplar projects in Market Towns Bruce Wakeling, Spalding Town Centre Manager; Jim Hanrahan, Clerk to Newark Town Council
Start of main conference
11:00–12:10	Registration and Reception Brunch Networking and Mapping Exercise
12:15–12:35	Welcome to the East Midlands Jeff Moore, Chief Executive, emda
12:35–13:30	Capacitybuilders supporting the Rural VCS more>> Simon Hebditch, CEO, Capacitybuilders
13:30–14:00	Networking and refreshments
14:05–15:00	Workshop session 1
15:05–16:00	Workshop session 2
16:00–16:30	Networking and refreshments
16:35–17:30	Rural Housing Anti-Panel more>> James Paice MP (Cons); Moira Constable, Chief Executive, Rural Housing Trust; John Mills, Rural Policy Director, Defra
17:30–17:40	Chairman's closing remarks – day 1
19:15–20:00	Drinks reception
20:00	Conference dinner
DAY 2  –  THURSDAY 12 OCTOBER 2006
08:00–08:50	Morning Reception Refreshments, exhibitor displays & cybercafe
08:50–09:00	Chairman's welcome – day 2
09:00–10:00	Sustainable Exploitation of your Rural Assets more>> John Grimshaw, CEO, Sustrans
10:00–10:40	Networking and refreshments
10:45–11:45	Workshop session 3
11:50–12:45	The ruralnet|trial more>> "Agencies involved in rural development are charged with exaggerating the issue of rural deprivation" For the prosecution: Gordon Morris, freelance writer and researcher For the defence: Prof. Michael Dower, University of Gloucestershire
12:45–13:00	Chairman's closing remarks – day 2
Workshops – delegates to attend three
Workshop 1 Paul Henderson, ruralnet|uk	Computers, Collaboration and Communities Over the last year, ruralnet|uk's work with CAF and NCVO, amongst others, has been largely about collaboration, working and exploring how emerging technologies help VCOs work together. Here Paul explains and demonstrates how these lessons can be applied particularly to help rural groups.
Workshop 2 Francois Matarasso & Michael Hoar, Culture East Midlands	The Role of Culture in Rural Development Life in the Old Dog: a workshop looking at how cultural initiatives can contribute to social and economic development in rural communities. The session focuses on practical examples from the arts, museums, libraries and other cultural sectors in the East Midlands.
Workshop 3 Andy Lloyd, Dorset Rural Housing Enabler	Community Empowerment: Land Trusts and New Approaches to Construction in Dorset Andy talks about sustainable housing and focusses on communities in Dorset which have opted to provide their own affordable housing without dependancy on Social Housing Grants. The two schemes are being shadowed by the CRC, recognizing that this approach could benefit any community with housing need. Central to both schemes is the use of sustainable, low cost pre-fabricated build methods using local materials. This featured in a case study in the Government's Affordable Rural Housing Commission Report and this workshop will be part of Defra's action to take forward its recommendations.
Workshop 4 Daniel Heery, Alston Cybermoor	Rural Broadband – from Connectivity to Content Daniel Heery, a key driver behind the successful and respected Alston Cybermoor project, explains his vision for how now-connected rural communities should be exploiting the broadband they have been clamouring for.  From multi-media to care at home and service delivery, the possibilities are endless, but what do the communities themselves need and want, now the technology is in place?
Workshop 5 Freer Spreckley, Senior Adviser to EuropeAid (EU overseas aid)	Logical Frameworks The Logical Framework is used to design, appraise, monitor and evaluate regeneration projects. It has been developed over many years by agencies from the European Commission to neighbourhood projects. It is open source and available to everyone – all you need are your own ideas and experience.
Workshop 6 Jane Berry, ruralnet|uk	Can Social Franchising Really Deliver? The net:gain project, funded by Capacitybuilders alongside the National Hubs, is a groundbreaking concept, using a social franchise model to help build local, sustainable IT-related services for VCOs.  Jane will explain what we have learnt from the net:gain model, designed to help UK online centres make ICT planning attractive and accessible for VCOs. Does a social franchise offer a viable and transferrable model?