ruralnet|uk is pleased to announce sponsorship from Defra and The Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) of 50 ruralnet|2005 conference delegate places. These places will provide the opportunity for groups from the voluntary and community sector that would not otherwise be able to afford to attend to share their experiences and meet the decision makers and funders who influence their activities.
The conference - which is the 5th ruralnet|uk annual event - will be held on 12-13 October 2005 at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel, Golden Acre Park, Bramhope, West Yorkshire and will look at the changing nature of the voluntary and community sector in the current contract climate.
Detail on how to apply for a free place are available at www.ruralnetuk.org/conference/index.htm or on 0845 1300 411.
Jim Knight, Minister for Rural Affairs, said,
"These places will provide the chance for voluntary and community groups who may otherwise not have been able to afford it, to have direct input into discussions on grassroots rural service provision. I would strongly encourage anyone interested to apply for places."
"The conference is an excellent forum for participants to learn from each other, share experiences, and to influence decision making at a higher level. By demonstrating first hand the wide range of issues facing rural people on a day-to-day basis, delegates will have the opportunity to highlight their specific needs to funding and service providers."
Dr. Stuart Burgess, Chairman of the Commission for Rural Communities added,
"I welcome the dialogue between policy makers and rural groups that the ruralnet|uk conference provides. I know how important it is to hear things first hand from rural people. The ruralnet|uk conference is an opportunity for providing sound practical experiences based ideas and information on what works and what doesn’t – so that policy makers and those delivering services can tailor delivery to rural communities. "
ruralnet|uk would like to thank Defra and the CRC for their continued support for the annual conference; this has been invaluable over the last three years. We appreciate the opportunity it provides for rural grassroots workers and community groups and underlines just how important such events are.
Notes to editors
1. The sponsored places include dinner and overnight accommodation for 12 October. Free place delegates will be asked to deposit a cheque of £50, which will be refunded at conference check-in. The check will only be banked in the event of cancellation of the place, or delegate no-show.
2. A full list of ruralnet|2005 sponsors and exhibitors is available at www.ruralnetuk.org/conference/index.htm
3. ruralnet|uk is a rural regeneration charity (no 1089238). See www.ruralnetuk.org/index.htm
4. Bookings for ruralnet|2005 are being taken on 0845 1300 411 and the web at www.ruralnetuk.org/conference/index.htm
5. Sponsors and exhibitors should contact ruralnet|uk on 0845 1300 411 for further information
6. ruralnet|2004 attracted 213 delegates and 28 exhibitors. Delegates came from all countries of the UK and included the key rural regeneration decision and policy makers, representatives of the public, private, voluntary and community sectors. Free places were provided to 30 grass roots community groups to ensure their participation.
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