ruralnet|uk news

Live anti-panel raises debate at ruralnet|2005

Sensible solutions to health service provision in rural areas got the vote from the audience of the rural affairs anti-panel session at ruralnet|2005.

Day two of ruralnet|2005 created a spark of debate through a live anti-panel session with a twist.  On this rare occasion, MPs Jim Knight and James Paice as well as Stuart Burgess, Chairman of the Commission for Rural Communities and Yorkshire Forwards’ Lord Haskins were all seated together with the task of grilling the audience for answers to their questions.  BBC Rural Affairs Correspondent Tom Heap facilitated the session.

Post Office Presents "Positive Rural Action" at ruralnet|2005

To open the ruralnet|2005 conference, The Post Office presented an insight into how they operate, the pressures they face, and what they are doing to address these pressures to carry on delivering vital services to rural and other communities.

Geraldine Peacock speaks on the evolving contract culture at ruralnet|2005

From ‘cap in hand’ to ‘cap on head’ was the clear message delivered by Geraldine Peacock, Chair of The Charity Commission during a keynote speech at the ruralnet|2005 conference.

The fresh and inspiring session given by Geraldine from her unique position in the sector focused on the need to change from a donating to an investment culture.  She gave her perspective on the New Charities Bill (still with the House of Lords) and how the Bill will affect those working with and for charities when it becomes an Act of Parliament.  She specifically hopes the Bill will encourage new dialogue with stakeholders, the regulator, government, and the public and will provide an opportunity to ‘raise the game’.

Debut ruralnet|2005 blog now live!

The ruralnet|2005 conference weblog is now up and running at http://ruralnet.typepad.com/conferenceblog/ . Members of the ruralnet|uk team are posting a live account of the build-up to this year’s conference, being held on the 12-13 October at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel, Bramhope near Leeds, Yorkshire. During the conference, the blog will enable those who are unable to be there to benefit.

Traidcraft confirmed as Conference Dinner Sponsors

ruralnet|uk is pleased to announce that fairtrade produce suppliers, Traidcraft are sponsoring the ruralnet|2005 conference dinner.

As the UK’s leading fair trade organisation, Traidcraft works with more than 100 producer groups in over 30 countries around the world.  Traidcraft has been helping producers from poor communities to work their way out of poverty since 1979.  They do this through trading with them directly, by supporting them with training and information, and by influencing the policy makers to pull down the barriers which stop the poor enjoying their fair share of world trade.

Traidcraft will support the event by supplying the venue with fairly traded wine and juice for all delegates attending the evening reception.

‘Calendar Girl’ Tricia Stewart to Address ruralnet|2005

Tricia Stewart, founder of the WI alternative calendar, is confirmed as after-dinner speaker at the annual rural development conference, ruralnet|2005.  This event is to be held in Bramhope in the West Yorkshire region.

Tricia, whose work is well known through the film, ‘Calendar Girls’, joined the Rylstone & District WI when she moved into the small village of Cracoe in the Yorkshire Dales in 1985.  In 1998, Tricia learnt that a neighbour and friend John Baker had been diagnosed with non Hodgkins Lymphoma.  Touched by his serious illness, she started plans to raise money for research into blood related cancers.  She also came up with an idea to produce a calendar, but instead of the usual pictures of sheep, hills and crafts, in this one the WI ladies would be nude!

Sponsored Free Conference Place Scheme to Benefit Voluntary and Community Groups in Yorkshire

A sponsored free place scheme for the rural development conference, ruralnet|2005 is to benefit several local small charities and community groups from the Yorkshire region.

The annual conference, being held by the rural development charity, ruralnet|uk in Bramhope, Yorkshire is on the doorstep for those locally based organisations who have been awarded funded places, provided by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Commission for Rural Communities (CRC).  This support means that in total 50 voluntary and community groups throughout the UK will be given the opportunity to attend the event, in October this year.

Government Panel will have their Ears to the Ground

ruralnet|uk are pleased to announce that Stuart Burgess, Chairman of the Commission for Rural Communities is now confirmed as the final member of the ruralnet|2005 annual conference rural affairs panel. He will join Rural Affairs Minister Jim Knight MP, James Paice MP and Lord Haskins. The session offers a neat reversal of the typical conference panel, with the special guests posing questions for the audience to answer. BBC News Rural Affairs Correspondent Tom Heap will be moderating these rather unusual proceedings.

Geraldine Peacock confirmed as ruralnet|2005 Keynote Speaker

ruralnet|uk can confirm that Geraldine Peacock CBE, Chair of the Charity Commission, will be speaking at their annual conference this year.  The conference, to be held on 12-13 October at Ramada Jarvis Hotel, Bramhope, Yorkshire will look at the theme, 'Expanding Contracting - How to Thrive in the New Contract Culture'. Geraldine will start the event with her view on the emerging contract culture within the sector and her vision for the Charity Commission.

New Rural Affairs Minister Supports Free Places Scheme

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.