Rural Coalition Statement 2017

You may not have heard of it, but ‘The Rural Coalition’ recently published its 2017 statement, outlining the policy priorities and actions that it thinks will be required to sail rural communities through Brexit and beyond in a safe and secure (as opposed to strong and stable) manner. The Rural Coalition is exactly what itContinueContinue reading “Rural Coalition Statement 2017”

Book Review: ‘Not a Perfect Fit: Stories from Jane’s World’ by Jane A Schmidt

I have certain friends who are a) good storytellers and b) seem to get into situations that led themselves to good stories. There are many aspects to what makes a good storyteller, but for the best voices it is often difficult to pin down what makes them so successful. For me, a good storyteller mustContinueContinue reading “Book Review: ‘Not a Perfect Fit: Stories from Jane’s World’ by Jane A Schmidt”

‘Post Truth Politics’ and the rise of the Right in the European Countryside

The events of recent months, especially in the light of yesterday’s result across the pond, are a sure sign that we a living in an epoch of ‘post truth politics’. Emotion and the power of story telling seems to run the roost above the plight of policy makers, who are desperately trying to push theirContinueContinue reading “‘Post Truth Politics’ and the rise of the Right in the European Countryside”

National Trust find their ‘£1 a year’ farmer

You may remember that, earlier this year, when Brexit still looked like a bizarre fantasy, the National Trust began an international search for a farmer to manage a 145 acre farm on the Great Orme near Llandudno in Wales. Famously, the rent offer was for just £1 a year. The Trust feared that the farmContinueContinue reading “National Trust find their ‘£1 a year’ farmer”

Traditions in the countryside

If you asked anybody in the countryside to list the traditions that are regularly practised in their community you would no doubt be there a long while. From May Pole dancing in Norfolk to Jack in the Green at Hastings, cheese rolling in the Cotswolds to wife carrying in Surrey it is no wonder thatContinueContinue reading “Traditions in the countryside”