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Up to £500 is available to community, voluntary or faith groups across Leicestershire through the Communities Together grants which aim to help support projects which:
- play an active role in getting different communities and groups of individuals together to increase understanding and communication.
- promote inter-cultural education and relationship building.
- introduce and engages new audiences, organisations and community groups to each other.
With 14 projects already supported the Communities Together Grants have proved popular since the launch earlier this year. Details of two of them are attached.
Further details including a grant application form and guidance notes can be found at www.leicestershiretogether.org/communities_together_grants
If you have any further questions please contact Samantha Sirisambhand on 0116 305 8098 or email; samantha.sirisambhand@leics.gov.uk
The Forestry Micro-enterprise Grant is aimed at forestry and woodland related businesses, or businesses wanting to invest in woodfuel technology.
Grants of between £2,500 and £25,000 will be available towards buying new machinery or equipment, building handling or storage facilities or installing woodfuel systems.
It is funded by the Rural Development Programme for England and is administered jointly by the Forestry Commission and the East Midlands Development Agency.
For further information contact Anne Garner on 01673 843461 or e-mail: anne.garner@forestry.gov.uk, the grant prospectus can be downloaded here.
Calling all Church leaders, Church Wardens, Church Council members, licensed ministers, those interested in Fresh Expressions, children's ministry or anyone curious about rural mission.
This one off conference is a key opportunity to explore key themes in rural mission. It includes two keynote presentations, with opportunity for questions and answers, a range of optional seminars, prayer and worship, plus time to meet others in similar situations over coffee breaks and lunch.
- Saturday 10th July, 10am to 4pm @ Broughton Astley Village Hall with refreshments from 9:30am
Please read the attached pdf for more details about the day.
For bookings or further information please e-mail:carol.gibbons@leccofe.org or ring 0116 248 7435.
The LRP’s current Rural Strategy is delivered through an Action Plan. The recently updated Action Plan, which captures partner contributions towards delivering the Rural Strategy, is measured against specific objectives and identifies gaps in rural service provision and priority actions.
Since the first draft of the Action Plan it is clear there has been a lot of partnership development activity, particularly with the LRP being recognised as a Strategy and Performance Group for the new sub-regional economic structures. This has strengthened the Former Executive Group, now known as the Strategy & Performance Group, in relation to its Rural Economic Development role. The partnership is now well-embedded within sub-regional structures to ensure that rural interests are considered at all levels.
Working relationships with partners have also strengthened particularly with Business Link, Leicestershire Promotions and the EU following the delegation to Leicestershire in October
09.
The following actions have been identified as high priority for the coming year:
- Continue the delivery against existing the INSPIRE and Vibrant Villages projects
- Refresh Leicestershire Rural Strategy and ensure that rural elements are included within Sustainable Community Strategy refresh and Economic Commissioning Plans.
- Secure high priority ‘at risk’ activity – mostly due to short-term funding and public sector deficit management
- Consider exit strategies for the current Local Area Agreement and Vibrant Villages, both in their final year.
- Work with the County Council’s Better Places team to identify additional funding to support public realm and business support activity within the Market Towns. Develop a Food and Drink Sub-Regional Strategy and associated activity.
Leicester City Council wishes to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced consultancy to help ensure Leicester and Leicestershire’s diverse food and drink sector is a national centre of excellence.
As a key priority within our ambitious Multi-Area Agreement the overarching objectives of the project are to:
- Develop a sub-regional food and drink strategy and action plan
- Support the development of food and drink networks
- Support skills and training activities
- Progress food and drink related tourism development and promotion
- Advance business support and infrastructure development
- Promote healthy eating/food education
The LRP is a lead partner for this project and as such will ensure that rural interests are represented/reflected.
Full tender specification is available at www.leicester.gov.uk/business (go to tenders and contracts).
For further information please contact Gill Smitherman on tel: 0116 252 8636 or e-mail gillian.smitherman@leicestershire.gov.uk
A new rural business which has been supported by the LRP's INSPIRE grant scheme will be opening it's doors to the public for the first time this weekend.
Shenton Glass is a hot glass studio based at Shenton Station. Visitors will be able to see business owner and Master Glassmaker, Richard Golding, at work on his amazing glass creations along with being able to purchase one off designs by both Richard and other artists.
Doors open to the public on Saturday 19th June at 11.00am when visitors will be able to watch glassmaking for the first time in Leicestershire.
Richard will be making glass at the Station most weekends between 11.00am and 3.30pm and periodically during the week. For further information visit www.stationglass.com
Open Farm Sunday is a fantastic opportunity for everyone, young and old to enjoy the living, vibrant countryside. Take time to listen to the birds, soak up the scenery, experience the smells of the farmyard and really get in touch with the land that feeds us. Discover at first hand what it means to be a farmer and taste the produce.
Each event will be unique with its own activities - based around the host farm’s own individual story. Activities during the day may include a farm walk, nature trail, tractor & trailer rides, pond dipping, activities for kids, mini farmers market or picnics.
Some of the Leicestershire farms taking part include:
Business Link has launched a new online resource to help farmers and growers understand farming regulations, and manage the daily challenges of running a successful farming business.
businesslink.gov.uk/eastmidlands/farming is a dedicated new section on the Business Link website, which provides farmers across the region with practical information and guidance to help them focus their planning, apply best practice and understand government requirements, whatever type of farm they have.
The new farming section brings 86 guides together on one website. They will be updated regularly to ensure that farmers can quickly and easily keep up to date with industry and regulation changes.
This new information is divided into the following sub-sections:
- Running your farm business
- Funding, schemes and grants
- Protecting farm environments
- Livestock
- Crops, horticulture and plant health
- Organic farming
The farming section of businesslink.gov.uk/eastmidlands also links to general topics that all businesses need to know about, including:
- Employing people
- Taxes, returns and payroll
- Health, safety, and premises
- Environment and efficiency
- IT and e-commerce
- International trade
Business Link also continues to offer support to farmers across the region through its locally based business advisers, and through its central telephone helpline 0845 058 6644.
The National Forest Company is holding a FREE Woodfuel and Tourism seminar later this month aimed at presenting green and eco-friendly options for producing both heat and hot water to tourism related businesses.
The seminar is being held at the Rosliston Forestry Centre, near Swadlincote, DE12 8JX on Wednesday 26th May from 12.30pm until 4.45pm with light refreshments provided.
Further details are available in the attached flyer and you can confirm your interest in attending by e-mailing angela.ashmore@nationalforest.org
Open Farm Sunday is a fantastic opportunity for everyone, young and old to enjoy the living, vibrant countryside. Take time to listen to the birds, soak up the scenery, experience the smells of the farmyard and really get in touch with the land that feeds us. Discover at first hand what it means to be a farmer and taste the produce. So come and feed your senses on Open Farm Sunday.
Each event will be unique with its own activities - based around the host farm’s own individual story. Activities during the day may include a farm walk, nature trail, tractor & trailer rides, pond dipping, activities for kids, mini farmers market or picnics.
For further local information please visit http://www.farmsunday.org/ofs/home.eb alternatively contact Andy Guy on tel: 07738 121883 or e-mail lottabottle@ukgateway.net
