The Gardener’s Bothy is a new garden store and rural craft workshop based at The Ferrers Centre at Staunton Harold which the LRP is pleased to have been able to support. The Bothy is the “shop front” for Cameron Forest & Garden but it also showcases the works and products of other local businesses working in The National Forest.

The new garden store stocks a range of locally produced timber garden accessories, including tables, benches, compost bins, log stores and planters. In addition they also sell a range of restored traditional horticultural tools and agricultural bygones along with a small selection of home grown woodland plants.

The Bothy also serves as an occasional base for local craftsfolk to provide demonstrations, training courses and offer hands on taster sessions to the public.

Attached is The Bothy’s Autumn events programme. For further information please ring Angus Hancock on tel: 01530 563269. (Angus is pictured on the left alongside Clive Keble from the National Forest Company.)

We were able to welcome a representative of the EU’s Agriculture and Rural Development Commission and one of the regions MEP’s to Leicestershire earlier this week.

Lene Naesager, representing EU Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel, and Emma McClarkin MEP were the formal guests of the Leicestershire County Council Chairman, Mr Roger Wilson, who greeted them at the Diseworth Heritage Centre.

The aim of the delegation was to raise the profile of the LRP and showcase local projects which have received support both through the LRP and the former EU funded England Rural Development Programme which administered by emda.

(Emma McClarkin MEP is pictured here tree planting at Moira Youth Hostel along with Lene Naesager, LRP Chairman, Lesley Pendleton and LCC Chairman, Roger Wilson)

Following introductions and a tour of the Diseworth Heritage Centre followed by a locally produced organic buffet lunch the party then moved onto Manor Organic Farm in Long Whatton (who provided the lunch) and then onto Moira Youth Hostel where in addition to learning more about the work in and around the National Forest there was also a tree planting in honour of the visit. The day ended with a Mr Wilson hosting a meal for the guests and some of the LRP partners which was held at the Judges’ Lodgings, Castle House in Leicester.

The second day began in Old Dalby with visits to both the Vale View Equestrian Centre and the Belvoir Brewery visitor centre, following lunch the final visit was to Walton Thorns Rural Centre near Six Hills.

For further details about this incredibly successful delegation visit please e-mail: matthew.kempson@leics.gov.uk or ring 0116 305 6179.

BT Community Connections is an award scheme which enables community and charitable groups to get online and make use of information and communication technology. Groups can apply for a laptop and a year’s free broadband connection if they can demonstrate how an award will benefit their work and the local community.

The scheme supports a diverse range of community and charitable groups – in the past community projects, silver-surfers, conservation organisations, family support groups, sports teams and youth groups have all been supported so don’t miss your opportunity.

To find out more, simply log on to www.btcommunityconnections.com where you can:

• Complete an online application form or print a postal application form
• View case studies of previous winners and read the judges’ top tips to help you complete your application

If you don’t have access to the internet just complete the attached form below, return it to the address detailed and an application form will be sent to you - alternatively call us on 0845 257 6792.

Leicester City Council is proud to present the City's First Food Festival on Sunday 22nd November 2009 at Leicester Market from
12.00am – 6.00pm.

The Festival will celebrate and promote all things Leicester and all things food by providing a uniquely diverse range of hot & cold food offers supported by an engaging Entertainment & Events Programme that will appeal to the whole family and all of Leicester’s diverse citizens.

The event coincides with the switch on of the Christmas Lights which will be at the Town Hall between 4 and 5pm.

For booking enquiries contact Joe Harkin on tel: 0116 2232371 or 0779 2720530 alternatively e-mail: joseph.harkin@leicester.gov.uk

The Awards, now in their fifth year, are the Countryside Alliance’s celebration of communities, produce, enterprise and rural heritage. Voted for by public nomination, they applaud those who routinely go the extra mile for their community and help promote rural life.

The Award categories are:

• Local Food
• Village Shop/Post Office
• Enterprise
• Daily Telegraph Traditional Business Award
• Rural Hero of 2009

The Alliance also invite nominations for political campaigners in two categories:

• The Grassroots Award for local political campaigning
• The Westminster Award for a rural champion at Parliament

Nominations can be made until 19th October 2009.

To find out more please follow this link http://www.countryside-alliance.org.uk/awards/

Volunteer historians have had a boost after Melton Carnegie Museum was granted nearly £5,000 to develop workshops to help expand their skills.

The money will enable Melton borough residents with a passion for uncovering the past to acquire and develop the know-how to help them create, expand or research local history records. These records will be available through the new community archive and museum displays, which are currently being built at the attraction.

The grant has come from the Museums Libraries and Archives Council (MLA). Their Adult Learning Challenge Fund award scheme was launched this year and the museum is among the first to receive some money.

The Carnegie Museum is currently closed for major building work but anyone wishing to register an interest in the community archive and workshops can ring Jenny Dancey on tel: 01664 569946 or e-mail; meltonmuseum@leics.gov.uk

Owing to the considerable and increasing demand being placed on the Rural Shops Alliance (RSA) to deliver projects on the ground. The organisation is actively looking for individuals, including current and ex-retailers, who might be interested in offering face to face information and guidance to other interested retailers.

In-house and on-the-job training will be available. If you know of anyone that you think might be both interested and suitable, please e-mailt: Richard Lee, RSA Counties Co-ordinator at richard.rsa@klee.fsnet.co.uk

The RSA is a national trade association working to support the owners of independent rural shops. The RSA represent over 7,000 such businesses in England.

Their objectives are:

• To act as the national voice for rural retailers
• To campaign on their behalf
• To help them to become more competitive, to the benefit of the communities that they serve

With the promise of a barbecue summer slipping away, don’t let the wet weather keep you indoors when there’s fun for the whole family on your doorstep at some of Leicestershire’s best attractions.

Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre and Snibston Discovery Museum both offer a fun-packed day out come rain or shine, with something to entertain the whole family.

Whether you want to re-live the drama and excitement of battle at Bosworth’s thrilling interactive exhibition, or embark on a journey of discovery and adventure at Snibston’s award-winning museum, there’s something for everyone.

Both attractions offer discounted entry for families, with a family ticket for two adults and two children costing just £20 at Snibston and £15 at Bosworth Battlefield. What’s more, tickets are valid for the whole day with unlimited entry to the museum, so visitors can really make the most of their day.

Further information and details of forthcoming events can be found at www.bosworthbattlefield.com and www.snibston.com

Philip Bailey has recently started working as Rural Policy Officer to cover Sarah Carter’s role whilst she is on maternity. Phil will be working to make sure that rural Leicestershire is set on course to be as dynamic, attractive, accessible, and sustainable as possible!

This is his second spell at the County Council – having worked as the Market Towns and Rural Centres Support Officer for a couple of years in the old Regeneration Team. In the interim he worked as Project Officer for Lutterworth Improvement Partnership. This encompassed working on the delivery of the Lutterworth Town Centre Vision and Masterplan as well as working with community groups on a wide variety of smaller projects. Before this Phil worked in Melton and Bingham on market town initiatives. His time at Nottingham Trent University was spent doing a surveying degree, and an MA in heritage management at Ironbridge institute in Shropshire.

Outside of work I am interested in historic buildings, architecture in general, and photography (although I don’t understand much of what my camera can do!). I play golf occasionally and have plans to do a half marathon again. I am a keen music fan, listen mainly to indie, some of the older blues and soul, and am still in the habit of collecting CDs rather than downloads.

Your community group or faith group could make a difference by leading by example. The Big Switch Off partnership would like to work with community groups to save energy in their community building or village hall. Don’t miss your chance to save around 20 percent on your energy bills. Simple behavioural change and energy efficiency improvements in the building could save you hundreds of pounds!

We will provide a free energy monitor, guidance and tips on saving energy and carry out a free energy survey. Community groups can also enter a competition at www.leics.gov.uk/bsocompetitions before 13th September where they can win the chance to receive a free professional advisory report with an Energy Certificate and thermographic survey with advice on improvements and grant funding.