The East Midlands Rural Action Plan Review Consultation Draft was launched at the EMRAF conference on Friday 26th June. The consultation document is now available to download on the EMRAF website www.ruralaffairs.org.uk and is located in the News section of the Knowledge Network.

Please remember you will need to be signed up to the Knowledge Network and you must tick EMRAF as your category of choice when signing up, to be able to access the document.

Responses should be returned by 31st August 2009 either by e-mail to Angie Essom aessom@rcan.org.uk or by post to EMRAF, c/o Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire, Newstead Centre, Tilford Road, Newstead Village, Nottinghamshire NG15 0BS.

A big thank you to all those of you who were able to support us by attending our recent Rural Conference at Hothorpe Hall.

Our keynote speaker, Stuart Burgess, Chairman of the Commission for Rural Communities is pictured delivering a thought provoking and informative speech.

In order for us to improve on what was already a successful day, we would appreciate your feedback.

By clicking on the title of this news alert you'll be taken automatically to an online form which we'd be grateful if you could could complete.

A pdf version of our latest Annual Report is now available http://www.oakleaves.org.uk/uploads/354a40ec9e2ee72918787954.pdf
If you would like hard copies of the report please e-mail:jclarkson@leics.gov.uk

The Rural Community Council (RCC) in Leicester has been awarded £432,000 to help combat suicide in the East Midlands. Based on a successful pilot scheme in the county, which has seen the RCC running awareness seminars on suicide, the grant will now make it possible for such training to continue in Leicestershire and Rutland but also in Derbys, Northants and Notts.

Over 4,000 people die as a result of suicide every year , more than are killed in road accidents, it remains the main cause of death in fit under 35 year old males and many hundreds of thousands are the victims of self harm. This successful bid will help raise awareness of suicide, dispel myths and taboos and give positive support to those who as part of their work and every day life come in contact with vulnerable and depressed people who in their own different ways cry out for help and understanding.

Jeremy Prescott, Director of the RCC said, “This success is much needed recognition that suicide is a problem that needs resources and positive action. It is an issue which affects society as a whole. This funding will now allow us the opportunity to involve
staff from key agencies, employers and most importantly the general public in helping them have not only a greater understanding of the problem but how we can all work together to address the tragedy of suicide.”

Leicestershire Food Links is pleased to bring you the Melton Country Fair at the Town Estates Parks on Sunday 28 June. People are being invited to the "Rural Capital of Food" for a fun packed day which will celebrate the countryside and environment with local food and entertainment, including, arts, crafts and music.

The days activities include an authentic Viking camp, long bow archery, falconry displays, a dog show along with marching, jazz and brass bands.

The Country Fair opens at 10am and runs to 5pm. Entry is £2.50 for adults and under 16s go FREE.

For further information e-mail: sallie.hooper@leicestershirefoodlinks.org.uk, ring 01509 881386 or visit http://www.leicestershirefoodlinks.org.uk/index.php/melton-mowbray-country-fair.html

Leicestershire Food Links is a not for profit social enterprise promoting local food.

Village SOS is an exciting new initiative from the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) and the BBC. It is searching for six UK villages with a great business idea and six enterprising individuals to act as Village Champions and help them achieve their ambitions.

Together they will create a brand new venture that will bring new life and energy to the village with funding of between £100,000 and £400,000 from BIG.

The journey of the six successful villages and their Village Champions will be filmed for a major prime time BBC One series in winter 2010.

For further information, please visit: http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/prog_village_sos alternatively ring 0844 88 88 677

At Whetstone Pastures Farm’s Rustic Courtyard on Whetstone Gorse Lane on Saturday 30th MAY & Sunday 31st May from 10am to 5pm.

Come and buy direct from the growers and get advice straight from the experts, inc Bob Taylor, Rosie Bose, Derek Ford, Kay Karin, Aubrey Wood, Avondale Nursery, Jim Ellis and Tony Huxley with Eco friendly plants from our farm. Plus Design tips from Award winning landscape architect Jasmein Ayub

Dahlias, pelargoniums, water plants, Australian plants, astrantias, Spring plants, herbaceous perennials, auriculas, and more!

Ploughman’s Lunches and Sandra’s Cream Teas served in the Strawberry Tea Room, with children’s play area and “green” crafts. Proceeds to Send a Cow

Whetstone Pastures is 2 miles South of Blaby on A426
For more information contact Sandra Herbert on tel: 07971 403 823

A free food festival is being held at Glenmore Community Centre on Thorpe Road in Shepshed on Saturday 4th July from 10.30am – 2.30pm
For more details contact Brenda Snape on tel: 01509 508872

During the same weekend, during the afternoons of Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th July, the Town will be hosting Open Gardens in aid of Shepshed Special Community Bus
For more details contact Jane Hopper on tel: 01509 650531 or Hilary Wright on tel: 01509 505174

The Open Gardens programmes will be on sale at The Food Festival.

On 22nd May the LRP were pleased to host a delegation from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to consider rural policy and the Government's mainstreaming agenda.

The OECD have been invited by Defra, with the support of the Commission for Rural Communities, to undertake a countrywide study of rural policy which will help form the evidence base for a possible refresh of Defra's Rural Strategy 2004.

Key issues discussed with the OECD included business support, public and community transport provision and services for an ageing population. Presentations from the LRP, East Midlands Business, the County Council's Passenger Transport Unit and the County Council's Adult Social Care department preceded discussions on the successes achieved within rural Leicestershire and future issues affecting delivery.

The Diseworth Heritage Centre, supported through LRP's Vibrant Villages programme, provided an excellent venue to host the event and a delicious lunch of local produce was provided by Manor Organic Farm, Long Whatton.

Please follow this link for copies of the presentation slides http://www.oakleaves.org.uk/presentations.html

De stress day SAT 23rd MAY, 10 am – 5 pm at Whetstone Pastures Farm

Relaxation - Fresh air - Farm walks

• Learn to meditate with local Buddhists
• Sample some therapies -Indian head massage with Stephanie
• Have a go at felting and knitting
• Hand made local soaps
• TAI CHI in the afternoon
• Sandra’s cream teas and lunches, yummy!
• Gentle music and farm strolls
• Children’s felting, art and crafts,
• Face painting and children’s play area
• All in Strawberry tea rooms, rustic courtyard and fruit fields
• Donations to local charity

For more details call Sandra Herbert on 07971 403 823
Whetstone Pastures Farm is on A426 2 miles South of Blaby
www.whetstonepasturesfarm.com