INQUIRY INTO THE FUTURE FOR ENGLAND'S UPLAND COMMUNTIES

The Commission for Rural Communities is currently undertaking this enquiry and is asking for individuals and groups to submit evidence. This can be done verbally at the Commission's public meetings in Cumbria on 19th and 20th May 2009. For further information contact chris.kolek@ruralcommunities.gov.uk.

The Commission is keen to obtain written evidence as well; to do this visit www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/projects/uplandcommunities

Deadline for written evidence is 30th April 2009.

 

ACT (Action with Communities in Cumbria)

is currently developing projects which include hill farming within sustainable community planning. These include learning forums with knowledge of place, landscape and community as the core curriculum ('Pride of Place'); the linking of farming heritage to future plans for valley communities (Hill Farming Heritage); and a community partnership approach to making drystone walling skills accessible on hill farms (Working Walls/Walls for Wellbeing).

If you are interested in these potential projects, have ideas about some of them, or you would like to know more, please contact:

Nicola Kirby: nicolakirby@cumbriaaction.org.uk

or

Terry McCormick: terrymccormick@cumbriaaction.org.uk

 

A blend of ancient ritual and pastures new

In the French Pyrenees the season ritual of moving livestock from high to low pastures is still practised. Chris Moss joins a walking holiday in the Couserans that lets visitors join in the centuries old festivities...

For the full article go to:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2009/apr/05/walking-pyrennes-couserans