Hard hit rural communities across the UK are being given a helping hand by countryside charity, the Prince’s Countryside Fund, who have announced £670,000 of vital grant support for rural initiatives.
The Fund, established in 2010 by Prince Charles, has announced that it will be supporting 19 projects across the UK through its grant giving programme which has awarded over £8 million since 2010.
It aims to improve the prospects of family farm businesses and the quality of rural life, believing more is needed to be done to help those affected.
New projects include funding to assist the communities of Alfrick and Lulsley in Worcestershire, St Tudy in Cornwall, Wereham in Norfolk and Llangunllo in Wales to run vital community services and improve local assets.
Assistance in building networks of support for farming communities in the Peak District, Dartmoor, Herefordshire and Cumbria and the Yorkshire Dales has been provided as well as specialist advice and support to build business resilience and develop farmers’ skills.
Grants have also been awarded to train the next generation of forestry and woodland managers in Scotland and Wales and to support Scottish island processing enterprises.
'Innovative projects'
Lord Curry of Kirkharle, chairman of The Prince’s Countryside Fund said: “We are delighted to be able to support such a wide range of innovative projects that will provide a lasting legacy in so many rural areas.
“The next five years are critical for our rural communities and against a background of growing uncertainty, our grant programme provides essential support to people living and working in the countryside.
“Rural communities need to be prioritised. It is easy to forget just how much we depend on rural businesses and family farms. With an ageing rural population and a shortage of new entrants embarking on rural careers, it is vital that we continue to support grassroots initiatives to ensure we maintain a thriving and sustainable future for our rural communities.”
There has been a 67 per cent increase in requests for help from working farmers in 2016, according to rural charity, R.A.B.I.
Grants awarded
Alfrick and Lulsley Community: £27,000
Dartmoor Hill Farm Project: £44,000
Devon Cattle Breeders' Society: £24,000
Devon Communities Together: £49,961
Falkland Stewardship Trust: £30,000
Farming Community Network: £27,475
Friends of Nidderdale AOB: £50,000
Groundwork North Wales: £47,259
Herefordshire Rural Hub: £46,680
Llangunllo Community Hall: £5,000
Myerscough College: £30,600
Pasture Fed Livestock Association: £40,500
Patterdale Parish Community Flood Group: £25,000
SAOS: £50,000
The Farmer Network: £49,520
The Farming Life Centre: £13,146
The St Tudy Community Shop: £25,000
Wereham Village Hall: £31,650
Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust: £50,000
