28/2/2006 - Rural services in the spotlight

A seminar on the future of rural services will take place in Cumbria tomorrow, March 1. 

The event, which takes place at the Oasis Whinfell near Penrith, will be the largest ever seminar held by the Northern Rural Network, which is supported by Cumbria County Council.

Council leader Tim Stoddard will introduce the seminar and a Cumbria County Council Community Transport Officer will be delivering a presentation on Rural Wheels and accessibility in Cumbria.

Other keynote speakers include Professor Malcolm Moseley, University of Gloucestershire, who will be presenting the findings of new DEFRA research on the future of services in rural England. Other national researchers will also talk on the future of rural services, and senior officials from the Commission for Rural Communities will also make presentations.

The NRN was established in December 2000 and is run by the Centre for Rural Economy at Newcastle University. Its membership has now grown to more than 750 rural businesses, voluntary and community groups, local authorities and other public agencies, and rural researchers. Five or six events are organised each year across the rural North.