20/2/2009 - Media opportunity: Rural development team comes to Wigton

A rural development programme office is to officially open in Wigton's Market Hall next week as the base for a team working across rural north Cumbria.

There will be a photocall at 10:20am on Wednesday February 25th at the Innovia Suite, Market Hall, Church St, Wigton CA7 9AA to mark the opening of the new office of the Solway, Border & Eden Local Action Group alongside the existing Local Links office.

The county council's team of six staff will be delivering an £8m programme of grant aid, training and advice for farmers, foresters, small rural businesses and rural communities over the next four years as part of the Rural Development Programme for England.

The county council is delivering the programme on behalf of the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and Defra.

The team's work is directed by a Local Action Group, consisting of 50+ members from interested groups and organisations, and covers an arc of north Cumbria from Egremont up to the Solway, across to Longtown and Brampton and then southwards along the Pennines and Eden Valley as far as Brough.

A partner programme (Cumbria Fells & Dales) covers the Lake District National Park and the south of the county, ans is also launching next week.

Cllr Tim Knowles, Cumbria County Council's cabinet member for economic development, will be attending the launch. He said:

"This is a coup for Wigton and a demonstration of co-operative working between the district and county councils and the North Allerdale Development Trust."

Peter Kempsey, of the Solway, Border & Eden Local Action Group, will also be there to mark the official opening. He emphasised the importance of investing in the area’s future:

"The strength of rural communities lies in the diversity of small businesses and our active community groups. Our programme targets support on these sectors. We will be concentrating on small grants for projects such as renewable energy installations, business expansion, new food & forestry products and sustainable, community-led tourism."

David Hunter, Head of Rural Development at the NWDA, said: 

"RDPE in the Northwest is the largest rural programme at work in the region and Local Action Groups will deliver an essential part from the heart of the communities they serve. Solway, Border & Eden will support rural businesses, improve training and skills development and provide opportunities, contract-managed by the NWDA, to secure a stronger more sustainable rural economy for north Cumbria."

ENDS

Media enquiries to Gareth Cosslett, News Manager on 01228 226332