Archived News July 2003 Highland Cows Come to the Rescue July 30th A new Countryside Stewardship Scheme in Yorkshire is providing a novel way of protecting valuable northern moorlands. Ragwort spread could soon be uprooted July 29th A draft code of practice on controlling the spread of the poisonous weed ragwort onto agricultural or grazing land has been launched by Defra and the BHS. Ploughing through our past July 29th Thousands of fragile archaeological remains throughout the country are being put at risk by intensive agriculture and modern farming methods, according to English Heritage NEW BEACON TOWNS SHOW THE WAY FOR RURAL AREAS July 28th Nine places in England have been selected to demonstrate how market towns can become the new centres of employment, housing and services for their residents and the surrounding rural areas Farmers Warned Against Harming Heritage July 26th A campaign to raise awareness of, and help to protect, the many ancient sites buried under British soil has been launched by English Heritage Rural dwellers 'to bridge digital divide' July 25th government has announced plans to end the "digital divide" between those city dwellers who have access to affordable broadband internet, and those who live the in country who mostly do not. Broadband winners announced July 25th The winners of the 'demand broadband' competition in the East of England range from villages to commercial centres. Scarecrows face stiff competition July 23rd People passing through Tideford, a small Cornish village, on 23rd July will encounter an unusual sight. Several dozen stuffed men will be seen propping up fences and gateposts in the village of Tideford. The hunt is on for arable plants July 22nd A new project is being launched this week by Plantlife International in an attempt to identify the most important arable sites for wild flowers. Rural theft on the increase July 22nd Crime in England and Wales fell by two per cent in the past year, according to the British Crime Survey; but theft in the countryside increased by 5.7 per cent, says a rural insurer. Photographs could pose security risk July 22nd Owners of listed buildings are being reminded that they have until the end of September to actively prevent photographs of their properties appearing on a new English Heritage website. World class award for village club July 21st A small football club in north Wales can now boast to be in the same league as some of the world's best professional teams, thanks to a local web designer GOVERNMENT'S COMMUNITIES PLAN FAILS FIRST MAJOR TEST July 20th 'A wolf in sheep's clothing, poised to swallow up communities and vulnerable countryside.' Rural Services Standard progresses: second progress report July 19th A mixed picture of access to public services available to people who live in rural areas Village ban man jailed July 18th A man who was banned from a village after terrorising its residents for three years has been jailed for 12 weeks for breaching a court order. Celebrate and protect our landscapes July 17th CPRE launches a new campaign, Countryside Character, to celebrate the diversity of England's landscapes, to remind people this rich variety is under great threat from a creeping 'sameness' and to tell them how they can work to protect it. Rural broadband policy under fire July 16th MPs say ministers should use taxpayers' cash to make sure country areas get access to fast internet services. Return of wild flowers in our fields July 14th Arable plants represent one fifth of the wild plants targeted for conservation action in the UK today, but they could make a comeback in our fields following new EU agricultural policy reforms. Voluntary sector could have more say July 14th People living in rural areas are going to have a bigger say in how government money is spent, under plans being drawn up by the Government’s rural adviser, Lord Haskins. Community help charity create nature reserve July 14th A new nature reserve on Mousa, Shetland could be as beneficial to the local community as it will be for the birds. Country Parks - a forgotten treasure? July 13th Country parks are at risk of neglect and decline and action is needed now to ensure they have a better future 'Little economic benefit' from GM crops July 11th The commercial growing of genetically modified crops would bring little short-term benefit to the British economy, a government report has said Rural economies are missing an untapped resource July 11th Women play an important role in rural economies but the challenges they face mean their full potential is missed – so both individuals and rural economies lose out on the full benefits of their talents and skills Focus on Beautiful Farmland July 10th The c/o British Farming Campaign has launched a competition which aims to put Britain's most beautiful farmland in the picture by inviting people to capture it on camera. CPRE react to Darling announcement July 10th CPRE welcomes decisions to save the West Midlands Green Belt and safeguard Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty but asks for action to tackle car dependency and manage road demand Is this the nicest place to live in Britain? July 10th Bournville. Just the way it rolls off your tongue makes it sound a nice place to live. Village votes to scrap pit head Jul 9th Clipstone, near Mansfield, a village in Nottinghamshire, votes to rip down its two listed headstocks. Support the wider rural economy Jul 9th Countryside points out the countryside is a hive of economic activity that belies its popular chocolate box image, yet a major part of this activity misses out as support is all directed towards agriculture, land management and tourism English countryside risks becoming vast aircraft carrier Jul 8th Air travel now represent one of the biggest threats facing the countryside On track in the Dales Jul 7th A train service has returned to Wensleydale in the Yorkshire Dales, after being closed for almost half a century. Village mixes pints with post Jul 7th Callow End , a village in Worcestershire is to get a new post office, after more than a year without one, based inside the local pub. Britain's first cave art discovered Jul 6th What is believed to be the first Ice Age art to be found in Britain has been revealed at Creswell Crags, near Worksop in Nottinghamshire. Give yourself a break and work on a farm Jul 5th A new 'virtual jobcentre' has been launched that will offer vacancies on farms this harvest - ideal for stressed city workers who want to try something different. Villagers buy mountain Jul 4th Villagers in the foothills of Snowdonia have become their own bosses after buying a mountain from an estate which has dominated the area for centuries. Answers sought over danger road Jul 4th Residents of a Hampshire village meet to discuss ways to improve a notorious accident blackspot.. Water mains work sparks anger Jul 4th Work to connect a village to a mains water supply angers a couple because they say they were given too little notice. Yorkshire farmers set up real ale brewery Jul 3rd A real ale named after the first witnessed UK meteorite fall is to be brewed where it landed. Call for blanket speed drop Jul 1st 24 Parishes across East Sussex have called on the council to introduce a 30 mph speed limit for all rural villages. MPs back hunting ban Jul 1st MPs have voted for an outright ban on hunting with dogs after five hours of intense Commons debate. Villagers save their post office Jul 1st A group of residents have saved their North Yorkshire post office by forming a co-operative to buy and run it