Archived News September 2003 River quality not pristine yet Sep 30th Although river quality indicators show that rivers and estuaries in England are cleaner than at any other time on record, a wildlife charity claims that river quality is not improving. Britain’s earliest cemetery is in a cave Sep 30th A place set specifically aside for the ceremonial burial of the dead has been revealed in the Mendip Hills in Somerset. Defra Launches Byways Consultation Sep 28th Defra has launched a consultation exercise into the reclassification of 'roads used as public paths' which are to be reclassified as 'restricted byways.' Villagers in sports ground victory Sep 28th Red Row, Northumberland is celebrating a seven-year fight to salvage a derelict sports ground. Villages bypass BT for broadband Sep 26th Villagers in West Haddon and Winwick in rural Northamptonshire have won their battle to bring broadband internet to their homes, by setting up their own service New look walk to tempt tourists Sep 26th A country walk of nearly 50 miles, from Caerleon to Brecon, has had a facelift to tempt tourists back into Monmouthshire two years after the foot-and-mouth crisis. South West path is money spinner Sep 25th New research indicates that the 630-mile South West Coast Path (SWCP) generates around £300 million a year for the region’s economy – enough to support more than 7,500 jobs. Development which is Eco friendly Sep 25th Defra and the Department for Trade and Industry have launched a policy framework document on how to change consumption and production patterns to protect the environment. Broadband cost may hit schools Sep 24th Villages with few pupils in local schools could miss out on a plan to extend broadband access. A road too far ?? Sep 23rd Countryside campaigners demand rethink on massive M11 corridor growth The fields around East Coker could soon be filled with houses . Sep 21st People living in East Coker, a Somerset village made famous by the poet TS Eliot are going to the polls in an attempt to beat urban sprawl. Village victory in turbines battle Sep 20th Plans to build two more giant wind turbines in Shipdham, Norfolk have been turned down Superhighway closed to rural markets. Sep 19th More than half a million prospective rural broadband subscribers could be losing out because of the lack of available coverage Countryside in danger Sep 18th Government risks weakening planning protection for the countryside. Finding a new country code Sep 17th The country code is being revised and feedback is requested from all users of the countryside, whether they are visitors, inhabitants of those that work the land. Calendar girls leave Blaine out on a limb Sep 16th Local communities are very inventive when it comes to fund raising and some people go to great heights on behalf of their particular charity. The rural risks of domestic violence Sep 15th Children fleeing domestic violence in rural areas are at risk of missing out when it comes to local services, according to a new report. Taste of trifle boosts funds Sep 14th An Essex village hosts one of the more unusual fundraising events - a festival dedicated to trifle.. Strip plan to light up village Sep 13th A group of male villagers in Newtonmore, Inverness-shire hope to raise money for Christmas lights by baring all in a fundraising calendar Rural young on housing plight Sep 12th Complaints that planners are blocking young people from building homes in rural areas have been raised with a Welsh assembly minister Rural anger over 4x4 tax call Sep 11th An MP's call for higher road tax on 4x4 vehicles increasingly driven by townspeople is criticised in rural areas. Village gets a bypass after 70 years Sep 11th The village of Thorney is approved for a bypass after decades of campaigning for relief from traffic. 'Chocolate box' village plannedl Sep 11th A world famous village created by a Victorian chocolate baron is being recreated on a former industrial site in a 60s new town. A third of rural paths 'unusable' Sep 9th Barbed wire, dangerous stiles and overgrowth are blocking almost one in three English rural footpaths, say walkers.. Rural transport needs a jump-start Sep 8th Too often rural transport is not working and letting people down, says a report published jointly by Transport 2000, the Countryside Agency and Citizens Advice. Breeding bird survey trends, good news as well as bad Sep 7th The Willow Tit population has declined by 72% since 1994, whilst the Stonechat has increased by 153%. Rural transport 'not good enough' Sep 3rd Transport is failing rural Britain, according to a new report urging more funding to boost services and cut fares. Warm summer a blessing for butterflies Sep 1st Record-breaking temperatures this summer have been a blessing for Britain’s hard-pressed butterflies, with many species thriving, including some which are quite rare.