Archived News February 2004 European Landscape Convention comes into force Feb 29th Government urged to sign up to the world's first landscape treaty New rights of access Feb 28th Information for land managers affected by new public access right published Lost village set to disappear Feb 27th The Scottish of village of Lost is to change its name because souvenir hunters keep making its road signs disappear Pint and prayer at the local pub Feb 26th A pint, a sandwich and a cut and blow dry should all be on offer to help the local pub survive, according to a new guide Gravesend Crown and Thistle pulls national title Feb 25th A pub that had closed in 2000 has won CAMRA’s National Pub of the Year title. More abandoned cars could litter the countryside Feb 24th European legislation to limit the environmental impact of vehicles at the end of their life is not being handled effectively by the Government, according to a Select Committee report. Northern Accents on the Net Feb 23rd The British Library is compiling a website featuring hours of recordings of contemporary northern accents as well as accents from the 1950s Village for migrant farm workers Feb 22nd A firm of strawberry growers outlines plans for a purpose-built village for 1,000 migrant workers.. BBC stumps up for tree stunt Feb 21st Villagers watching Top Gear on television spot host Jeremy Clarkson damaging their tree. Saving The Sparrow Feb 20th New guidance published this week tells people how Shortest Day photography Feb 19th Late last year CPRE ran a photography competition in association with Country Life magazine. Unlocking the value of Britain's Wild Harvest Feb 19th Launched today (18 February) by Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew) and the Countryside Agency, Britain’s Wild Harvest takes us on a journey across Britain to explore the economic potential of Britain’s wild plants and fungi. Villagers call for flood protection Feb 18th Residents of two villages call for action to prevent flooding, which they say has been made worse by a new river. State of nature - we could do better! Feb 17th England's lowlands should be managed as whole landscapes in order to reverse the decline of wildlife and habitats because just protecting the remaining vulnerable sites will not be enough, according to a new report from English Nature. Cap in hand for the environment Feb 16th Future support for farmers in England under reforms of the CAP is to be linked to environmentally-sensitive farming. Heritage boats will need 'good homes' Feb 15th The boat fleet owned by British Waterways is being reviewed as part of a major programme of reinvestment and replacement and some heritage craft will be available free to interested groups and organisations. Rural housing crisis must be tackled Feb 10th Government policy threatens to exacerbate the growing housing crisis in the countryside according to a new report, which proposes solutions for more affordable rural housing The lost land between town and country Feb 10th A consultation has been launched to determine how hundreds of acres of land between the countryside and town could be environmentally regenerated. Appeal success for village hall revamp Feb 9th A long-running appeal to win funds to renovate a 240-year village hall in Northumberland, clears its final hurdle with a government grant. Give a bird a box for Valentines Day Feb 9th National Nest Box Week runs from 14 – 21 February aimed at highlighting the need to put up suitable nestboxes for the nation’s birds. Villagers fight police mast plans Feb 8th Protesters oppose plans to build a police radio mast near a school in the heart of a Snowdonia village Anger over flood warnings Feb 5th Villagers severely hit by flooding criticise the authorities for not giving them enough warning. Every child matters Feb 4th Giving children in rural areas a SureStart SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES PLAN IS FAR FROM SUSTAINABLE Feb 4th Exactly one year on from publication of the Government's Sustainable Communities Plan, countryside campaigners fear it is already failing on five key tests of sustainability Planning for a sustainable rural Scotland Feb 3rd More development in rural areas is being promoted by the Scottish Executive to encourage people to live and work in the countryside. More than just a gateway Feb 3rd The Countryside Agency and Groundwork have joined forces to produce a consultaion document on a vision for the rural/urban fringe.. THE TRUTH ABOUT QUARRYING Feb 2nd Holes equivalent to an area the size of Birmingham could puncture the heart of the English countryside if predicted demands for quarrying are to be met over the next decade Tip-top trail for nature lovers Feb 1st A new nature trail built on old china clay sites and linking three villages in Cornwall is to open. Miliband confirms rural academy Feb 1st The government approves plans for nine schools to combine to create a rural academy for Cumbria..