Archived News September/ October 2005 Hunts Prepare for Opening Meets Oct 31st Country sports enthusiasts should not be worried about falling foul of the law by attending the opening meet of their local hunt, says the CA Avian flu and hobbyist keepers Oct 24th A guide has been published on how poultry keepers can reduce the risk of disease Supporting rural businesses Oct 22nd Over 250 farm businesses will benefit from Scottish Executive funding to create new or expand existing businesses and create employment across rural Scotland. Organic Farmers Change Perceptions Oct 21st Those who go into organic farming are likely to have no previous experience whatsoever of tilling the land, says new research but go about selling and marketing a completely different way Thousands of New Homes for SE Green Belt Oct 20th The decision taken by John Prescott to grant planning permission for 3,600 homes to the west of Stevenage shows his true colours when it comes to planning, say country campaigners Lack of concern shown for flooding Oct 18th Five million people in two million properties in England and Wales live in flood risk areas, yet despite this, research indicates that as many as two fifths (41%) of these people are still unaware of the threat Renewable power forces difficult decision Oct 17th Scottish Natural History (SNH) is about to begin consideration of an environmental statement for what is certainly the most extensive development on which the organisation has ever had to take a view Lords Reject Hunt Appeal Oct 16th The House of Lords has rejected the Countryside Alliance’s latest Appeal but hunts vow to fight on Cautious Welcome for Animal Welfare Bill Oct 15th The Animal Welfare Bill has been published, and by large welcomed, by countryside groups today although it remains to be seen what the small print will bring Power 100 of the Countryside Oct 13th Who wields the power over rural Britain? We have spent several months consulting with experts and drawing up our definitive list and can now reveal those who have most power, for good or evil, over our lives and could affect Britain's rural areas for generations to come Call for lower speeds in villages Oct 12th A rural campaign group has called on MPs to introduce 30mph speed limits in villages after it found 70% of county councils have failed to implement them. Second home impact on rural communities in Scotland Oct 11th Second homes are contributing to higher house prices in remote rural areas of Scotland Buying British at a price Oct 10th British consumers buy what is suitable for their pocket rather than for country of origin. FMD 'Was Human Tragedy' Oct 9th New research published by the British Medical Journal shows the true extent of the horror undergone by communities in the north west of England, and states that it was a human tragedy, not just an animal one. Tranquillity 'Under Aerial Threat' Oct 5th Eight areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are at risk of potential damage if plans to amend current flight paths go ahead, says the CPRE LACS Goes For Shooters Oct 4th A re-launched LACS campaign against shooting surfaced as the pheasant shooting season got under way at the weekend Do give a hoot Oct 3rd Wanted - people to listen out for calls in the night. No experience needed and only 20 minutes of your time required. Rural stress on increase Oct 2nd A new survey of rural health workers and volunteers has identified an increase in rural stress, especially amongst land managers and country sports workers. Remote rural community enjoys broadband Sep 28th Villagers in a remote North Yorkshire community are enjoying the benefits of broadband, with the help of a grant. The parish of Austwick has brought affordable, high-speed Internet access to more than five hundred residents and small businesses spread across a fifty square mile area. Rural Britain Stressed Out Sep 27th Anxiety and low morale are plaguing Britain’s rural communities, says Countryside Alliance Championing local food Sep 26th As part of British food fortnight seven people tell their food stories - from running an allotment for children to taking over a village shop. Community ownership could save farm Sep 23rd Two young Shropshire farmers have taken on their family heritage and joined forces with national supporters to save their pioneering farm. They are selling shares in the hope that they can purchase Fordhall Farm and save it from the developers clutches. Help needed with a Japanese pastime Sep 22nd Momijigari is the traditional Japanese pastime of watching the changing colours of trees in autumn. If you have seen autumnal tints already then a survey would like to hear from you Search On For 'Best Rural Retailer' Sep 21st The Countryside Alliance is launching its search for the best rural food retailer this week as British Food Fortnight kicks off English Heritage Branches Out Sep 20th For the first time in its history, English Heritage has bought a public house with a view to raising funds for the upkeep of the nearby Abbey which it also owns Police take action on rural crime Sep 15th A special team has been launched by Cambridgeshire Constabulary Countryside on road to ruin Sep 14th The next generation may not have real countryside to enjoy and explore unless current trends are reversed. This is the conclusion of a report published by environmental campaigning group CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England), which considers the major influences on the English landscape and their likely long-term effects on the character and the extent of the countryside. Scotland Awarded First Geopark Sep 13th The first ever Geopark in Scotland has been announced, in an area in the north west which is significant for both its beauty and its geology