Archived News Jan/Feb 2008 Wheat value enhances farm prices Feb 27th Arable farmers in the UK can take heart from the rising prices wheat is commanding on the global market, which should bolster already high demand for farmland Devolving power and decision-making paves way for new town and parish councils Feb 26th Local authorities can now create new town and parish councils without seeking government approval. Wildlife Trusts have concerns about eco-towns Feb 19th Development of eco-towns could be a missed opportunity if ecology is not placed at the heart of such proposed carbon-neutral communities, The Wildlife Trusts warn. Hundreds of mills join in national ‘open' weekend Feb 18th More than 300 wind and watermills across England and in Wales are due to open their doors to the public on 10 and 11 May. Valentine offer for country folk Feb 12th A social networking site aimed at country-minded people is celebrating its first birthday with a special offer for Valentine's Day. Campaign to increase garden nest boxes Feb 11th Efforts to encourage a UK-wide house-building bonanza for garden birds will be taking place during National Nest Box Week Rural libraries in danger Feb 10th Rural libraries are closing at a much faster rate than libraries in London Best Rural Retailers of 2007 Feb 9th A competition celebrating rural retailers who work so hard to keep the countryside communities vibrant Potential closure threat to many primary schools revealed Feb 6th Up to 2,500 English primary schools could face being closed as a result of government policies concerning surplus places, the Liberal Democrats claim. ‘Flood friendly' land management needed Feb 5th Increasing the countryside's natural capacity to absorb and hold excess water could ‘dramatically' decrease the risk of flooding. Community rail schemes receive research focus Feb 4th A major study into the value of community rail lines is to take place over the next few months. Twenty favourite places in Britain Feb 3rd Luminaries from the world of Country Life select their favourite places in Britain. Tips to consider before moving to the country Feb 2nd Candid advice on the unwelcome truth that lies behind the idyll The Village Church for Village Life Award 2008 Feb 1st Nominations for the 2008 Village Church for Village Life Award open today. Find out more and nominate here Biofuel moratorium illogical and badly informed, says NFU Jan 31st Calls by a House of Common's committee to freeze government biofuel targets is illogical and badly informed, the NFU has claimed. Study into power generation from estuary Jan 30th The government has unveiled plans for a feasibility study into harnessing tidal power from the Severn Estuary to generate low-carbon, renewable electricity. Home information packs not delivering Jan 29th HIPs are not meeting the Government's objectives to quicken the buying process or stop gazumping, according to a new study Rural primary schools under threat, say campaigners Jan 28th 219 schools with fewer than 100 pupils had shut since 1997, with about a third being in the countryside Defra report aims to encourage greener living Jan 23rd Defra has published a framework aimed at encouraging environmentally friendly behaviour. Pedal power gets a boost in West Midlands forest Jan 22nd It's hoped a £200,000 funding boost will help the Forestry Commission's Cannock Forest near Rugeley become the premier mountain biking facility in the West Midlands. Buy-to-let investors look to the future Jan 21st Buy-to-let investors are confident that their plans will reap rewards in the long term, finds a new report South West under threat from housing developments Jan 20th The ‘special qualities' of the south west of England could be under threat if the amount of houses to be built in the area is increased, a leading countryside campaign group has claimed. Organic chicken sales soar Jan 19th Organic chicken sales soar following a controversial Jamie Oliver television programme Campaign to stop time being called Jan 16th People concerned with the threat to British pubs are being urged to support a campaign promoting community ‘locals.' Community-led schemes backed Jan 15th The Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) is calling for more support for community-led methods of providing financial services to help meet the needs of countryside dwellers. Use of red diesel clarified Jan 14th A new Memorandum of Agreement on the use of red diesel in agricultural, horticultural and forestry vehicles has been released. Buy your dream home for the right price Jan 13th In the present house-buying climate it pays to take a tough stance, and make sure you're furnished with the right knowledge to secure your dream property Flood fears across Britain Jan 12th Flood fears across Britain following severe storms and warnings from the Met Office British farmland prices up by 30% Jan 8th Research by Savills shows that in England, the average value for all land types is now £3700/acre, up 87% on prices at the beginning of 2004 while in Scotland the current average of £2750/acre is now double that of 2004. Free-range eggs may be the only ones on sale Jan 7th Free-range eggs are to be the only eggs on sale within a few years, after major supermarkets have already begun clearing the shelves of eggs from birds that are reared in cages. Houses for sale: hotspots 2008 Jan 6th Scotland, London and the south east head the top of the list of housing hot spots for 2008. Farmers key to food security in Britain Jan 5th Government uncertainty about the role of British farming in providing food security for the nation has sent mixed messages to the farming community, NFU President Peter Kendall said. YHA finds new home in Northumberland village Jan 4th Pennine Way village Bellingham is on the Youth Hostel Association (YHA) network map. Restoration of Sussex woodland Jan 3rd The Woodland Trust has acquired the 649-acre (264 hectare) wildlife and industrial heritage-rich Brede High Woods near Battle in East Sussex