country air 112

The newsletter of Rural Action Yorkshire Summer 2009 Issue 112

BASIS news Rural Community Buildings update Judges visit competition finalists Funding opportunities

In this issue...

In this issue... Letter from the CEO.................. 02

Chairman’s Viewpoint ............... 03

Rural Community Buildings.. 04/05

Village Awards update .............. 06

South Yorkshire news ............... 07

COMMA Funding ...................... 07

North Yorkshire Funding ...... 08/09

The Three Peaks ...................... 09

Harrogate Flower Show ............ 10

Community Addiction Service ... 10

The BASIS 2 programme has been especially useful in helping us develop new programmes recently. BASIS 2 is the second round of funding from the Big Lottery Fund aimed at strengthening support for the voluntary and community sector. It includes a number of priorities in Yorkshire and the Humber, one of which is to strengthen the Rural voice sub-regionally by building networks of rural community organisations. These networks will help in two ways:

First, they will help strengthen support to rural VCS groups by helping to identify their support needs, including advice on funding, governance, property management and financial management. The networks will also ensure these groups are aware of what is available.

Second, they will help identify the challenges rural communities face in relation to such things as access to services, rural isolation and the economic down-turn. Action on these issues can then be promoted with local authorities and other public service providers.

We are delighted that we are able to strengthen our community led planning support, through the appointment of an additional officer. As a result of success in West Yorkshire, the BASIS 2 programme there will fund additional hours for that activity and enable us to support more communities in this useful work.

There is news on BASIS 2 projects in South and North Yorkshire on pages 7 and 8.

The BASIS 2 programme also includes a Region wide networking programme which will strengthen the rural voice at that level, too. The Regional Forum has led on this programme with support from RAY and Humber and Wolds Rural Community Council.

BILL CROSS

Acting Chief Executive

02

Rural Action Yorkshire is making good progress in re-building business to deliver our principle purposes, having had to pull in our wings at the end of last year as a number of funding programmes came to an end.

The Newsletter of Rural Action Yorkshire

03

In June 2009 I was asked to stand as Chair of Rural Action Yorkshire. It is a great honour and I approach it with enthusiasm, time and commitment. My thanks go to David Jeffels who had been Chair for the last two years. I will value his experience as he goes to the ‘back-benches’ as it were. Avis Thomas continues as Treasurer and it is good that this vital appointment is in capable hands. The Vice-Chair is Philip Lawson, well known to many of you for his unstinting contribution to Village Ventures and the Calor Village of the Year Competition. It is reassuring to have a Vice-Chairman with such wide ranging experience. We also have some new Trustees so there is a lot of experience within the ‘new’ and ‘old’ faces of the Board. Throughout the Voluntary sector, regionally and nationally, this last year has been one of great change as funding streams have finished and the economic decline has touched us all. Rather than sitting back and waiting for events to happen, we at RAY are looking ahead to exploit the opportunities that still exist for us to attract funding and further our work for rural communities. Our staff have to be complimented on the way they have worked so well together over this period of change. For those who don’t know me, I have a fair amount of experience within my community. I started out by helping at my daughter’s school and since then have been a school governor, Chair of a Parish Council, a Secretary of State appointed member to a National Park Committee, a member of a SRB6 Panel and other committees. Most of my work has been for my local area, however as a trustee of RAY and as part of the Regional Empowerment Programme for Yorkshire and the Humber, I have been working more at the Regional level where I can put the voice of the grass roots to a wider audience. I hope that I will be able to contribute in some way to Rural Action Yorkshire’s continuing success.

Linda Lloyd Chairman, Rural Action Yorkshire

Chairman’s Viewpoint


Rafiq Motin joined RAY in July for his work experience, which was an opportunity for him to take a look at our work with a fresh and young pair of eyes. Alongside learning new office skills such as using a shredder and a large photocopier, Rafiq found out more about the services RAY offers its members and the areas of work we are involved in. Rafiq lives in an urban area and had his own thoughts on what he values as a teenager: Top 5 things I value where I live:

• Easy access to town. • Good mobile phone signal. • A couple of shops in the area. • Easy access to school or

college. • Quick and easy access to

hospital/doctors/dentist Top 5 things I’d like in a rural area: • A youth club 1 night a week

to see my friends. • A basketball area. • A homework club with a tuck

shop. • A long cycle track for

everyone. • A football field with football

nets.

A Fresh Perspective

04

We’ve made some changes to the services RAY is offering to rural community buildings. They will hopefully simplify the service by making it clearer what level of support you can expect from us on your projects. The membership fee is now £35. For this sum you

• Have full membership of RAY, including the right to vote at the AGM and to nominate trustees. You will also be contributing directly to supporting the only body in North, South and West Yorkshire which promotes the interests of rural communities nationally, regionally and locally

• Have access to advice on governance and management issues

• An initial consultation and site visit to help you plan any major building projects

Project consultancy for major developments and renovations, including guidance at both pre-build and build stages. There will be a charge for this service and full details are available from Jonny Wooldridge


Energy Audits Rural Action Yorkshire are now offering detailed Energy Audits to Rural Community Buildings. Many community buildings are cold, draughty and hard to heat and Energy Audits are useful in identifying the potential for improving their energy efficiency. These improvements will lead not just to a lower environmental impact, but also to a building which is warmer, more comfortable and cheaper to run. This means a better environment for staff, volunteers and users as well as increasing the buildings accessibility, especially in the winter. For more information about energy audits, including fees, please contact Jonny Wooldridge at jonny.wooldridge @ruralyorkshire.org.uk or on 0845 313 0270.

Rural Community Members’ News

Starting a new project at your hall? Speak to us

05

Annual Conference


Buildings

For this year’s conference we were delighted to welcome back Stuart Burgess, Chair of the Commission for Rural Communities, as our keynote speaker. The conference included speakers and workshops covering a wide variety of subjects such as managing premises, energy efficiency, annual reporting, websites and fire safety. There were opportunities for networking between delegates and talking further to speakers and RAY staff on specific issues. Committees don’t need to wait until the 2010 conference for updates though: keep in touch with our website for details of other training days aimed at helping members of committees to improve their knowledge and management skills.

06

The Village of the Year competition has now reached the critical judging stage. At the end of June, judges visited the 6 shortlisted villages and began their task of choosing a winner for the Golden Jubilee competition. The picturesque corners of North Yorkshire are well represented in this year’s finalists: there are villages which still crown a gala king and queen for their parade, have maypole dancing, who have local trades such as thatchers and blacksmiths and who are guardians for grade II listed buildings and a village stocks. However alongside this are the many projects which local residents and volunteers continue to achieve and which make a real difference to life in their community. This competition has yet again highlighted the buzz of activity which is taking place across North Yorkshire and the innovative solutions which communities are creating in overcoming their challenges. Highlights from the finalists include saving the local shop, the post office, the doctors surgery and village hall – all with fantastic local fundraising. One village has already been a previous finalist and has since used its prize money to purchase lifesaving equipment such as a defibrillator and oxygen which a team of local volunteers use. The winner will be announced at the Village Awards evening on 18 September 2009, an event which will also celebrate the 50 years of the competition. Originally, known as ‘Best Kept Village’, the history of this competition mirrors many social and environmental changes which have occurred since its start in 1959. Over the intervening years increased affluence and social development has meant that a competition which started out with a concern for appearance and upkeep has developed a wider set of values, centred on people and the quality of life.


Calor Village of the Year 2009

Village Ventures The judging has now taken place for the Village Ventures competition 2009. We had a very high standard of entrants to the competition this year and after much deliberation 3 projects were shortlisted. On 30 June 2009 judges visited projects in Ulley, Letwell and Tickhill and were very impressed by the communities’ ideas and the level of participation. The winner of the competition will be announced at the Village Awards Presentation evening on 18 September 2009.

Village Awards

07

We are delighted to welcome Melanie Swanwick to our team as our new South Yorkshire Rural Network Development Coordinator. Melanie will be based at our new office at Voluntary Action Barnsley and will be contacting community and voluntary groups in South Yorkshire to involve them in a new series of meetings in the autumn. Melanie’s role is part of a BASIS project which is a three-year programme of support to the rural VCS in South Yorkshire. It aims to strengthen the influence that rural communities have in the formulation and delivery of public sector policy and provision and improve access to support for the rural VCS groups in the sub-region. It also aims to strengthen collaboration between other VCS infrastructure organisations working in rural areas to avoid duplication, fill gaps and share good practice. The project will improve the skills, capacity and engagement of rural VCSOs in order to increase access to funding and alternative income opportunities. It will also seek to represent their views, needs and priorities and ensure the public sector is aware of and responds to these needs, especially when allocating resources which may lead to improvements in services available to these groups. Rural Action Yorkshire will work in partnership with Doncaster CVS, Voluntary Action Barnsley, Voluntary Action Rotherham, Voluntary Action Sheffield, South Yorkshire Funding Advice Bureau and Together for Regeneration to ensure that there is a more co-ordinated response to the needs of rural VCSOs in South Yorkshire.

COMMA The latest round of COMMA funding closed for applications on 5 June 2009. The standard of applications received was very high with some very interesting and innovative projects. The judging of the finalists will take place on 3 August at ACRE with the successful candidates being notified shortly afterwards. We are expecting there to be another round of COMMA funding in the new year.


South Yorkshire update

08

North Yorkshire


BIG Lottery BASIS

We are pleased to announce that we have been awarded funding in the second round of Big Lottery BASIS, for infrastructure support in North Yorkshire. This will involve us working closely with Ryedale Voluntary Action and the project will form a rural support network by linking officers at various CVS organisations. Work will begin later this year and we will keep you up to date with our progress. As part of an improved picture of support for Voluntary Groups across North Yorkshire, there were other successful BASIS projects: Community Accounting – an accounting advice service for Voluntary & charity groups, including Parish Councils, Village Halls, Project group and Youth Cafes. Advice will be offered by each local CVS. Human Resources Advice – again for any VCO as above – this advice will be offered by NYFVO. Will cover advice for employment, such as Parish Clerks, Caretakers and Youth Workers. Contact NYFVO on 01347 825710 for further information.

Community Cashback Cash seized from criminals is to be put back into North Yorkshire through worthwhile projects chosen by the public. Communities are being asked to nominate projects tackling anti-social and criminal behaviour which will be funded through a £4 million Community Cashback fund. Successful bids need to show how the local community is involved in the project, demonstrate good value for money and be related in some way to tackling crime locally. Until now money recovered from criminals has been split between frontline services, such as the police and Government departments involved with the criminal justice system. Any groups, organisations or communities who have suggestions for projects should contact the North Yorkshire Criminal Justice Board. Visit: www.lcjb.cjsonline.gov.uk

09

Yorkshire Dales LEADER Call for projects 2009 The aim of the Yorkshire Dales LEADER Programme is to address the problems of ‘rurality’ within the Yorkshire Dales through building a sustainable community and economy that capitalises on the area’s internationally recognised environment, landscape, culture and heritage. Three themes have shaped the LEADER programme, and will enable communities in the area to respond to new opportunities and challenges, making the most of the outstanding natural environment that they live in and contributing to long term economic sustainability. The intention of LEADER is not to provide continuation support for existing projects. Support through the LEADER approach for individual projects is for a maximum of three years. How To Apply There is a simple 2 stage process that all applicants must follow to be considered for grant from the Yorkshire Dales LEADER. 1. The initial idea you have for your project should be

discussed with the Project Coordinator, who will check about its suitability for LEADER funding. This may involve a site visit from the Coordinator. If your project is feasible, and will help to deliver Yorkshire Dales Local Development Strategy, you will be invited to complete the LEADER Application Form.

2. The LEADER Application Form and guidance notes are

only available from the Project Coordinator. You may be asked to provide supplementary information to support your application, such as a business plan and photographs.

To contact the Project Coordinator, telephone Rima Berry on 015242 51002, or mobile 077879 70083. She can also be emailed at [email protected] .


Three Peaks Ian Middleton has just joined the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority as the Three Peaks Ranger, responsible for maintaining Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent and the surrounding areas. Ian will be looking after the upland areas and the man-made paths and his appointment is the latest phase of the three-year Three Peaks Project, which has been started by the YDNPA to try to protect and conserve the area. Charities, organisations and individuals are being asked to help in the maintenance and conservation of the network of paths crossing a fragile area of land that, in 1986, was judged to have the most severely eroded network in the UK. Many of the charities that regularly use the Three Peaks for sponsored events have volunteered to donate money towards the upkeep of the area – and the project also aims to enlist the help of people who live or work in the area. In addition, it will be developing merchandise to celebrate walking one, two or all of the peaks and building business and community interest in the Three Peaks. Email : threepeaksproject @yorkshiredales.org.uk.

10 The Newsletter of Rural Action Yorkshire

HARCAS Hambleton and Richmondshire Community Addiction Service Free, confidential and accessible services for people needing help with regard to their own or someone else's drug use or alcohol use. We can be contacted by telephone or face to face. We offer appointments at a centre near you, including out of hours drop in and evening appointments. In addition to counselling with qualified counsellors, there is support, drug advice and information and auricular acupuncture. There is also advice and information for those involved in the criminal justice system. We have a specialist young peoples service for under 18's. We offer a variety of group work including alcohol support groups, anger management, first aid and fishing. We have a mobile needle exchange supported by a specialised harm minimisation service, with a home dispensing and collection service. Telephone 01609 780486 or visit www.harcas.ik.com

An independent show, the Harrogate Autumn Show has the enviable reputation of being ‘the friendly show’ with both visitors and exhibitors returning year after year. Highlights include huge flower halls housing over 90 horticultural nurseries, the ‘heaviest onion competition’ and essential garden tools. For those interested in growing their own vegetables, there are experts on hand who can show you how to get started. Away from the gardening theme, you can get in some early Christmas shopping or just buy a little treat for yourself in the Crafts and Gifts Marquee where a lovely selection of unique and unusual gifts can be found. Or perhaps you would prefer something to tickle your tastebuds and there’s certainly plenty to chose from at ‘Deliciously Yorkshire’, a showcase of local food producers offering all sorts of tasty bites to take home.

Save £2 per ticket on all bookings made before noon on Tuesday 8 September

Ticket hotline: 0870 758 3333 or online at www.flowershow.org.uk Ticket prices on the day: Fri & Sat £13. Sun £12. Under 16s free.

Harrogate Flower Show 18-20 September 2009

11

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Bill Cross Acting Chief Executive ext: 236

Gill McIntosh Head of Finance & Administration ext: 230

Rebecca Craven PR & Marketing Officer ext: 232 FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION Paula Wilcox Operations Officer ext: 221

Marilyn Bennett Operations & Finance Assistant ext: 222

Rehana Motin Finance Officer ext: 233 COMMUNITY-OWNED ASSETS Jonny Wooldridge 07722 127505 Rural Community Buildings & Playing Fields Adviser ext: 226

YNYPFA 0845 313 0270

YLCA 01904 642435

NORTH YORKSHIRE Sarah Robinson 07825 380052 North Yorkshire Manager ext: 251

Catherine Calvert 07876 687807 2 Dales Live Project Officer

Kathryn Chapman 07847 619388 2 Dales Live Project Officer ext: 227

Margaret Farey 07825 380051 North Yorkshire Development Officer (Ryedale)

Mel McGeoch 07722 127503 Youth Café Development Officer

SOUTH YORKSHIRE Tina Chamberlain 07963 533675 Senior Development Officer ext: 235

Melanie Swanwick 07757 639929 South Yorkshire Rural Network Development Co-ordinator

WEST YORKSHIRE Amy Robinson 07963 533674 West Yorkshire Senior Development Officer ext: 247

COUNTRY AIR is the newsletter of Rural Action Yorkshire. It is issued quarterly to members, parish councils and village halls and is financed by subscriptions and advertising.

If you live in rural Yorkshire, then COUNTRY AIR is YOUR newsletter

and we welcome articles.

The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of Rural Action Yorkshire.

Staff Contacts

William House, Shipton Road, Skelton, YORK YO30 1XF Registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee in England & Wales No: 1839458 and as a Charity No. 515538

www.ruralyorkshire.org.uk [email protected] 0845 313 0270

country air 112

Documents

rural isolation

north yorkshire funding

wolds rural community

rural vcs groups

rural voice sub

west yorkshire

south yorkshire news

community sector