Former market town: this sign shows tolls payable to the Lord of the Manor at Longnor for buyers and sellers at the market.

More recent signs to acknowledge the achievements of the IRD projects.

St Bartholomews Church.

Narrow cobbled streets.

History.

B&B

New Developments.

Application for planning permission (2004)

New housing.

St Bartholomews School.

Longnor Fire Station.

Animal feed production.

Agriculture.

Local employment.

Telecottages – this 19th Century cottage is now a small office.

Cafes and Public Houses.

Tourism.

Longnor Post Office – open 6 days.

Integrated Rural Development Projects – Set up using EC (now EU) money.

Involved local people, North Staffordshire County Council and the Peak National Park Planning Board.

Three main objectives to help reduce population decline:• Introduce business enterprises.• Promote tourism.• Improve local amenities and build new houses.

Market Hall – Renovated to provide a craft centre and tea rooms. Employs many locals and attracts tourists.

The Horseshoe Inn – Grant for fire-proofing needed to establish B&B business.

Crewe & Harper Hotel – grant for: • showers in 8 bedrooms so the hotel could cater for business visitors.• national advertising.• beer garden.• kitchen equipment.Safeguarded 6 jobs, created 1 other.

Grants to develop a play area.

Grants to renovate the church ceiling and clean up the church yard.

Grant to create a tourist information point in the village stores.

Grant to help young farmers in Longnor. This involved keeping farm cost diaries and training on conservation strategies (conservation and diversification grants can maintain income for dairy farmers who have suffered because of EU milk quotas).

Rural Development Commission (government body) award grants in the form of reduced business rates.

• First climbing wall built in Staffordshire at Leek college, Longnor using RDC grants. Cost £40,000.

14 houses: rented only to the young (between 1971 and 1991 almost 50% of 16-20 year olds left the village). Unfortunately the cost of local stone and slate (strict planning controls) pushed prices up.

Poor public transport:

1 bus to Leek and 3 to Buxton per day. School children have to be bussed to Leek.

Lack of affordable housing:

Many council houses have been sold off. Retired incomers and people who buy second/holiday homes can compete more effectively for local housing.

Poor upkeep of buildings results in the need for renovation.

2003

With reference to any named rural area, examine how decision makers have managed change in the economic and social environment of the area.

(10 marks)

L3

10 – 9

A structured account of how decision-makers have tackled change with clear focus on management. Detail specific information on the given area.

L2

8 – 5A satisfactory account, although at the lower end of the band tends towards description. Some linkage to specific examples.

L1

4 – 11 or 2 descriptive statements poorly linked to the chosen example, which may be inappropriate.

IRD project – encourages business (Crewe and Harper Arms) and community (church roof) projects.RDC grants – for single shops in isolated villages.Coventry Churches Housing Association – provides affordable housing.

2004Assess how successful decision-makers have been in managing one of the following challenges:• The development of recreation and tourism in the countryside.• Rural deprivation and poverty.• Environmental problems generated by agriculture. (10 marks)

L3

10 – 9

A detailed structured account with a clear focus on management. Does assess the success.Clear exemplification.

L2

8 – 5A satisfactory account. Some linkage to management and general detail. May attempt an assessment. Likely to be limited coverage or range.

L1

4 – 1Basic statements with limited or inappropriate specific example(s)

Rural Deprivation and Poverty.IRD project – encourages business (Crewe and Harper Arms) and community (church roof) projects.RDC grants – for single shops in isolated villages.Coventry Churches Housing Association – provides affordable housing.

Choose a named small rural area which has experienced either population decline or population growth.

State the reasons for either the decline or the growth, and examine it’s effects on your chosen small rural area.

(10 marks)

L3

10 – 9

Precise detailed statement of causes followed by clear structured examination of effects clearly linked to chosen area.

L2

8 – 5Satisfactory statement of causes followed by a clear description of some of the effects with some linkage to chosen named area.

L1

4 – 11 or 2 generalised statements of cause and effect, not well linked to a named area but shows some linked understanding of process of rural growth or decline.

Causes lack of employment

access to servicesaffordable housingpull of towns

Effects declining birth ratesecond home issuerural busesdeclining agriculture