Rural Business Networks
Newsletter : October 2005
Rural Business Networks, now in its second year, is pleased to be helping more than 50 Sussex-based rural businesses. The project receives funding under the EU Interreg programme and encourages small companies and individuals in East Sussex and the Somme region in France to promote a network across the two regions, which link to the rural economy and help promote the area as a sustainable tourism destination.Farming and land-based businesses receive on-going support and advice from the team and can take advantage of a grant to help with marketing and promotion. In association with our partners, we are also able to guide the businesses through the process of accessing Broadband, becoming familiar with IT and developing their own website.
Two major events are taking place this autumn as part of the project activities, when we look forward to welcoming our French partners and approximately 20 local producers and artisans from the Somme.
The Sussex-Somme Furniture show (7 th – 10 th October) provided a unique occasion to meet designer-makers from these two areas, who came together for the first time to exhibit their work and celebrate the diversity of wood in design and European culture.
Look out for the first Ashdown Forest Food Festival (23 rd – 30 th October) which was inspired by a visit to Somme during the nationally celebrated Week of Taste. The event will demonstrate the vital contribution being made to the local economy by bringing together a wide range of local enterprises, from farmers to pubs and restaurants, local food and drink producers and specialist retailers. Link to the website.
We are confident that these events will attract not only local residents and businesses, but many visitors to the area who all share a growing awareness of the benefits to be obtained in ‘buying local’.How we can help
Our grant offer is still available, although funds are becoming limited. Rural Business Networks can help you improve your IT facilities, plus promote and market your businesses in the most appropriate way. To date we have assisted by providing computer upgrades, website design, printing new business cards, flyers and leaflets, manufacturing improved signage, purchasing market stall equipment and more! If you have not already done so, please get in touch with us with details of when you are likely to be making your grant claim.
Website Development
Plumpton College will be running further one-day courses on Website Design and Website Development over the Autumn months. Please contact us if you are interested in taking part - the project can assist with the costs involved.
Your own website
If you do not currently have a domain, but are considering a website for your business, we can offer you a page, which is yours exclusively on our Rural Business Networks website. All this comes without charge – you merely need to provide us with a few photos and some text!
Stop Press
Weald WoodNet promote the sustainable production and use of hardwood timber in South East England. May we draw your attention to the forthcoming Wood Season event, of particular interest to anyone considering building with local hardwoods:
TimberBuild Question Time
A great opportunity for architects, builders, self-builders, architectural students and building material suppliers seeking information from experienced professionals or wishing to share information about their own experiences
at the Woodland Enterprise Centre, Flimwell
Wednesday, 19th October from 2.00 - 4.00 pm
Tel: 01580 879552
Email: info@woodnet.org.uk
Participate in the Timber Build Question Time, chaired by Robin Nicholson of Edward Cullinan Architects - a relaxed and informal opportunity to learn directly from the experience of leading professionals using local hardwood timbers in their projects – issues relating to design, supply, cost, processing, durability, comparisons with other materials, renewable qualities, carbon sequestration and so on. The event will be in the style of the well-known current affairs television show, Question Time and held in the stunning sweet chestnut gridshell exhibition hall at the Woodland Enterprise Centre.
Please pass this on >>>
If you know of a colleague who you think would like to receive this and any future news updates on Rural Business Networks, then please pass this on and ask them to contact us with their Email address, so we can add them to the virtual network and keep them in touch with progress .
Contact Details:
Tel: 01273 405453, Mob: 07970 284257 or Email: marilyn.eva@ruralsussex.org.ukRural Business Network Development - Sussex/Somme Farm Links
An Interreg IIIa project In partnership with -
Chambre d'Agriculture de la Somme
Chambre de Métiers de la Somme
East Sussex County Council
High Weald AONB Unit
South East AONB Tourism
Sussex EnterpriseThis e-mail including any attachments may contain confidential or privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient please notify the sender and note that the contacts must not be disclosed to anyone else nor copies taken.
