The Programme
Day 1: Tues 30 Sept
09:30 start time
- Supplementary session from Yorkshire Forward
- ruralnet|2008: Opening session highlighting the opportunities of living ‘locally’ from Ian Brown Director of Local Living social enterprise based in North Northumberland.
- Workshops*
- Networking time & free cybercafe facility
- Conference dinner at Skipton Castle
Day 2: Weds 1 Oct
- Live & Local ‘Unplugged’ - the networking session with a difference!
- Plenary sessions including “2020 Vision: The Future for Rural Areas”
- ‘Town Meets County Summit’: Joint plenary in association with Action for Market Towns featuring guest speaker John Craven OBE, broadcaster and presenter of BBC’s Countryfile programme.
15:00 finish time
Take a look at where in Skipton sessions are happening here.
Workshops*
Delegates will be able to attend 3 of the workshops. These are selected at the time of booking and delegates’ timetables will be mapped out to ensure everyone can attend their chosen sessions.
Workshop 1
Local ICT (facilitated by Colin is the CEO of Electroville (a net:gain centre) and Yorkshire & Humber ICT Champion for the Third Sector)
Are rural communities left behind digitally? We now have a Minister for Digital Inclusion and it is known that 75% of socially excluded people are also digitally excluded. Yet many rural people still cannot get decent broadband. Colin Harrison explores the potential benefits to third sector organisations (TSOs) of new technologies and whether rural TSOs are being held back from applying them effectively.
Workshop 2
Local Energy (facilitated by Sam Adams, Rural Community Carbon Network, ruralnet|uk)
Rural communities, climate change and the collective approach….
How are rural communities tackling climate change? And how can communities benefit from open collaboration and knowledge exchange? This session will showcase the diversity of rural community action and will examine the opportunities that exist for communities to learn, inspire and support one another.
Workshop 3
Local Food (facilitated by The Soil Association)
At a time of rising food prices, the opportunities and challenges that exist for local food markets is of particular interest and importance. This workshop will examine the emergence of local food co-operatives, the growing demand for allotments and the opportunities to ‘grow your own’ - includes case study examples.
Workshop 4
Local Ownership (facilitated by Land for People - the Community Land Trust)
At a time when pressure on land has never been greater, this workshop will discuss how local communities can take control of their environment, provide affordable rural housing and work toward sustainability through the creation of community land trusts.
Workshop 5
Local Retail (facilitated by The Plunkett Foundation and Pub is the Hub)
With many rural shops and post offices facing closure, what are the options for communities looking to retain or introduce a local shop? Is community-ownership the answer? Are there additional services that can co-exist in the village shop and post office and help improve their viability? What additional social benefits does community-ownership bring?
Workshop 6
Local Transport (facilitated by Little Red Bus Network)
Local transport has the ability to play a major role in the lives of people living in rural communities. This workshop will examine how community transport can remove barriers to services, open up a world of work and reduce social exclusion which comes from rural isolation.
Note: content for workshops may be subject to change slightly from published programme at this stage.
