The Country Blog

Country road

Yesterday Stuart Burgess launched his report on rural England to the PM. I have read the  snapshot.

I admire Stuart’s decision to focus on the issues affecting both children and young people living in rural areas. Many young people are leaving the countryside in large numbers because they cannot find work or afford to buy houses here. We have an ageing  rural population?

But I am not sure that the report goes deeply enough into some of the key issues  in its suggestions to help.

What about rural business, and the role it can play with young people?

Affordable housing is identified, and more of it is desperately needed if young people can afford to live in the areas where they grew up. And health provision is mentioned along with a focus on improving broadband and mobile phone signals in rural areas. (How will this help?)

To increase jobs and opportunities for young people in rural areas, we need more businesses employing young local people. At the same time there will be a knock on effect on economic wealth and other local business. I am not pretending this will be easy. The solutions have to be sustainable, and sympathetic to the rural environment.

 How are we going to attract more businesses to both come here and start here? And how are we going to help develop the talents of young people living here right now, who might start the next rural business in 5 or 10 years time?

Mentorship is in my view one clear answer. Young people in my experience benefit from having a role model, someone to whom they can aspire. Someone who has already trodden much of the business path.  I have myself been mentored, it’s effects are far reaching and can be life changing.

Services and information for rural business is another solution. Rural business often faces slightly different challenges due to size, location, transport. These can all be overcome, but often require a slightly different solution to a city based company Staff recruitment and development one obvious challenge in rural areas, which I know about from my own experience of finding staff.

The report seems a good beginning, but Stuart, please go a bit further where rural business is concerned, I believe that’s how we can really help our young people. I look forward to seeing what action and steps will follow.

Alison

http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/

Me enjoying the Bluebells in Wiltshire

Hello – I really enjoy hearing from you – and this month I would love to hear about your favourite rural England walk. It might be in wood near your home, a spot on your favourite coast, or somewhere no-one else knows about. Is it spring, summer, autumn or winter? Whenever and where-ever your favourite rural England walk is, please add your comments and tell me all about it.

At the end of March the best blog entry will win a £25 Foot Trails gift voucher. I look forward very much to reading your suggestions. 

To start things off, a few words about one of my own favourites. Near St Philips House in south Wiltshire is a gorgeous stretch of woods where the Bluebells spill up over the woodland banks in a carpet of colour. I love the sight of the Bluebells. These very English of flowers trumpet and herald the full symphony of spring. Their scent is just heavenly, it is impossible to think of anything stressful whilst smelling wild Bluebells!  And then there is the colour – the vibrant indigo and on close inspection swirls of light purple. I love to walk through them and lose myself in thought.

Best wishes and happy writing, Alison

Daffodils bring a touch of sunshine

Hello,

1st March is officially spring according to the Met office – if you are more traditional then the date is March 20th / 21st. Either way the first signs of spring are all around us in the countryside. I’ve spotted catkins on the trees, first buds, lots and lots of Snowdrops and the first Daffodils are budding. I’d love to hear about the things you spot and enjoy in the countryside during March on your walks, and I will be giving a £25 Foot Trails gift voucher to the best blog entry. I look forward to hearing from you, Alison

This week please look out for Foot Trails new 2010 brochure hitting your door mats with a very English of thuds. After several weeks of writing, taking pictures and many months of planning and organising of walking holidays, the new brochure is here.

With 8 new walking holidays there are plenty of options. You can plan a trip for spring or summer, or plan your whole walking year with us. It’s great to have a holiday to look forward too.

My recipe for a walking holiday remains exactly the same. I promise you a trip that is relaxing, indulgent and authentic. Top award winning country inns, inspiring walks and a celebration of all things English country.

Brochure time is a frantic but enjoyable time for me. Nothing matches the excitment and thrill of seeing holidays and ideas which have often been months in the planning and researching, come to life on the pages.

New for 2010, our expertise and knowledge of the South West brings self guided walking on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast (without the monotony of the coast path), meet Millers and Poets on a romantic trail in north Dorset, and join the Knights of the Crusades (well their tales!) for a guided holiday in Wiltshire.

I hope you are inspired by the new brochure. Walking is such a fantastic way to get away from it all, and relax. It is also such an excellent way to explore. I would like to show you how walking can be indulgent and filled with light adventure,  and is definately not all about knee length socks, sandals and heavy back packs! An image that does absolutely nothing for the virtues of walking and rural England.

 I receive lots of emails and cards about Foot Trails, and I look forward to hearing what you think about the new brochure.

It’s fantastic to see the grass again! The snow has all metled, the last disappearing yesterday. I’m looking forward to my walk this afternoon, enjoying the trees and landscape. Should start seeing the first Snowdrops soon.

Met The Black Farmer last week – he makes sausages, rather good ones. www.theblackfarmer.com

But for now it’s boots on, and out for some fresh air. Then back to finish Foot Trails new brochure.

Alison

A new year – 2010, a new decade too. It feels like an opportunity, I like the thought of being able to start afresh, though we don’t need the beginning of a new year to do that. We can start afresh at any time of year.

I hope you have had happy and relaxing holidays. The children and I have enjoyed some very frosty cold walks in Wiltshire, togged up in hats, gloves, scarves and many layers. I expect you have too?  I have never known such frozen beauty in Wiltshire during my life time, as we have been blessed with bright blue skies at the same time, and sunshine, the effect is magical. Travelling anywhere is taking twice as long as I am continually inspired by the magical landscapes, and stopping all over the place to take photographs!

Many of you are thinking about your holidays, I am enjoying helping you all plan some time away. Happy new year, Alison

Foot Trails - snowflakes

It’s snowing heavily in Wiltshire – so for our guests walking today and this week, you really could be walking in a winter wonderland! The downs over the Cranborne Chase were white this morning as I went to meet up with one of our country inns and the air was clear so the views were sensational and far reaching.

I know some people find snow a nuisance, but I love it! Where ever you are, I hope you are enjoying the festive season.

Alison