Saturday 21st May . The VGS will be showcasing its ongoing projects, latest ideas and other things it’s involved in at this year’s SeaFest: Friends… Read More »VGS @ SeaFest 2022

“While the number of weather-related disasters – such as floods, storms and drought – has risen in the past 50 years, the number of deaths… Read More »Climate change – and getting the nuances right

“The LGA has consistently called for the domestic replacement for EU funding, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), to be a locally determined fund driven… Read More »How does the Shared Prosperity Fund benefit rural communities?

The Wildlife Trusts discuss the state of our rivers in the UK and ask why, despite legal protections being put in place, some of them… Read More »Are our river protections failing?

‘Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill’ to be in the Queen’s Speech . The Government’s Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill is bringing in several measures to… Read More »Levelling up – by tackling housing issues

“In the Westcountry, with high numbers of economically inactive residents on fixed incomes and many who work in low paid jobs, the impact of near-recession-like… Read More »Levelling up – or ‘facing hardship’ in the South West?

“Act now, starting with a £15bn boost to benefits, a windfall tax on energy producers making extreme profits, and a Great Homes Upgrade to reduce… Read More »NEF May newsletter: focus on energy

“That is indeed the debate we should be having – to reduce the demand for energy and not to increase the supply of energy –… Read More »“So, the issue is not ‘renewable’ or ‘green’ energy per se – but ‘how it happens’.”

“Rural voters will punish the Conservative party at the polls unless committed and effective action is taken to help countryside communities.” . Shropshire County Councillor Cecilia… Read More »Can the White Paper deliver levelling up for rural areas?

The historic woodland and orchard sites of Devon. Fruit trees as integral to modern farming practice. . This is Tree Week – and as part… Read More »Cider Month in the West Country

“Where is the most polluted spot in Sidmouth? Looks like the Post Office roundabout is a contender.” . A recent post makes it clear that… Read More »“Significant air pollution” in Sidmouth – update

“A wake-up call for a region which faces some of the most profound social and educational divides in the country.” . Over the weekend, the… Read More »Social immobility in the South West

Sidmouth Arboretum Tree Week – newsletter . We have had a good response to our invites to events during tree week and look forward to… Read More »Sidmouth Tree Week – May 2022

“Virtually every home in the UK is subjected to air pollution above World Health Organization guidelines, according to the most detailed map of dirty air… Read More »“Significant air pollution” on Sidmouth’s High Street

“A lot of farmers face great pressure from supermarkets and some would argue that they (supermarkets) actually control the prices that farmers get.” . Environment… Read More »The cost of living crisis: the impact on farmers