Latest News

SERTP to build on Town's network

Board votes to Continue Towns & Partnership Network

The South East Rural Towns Partnership (SERTP) voted to maintain an active network of towns throughout its nine member counties across the South of England, building on a legacy of successful projects, from a 12-year funding programme, originating from SEEDA.

At the meeting, held at Billingshurst, West Sussex, Chris Windridge was voted Acting Chair, with Patrick Perks Deputy Chair and Secretary. �The network is the key item to enhance looking forwards, to help communities learn from each other, track policies and opportunities, and prosper,� said Chris.

�Over the last 12 years SERTP has helped create a network of towns, providing access to other places and local county coordinators able to assist identify, start up, fund and implement projects and town partnerships. Funding of �7 million from SEEDA, together with partner funding of a further �10 million was channeled into projects within member towns. Almost all the SERTP towns have voluntary or community groups of varying types, who continue to be engaged in all manner of projects to benefit their individual towns.�

�We are holding early discussions to explore how best to continue to provide a low cost membership network. We�re going to look at other sources of funding following the closure of the South East of England Development Agency and cuts in county council resources, and are keen to hear from people who can commit to an active role as the partnership moves forward.�

�The legacy of the SRT programme is that there are many community partnerships established in their locality which can help create new ideas and ventures. We will take stock of changes through the Localism Act, Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) and tougher economic conditions. However new ways to keep in touch with those who are interested in their towns and similar places are now very feasible and we shall look at ways to adapt to that,� continued Chris.

The ambitious SRT programme produced some spectacular successes and ranked as one of the most successful rural programmes ever run in the South East. Many of the initiatives featured in SERTP�s brochures and on its website www.setowns.org.uk along with case studies and other topical information, also distributed via a monthly e-bulletin sent to more than 400 subscribers.

The majority of SERTP�s rural towns have strengths to build upon. SERTP will continue to support the Action for Market Towns (AMT) Market Town Awards programme , having enjoyed regional and national success with projects. Active collaboration will continue with AMT, helping to spread ideas and initiatives across the country

Most recently, SERTP has tackled issues including rural broadband provision and the Portas Review, seeking input on what is needed to help High Streets adapt and create rural town sustainability. Several member towns are among a group know as �Front Runners�, who will develop local Neighbourhood Plans, under the Government�s new Localism Act.

Chesham - Britain's Greenest Market!

Chesham Local Produce Market in Buckinghamshire has officially been recognised as Britain�s most environmentally-friendly market.

It swept the board at the How Green Is Your Market? competition run by the National Market Traders� Federation, winning both the Southern region and national prize, awarded at a ceremony in Barnsley.

Chesham Local Produce Market was established nearly two years ago in a partnership between Transition Town Chesham and Chesham Town Council. The market was founded on Transition Town principles, with the aim of making truly local food, drink and crafts more readily available to Chesham residents, thus reducing the community�s food miles.

The majority of traders come from within a 10-mile radius of the town and have the environment in mind when farming or making their products, from organic cultivation to tree-planting and recycling.

Julia Brammer from Transition Town Chesham, said: �It is quite unusual for a market to be established on Transition principles, so we are delighted that the value of this approach has been recognised by the Federation.�

Whilst the venture � which takes place on the fourth Saturday of each month in the Market Square � is relatively new, there has been a clear demand for fresh, local, high quality produce and it has more than doubled in size during the last year.

�For more information, see www.chesham.gov.uk or call 01494 774842.

Little Chalfont wins Big Prizes

Little Chalfont Community Library has won a cash prize in the NatWest CommunityForce Competition, concluding a fantastic 2011.

Last year it was awarded the High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire�s award for service to the community, the Queen�s Award for Voluntary Service and a personal MBE for Chairman Jim Brooks.

The library submitted a project for inclusion in the NatWest CommunityForce competition. There were more than 50 projects in the Chiltern Region and following a public vote, the Library�s project was placed in the top three and scooped a cash prize of �6,275, which will be spent on exterior and interior refurbishment.

See

http://communityforce.natwest.com/project/573

or contact

jim.brooks@ntlworld.com

Godalming's Festive Success

A fantastic Christmas Market drew thousands of people to Godalming's High Street, including Peppa Pig.

The High Street and some of Church Street closed to accommodate both seasonal stalls and an Italian Food Market. Surrey County Coordinator Peter Gooch said: �The atmosphere was great and all should be delighted with what they achieved. Santa Claus' grotto seemed well used, there was Morris Dancing and the Christmas lights were switched on by the Town Mayor.�

Godalming's Visitor Information Centre opens on January 14 in Godalming Museum, right in the centre of the town, whilst nearby, the Haslemere Initiative has received some funding from SEEDA to run specific retail training and shopper anonymous training for businesses in town, which will start in January and run until med-February.

Further information from Peter Gooch peterg@surreyca.org.uk, 01483 459292