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Dear ?????????
Welcome to the Spring 2010 Edition of the Hidden Britain South East Newsletter
Hidden Britain offers support to rural communities to help them uncover the fascinating wealth of landscape, history and culture within Britain's countryside. What's really special is that the local communities themselves, develop truly unique and distinctive experiences for people who visit their towns and villages.
Hidden Britain has been working in the South East since 2004 to encourage
tourism at a locally managed level. The project aims to
facilitate rural regeneration and community development where
it is needed most.
New Project Case Studies
Well the current phase of the Hidden Britain South East project is coming to an end, and its time to take stock, share what we've learned and look to the future. As part of this process there are plenty new case studies online at the website detailing all the projects we have worked with over the last two years. In addition the external evaluation will shortly be complete and we'll be posting excerpts on the site too.
Visit the Case Studies page >>
New HBSE Project
Although the current phase is coming to an end, this isn't the end for HBSE. We've been fortunate enough to secure funding through RDPE to enable the project to continue for another three years. But this won't just be more of the same, true we'll be working with a potential 25 new destinations, supporting our existing ones as and when they need it, and continuing to develop resources for everyone to use. But that's not all, we're taking on extra staff to boost the capacity of the project, we'll be looking at developing our own training programme, holding yearly network meetings, developing more innovative tools and resources, redeveloping the website, putting a greater emphasis on marketing, in short really pushing the boundaries of what we can offer.
However one of the key facets of the new project is looking to make the transition from a publically funded project to a self-sustaining social enterprise. This means we'll be reviewing our delivery model and business strategy, but crucially doing all we can to ensure all rural communities can still benefit from our expertise. As part of this we will shortly be launching a consultancy arm, enabling other organisations and businesses to tap into the expertise and skills we have built up in the field over the last five years.
It's an exciting time for us so watch this space for new developments...
Work For Us
Do you have skills or experience in the fields of rural tourism, community development, or marketing and communications? If so we'd love to hear from you, as we have two new posts we're looking to fill.
Development Officer
Part-time post (17.5 hrs/week)
A primary focus of the role will be to work directly in the support and development of rural tourism projects with communities and local businesses across the South East of England.
Communication & Marketing Officer
Part-time post (17.5 hrs/week)
We are looking for an exceptional candidate, primarily with experience in a communications and marketing environment, to provide communication support and expertise to these rural destinations and projects, coordinating opportunities and providing key guidance in raising their profile.
Find out more and download application information >>
Countryside 2010 - Last chance to be part of it!
Throughout South East England, organisers great and small are getting together to present COUNTRYSIDE 2010, a two-week Super Showcase of country-based activities and events that will get us all up, out and hooked.
The fortnight runs from 29th May to 13th June and you can register your event or activity for inclusion at the website. The Countryside 2010 Event Directory will present details of hundreds of events and activities taking place throughout the countryside in those two weeks.
The Directory went live in March with details of entries that have registered early. But the Event Directory will continue to grow, right up until 29th May.
Visit the Countryside 2010 Site for more >>
Elections are over, summer is on the way, so say hello to some of the best rural destinations you are likely to find.
Hassocks Project Receives Award
Hidden Britain has been working with Hassocks Community Partnership to develop a new cycle hire facility for the village, along with a website, new cycling and walking route leaflets, mapboards, an on road cycle route and cycle safety training in local schools. A grand community focused launch is planned for 26th June. This is a joint venture with a small local business and extremely innovative as a model for community owned business.
The project has secured almost £65,000 to get this project going and has just been awarded £5000 as first prize in the IV Social Enterprise Innovation Award (09-10) for its community cycle hire project. The award is given by the West Sussex Social Enterprise Steering Group (sponsored by West Sussex County Council) and is to promote and support innovative ideas amongst potential, emerging and established social enterprises and entrepreneurs in West Sussex.
In making the award the judges commented that the project ‘was able to demonstrate clear environmental and community benefits with a business model built on a strong background of need. They also noted the involvement of a range of interested parties.’
Go to Hassocks Page >>
Destination Developments
Petersfield (Hampshire) Are nearing completion on a multi-stranded project looking at publications, website, signage and information provision. The new Petersfield leaflet should be off the press any day now!
Go to Petersfield page >>
Hawkhurst (Kent) Have ben really busy, launching their new website as well as successfully repeating the "Flix & Pix",film and arts festival. They are now hard at work on putting the finishing touches to "Beefing it up", the Hawkhurst food festival celebrating 100 years of the Oxo cube (founded in Hawkhurst) on 24-25th July.
Go to Hawkhurst Page >>
Steyning (W.Sussex) Have launched four new self guided walks leaflets, enabling everyone to enjoy some of the best local walks in this lovely corner of Sussex. The walks range from easy ambles along the River Adur, to more challenging hikes up onto the South Downs, why not download a free copy yourselves?
Go to Steyning Pages >>
Chilham (Kent) have created and distributed their new visitor guide, showcasing and supporting the work of the Chilham Tourism & Retail Group, as well as undertaking a visitor benchmarking study for the village.
Go to Chilham Page >>
Westerham (Kent) have started a new monthly market in the centre of town, as well as continuing to make the Westerham website the focal point for visitor information. They are currently working on several funding bids for a new historical walks project.
Go to Westerham Page >>
St. Margaret's (Kent) have published their new visitor guide and continue promoting the First Light brand with a presence at the Kent Travel & leisure Show at Dover Cruise Terminals, as well as features in Kent Life and Dover Life.
Go to St. Margaret's Page >>
New Destinations
Downslink (Surrey & W.Sussex)Hidden Britain has been in contact with the villages along the Downs Link bridle path - a popular cycle route running between Guildford in Surrey and Shoreham in West Sussex. We have held a meeting of interested villages to discuss ways to attract more cyclists and other routes users into the villages along the way. By making Downs Link users more aware of the attractions and businesses just off the path, the villages might benefit more from its presence. Watch this space for more...
We are also in the initial stages of working with several more destinations across the region, and we'll update progress as and when it happens,the list below outlines just some of those we have talked to recently:
Lenham (Kent)
Twyford (Berkshire)
Elham Valley (Kent)
Robertsbridge (East Sussex)
Lower Stour Valley (Kent)
Rural Thanet & Sandwich (Kent)
Alkham Valley & East Kent Downlands (Kent)
We are continuing the development work with all our destinations. We will update the news page with our most recent progress, so keep checking back!
However as we're embarking on a new project we're very interested in finding new destinations. So if you know or live somewhere that would like advice and guidance from Hidden Britain, then please contact us!
With the new project coming online from 1st June, there's plenty of great stuff in the works, rest assured we'll let you know when it arrives.
The Hidden Britain South East Project is supported and managed by:
- SEEDA - the South East England Regional Development Agency, is responsible for the sustainable economic development and regeneration of the South East of England - the driving force of the UK's economy.
Further
Information…
- SERCC - the association of the eight Rural
Community Councils in the South East of England. It provides
the regional voice and champions the needs of rural
communities across the region.
Further
Information…
- Tourism South East - the regional body
dedicated to fostering tourism growth and innovation in the
region; a partnership of industry with regional and local
government.
Further
information...
- Natural Discovery - Natural Discovery is a company selling short breaks and home products intended to inspire positive long-term environmental benefit
Further
information...
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