The Creative Rural Communities Department – based in Cowbridge at the Old Hall Grounds.

Rural Regeneration: Supporting creativity and enterprise throughout the Rural Vale of Glamorgan. Working with communities, we develop innovative projects and ideas that will benefit the long term social and economic wellbeing of the area. We aim to empower individuals to become actively involved in the future of their communities. We may be able to help you, your community group or your business through one of our initiatives.

The Rural Partnership is supported by the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013 which is funded by the Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

Our key projects.

• Pride in our Farming Families

Are you a Farming Family? Are you interested in diversifying your farming business? If so, Pride in our Farming Families wants to hear from you!

We are offering up to £40,000 to help farmers develop new, non-agricultural activity to diversify their business. The grant could help farming families supplement their income by diversifying into other business areas. Examples include a camp site, equestrian activities or even kennels!

To find out more contact Nia Hollins on 01446 704767 or nhollins@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

or visit our website

http://www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/working/regeneration/rural_regeneration/pride_in_our_farming_families.aspx

•  Pride in our Services 

Greenlinks bus!

Take advantage of the fantastic Greenlinks bus! A professional, friendly community travel service for those who need it most. It’s affordable, accessible and available to individuals and community groups in the rural Vale.

For more information call 0800 294 1113 or visit out website

http://www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/working/regeneration/rural_regeneration/greenlinks.aspx

• Rural Hubs

Is your rural village losing a service? Is your establishment a community hub? Could it be?

If the answer is yes, then the Rural Hubs grant scheme could help you!

We’re offering grants of up to £40,000 to support local rural hubs (e.g. village halls, pubs, village shops) set up and/or retaining basic services through the diversification of their main service, to help create vibrant community hubs.

We welcome ideas to help retain and enhance key services, improving availability and accessibility and ensuring sustainability of rural services.

For more information contact Mari-Wyn Pivotti on 01446 704637 or mwepivotti@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

• Footpaths & Cycle ways

Creative Rural Communitieshas a grant available for improving accessibility and condition of footpaths, as well as investing in the improvement of cycle routes across the rural Vale. If you know of a footpath that needs improving, or the need for a new footpath, thenCreative Rural Communitiescould help you. We have grants available of up to £40,000 to support new public rights of way (including bridleways) that could improve links between villages, people and places.

For more information contact Mark Cottray on 01446 704645 or mcottray@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

Or visit

www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/living/environment/countryside/public_rights_of_way/rural_footpath_grant.aspx

•  Pride in our Villages

Do you know what your community wants? How could your village be improved?

By consulting with your community you could access up to £40,000 through the Pride in our Villages grant scheme to enhance local pride and distinctiveness. This grant could fund physical external improvements to your village where these needs have been identified by the community themselves. This grant scheme could also communities become ‘greener’. The ‘Green It’ grant could help community facilities reduce their energy waste or generate renewable energy.

For more information please contact Jane Williams on 01446 704755 or jewilliams@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

or visit http://www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/working/regeneration/rural_regeneration/pride_in_our_villages.aspx

•  Pride in our Heritage

The Vale of Glamorgan is rich in history, culture and tradition. We’re blessed with character and distinctiveness unlike anywhere else in theUK. The Pride in our Heritage grant scheme offers grants of up to £70,000 to support investment in natural, cultural and build heritage in the Vale.

This could include grant support for the refurbishment of publicly accessible built heritage within the Vale, or to resurrect an event that celebrates the heritage of the rural Vale, or even to re-discover a historical walkway.

For more information please contact Branwen Dickson on 01446 704828 or bdickson@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

or visit

http://www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/working/regeneration/rural_regeneration/pride_in_our_heritage.aspx

Please note that all grants schemes require at least  30% match funding.

• Community Foodie

Are you a keen foodie that would like to grow your own? If so we want to support you to develop a project that’s right for you and your community. Creative Rural Communities are able to offer support to communities wishing to grow their own food by:

• Helping community groups to identify the best project for them
• Bringing together landowners and local people to identify a suitable site
• Offering legal, technical, financial and development support
• Supplying tools and giving hands on support to get the project up and running.

So if you are interested in growing food or a landowner that wants to explore growing opportunities contact Rob McGhee on 01446 704835 or foodie@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

•  Rural Events Network

Do you run an event in the rural Vale? Would you like to resurrect or even start a new event? If so, the Rural Events Network could help you!

Join the Rural Events Network to access free equipment and joint marketing opportunities, and also share ideas and advice.

For more information contact Sarah Jones on 01446 704737 or visit our website www.ruraleventsnetwork.com

• Pride in the Vale

As well as offering grants to support rural projects in the Vale,Creative Rural Communities are also developing initiatives under the themes of:

• Community Engagement
• Tourism
• Under the Slow tourism theme, three key strands of activity have been identified:
• Outdoor activities
• Local food and the arts / culture
• Promotion of the natural heritage of the area

Visit the Rural Regeneration site for more information on all these schemes.

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