Church hub tackles rural concerns in Wales

From bovine TB to affordable housing, the challenges facing rural Wales will come under the spotlight in a year-long programme of seminars launched at the Royal Welsh Show today.

Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones launched the “Rural Issues Hub”, which has been organised by the Church in Wales in partnership with the Welsh Assembly Government and the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society.

The Rural Issues Hub will address and tackle the needs of today’s rural communities.

All 10 seminars will be held at the Showground from October this year and run until March 2012.

Themes include pastoral care, CAP changes, subsidies, markets and shows, rural poverty, housing and health, loneliness and isolation, ministry, climate change and animal disease.

The hub is based on feedback from the Church’s Rural Life Advisers and clergy who serve in rural parishes. It aims to bring people together to find robust and creative ways to regenerate rural communities. Each seminar will have a speaker and round table discussions.

Rev Canon Robin Morrison, Bishops' Adviser on Church and Society, said many rural areas were faced with "disadvantage, despair, frustration and isolation".

"It is crucial that the real experiences of ordinary families, particularly in agriculture and related businesses, do not spiral into a sense of negativity and helplessness in the face of coming changes and challenges," he said.

“Wales could well play a greater role in finding new ways to regenerate itself and build longer term economic, environmental and social sustainability. The needs, wellbeing and contribution of the smallest communities in rural Wales should be seen as relevant to this wider picture and potential.”

The Rev Richard Kirlew, the Church in Wales National Lead on Rural Affairs, said, “We welcome the support of the Trustees of the RWAS and of the Welsh Assembly Government.

"We believe that the Showground is an ideal centre and focal point for the development of our own rural concerns.

"Wales is very fortunate in having a world class focal point for rurality which represents the very best of traditional farming culture in Wales and is a focus for future opportunities and development."