Hinterland
Rural News
Cost of living: Rural communities without access to mains gas face ‘a tsunami of poverty’, charity warns
The first of two articles about the impact of rising energy costs on rural areas specifically. Less you thought rural areas were ostensibly affluent! There’s a warning that “a tsunami of poverty” will hit rural communities if more help isn’t provided to the 14% of British households living without access to mains gas. Many homes […]
Heating oil prices more than double in the UK, leaving rural homes with soaring energy bills
..and here is the second argument to ram the point home. Energy prices are soaring for millions of households across the country as Ofgem’s price cap rises to £1,971 on 1 April. However, 1.5 million households that are served by heating oil will also find their bills increasing dramatically, according to Energy Helpline. These homes, […]
Somerset care home staff continue working with Covid
Notwithstanding the impact of Community Catalysts and Community Council for Somerset, who have made huge inroads into the supply of care workers in a deep rural setting, the pressure on rural communities to manage adult social care reflects itself in contemporary stories like this. It tells us: Some care homes have “no choice” but to […]
Over 80% of UK GPs think patients are at risk in their surgery, survey finds
This is a fascinating and to some extent unexpected story, with a comment from a rural setting putting it into accurate context. It tells us: More than 80% of GPs believe that patients are being put at risk when they come into their surgery for an appointment, a new survey shows. A poll of 1,395 […]
Outcry prompts U-turn over killing wild birds to protect game birds in England
Crows across the land can roost safe in the realisation that the target has been taken off their backs – without wanting to sound flippant this is another story which demonstrates just how divided rural England is as a place in terms of the opinions of the general public. The government has U-turned on guidance […]
Deadline to register forgotten paths scrapped
A very positive blow for those dedicated to the open countryside. This story tells us: A deadline to register forgotten historical paths in England by 2026 is set to be scrapped by the government. There was a cut-off to apply to record rights of way through private land which existed before 1949 but did not […]
Severn Trent Water faces backlash over 7.1% bill rise
Whilst we were all looking out for energy price increases, it looks like another utility is creeping up in terms of bills and prices, many rural dwellers will be negatively impacted by this proposed rise in prices. This story tells us: A water company is facing criticism from MPs and members of the public for […]
Average UK house price exceeds £260,000 for first time
I really do worry on the strength of this story that rural places are becoming even more challenging for people of modest means to live. It tells us: A shortage of homes for sale last month sent house price growth spiralling for the seventh consecutive month to 12.6%, prompting concerns that property values are moving […]
First-of-its-kind survey shows impact of UK farm shops
Lest you thought it was a cottage industry the farm shop is big business. This story tells us: Farm shops across the UK generate a massive £1.4 billion in sales nationally while employing 25,000 workers, the first substantial survey of its kind has shown. The fresh findings were revealed today (2 March) by Harper Adams […]
Antique clock repairs at risk due to expert shortage
Charming but serious, I love this story about clock making and repairing and the fact that one of the two centres of excellence is in a rural setting. Whilst rural settings can provide very contemporary workplaces this article serves to remind us that there are a number of highly skilled areas of work which help […]
Atherstone ball game returns for 822nd year after pandemic break
Marvellous story based in a classic rural town, I love the Haxey Hood in North Lincolnshire which is not quite as old as this game but of a still truly great vintage. A Warwickshire town kicked off its ancient Shrove Tuesday ball game following a two-year break due to the coronavirus pandemic. The 822nd Atherstone […]
‘We’re in a different world’: PM defends end of Covid rules in England
I wonder with our higher proportion , in rural settings, of older people and by consequence more vulnerable and frail people will fare as a consequence of this policy position. This story tells us: The country is “in a different world” from when the Covid pandemic started, Boris Johnson has said, meaning the last remaining restrictions can […]