09.07.2013 In March this year I organised, programmed and chaired a national conference, TownFunder, for client Action for Market Towns / TownsAlive. The event showed delegates from towns (and cities) how they could benefit from innovative new routes to fundraise, including crowdfunding and community share issues. So I was interested to learn that community finance […]
Essentials within 10-minute walk a key driver of happiness
December 3, 2012 by Leave a Comment
A new report, Local Services:Happy Places explores the links between how happy people are with where they live and the shops and services in their area. The report, commissioned by the Association of Convenience Stores and conducted by research consultancy BritainThinks, proposes measures intended to make communities better places to live. One of the report’s […]
Northern prosperity is national prosperity – IPPR report
December 3, 2012 by Leave a Comment
IPPR North’s Northern Economic Futures Commission has published its final report which sets out “a new economic agenda for the north of England, one which seeks to place the region at the heart of the UK’s ‘rebalancing’ towards business investment and export performance”. Alongside recommendations focused on jobs and skills, innovation, SMEs, natural assets, transport, […]
Interview with BBC Radio Shropshire
November 19, 2012 by Leave a Comment
A good start to the week with a 7.30am interview today with BBC Radio Shropshire, on behalf of Action for Market Towns. You can listen to the interview, on town centre policies and support, here (starts at 1:36:30 – and won’t be available after the end of this week).
Quick trip to Burbage for some old favourites
November 18, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Went out yesterday at about 4pm to climb, not to take photos. But the light was so stunning just before and after sunset that I wanted to capture it (and still climb). Sorry: no tripod and dark clothing, but the always stunning Burbage scenery bathed in soft golden light makes up for it!
From library ‘at risk’ to prestigious award
October 23, 2012 by Leave a Comment
A library and tourist information centre which was at risk of closure but fought back, increasing opening hours by 300% whilst saving its local authority 30% in costs, has won “Britain’s top award for town community projects,” from my client, Action for Market Towns. When Northumberland County Council needed to make significant cost savings, there […]
From ‘at-risk’ library to community hub – and UK Award
October 19, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Library ‘at risk’ increases opening hours by 300%, saves 30% of costs and wins UK award for community projects A library and tourist information centre which was at risk of closure but fought back, increasing opening hours by 300% whilst saving its local authority 30% in costs, has won a national award for town community […]
