New Guide to Sustainable Living Launched

30/11/2011

The Rural Network for Northern Ireland has launched a new guide to village sustainability.

Regenerating rural villages and their surrounding areas by improving their economic prospects and the quality of life is one of the central themes of the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme (NIRDP) 2007-2013 which has a specific measure dedicated to supporting Village Renewal and Development.

 ‘Futureproof your Village – a Guide to Sustainable Local Living’ was launched during a ‘Sustainable Villages’ seminar attended by delegates from each of the 7 Council Clusters involved in delivering the NIRDP. Held in the  Millennium Centre, Loughgiel, which has its own wind turbine and plans for a community garden, the event also comprised a study visit to Cloughmills where motivational members of the Cloughmills Community Action Team demonstrated the practical elements of their hugely successful ‘Incredible Edibles’ initiative. 

During the seminar informative and inspirational presentations were delivered by Dr Duncan Martin of Cloughjordan Eco Village, Co. Tipperary, Gordan Cowtan of Fintry Development Trust, Scotland, Silas Jones Energy Officer at Cadwyn Clwyd Rural Development Agency Wales and Pam Warhurst, the founder of the Incredible Edible movement in Todmorden, England.

The guide covers all aspects of community self sufficiency including land, energy, housing and settlement planning, economic activity and collective community effort and also includes practical toolkits for action. It is available to download from the Rural Network website www.ruralnetworkni.org.uk or from Rural Network on email: kmckeever@rdc.org.uk or Tel 028 867 66980.

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