LEADER Coast and Lowlands News

Leading the Celebrations

Over £750,000 rural funding in first year and more to come!

Notice of Annual General Meeting

Northumberland Coast and Lowlands Leader Local Action Group

Release Date 18th May 2010

Want to know how to put £785,816 into Northumberland’s rural economy? Well look no further because that’s exactly what Northumberland Coast and Lowlands Leader Local Action Group did in their first full year of operation.

The Local Action Group (LAG) is holding their first Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the William Elder Building, Berwick upon Tweed on May 25th between 4:00pm and 7:00pm.

“As well as celebrating the outstanding achievement of Northumberland Coast and Lowlands Leader Local Action Group, we are also bringing an international flavour to our celebration and AGM with the presence of ten very important guests from an Estonian Local Action Group, the South Järvamaa Partnership,” explained Ivan Hewitt, Coast and Lowlands Leader Coordinator.
The Guest Speaker for the event is Mr. Ian Brown, a regional director from ONE North East.

Examples of projects funded by Coast and Lowlands LAG range from business start ups for example Lindisfarne Charcoal (Belford) through support for tourism events like the Border Green Festival (Berwick upon Tweed) to creating new basic services in rural areas such as support towards the Strawberry Hill Day Centre (Lynemouth).

Ivan continued, “We are committed to helping support and develop communities to have a real say in the delivery of rural development through local community led projects.”

With around £1.2 m of funding allocated for use over the next three years, the Local Action Group – open to everyone, residents, farmers, landowners, businesses, and community groups – is actively seeking projects to help them decide on investment priorities for their area.
 “If you have an idea for developing your small business, improving our natural and cultural assets, benefiting from bio-energy, carrying forward community development, sustaining farming and forestry, encouraging tourism and recreation, or improving basic rural services then we would very much like to hear from you. All you need to do is call me on 01670 863007, or send me an email at ivan@leadercoastandlowlands.org.uk”
Ivan added; “LEADER is a community led approach to rural development and our aim is to work with local communities, organisations and businesses to improve employment opportunities, enhance the environment and increase the quality of life for rural communities in coastal and lowland Northumberland - so if you’re interested in applying for a grant or want to find out more about the LEADER approach and how it could benefit your community, give me a call.”