WHAT IS THE STAFFORDSHIRE RURAL HUB?
 The Staffordshire Rural Hub is a network for businesses that are serving a common purpose: the sustainability of the rural economy. The Hub has been set up to enable rural businesses to explore altertanative business opportunities, so that they can make informed decisions, improve profitability and help to regenerate the rural economy.
WHAT CAN THE STAFFORDSHIRE RURAL HUB OFFER YOU?
The Hub can offer a number of benefits to rural businesses, including:
Seminars and networks
networking and mentoring opportunities
training opportunities
help in accessing grant funding
`best practice` visits to rural enterprises
The Hub can also help enterprises work together to research new business opportunities, and even make them happen. Groups are working in the following areas:
Quality Beef Breeders
Tourism and Farm Attractions
Alternative fuel crops
Food processing
Farm diversification
Farm Retail
Marketing
Waste management
Other groups can be set up - tell us what you are interested in!
WHAT ABOUT GETTING YOUR BUSINESS NEEDS HEARD?
One of the benefits of being part of the Hub is that your views will be heard by local Agencies. The Staffordshire Rural Hub is represented on the Staffordshire Rural Forum, whose members include AWM, Business Link Staffordshire, Government Office for the West Midlands, Learning and Skills Council for Staffordshire, local authorities with Staffordshire, and the Community Council of Staffordshire.
HOW IS THE HUB FINANCED?
The development of the Hub has been financed by an annual grant from Defra.
HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?
The Hub and its groups only meet when necessary, for the purpose of developing projects and ideas. Membership is free - just contact a member of the Steering Group or Hannah Chadwick of the Staffordshire Rural Forum.
The opportunities to get involved in Hub activities are wide ranging. For example:
> VTS:
> Rural Forum Events: the Forum can arrange practical events on subjects such as
planning, grants and rural tourism.
Staffordshire Rural Hub
Pat Pimlott
Hub Co-ordinator
Tel: 01785 278581
Email: ruralhub@staffordshire.gov.uk
Staffordshire Rural Forum:
Hannah Chadwick
Tel: 01785 277345
Email: hannah.chadwick@staffordshire.gov.uk
Steering Group members:
Philip Bennion (Chairman):
Farmer
Tel: 07831 136512
Email: phil.bennion@btopenworld.com
Eunice Finney:
Amerton Farm
Tel: 07973 134076
Email: eunice@amertonfarm.co.uk
Andrew Blenkiron (Vice-Chairman)
Farmer
Tel: 01902 850269
Email: andrew.blenkiron@smithsgore.co.uk
Roger Bradshaw
Economic Development and Tourism Officer
Tel: 01785 277335
Email: roger.bradshaw@staffordshire.gov.uk
Sheila Henshall
WiRE, Staffordshire Network Officer
Tel: 01952 815399
Email: sheila@wireuk.org
Carole Goodwin
Farmer
Tel: 01260 274190
Email: c.goodwins@farming.co.uk
Jamie Inglis
Food & Farming Team
Tel: 0121 5033226
Email: jamie.inglis@advantage.co.uk
Charlie Coldicott
NFU
Tel: 07774 776682
Julie White
Private SectorTel: 01827 52470Mobile: 07971 666474
Email: julie@juliew.co.uk
Mark Winnington
Cllr and Farmer
Tel: 07785 931490
Georgina Pickford
Marketing Executive - Staffordshire
Heart of England Fine Foods
Tel: 01746 785185
Email: georgina.pickford@heff.co.uk
Bryan Wilson
Beef Farmer
Quality Beef Breeders Association
Tel: 01785 822312
Mobile: 07971 464716
Diane Roberts
StaffordshireCountyCouncilTel: 01785 276528
Email: diane.roberts@staffordshire.gov.uk
Nick Platt
Tel: 01785 716784
Mobile: 07767 844921
Email: neprural@hotmail.co.uk
 Peak Directions promotes enterprise across the Peak District area by providing descriptions and links for websites of interest to small businesses and social enterprises.
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