Anything is Possible

Anything is possible - 19 Nov
19 Nov 2009 09:00 - 14:00
Bowood Golf Club, Bowood, Derryhill, Calne, SN11 9PQ
As part of Business Link's Global Entrepreneurship Week activities, this event aims to bring together businesses based in rural Wiltshire. Network with and learn from fellow delegates and be inspired by our key note speaker, Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones. Wilfred will take you through his experiences, from being a director/producer at the BBC, to launching one of the most successful food brands of recent times in the UK. He will demonstrate his 'anything is possible attitude to everything he approaches. You will then have the opportunity to attend our seminars, looking at the power of 'word of mouth' marketing and the secrets of successful networking. For further information or to make a booking, please call The Events Team on 0845 0707 747 or email events@businesslinksw.co.uk

CLA calls for Rural Broadband

ISP 'should have legal obligation on rural broadband'

Charles Trotman, Head of Rural Business Development at the Country Land and Business Association, said the money from the “broadband tax” will not be insufficient to upgrade the old copper network to fibre optic so that higher speeds can be reached even in rural areas.
Broadband speeds of 2Mbps or more allow people to download video and music content more easily and run programmes like the BBC iPlayer.
"What is required is a legal obligation on the part of broadband service providers to ensure that everyone has access to a minimum broadband speed of 2Mbps," he said. "If the telecoms industry is feeling the financial pinch, why can’t the Government put in place a public-private partnership where the funds needed for new infrastructure are made available through a loans guarantee?"

£50 million coastal access bill a waste of money - CLA | News | Farmers Guardian

£50 million coastal access bill a waste of money - CLA | News | Farmers Guardian: "GOVERNMENT proposals to open hundreds of miles of coastal farmland to walkers will cost the taxpayer £50 million for almost no benefit, according to Country Land and Business Association.
The proposals, contained in the Marine and Coastal Access Bill, will start their final passage through Parliament today (Monday, October 26).
But the CLA have condemned parts of the Bill as a waste of time and money. The rural experts said they could deliver a better outcome for walkers with less than £1 million."

Not much coast in Wiltshire but the same arguement applies to the Downs and Woods

£50 million coastal access bill a waste of money - CLA | News | Farmers Guardian

£50 million coastal access bill a waste of money - CLA | News | Farmers Guardian: "GOVERNMENT proposals to open hundreds of miles of coastal farmland to walkers will cost the taxpayer £50 million for almost no benefit, according to Country Land and Business Association.
The proposals, contained in the Marine and Coastal Access Bill, will start their final passage through Parliament today (Monday, October 26).
But the CLA have condemned parts of the Bill as a waste of time and money. The rural experts said they could deliver a better outcome for walkers with less than £1 million."

Retreat to the healing future in Wiltshire

Littleton Mill is a 17th Century Wiltshire water mill that has been lovingly restored.
It is one of the most environmentally sustainable houses in the UK. It is run entirely on renewable energy created from a hydroelectric turbine and biomass (wood pellet) boiler. The Mill is set in ten acres of woodland and meadows and is situated on Semington Brook, minutes away from the Kennet and Avon Canal.
There are beautifully designed double and twin en-suite rooms. The Mill also has a large yoga space with original beams and gorgeous views out over the water which makes it a perfect setting for your holistic healing retreat.


- Just shows all sorts of rural enterprises thrive in Wiltshire.

Agriculture’s new electronic bandwagon

Agriculture’s new electronic bandwagon: "A new bandwagon is being loaded up by a familiar cohort of rent-seekers – this time on behalf of the rural communities without access to broadband internet. Climbing aboard after an initial rousing by the Prince of Wales are the Commission on Rural Communities, the Telegraph newspaper and other worthies from the shires."

Ouch! But good points are made about doing it yourself instead of waiting for the Government to do it for you and then being in hock to them for ever. I know I did this many years ago when there wasn't any local call Internet Access in Wiltshire - committees of the great and good were debating how to provide this endlessly. A friend with technological knowledge and maxing out my credit card meant I could start a company up and provide it within weeks of deciding to do so. The company was sold for £600,000 eight months later....

Renewable Energy in the South West

Renewable Energy Opportunities for Farmers & Land Managers - Wiltshire
October 12th, 2009

An excellent seminar - I learnt a lot - look out for the next one (non members can attend as well.

Renewable energy in the South West – a role for the RSA?
October 12, 2009 by matthewtaylor

I commented he seemed to have everyone bar the land owners on board...