WRNSU over the past eight years

It's hard to believe that the first WRN Newsletter was circulated in January 2016, we have been sending you news, updates, scheme opening windows, case studies and European Rural Development opportunities for over seven years!!

During this time we have seen many changes and a plethora of funded projects that have benefited Wales' rural areas through supported projects large and small.

Over £47M has been allocated to LEADER projects alone through the Eighteen Local Action Groups (LAGs) throughout Wales.

Individual LEADER funded projects can be viewed in our online Project Directory.

Over the last few months we have been gathering examples of Case Studies and attending some of the LAG celebration events across Wales.

Marking the end of LEADER funding in Swansea

Swansea chose The Purple Badger situated on Wales’ beautiful north Gower Coast to celebrate their Programme.

Celebrating LEADER in Caerphilly & Blaenau Gwent

Caerphilly celebrated the end of their Programme at the beautiful Llancaiach Fawr Manor in Nelson.

They shared just a few of the inspirational videos from projects and spoke to some project managers in a panel show format.

Awarding the success of LEADER in Ceredigion

Cynnal Y Cardi (Ceredigion's LAG) celebrated the successes of their LEADER funded projects through an awards ceremony.

Representatives from the European Commission visit to Down to Earth Project

During their visit to Wales to participate in the Programme Monitoring Committee (PMC), European officials took time to visit The Down to Earth Project in Gower, Swansea.

WoodLabPren - Caerphilly

The Wood LAB Pren project dealt with many aspects of the timber supply chain in Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent as well as the wider South Wales region.

Common Landscape - Caerphilly

The Cadw designated Historic Landscape of Gelligaer and Merthyr Common is a unique ecosystem providing important economic, social and environmental ‘value’ to the rural communities that surround and rely on it.

Digital Cardigan Town Centre - Ceredigion

Installation of digital technology at strategic points in Cardigan to provide a free wi-fi and information service in the town centre.

Vale of Aeron - Tafarn Cymunedol Dyffryn Aeron Project - Ceredigion

The 'Dyffryn Aeron' Pub (Y 'Vale'), located in the village of Ystrad Aeron, was for sale for some time and the current temporary tenancy was drawing to its end.

A group of individuals came together to create a Society Community Interest to purchase the pub as a community initiative.

Clera - Ceredigion

Clera Ceredigion is a performance project which recognises and celebrates our heritage as well as the strengths and events of our modern communities.

Cynnal Llanddewi Brefi - Ceredigion

The Cynnal Llanddewi Brefi project, supported by the Cynnal y Cardi LEADER grant scheme, has brought new facilities and activities to the village hall and community centre.

Heart of the Community Fridge - Ceredigion

The fridge is run by a part-time co-ordinator helped by a taskforce of volunteers. Work has started on recruiting these volunteers with a bid for volunteer training, expenses and associated projects being submitted to the WCVA.

Sustainable Farming Scheme: co-design findings

We are considering changes to the SFS proposals based on your feedback to co-design.

Historic Wales Agriculture Act comes into force

The Agriculture (Wales) Act is key in supporting farmers and sustainable food production for generations to come.

The future for WRN

As the Newsletter title suggests, this is purely Au Revoir in this guise.

We will shortly be back to continue supporting and promoting Rural Development in Wales.

Our current website has information about future schemes - currently the Rural Investment Scheme and moving towards Sustainable Land Management and The Sustainable Farming Scheme.

However, in the next couple of months you will see a new look website which concentrates on providing support and promoting these future schemes and activities.

Look out for our new brand image shown above - Working together in an ever evolving world!!