RURAL communities in Bradford such as Ilkley, Burley-in-Wharfedale, Menston and Addingham will come under the spotlight at a special conference in January.

The conference, called Rural Development Network Day, will give people the chance to find out more about developing rural communities.

Places for the Network Day are limited and the organisers, Shipley and Keighley area co-ordinators offices and Bingley Voluntary Action, are advising delegates to book early.

Speakers will give information about the help which the Yorkshire Rural Community Council can provide to local groups, sources of funding and on land use and planning issues.

Participants will also be able to take part in workshop sessions which will give them a chance to explore a range of subjects in more detail including economic development, rural transport, the needs of young people and combating isolation in rural areas.

Councillor Hazel Gundry, chairman of the Shipley Constituency Area Panel, said: "The area panels are keen to support local initiatives in rural neighbourhoods. The Rural Development Network Day will provide an excellent opportunity for

people with a particular interest in rural community

development to gain information and ideas and share

experience."

The event will take place at Bingley Arts Centre on Saturday, January 30. Anyone wanting further information should contact Bingley Voluntary Action on 01274 781222, Shipley advice and information centre on 01274 757106 or the Keighley area co-ordinator's office on 01274 757146.

The closing date for bookings is January 15 and the maximum number of delegates that can be accommodated is 80. Bookings will be taken on a first-come first-served basis.

Assistant area co-ordinator Chris Flecknoe, said: "The aim of the day is to explore issues of concern in rural communities, share ideas and experiences and perhaps to identify some positive ways forward."

Some of the workshops include rural youth issues, rural health issues, lottery funds for rural development, making funding applications, land use, planning village design statements, transport, community development, combating isolation for people with special needs, improving the countryside, and jobs.

Speakers at the conference will include Ian Strong, direcor of the Yorkshire Rural Community Council, Chris Hughes, principal planner Bradford Council, Jeff Mcquillan, Bradford Council's principal special lottery projects officer, Alic Wallace, of West Yorkshire Charities Information Bureau.

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