Prince unveils £200,000 in rural funding
Prince Charles is to unveil funding worth almost £200,000 to projects that benefit British farmers and rural communities.
Six grants worth £189,942 from the Prince’s Countryside Fund will be announced at the Great Yorkshire Show on Wednesday (13 July).
Set up last year, the fund brings together businesses to secure a better future for farmers and other people who live and work in the countryside.
The latest recipients will be:
Clervaux Trust – working with young people to develop their skills and experience in farming, animal husbandry and land-based crafts
Farming and Countryside Education (FACE) – a national charity educating children and young people about food and farming.
Hampshire Fare – a county food group established to promote the benefits of buying local produce.
Seize the Moment – a social enterprise set up to empower young people living in isolated areas of rural north and west Devon.
White Quarry Farm – a 162ha (400-acre) North Yorkshire farm that hosts school visits for children aged over 14.
Women in Rural Enterprise – a national organisation supporting rural women who own or want to start a business.
Supporters of the fund include Waitrose, Asda, Booths, Birds Eye, Dairy Crest, Hovis, Jordans and United Biscuits.
Waitrose chief executive and fund trustee, Mark Price, said, “The fund is delighted to support the great work being done by these organisations.”
He added: “All the companies that contribute to the fund have a special connection to the British countryside through the products and services they make or sell.”
In its first year, the fund has helped an estimated 1,000 beneficiaries, which includes £15,000 given to the Farm Crisis Network.
The donation was made after the network’s casework doubled due to pleas for help from farmers affected by delays to Single Farm Payments.
Earlier this year, the fund also donated £25,000 to the ARC Addington Fund. The money was donated to support farm businesses suffering financial hardship after forage shortages saw applications for help soar by 350%.
This week marks the launch of the inaugural National Countryside Week (11-18 July). During the week, Prince Charles has undertaken a range of rural visits to countryside projects he has helped.