A recent BBC News release
is below which we'd like to share with you on the BBC Big Lottery Fund
Village SOS project as it's about Robert.
A Norfolk businessman is to help an
enterprising local village develop its business proposals in the latest
stage of Village SOS.
Last month, Hilgay in Norfolk had their
ideas for starting up new community-run business shortlisted through
Village SOS - a scheme to inspire a UK rural revival, run by the Big
Lottery Fund (BIG) and the BBC.
The village has now been paired
with a Village Champion - an experienced professional who, over the
next few months, will help them to develop their initial business ideas
into a viable proposal. Six of the best projects will be awarded up to
£400,000 from the Big Lottery Fund in May and their respective Village
Champions will help the businesses get off the ground. The process will
be filmed for a new BBC One series, due to air in 2011.
Robert
Ashton, from Wymondham in Norfolk, is one of the UK's best selling
business authors and currently runs business boot camps. Experienced in
giving business advice to rural enterprises, Robert will help Hilgay
Parish Growers to launch their community farm and artisan centre. His
experience includes helping an award winning motor repair workshop
which provides opportunities to disabled and disadvantaged people. He
is also a trustee of the Norfolk Community Foundation which makes
grants to emerging community projects.
Hilgay Parish Growers
are looking to establish the Hilgay Village Green project which would
encompass a community farm, eco-friendly artisan centre and cafe. The
farm would be created on a disused Greenfield site and would produce a
range of organic fruits and vegetables as well as breed livestock,
including chickens, goats, pigs, sheep, ducks, and fish. The Hilgay
Village Green project would generate employment and training
opportunities in the village, where there is a shortage of skilled
workers.
Mr Ashton said: "The village is passionate about what
they want to achieve. For me the project looks at the whole community.
It looks at growing, creating employment, attracting tourism and
improving the local economy. I see it as turning the clock back 150
years to a time when everyone knew each other and the community was
self sustaining. I'm passionate about Norfolk so there is an element of
patriotism. I work extensively in the social sector and third sector
and I know a lot of local and regional projects that we can link with
Hilgay. I also see this project becoming much bigger and widespread.
Social enterprise is the focus of my work at the moment. I see my role
in the village as a facilitator and catalyst."
Sara Betsworth,
Big Lottery Fund Head of Region for the East of England, said: "This is
a really exciting stage in the Village SOS process. These champions
will add a great deal to the villagers' business ideas, helping them to
strengthen and develop them into robust business proposals."