RESEARCH often tells us what we already know, or suspect – although that does not stop it from being useful.  But sometimes it produces unexpected results.  Take this example. Traffic was the most commonly issue of residents’ concern, according to an analysis of parish plans and market town health checks published in a new book, ‘Glimpses of Rural England’ by Malcolm Moseley (See Chapter 1). Not affordable housing.  Not the lack of public...

It is not often that a new public service looks destined to help rather than hinder people living in rural areas.  But the introduction of telecare spells good news for rural residents – offering benefits to patients as well as their carers, and healthcare professionals as well as their budgets. Telecare What do we mean by telecare, telehealth and telemedicine? Telecare describes services that use computer and other technology to deliver health...

During a recession, areas should look towards their strengths to help them survive.

In which case, should we revisit ‘social capital’, a term that was frequently used until a few years ago and which is greater in rural areas than urban ones?

How much are you prepared to pay for a pint, and do you think village pubs are an essential part of rural life?

Changing social habits mean beers sales and the number of village pubs have been declining for decades. But now things are particularly bad. The costs of raw materials have increased. So too has duty, which is set to increase further.