Through our pioneering work in woodfuel and with other products, the link between the UK's towns and cities and the rural areas that surround them is gradually being re-established. We can't pretend we've done it all ourselves, or that the job is anywhere near complete, but we've made some great strides in bringing the goods and services that the countryside provides into urban areas.
Raising awareness of what goes on in the British countryside is also something that we think we do rather well. Whether this is through promtional activities associated with the Northumberland Fire Group, or parking a timber harvester on the lawn of Newcastle City Centre to promote the timber industry, we've always got a creative idea or two up our sleeve. Working with our marketing partners, Cravens, we also took a bit of the town to the country with 2007's launch of the NEWHeat programme, the UK's largest woodfuel market accellerator initiative, delivered under contract to Regional Development Agency, One NorthEast. This saw a "heated debate", complete with expert panel and TV cameras descend on Chopwell Woods. Check out the results here.
We also work with those in the land-based industries who find themselves more in towns and cities than the countryside. Arborists, farmers selling through markets and woodfuel suppliers are all examples of those who have benefitted from our training courses, business support and other activities.
- Woodfuel market acceleration - NEWHeat (north east) and North Yorkshire
- Ignite
- Arb North
