£2m boost for High Weald

A GOVERNMENT minister paid a visit to Mayfield this week to announce a 2.2 million windfall for the rural economy.

Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael said the Wealden and Rother Rural Renewal Scheme was to receive 1.7 million funding from European sources and a further 450,000 from the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

The cash secured under the LEADER+ initiative will help farmers, farm workers and those generally affected by crises such as foot and mouth and mad cow disease.

Mr Michael was visiting Mayfield farmer Stephanie Buckingham, who has taken part in a multi-agency initiative aimed at testing out new ways of farming. The High Weald Land Management Initiative (HWLMI) is a jointly-funded project between the Countryside Agency and Wealden District Council, with support from the High Weald AONB unit.

Mr Michael said: 'The LEADER+ programme will bring around 1.7 million in EU funding and 450,000 in DEFRA funding to the High Weald between now and the end of 2008.

'If you add to that the 1.7 million the High Weald Land Management Initiative group expects to secure from other public and private sources, there is potential for the LEADER+ group to make a real difference to the lives of local people.