In these very sad days its hard to find stories of relevance outside of the Ukraine issue. Its even harder to think of them as serious compared to challenges in that part of the world, still perhaps we should look at this edition as a bit of light relief. We have renewed rights of way legislation, rising water prices in the Midlands, rising house prices, farms shops, clocke and a predecessor of football!!

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Deadline to register forgotten paths scrapped

A very positive blow for those dedicated to the open countryside. This story tells us:

A deadline to register forgotten historical paths in England by 2026 is set to be scrapped by the government.

There was a cut-off to apply to record rights of way through private land which existed before 1949 but did not appear on official maps.

Campaigners said the change meant important and useful paths could be "protected for future generations".

The government said it was introducing measures to "enhance the way rights of way are recorded and managed".

Using historical evidence, people are able to apply for rights of way which have existed in the past to be added to official maps, giving them legal protection.

The 1 January 2026 deadline to apply to record paths was introduced in the Countryside Rights of Way Act 2000 by the then Labour government.

After that date, historical routes would no longer have been able to be added to official maps, meaning public rights of way would have been lost.

The Welsh government has previously repealed the cut-off date.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-60418555

Severn Trent Water faces backlash over 7.1% bill rise

Whilst we were all looking out for energy price increases, it looks like another utility is creeping up in terms of bills and prices, many rural dwellers will be negatively impacted by this proposed rise in prices. This story tells us:

A water company is facing criticism from MPs and members of the public for increasing its average bills by 7.1%.

Severn Trent, which supplies water to eight million people in the Midlands, said it had schemes available to support customers who needed it.

But Conservative and Labour MPs from the region said the rise was one of the biggest in the country.

The government said bill rises were carefully scrutinised by a regulator.

Severn Trent said the rise would mean average household bills would increase by £26 per year.

"That's a big difference," Peter Lee, from East Leake, in Nottinghamshire, told the BBC.

"We'll have to start cutting down on other things. Perhaps we won't go on holiday in future. We've got one booked in August but, after that, I really don't know.

"What we can do about it... I don't think the government can do a great deal, other than giving rebates and things like that, but who pays for that - us?"

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-60621462

Average UK house price exceeds £260,000 for first time

I really do worry on the strength of this story that rural places are becoming even more challenging for people of modest means to live. It tells us:

A shortage of homes for sale last month sent house price growth spiralling for the seventh consecutive month to 12.6%, prompting concerns that property values are moving further out of reach of first-time buyers.

Prices of the average home increased by 1.7% in February to more than £260,000 for the first time, said the building society Nationwide, accelerating the pace of growth from 11.2% in January.

Analysts, who expected a smaller increase in prices last month, said the ending of Covid restrictions enforced because of the Omicron variant and the threat of several interest rate rises this year from the Bank of England also spurred buyers to secure homes ahead of the peak Easter buying period.

Stiff competition between lenders for mortgage business, which has driven the offers for fixed-rate mortgages lower in recent months, was another factor driving prices higher.

Nationwide said the increase pushed the average British house price to £260,230, after soaring by almost £30,000 over the past 12 months – the biggest annual increase in cash terms that its monthly index has recorded in more than 30 years of its existence.

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2022/mar/02/average-uk-house-price-exceeds-260000-pounds-first-time-nationwide

First-of-its-kind survey shows impact of UK farm shops

Lest you thought it was a cottage industry the farm shop is big business. This story tells us:

Farm shops across the UK generate a massive £1.4 billion in sales nationally while employing 25,000 workers, the first substantial survey of its kind has shown.

The fresh findings were revealed today (2 March) by Harper Adams University at the annual Farm Retail Association Conference.

Researchers aimed to understand the impact farm shops have on communities, farmers and suppliers as well as the wider economy and the UK’s rural landscape.

The study found that there are an estimated 1,581 farm retailers nationally, employing 25,000 people, with sales totalling £1.4 billion.

Some 64% of farm shops expect sales to increase further in 2022 and a third of all farm shops have opened in the last 10 years.

Other findings showed that customers are attracted to shopping with farm retailers because of their quality of products, customer service and the farm setting.

https://www.farminguk.com/news/first-of-its-kind-survey-shows-impact-of-uk-farm-shops_59951.html

Antique clock repairs at risk due to expert shortage

Charming but serious, I love this story about clock making and repairing and the fact that one of the two centres of excellence is in a rural setting. Whilst rural settings can provide very contemporary workplaces this article serves to remind us that there are a number of highly skilled areas of work which help reinforce a positive image of rural econmies.

An antique clock restorer has warned of a "dire" shortage of experts in the craft as so many are reaching retirement age.

Clockmaking is now on the Red List of Endangered Crafts, drawn up by the Heritage Crafts Association (HCA).

Mark Sampson, a clock repairer based in Gloucestershire, said young people are no longer coming into the profession.

It will become more difficult in the next 30-40 years to get clocks, both modern and antique, repaired, he said.

There are now only two training colleges offering horology courses in England; West Dean College, Sussex, and the School of Jewellery, Birmingham.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-60562139

And Finally

Atherstone ball game returns for 822nd year after pandemic break

Marvellous story based in a classic rural town, I love the Haxey Hood in North Lincolnshire which is not quite as old as this game but of a still truly great vintage.

A Warwickshire town kicked off its ancient Shrove Tuesday ball game following a two-year break due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The 822nd Atherstone Ball Game involved hundreds of people competing on the streets for ownership of a heavy, leather ball.

Rob Bernard, chairman of the organising committee, said: "We are absolutely delighted that it is back on now."

Josh Sheldon, from Grendon, was named the winner after the two-hour match.

Mr Sheldon said it had been easy to hold on to the ball at the end - as he had hid it under his T-shirt.

"It had popped and then I quickly took it and put it under my T-shirt and me and my friend were just in a deep hug," he said.

People had been "extremely excited" about the return of the game, which gains international attention, Mr Bernard added.

"It's a unique event really, there's a lot of people interested in it," he said.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-60570047