Devon is full of beautiful and quirky rural towns and villages such as Ashford, Morthoe, Croyde, High Bickington, Muddiford, Prixford, Coombe Martin, Filleigh and Newton Tracey.  Inside which, are spectacular people like you!  If you invest your time into a rural community or livelihood you could be in line for extra funding – Bonus!

The Prince's Trust are currently feeling very generous and are helping projects and schemes countywide.  The only drawback is that they must fall into one of the following categories:

• Improving the viability of British farming, targeting the areas of greatest need;

• Improving the sustainability of rural communities, targeting the areas of greatest need;

Organisations, you and your farmer friends can apply for a maximum grant of £50,000 (inclusive of VAT) over a period of three years.  This can pay for a portion or all the costs of a project, as either a one-off grant or as ongoing support. Do you fall into one of these categories?

Thriving Rural Communities – Do you have a project that provides innovative solutions to deliver assets and services that keep rural communities together and develop a more sustainable rural economy? i.e. empowering communities to provide village services or create business hubs and employment for local people.

Rural Livelihoods – Is yours a project that focus' on developing stronger, more sustainable farm and rural enterprises with the aim of halting the decline of the rural economy? i.e. providing rural businesses with support and advice or supporting farmer led initiatives.

Farmers of the Future – If your project helps improve skills and increase opportunities of taking up rural careers, especially in farming, with the aim of remaining within and contributing to the rural economy  i.e. training opportunities and apprenticeship schemes, inspiring and enabling new entrants to consider a career in farming.

Time is running out!  If you love your Rural Community and are Proud to live in the beautiful Devon Countryside you can apply now for The Prince’s Trust Countryside Fund.  The closing date is the 9th April 2015.  You can call them on 0207 566 6615 or email:  pcfapplication@bitc.org.uk

So if you’re a Lynton Lovely, a Gorgeous Georgeham or a Super trooper from Shirwell................get involved!!