06/11 14 new parish plans funded in Cambridgeshire

14 new parish plans funded in Cambridgeshire

Rural communities across Cambridgeshire have received grants to help
create parish plans thanks to Defra funding.

In 2005-06 Defra made £1 million available nationally for parish plans,
a tool which can help local voices be heard by decision makers and give
local communities more control over their own affairs. Now 14 new
parish plans have been funded in Cambridgeshire.

Parish plans involve a whole village in identifying their priorities
and setting out an action plan to tackle them. This process has already
led to direct action by rural residents across the district that have
improved the way local areas and services are managed.

Parish plans are tangible evidence of local priorities for local
planners, service providers, grant-giving organisations, and local
authorities.

A parish plan is not just a wish list: it sets out specific action
points, and identifies who is responsible for acting upon them. Although a
plan can take a year or even two to complete, and needs a dedicated,
committed team of volunteers in a parish plan steering group, planners
agree that this is time well spent.

The plan can incorporate issues that are truly local and on topics such
as:
* Highways
* Footpaths
* Conservation and environment
* Sport,
* Recreation
* Arts
* Young People
* Community safety
* Schools
* Transport
* Education
* Housing
* Heath
* Business

These plans can generate new community spirit, with everybody pulling
together as volunteers, all trying to create a better life for local
people. Unexpected local talents are discovered and parish councils can be
revitalised.

In 2006-07 support for rural communities continues to be available
through Defra's new Rural Social and Community programme, which supports a
range of activities including parish planning.

Decisions on activities are made by those best placed to decide: local
people. Each Rural Community Council played a key role in defining the
Rural Social and Community programme in their local area, and can be
contacted for information about funding for parish plans.

19/09 PREPARATIONS UNDERWAY FOR LAST AIR SHOW OF 2006

PREPARATIONS UNDERWAY FOR LAST AIR SHOW OF 2006

Preparations are well underway for Duxford's Autumn Air Show, the last
major UK air show of the 2006 season. The show will take place on
Sunday 8 October and feature a host of favourites from historic
propeller-driven aircraft through to modern front-line jets.

The display has a distinctly French connection with the French national
Aerobatic team the Patrouille de France headlining the show, supported
by the French Curtiss Hawk 75 and two T-28 Fennecs. Other air show
classics such as Spitfires, Mustangs and the B-17 Sally B, will also
feature in the show, which has a special place in the Duxford calendar as the
last chance each year to see all your air show favourites.

The whole of the Museum will also be open for visitors to enjoy with
plenty to see including Duxford's dramatic new £25 million AirSpace
exhibition, The Battle of Britain and the evocative Forgotten War
exhibitions, conservation work in progress and the stunning American Air Museum.
There will also be over 80 trade stands selling all kinds of aviation
and military-related merchandise.

Duxford is located just south of Cambridge at junction 10 of the M11.
Gates open at 8.00 am and the flying begins at 1.30 pm. Tickets -
Adults £22, Senior Citizens/Concessions £19, Children £10. Superb VIP-style
Gold Pass tickets are available in advance - for more information about
tickets or the flying programme call 01223 835000 or visit
www.iwm.org.uk/duxford

19/09 ALL ABOARD THE WORLD'S BIGGEST BUS RALLY

ALL ABOARD THE WORLD'S BIGGEST BUS RALLY

On Sunday 24 September Showbus, the largest bus rally in the world,
will take place at Imperial War Museum Duxford. Over 500 buses, both
single and double-decker, historic and modern, are expected to gather at the
show, now in its 13th year at Duxford.

A magnet for bus enthusiasts from the UK and beyond, the show has also
proved immensely popular with the general public. Many of the vintage
and classic buses are privately owned and have been lovingly restored
by enthusiasts, with every decade since the 20s represented.

A record number of entries have been received for the show so far and
organisers are hoping for a bumper show. Says Christian Pratt, Duxford's
Head of Commercial Services "Showbus grows in popularity every year,
with 2006 being no exception. The event, the biggest of its kind in the
world, brings together an unrivalled collection of classic and modern
types and Duxford is delighted to host such a special occasion."

The show will feature the ever popular 'gold-run' of London
Routemasters, with a procession of these classic double deckers arriving at
Duxford around 11.30am. There will also be the opportunity for visitors to
take a tour of Duxford village on new and vintage buses.

As well as the display of several hundred buses, visitors will be able
to browse a selection of trade stands selling all manner of bus-related
ephemera. The whole museum site will also be open, including limited
access to Duxford's new £25 million AirSpace exhibition.

Duxford is open daily from 10am and is located just south of Cambridge
at junction 10 of the M11. Ample free parking is available. Admission
is FREE for Children under 16, £13 for Adults, £11 for Senior Citizens,
and £8 for Concessions. Group rates are available. For further
information please visit the Duxford Website at www.iwm.org.uk/duxford. For
enquiries please call 01223 835000 or email duxford@iwm.org.uk. For more
information about Showbus please visit the Showbus website at
www.showbus.com.uk.