Looking forward to meeting Chair & CEO of NAVCA this pm as part of our regular meetings with bodies that share some of our aims or space.

It’s an ACRE morning in Whitehall today: first, alongside Rural Coalition and RSN, meeting with other countryside bodies to co-ordinate submissions to the CSR before we meet Liz Truss in May.

Then meeting with Charity Commission to see how we can work more closely to support Network members in the advice they give to village halls. Huge thx to Deb’ Clarke & Louise Beaton for the wisdom and insight they bring to this work & our meeting today.

London bound today, quarterly meeting with Defra UK David_ACRE Richard Quallington and then it’s on to NCVO for another meeting. Squeezing in an #ACREnetwork teleconference in between

Reflecting on hugely positive day at NCVO conference, meeting many Network members, partners and other supporters. Day topped off by final plea of a powerful speech from @ruthibegbuna about the added challenges for rural young people in accessing the services they deserve.

Privileged as ACRE chair to meet HM the Queen this evening as part of NCVO centenary celebrations. RCCs were crucial part of the establishment of the (then) NCSS in 1920s - & we remain a crucial part of civil society today!

Pleased to be able to support the Community Garage at Hawes while visiting the Dales - this is not a sign you come across every day!

Heading to meeting Treasury & Liz Truss to present coordinated CSR submission from 8 rural bodies. An impressive collaboration, with our input skilfully facilitated as ever by Jeremy Leggett

Great to see Oliver Baines Oliver Baines (ex CornwallRCC) on front page of Guardian G2 today as a splendid example of radical ‘retiree action’. A model for us!

Many congratulations to Jeremy Leggett MBE for well deserved recognition for his long commitment to rural communities. We are very proud of you Jeremy!

ACRE believes affordable housing helps rural communities to thrive. We are proud to support #RuralHousingWeek

Only 13% of hospital consultants were appointed to rural areas last year; many of which areas are now severely ‘under-doctored’ such that patient lives may be at risk. New RCP report cited in today’s Observer paper.

Hugely looking forward to kicking off Rural Action Derbyshire’s conference for village and community halls - Fit for the Future - tomorrow. Delighted to have been invited as I know I’ll make many discoveries as well as exciting ideas for halls elsewhere.

En route to the reopening of Cliviger Village Hall, Burnley; the first completed project of the VH Improvement Fund. Excited to see the completed renovations as well as to celebrate this new support for village hall improvements across the country.

Deborah gave a great interview to BBC Farming Today this morning - in case you missed it at 5.45!

We're thrilled that Louise Olivia Beaton receives an OBE for her many years supporting rural communities, especially village hall trustees. Her advice drawn from a deep understanding of community buildings helped these vital assets weather recent lockdowns. Many congratulations LB!

Terrific news that ACRE trustee Louise Olivia Beaton is made OBE in NY honours for her long commitment to village & community halls, & their dedicated trustees. Many congrats Louise!