Swann issues village SOS call

AN appeal has gone out to rural residents in the borough to ensure the future of their communities by signing up to the innovative Village SOS programme.

Issuing his call this week, UUP MLA Robin Swann said: “The economic downturn and cuts crisis have unfortunately placed a serious question mark over the long-term survival of many of our rural communities.

“I warmly welcome the launch of the innovative Village SOS scheme which is supported by the Big Lottery Fund and the BBC, and I wholeheartedly encourage the villagers of North Antrim to sign up to this very worthwhile initiative.

“The benefit of Village SOS is that it aims to create a rural revival and inspire people in those communities to start businesses which will breathe new life into those regions, and importantly, create employment.

“A special website has been launched (www.villagesos.org.uk) which provides tools, support and advice as well as expert guidance which will assist our rural communities in this process of transforming their areas,” said Mr Swann. “By getting involved with Village SOS, we can halt the drift of people away from the rural areas and into the towns where it is putting enormous pressure on those urban facilities,” he said.

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