Small rural businesses in Buckinghamshire, like most businesses in the country, are facing challenging times yet there are many businesses that are investing and expanding even in a small way. Two of these are Parslow Honey and The Black Pig, Chiltern Hills (AKA Berkshire Pig co). Both businesses have recently received a business grant from the LEADER programme for Bucks and have been able to buy new equipment, increase marketing and increase sales and production.

“It is great to see rural businesses expanding even during these difficult times. I felt that the viewers would be interested in rural businesses and the grants that are available. These people are clearly passionate about their businesses.” said Nikki of BBC Oxford.

Bruce Garside of Black Pig Chiltern Hills, who used his LEADER grant to purchase a new van and 5 hog roasting machines, very proudly told Nikki of the busy order book that he was filling having built up an excellent reputation. Most of his machines are already booked out for the Jubilee weekend!

“Berkshire pigs are an old English breed. They have such great personalities and are exceptionally tasty. Pig farming has been in our family for three generations.” Bruce’s pigs are free range and are grazed in woods in the Chilterns.

Nikki then met Barry Parslow of Parslow apiaries, a local honey producer whose LEADER grant contributed towards new workshops and equipment.

“We just have to expand if we want to take on more staff.” said Barry. “The grant has helped us get on to a new level. All we need now is the support of the right weather.” He said looking at the snow falling.  Later during Nikkis filming the sun came out and the bees immediately came to life.

The report was broadcast after the BBC 6 o’clock news on BBC Oxford covering Aylesbury Vale and west Buckinghamshire on Friday 10th February 2012.

LEADER is a European rural grant that is available to farmers and rural businesses in the Chilterns. The grant is focused on micro businesses who wish to expand or purchase capital equipment. Each award can be up to £50,000 and is match funded by 50% by the business owner.

Nick Philips is Ngage’s LEADER Project Manager

For more information on LEADER grants call Nick Phillips 01494 568 969 or visit the LEADER website at http://www.leader-programme.org.uk

View role and responsibilities

Download Application Form

Interested to know more?
For more information about the scheme and to discuss your eligibility please contact Mike on 01494 568 970 or email mike.furness@ngagesolutions.co.uk

22 November 2011
Wood fuel boom as other
energy costs spiral

At this time of year people often say we have become too materialistic in our outlook but it’s worth remembering that not all businesses operate with the sole focus of turning in a profit. Social enterprises are businesses, but it is how we work and what we do with our profits, that make us different.  When you buy from a social enterprise you spread a little goodwill and benefit society whatever the season. 

The values that underpin Ngage Solutions are the driving force behind our organisation. We are passionate about supporting and developing other enterprises and our reserves are invested in new projects and funding streams that benefit the local economy. 

It’s this combination of doing business and doing good that makes Ngage an exciting organisation to work with.

So as 2012 approaches we would like to thank all of our customers and partners for helping us on this journey.  In particular I would like to raise awareness of our ‘Christmas Charity’ SpecialEffect –who use cutting edge technology to enable the most profoundly disabled in society to communicate and have fun. Watch this fantastic video of some of the technology in action!

For more information about the work they do please visit the SpecialEffect website or join us in making a donation on JustGiving.

Have a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Philippa Batting is Ngage’s Managing Director, to contact Philippa email philippa.batting@ngagesolutions.co.uk or call 01494 568 977

I am delighted that The Forestry Commission England has recently introduced a new £10m grant scheme to revitalise woodland management which aims to produce woodfuel by improving roads and access for extraction, making it easier to make a profit from the harvest.

The Woodfuel Woodland Improvement Grant (WIG) is available throughout England but most of the funds are targeted towards to the South East, South West and Cumbria, where there is greater potential for woodfuel supply.

This grant will help to improve the infrastructure of undermanaged woodlands and reduce the costs of marketing timber. As well as supplying the growing woodfuel market from thinnings and other operations, well managed woodland can also produce high quality timber. In turn this management improves the quality of woodlands for wildlife.

I have been appointed as the Programme Manager for Ngage Solutions to coordinate applications from woodland owners and foresters. We will deliver the grant on behalf of the Forestry Commission. Ngage Solutions has a track record as an innovative, not-for-profit deliverer of publicly funded services and economic development projects.

I have always taken a special interest in forestry and particularly in the sustainable economic development of woodlands. I have a good knowledge of forestry, and an in-depth knowledge of the workings of Rural Development Programme for England funded grant schemes.

There is an old phrase that says “A wood that pays is a wood that stays.” This new scheme aims to revitalise the economic viability of sustainable woodland management by helping get timber to market. It will create rural jobs and help grow the green economy.

If you would like to know more, please contact me to discuss your proposed access improvements and I will guide you through the whole application process.”

Mike

Contact Mike Furness by email on  mike.furness@ngagesolutions.co.uk  or by telephone 01494 568 970 or  07795 515 413.

Download application forms for Woodfuel WIG online at www.forestry.gov.uk/ewgs-wigwoodfuel

Mike Furness is Project Manager, Woodfuel WIG for Ngage Solutions working on behalf of the Forestry Commission.

For more information about National Tree Week go to
http://www.treecouncil.org.uk/press-and-news/item/3342-national-tree-week