PRINCE Charles this week at The Craven Heifer at Stainforth, North Yorkshire, launched a new report called 'The Pub is the Hub'. Why?, well...
six rural pubs a week are closing in England and Wales, according to British Beer and Pub Association property adviser John Langden
more than half of all English villages have no pub and seven out of ten have no village shop.
"Rural communities, and this country's rural way of life, are facing unprecedented challenges," wrote Prince Charles as a forward to the report.
"Now, perhaps more than ever in their history, they must draw on their resourcefulness and resilience ... to find new ways to help themselves."
He added: "Pubs and communities can work together to their mutual benefit to help prevent the loss of vital services."
Community service grants from the Countryside Agency's Vital Villages programme could be available to some pubs (information on 0870 3330170).
And there is advice in The Pub is the Hub report available by ringing (0870) 1206466.
Updated: 12:09 Thursday, December 20, 2001
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