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ruralnet|uk are the proud publishers of a unique book which captures the collective anecdotes of over 100 people, offering a distinct insight into rural Britain: past and future. Read a review here.

The extraordinary publication titled ‘A Snapshot of Rural Britain - 100 memories, 100 visions’ was written by ruralnet|2007 delegates in just 8 minutes. The plenary session on the first day of the conference was facilitated by poet Brian Lewis, who created the concept for ‘A Book in 8 Minutes’. Delegates were first introduced to the significance of an anecdote or ‘gob bite’. Anecdotes can not only provide an individual and personal account of an experience or memory; they can also indicate something about the attitudes, social circumstances, and technological progress embedded within somebody’s tale, providing an historical importance.

This collection of thoughts on a rural theme is enhanced by a selection of photographs and illustrations and has a foreword by Professor Mark Shucksmith who comments:

‘This book has beautiful and evocative photos, … but it also has something rarer: its real richness and value comes from the text presenting and celebrating the voices of people who live in rural Britain today. And they had much to say.’

Please click-here-for-sneak-preview-of-the-book.pdf (425kb)

The book, which is a fascinating collation of the memories and visions that total 20,000 words, is available to order by contacting Angela Brankley on 0845 1300411 or you can email bookorder@ruralnet.org.uk. The price of the book is £9.99, plus £1.50 p&p -and a further 0.50p for each additional book ordered.

Notes to Editors

1. Professor Mark Shucksmith a Board Member of the Commission for Rural Communities. He is Professor of Planning at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. He was formerly Professor of Land Economy and Director of the Arkleton Centre for Rural Development Research, Aberdeen. From 2004-2008, he was First Vice-President of the International Rural Sociological Association and Programme Chair for the XI World Rural Sociology Congress in 2004. Professor Shucksmith is an expert on rural housing and social exclusion in rural areas. From 1997-2003 he was Programme Director for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s Action in Rural Areas programme.

2. ruralnet|2007 took place at The Belfry in the West Midlands on 10/11 October 2007.