The first of eight consultation events on the future of Ruby Country was held in Holsworthy's Memorial Hall on Wednesday, October 1.

Jim White, Ruby Country Project Manager, said the purpose of the meeting was to get a picture of what developments and changes the people who lived and worked there would like to see in the area by the year 2020.

He first gave a short presentation on how the Ruby Country Project had been set up to regenerate the 45 parishes around Holswo­rthy and Hatherleigh in the wake of foot and mouth and declining farm incomes. A Ruby identity had been established, a business and training network had been created to promote local produce and products, the cycle way extended, walking trails identified and the area's unique tourist attractions promoted.

A number of community events had taken place such as the Ruby Run, a Ruby lecture and a food festival and more events were planned including an Art Expo in the Memorial Hall next February. He said their current funding would end in 2009 and they were hoping the Rural Develop­ment Programme for England would fill the gap.

Then Tom Dixon, Ruby Country Coordinator, invited all those present to say what they hoped could be achieved in the next ten years or so. Suggestions included completion of the cycle way, the culm grassland fully managed, better transport links, more locally sourced food supplies, balanced tourism and a sustainable energy programme at a time of dwindling oil supplies. There followed a detailed discussion on how to achieve these aims.

Among the ideas put forward was the creation of circular routes around the footpaths, cycle ways and bridle paths, linked by park and ride buses able to carry bicycles, and rides in wagons drawn by heavy horses. Once Holswor­thy's new livestock market is in operation, the site of the present market was thought to be a good site for a park and ride service.