Our support has changed since the 1960s
As you may be aware, Action Hampshire has in recent years provided training, funding and support to help community businesses in rural areas grow and develop. These have included community associations, a community farm and a village shop.
Did you know though that as far back as 1962, Action Hampshire (then known as Hampshire Council of Community Service – HCCS) had a rural industries committee whose job it was to support rural businesses? This involved helping to improve the skills of rural craftspeople, such as thatching and administering a rural industries loan fund, to help businesses with purchasing buildings and equipment as well as a capital loans fund. In 1965, we organised courses in tractor hydraulics and tractor electrics (definitely not something Action Hampshire has carried on!) and in 1966 a course was arranged for young people in rural business (something we have continued to promote).
Our 1962 annual report records the difficulties (in rather non-PC language!) experienced by what we would now call sole traders in rural areas and how were able to support them:
“In spite of the impact of larger businesses. It has become apparent that a large part of the community makes use of the ‘little’ man because of his adaptability and personal interest in the customer. This year has shown that…a one-man business is not economic. The need for special equipment and better workshops has produced overheads too great for one man to carry. Yet without them he cannot give the service necessary for him to survive. Hence when a man considers installing additional equipment, he must be advised not only on the machinery to be acquired but also on the development of his business to carry the additional expenditure and subsequent cost of maintenance/replacement’.
While our knowledge of rural machinery is not what it once was, our ability to support small and local community businesses and social enterprises in rural areas has continued.
Follow this link find out more about the Rural Community Council
