Last month, a room of rural leaders gathered at The Barn in Scorton for ‘Sowing the Seeds,’ a landmark consultation event hosted by Wyre Council and Lancaster City Council, in partnership with SRH Agribusiness and The Small Business Academy.
Guests enjoyed a lively evening of discussion and networking, complete with a traditional Pie and Pea supper courtesy of The Small Business Academy, which also provided the Master of Ceremonies.
The event brought together farmers, rural businesses, and community leaders to shape priorities and raise awareness for future strategies. Parish Councils represented included Barnacre-with-Bonds, Garstang Town Council, Kirkland, Nateby, Nether Wyresdale, Stalmine with Stagnall, Winmarleigh, and Silverdale. Rural Town Councils represented were Garstang and Preesall, reinforcing the importance of local voices in rural decision-making.
Councillor Peter Le Marinel, Wyre Council’s Planning Policy and Economic Development Portfolio Holder, said:
“Rural business owners and residents must understand that their ideas can shape the future of our countryside in Wyre and Lancaster districts. We welcome members of our rural community to speak up for what matters to you. Together, we can turn challenges into opportunities and create thriving rural places. Let’s build a future where every voice makes a difference.”
The event featured group discussions on five key themes, including agriculture and estate landscapes, demographics and workforce alongside education and community services, diversification and business development, infrastructure and connectivity, and environmental and strategic land use.
Participants tackled rural challenges head-on through facilitated discussion and shared actionable ideas to guide Council support. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and momentum had already begun to build. Several businesses and organisations signed up for ongoing collaboration with the Councils and their event partners to drive rural growth forward.
Insights from the evening will feed into an online public rural consultation survey launching soon, followed by a round table meeting in February 2026. These steps will help shape a comprehensive rural framework for future strategy and investment.
For more information, please contact regeneration@wyre.gov.uk or business.support@lancaster.gov.uk