Act fast to save our villages
THE decline in village life started when inheritance tax broke the wealth of landowners. It has continued as working family farms all but disappear, with barns converted into weekend retreats for the wealthy. If the trend continues, we will end up with only old fogies living in dormitory villages. Rural communities used to have football and cricket teams, and tug-of-war competitions. There would be a thriving pub, schools and a post office, but these are all disappearing. How can we
reverse this decline and reinvent rural community life? We need parish councils to oversee village plans where small developments of up to 20 houses are built and sold at cost, plus a small profit, to local people. Inheritance tax should be reviewed for family businesses in the countryside. With the UK leaving the EU, there are great opportunities for farmers not only to make a living, but to run enjoyable enterprises.
LaURENCE KEELEY, Herstmonceux, E. Sussex.