Easter, and our hopes for the spring
Easter is an important time for Christians across the South Downs and beyond. It is a time when those who observe reflect on the ideas of rebirth and hope.
For many, it’s also a time to come together and have time with friends and family.
I hope that everyone across the South Downs had the opportunity to reflect, even just briefly, over the long weekend and that those of faith enjoyed the Easter worship.
Easter also firmly marks the onset of Spring and the opening of what I hope locally is a busy and successful season for our hospitality and tourism sector.
Our attractive high streets, museums, visitor attractions, vineyards, breweries and countryside walks are all part of the rural visitor economy and so I am delighted that the Government took the opportunity to extend the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief Scheme at the Autumn Statement in 2023.
This offers many businesses an extremely useful 75% discount on business rates, saving the average independent pub nearly £13,000 in the coming year.
Our world-class vineyards, supported by initiatives such as Sussex Modern, also benefit from the freeze in alcohol duty this year.
I must also pay tribute to our farmers who, this lambing season, will work long days and nights to tend to their birthing ewes.
It’s a great example of something that for all the talk of AI and technology, cannot be automated and that’s been going on here in the South Downs for centuries.
Last week, I met with local farmers at one of my regular farming roundtables and I put on my record my firm appreciation for the work they do to put food on our tables.
We covered everything from improving food security, the National Park and local councils insufficiently supporting diversification, to new environmental land management schemes and the fact that UK animal welfare standards since Brexit have significantly improved.