Welcome to the website of the Wales Rural Observatory.

The website provides details of the Observatory’s main functions, its core research and management team and its extensive programme of work.

The site includes information on key publications and downloadable summaries of statistical and research reports, and allows users to register with our electronic mailing service to receive regular updates of the Observatory’s activities.

Whether you are an individual interested in the social and economic conditions of rural Wales or a representative of an organisation dealing with rural issues in Wales, we feel that this site will provide you with a broad range of useful information.

We would be grateful to receive any comments on the website and the activities of the Observatory more generally by email or through the electronic discussion board included on this site.

NEWS

NEW REPORTS

The latest reports issued by the WRO can now be found at:
http://www.walesruralobservatory.org.uk/eng/pub-e.html

The new reports include

July 2008

Report on the Household Survey in Rural Wales 2008

Rural Business Survey 2008

Services Survey 2008

Bovine Tuberculosis Health Check – Veterinary Capacity Survey

The Wales Rural Observatory are collecting views from the veterinary profession on the impact of the Bovine Tuberculosis Health Check within veterinary practices and the capacity to increase bovine tuberculosis testing.

Copies of this questionnaire are available to download:

English version

Welsh version

To help answer the questions, a map indicating the approximate amount and location of additional bTB herd tests is available to download:

English version

Welsh version

To complete an electronic copy of the survey:

1) Click on the relevant link below to download the questionnaire
2) Save the document on to your computer (If the document is open use the top menu and navigate to File...Save As)
3) Open the document on your computer and print it out
4) Complete the questionnaire
5) On completion of the questionnaire please return it by post to this Freepost address:

Dr Gareth Enticott
Wales Rural Observatory
FREEPOST RLTZ-HBYJ-BRRA
Cardiff University
King Edward VII Avenue
Cardiff, CF10 3WA

Rural Business & Services Survey 2007

To complete an electronic copy of the survey:

1) Click on the relevant link below to download the questionnaire
2) Save the document on to your computer (If the document is open use the top menu and navigate to File...Save As)
3) Open the document on your computer and complete the questionnaire
4) On completion of the questionnaire save the document, please e-mail it to: 
   kitchenl@cardiff.ac.uk (Business Survey) or molesk@cardiff.ac.uk (Services Survey)

Rural Business Survey 2007

Electronic Questionnaire available to download:

Arolwg Busnesnau yng Nghefn Gwlad 2007 (Welsh Version)

Rural Business Survey 2007 (English Version)

Rural Services Survey 2007

Electronic Questionnaire available to download:

Arolwg Gwasanaethau 2007 (Welsh Version)

Services Survey 2007 (English Version)



Dr Bill Edwards, 1944 -2007

It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Dr Bill Edwards, Co-director of the Wales Rural Observatory. Over several decades, Bill dedicated much of his research energies towards rural Wales, making significant academic and policy contributions to the fields of rural community development and rural housing. Bill played a significant role in developing the Rural Observatory, overseeing the work programme in Aberystwyth and playing a major part in many of its research projects. He will be greatly missed by his colleagues in the Rural Observatory.

RESSG SEMINAR

December 2005

Researching Rural Wales: Emerging evidence from the Wales Rural Observatory
Rural Economy and Society Study Group Seminar (RESSG)
12 December 2005
Cardiff University

The seminar provided a presentation and update of the work of the Wales Rural Observatory, including key findings from the projects completed to date. The presentations made can be found on this website at:
http://www.walesruralobservatory.org.uk/eng/pub-e.html

NEW REPORTS

The latest reports issued by the WRO can now be found at:
http://www.walesruralobservatory.org.uk/eng/pub-e.html

The new reports include

January 2006

Report 6: Poverty and Social Exclusion in Rural Wales
Report 7: Rural Labour Markets: exploring the mismatches

May 2006

Report 8: The significance of Public Sector Employment in Rural Wales

September 2006

Report 9: Homelessness in Rural Wales
Report 10: Housing Need in Rural Wales: towards sustainable solutions

November 2006

Report 11: Assessing the Eco-economy of Rural Wales

Febuary 2007

Report 12: Coping with Access to Services
Report 13: Small and Market Towns in Rural Wales and their Hinterlands
Report 14: Population Change in Rural Wales: Social and Cultural Impacts