New strategies and ideas bloomed at the Mole Valley Rural Community Summit in Hartsfield Manor last week.

The event hosted representatives from a range of businesses and community groups across rural Mole Valley and was hosted by BBC journalist Nicholas Owen (pictured).

Councillor Corinna Osborne-Patterson, Cabinet Member for People and Rural Mole Valley, helped to organize the event and praised attendees and speakers alike for their contribution.

Cllr Osborne-Patterson said: "Thank you to all our speakers, rural businesses and community groups for giving up your time to join us. Thanks to you there was a brilliant buzz to the event; it was exciting to hear so many thought-provoking conversations and see so many new connections being made.

"Your ideas and feedback are invaluable as we plan how best to support you now and into the future."

A number of local specialists were there disseminating information, including English Rural Housing Association, Superfast Surrey Broadband, Surrey Hills AONB, Surrey Police, North Downs Line Community Rail Partnership, Metrobus, MVDC’s Community Grants and Planning Teams, and many more.

These organizations and all the attendees together examined the key priorities as identified in MVDC’s Rural Community Strategy 2018 Action Plan, namely digital connectivity, the visitor economy, community safety, rural-based businesses and rural housing.