Partners in Progress

The partnership represents a wide range of interests works together to develop the strategic direction for Creative Rural Communities and to provide ongoing advice and guidance.  

The Vale of Glamorgan Rural Partnership meets quarterly and is focused on the regeneration of the area. It is chaired by farmer Norman Jenkins, a local man, born and bred. He comes from a traditional Welsh farming family, is a member of the National Farmers’ Union and a stalwart of the Vale of Glamorgan Farmers' Market. He also helps out his wife at their nursery, Bordervale plants in Ystradowen.

He presides over a Partnership whose members cover a diverse and representative range of interests. The rest of the membership represents the public sector, the private sector and the voluntary and community sector. Vice Chairman is Rachel Connor, the former Director of the Vale Volunteer Bureau for ten years before being appointed as the Executive Director of Vale Centre for Voluntary Services in 2002. She has many years’ experience of working as a volunteer and trustee for a variety of local organisations and has represented the voluntary sector on numerous national and regional partnerships and committees on issues ranging from European Funding to Volunteering.

Other bodies represented on the partnership include Farmers Unions, Chambers of Trade, Town Councils and business networks.