Rural Matters

The diocese, which covers a large rural area that includes some of the UK’s most productive farmland ranging from intensive horticulture to commodity grain production. The diocese is famous for its leaf salad production. These crops are largely picked by labour from overseas and their welfare has been a significant issue in the Diocese recently. A major conference was held in 2006 in Wisbech on migrant workers and the Church has been involved in a number of local authority initiatives concerning travellers and migrant workers.

The area is also home to many leading agricultural supply industries as well as food packing and processing businesses which provide significant employment. British Sugar’s Wissington sugar beet factory is within the diocese, and not only processes sugar beet, but alsohas an innovative role in developing biofuels.

There is also an increasing level of rural tourism, adding further to the economy of the region. Thus, the diocese takes an extensive interest in a wide-ranging portfolio of rural affairs.

The Board currently works to represent and support these areas of social concern:

• Asylum Seekers
• Church Urban Fund
• Churches Regional Forum
• Criminal Justice
• Ely Social Responsibility Forum External website
• Environmental matters
• Fairtrade
• Health
• International charity work
• Local Voluntary Agencies
• Newsletters
• People at Work
• Travellers and gypsies
• Working with other churches
• World Mission