OKEHAMPTON-based Devon Heartlands Community Forum came in for praise at the recent Sustainable and Resilient Rural Communities Conference for its work in offering local people and organisations the opportunity to meet and engage with agencies and elected members working on local issues. 

The forum has enjoyed the support of the highly influential Carnegie UK Trust and was congratulated by its director Dr Kate Braithwaite for its excellent work to help sustain local community involvement.

The conference, held in Tiverton earlier this month, boasted an engaging and varied programme with displays from a dozen of the region's top organisations, including Devon Heartlands. 

Cabinet member for Devon County Council, Cllr Andrew Leadbetter, said: 'I have been genuinely impressed with the messages and hard work of the organisations represented here and the county council will do all it can to support you in your important work.' 

Director of the Devon Towns Forum, one of the conference organisers, Paul Delahoy, said: 'This was one of those conferences where people didn't wriggle in their seats or leave in their droves after lunch.

'Indeed the mood was so positive and upbeat you could see people really enjoyed engaging with these important issues throughout the day.'

Devon Heartlands manager Ewen Rae and director Steve Blood also attended the conference.

Mr Rae said: 'The forum concept is proving an excellent way in which local people can engage with local issues and we are delighted with the support we have had from carnegie.

'We now have the interest of Devon County Council, West Devon Borough Council, Devon and Cornwall Police, Okehampton Town Council and the health service, who are looking at what we do, and we look forward to their continued support.'