A FORMER Dorset dairy farmer has been chosen to lead the project which will help Hatherleigh and its surrounding villages recover from the foot and mouth crisis.
Charles Coffin, 47, will be joining the Hatherleigh Area Project as development worker, a key job in drawing down funding for community initiatives to get the area back on its feet.
He will be working alongside Sophie Price of Exbourne, who will be part-time project administrator, from an office in Hatherleigh's Deacon House.
Mr Coffin has a background in business and agriculture, having been a farmer in a family diary business in Dorset from 1980 to 2001. He has chaired Dorset Village Parish Council and been heavily involved in community affairs.
He has held various positions in Milk Marque and was chairman of the Dorset NFU in 1993/4 and the South West NFU in 1997/8. He is currently studying part-time for a masters degree in rural development at Plymouth University.
Mr Coffin said he was looking forward to the challenge of working with the community in Hatherleigh and surrounding villages.
'As a farmer for more than 20 years I am acutely aware of the problems foot and mouth continues to cause,' he said.
'My aim will be to work with local people and identify with them projects that we can develop together.'
The Hatherleigh Area Project will also support the Farm Crisis Network's efforts to provide counselling to the farming community and link in with the recently announced market towns' initiative, which earmarks £1-million for Hatherleigh.
It has been principally funded by the South West Regional Development Agency and West Devon Borough Council with additional contributions from the Arkleton Trust, Devon County Council and Cheltenham and Gloucester College of Higher Education.
The development worker will draw up and implement a community plan targeting the needs of the area and bring in funding from various agencies and the Government.
Chairman of the Hatherleigh Area Project Professor Michael Winter said Mr Coffin's background in farming and wider issues of community development was just the combination that was needed.
'There are real and deep-rooted problems as a result of foot and mouth but with careful thought and a real involvement of all members of the community we can turn some of the threats into opportunities,' he said.
Economic development officer for West Devon Borough Council Tim Beavon said: There are a number of funding opportunities available to Hatherleigh and the villages through the South West Regional Development Agency's market town Initiative, DEFRA and the EU.
'Charles and the project steering group have an important task in seeking to develop projects suitable for submission for funding.'