OVER 200 participants attended the recent Rural Business Advice Day organised by Herefordshire Rural Hub.

Farmers and other local rural business owners were able to converse with staff from nearly 40 stand holders bringing a kaleidoscopic range of expertise, from grant funding to accounting.

There were also presentations culminating with a packed audience for the topical presentation on agriculture and the proposed changes to Inheritance tax.

Kate Speke-Adams, director of Herefordshire Rural Hub, said: “Our rural and farming businesses continue to face unprecedented pressure and complexity when making important decisions for their business.

“We organise this event to ensure hardworking rural businesses in the county know where to turn for advice, support, training or funding.

“The stand holders and presenters provided the event with expertise and insights on such a wide range of rural topics, which this year ranged from health and safety to social media.”

Rachel Jones Herefordshire Council’s economic development officer said: “This was our chance to engage with a wider audience and to engage with a real cross section of Herefordshire rural and farming businesses.

“The new rural location brought the event back to its farming roots on a working farm, in their diversified event space, a fitting example of the creativity and innovation that we look to support across the county.”

Joe Attwood from the Hutchinson Partnership said that they always valued attending is event as it gives them an opportunity to meet farmers and other businesses in the agricultural sector.

” It is so helpful for busy professionals to have the chance to provide advice and network in one place,” Mr Attwood said.

“When we were asked to present a seminar on inheritance tax, little did we know how significant this would be. We really appreciated the opportunity to share our knowledge and hopefully ease some people’s concerns.”