For the first time that anyone can remember, the representatives of the Catholic Church in this country have met to survey the needs of the rural community and discuss how best those needs may be met. The Conference was called: Catholic and Rural and was held in Garstang, on February 21st and 22nd. There were official representatives from eleven dioceses in this country, while some came independently. The chief organisers who made sure that it all happened were Fr Robert Miller from Dulverton in Somerset and our own Fr Harry Doyle from Alston Lane, near Preston.

In four distinct sessions, the overnight conference explored

• methods of recognising the needs of rural parishes,
• the loneliness of rural clergy,
• the difficulty of catechising small scattered groups, and
• the great distances involved.

Speakers included:
1. Doug Chambers from the Country Landowners Association, who with an impressive panel of experts, attempted a look at “The Next Ten Years”.
2. Bishop Patrick of this diocese who spoke of "Pastoral Care of Migrant Workers.' Bishop Patrick had with him John Joseet of the Bishops’ Conference Office for Refugees and a community worker from Liverpool. They stressed the importance of parishioners actually speaking to visitors and making them feel at home.
3. A senior Vet from the State Veterinary Service tried to forecast what might be expected to follow “Foot & Mouth” disease, while farmers from Cumbria and Exmoor described the isolation experienced at such times of epidemic.

At the end of the Conference, it was agreed, that another conference should be held next year and that the Catholic Bishops should appoint one of their number to lead on rural matters.