THE future of North Yorkshire's market towns is to be debated at an annual convention in September.
Ripon is preparing to host some 200 delegates at the campaign group Action for Market Towns' fourth annual gathering.
The convention, Market Towns - Turning interest into Action, will hear the Government's latest plans for market towns, contained in the keenly-awaited Rural White Paper due out this summer.
The Countryside Agency will also present their plans for market towns in the new millennium and unveil the initial findings of the Yorkshire and Humber Market Towns Initiative, a pilot study now under way in the region.
Success stories from around the country will be showcased and workshops will discuss a series of issues, from traffic management to organising festivals.
The convention, on September 22 and 23, is being hosted by the Ripon City Partnership and events will take place in venues across the city.
Among the attractions lined up are a farmers market and a cathedral concert from folk singer Maddy Prior.
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