Visions of the future of Yorkshire will be in the spotlight at a major conference being held in York.

The two-day Yorkshire Beyond the Millennium conference, organised by the Royal Geographical Society, will bring together experts to look at all aspects of Yorkshire, its resources and its people. Conference speakers include Ben Gill, Easingwold farmer and president of the National Farmers' Union, Professor Allan Patmore, from Hull University, and Ian Strong, director of the Yorkshire Rural Community Council.

Timothy Kirkhope, Conservative MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber, will lead a debate on Yorkshire's future in a final session, sponsored by GNER.

He said: "The future of Yorkshire as we begin the new Millennium is the concern of everyone in the county. We face great opportunities as well as some difficult challenges - not least in farming."

The conference, at the Tempest Anderson Hall in Museum Gardens at the weekend, is aimed at anyone with an interest in the county's future.

For tickets and information call William Smith on 01347 810709.

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