About Us
Countryside Connection was founded by Heléne Leichter-Saxby, a former Country Innkeeper, Artists' Representative and Author of Cooking Inn Style. Today, alongside Countryside Connection, Heléne and her husband Alan run their own rural business, Once Upon a Pine www.onceuponapine.co.uk where they offer handcrafted reclaimed wood furniture and decorative items, cushions created from their vintage fabric collection, unique clocks and art combining selections from their vintage magazine collection with reclaimed wood to add history and warmth to your home.
Countryside Connection was born out of the desire to offer a new kind of networking. Much is made of the term, but at its heart it simply means "getting the word out". Making new contacts with other rural businesses, run by people who share your ideals; for local producers to supply local business and individual consumers and for local enterprise to benefit and strengthen the communities in which we live ~ our goals are the exactly the same as yours. In addition, with mail order and online availability members are able to expand their ties and networking to include members in other parts of the country as well as internationally.
Our monthly 'News and Views' category features information, experiences, networking, products and ideas from members of our 'village'. Please return often as new input is added as it happens ~ on the farms, in their studios, bed and breakfast inns and rural businesses. Enjoy what they have to share and please send an email with anything you would like to comment upon. We would LOVE to hear what is happening in and around your own home and in the villages, towns and cities you live in!
The combining of agriculture and tourism is a natural and rewarding one for everyone. Farmers describe "Agritourism" as a perfect marriage that benefits individuals pursuing both endeavours as well as the community as a whole. Please click here to learn more about Agritourism
Countryside Connection has a strong foundation and history of cooperative country enterprise. We know from firsthand experience as former owners of Beckwood Pond: "An English Inn in the Vermont Countryside" the success one derives from sharing and supporting one another. Without creating a strong networking system we would never have achieved the success and international recognition we enjoyed. The connections forged are invaluable and enrich all aspects of one's personal and professional life.
Farming communities in New England and England enjoy a proud and strong agricultural history. We are grateful to have lived as part of those towns and villages in both countries. Bonds forged with the important tourism industry enable many farmers to thrive in ways previously unimagined. Excerpts from some of the many Testimonials we have received attest to the benefits our Founding Members firmly believe resulted from their close ties with us and others in their rural business community.
Please take a few moments to read Heléne's personal letter Letter from founder Our business combines our expertise and experience in the most fulfilling way possible ~ using our firsthand knowledge to help and support others to grow and prosper. Our goals reflect the very best of rural life and its people. We hope as consumers you will also choose to Join Us today through our Public Support Membership and in working together to support the offerings country living and its businesses have to offer. Please help us in our goal to keep country life and its history alive and thriving.