Two articles looking at rural planning issues."New light on country life" examines research looking at the role of rural settlements as service centres. Eight market towns and a selection of rural hinterlands were selected to reflect a range of rural situations. Interviews were conducted covering household attributes, work and commuting, use of a variety of services, use of different modes of transport and reasons for living in the towns or villages. National, regional and local planning policies were also considered. Case studies illustrate the mappings of the findings in the survey. ''Key rural services and planning" examines the effectiveness of current development plan policies in safeguarding the future of the rural shops, the post office and the public house. Provides a template which could be used by local authorities seeking to develop or enhance their policies on key rural services.