Archived press release

Date Published: 07/02/08

Community groups are to benefit from almost £35,000 in grants awarded by Aylesbury Vale District Council. Under the council’s popular project grant scheme to provide funding to help improve people’s lives, five local groups who ...

Community groups are to benefit from almost £35,000 in grants awarded by Aylesbury Vale District Council.

Under the council’s popular project grant scheme to provide funding to help improve people’s lives, five local groups who offer invaluable services to their communities have been awarded money to help with their projects.

More than £8,000 has been awarded to the Newton Longville Community Association to support the development of Hammond Park for recreational and sporting use. They will use this money to help towards building a multi-use games area.

Whitchurch Parish Council has been successful in securing an £8,000 grant to provide the first children’s play area in the village. The parish council is aiming to raise more than £45,000 to fund the play project.

Buckingham Rugby Football Club has been given £7,500 to help towards the purchase of land next to their Moreton Road site. The club is aiming to provide additional pitches to meet the growing needs of its 400 playing members.

The 1st Wendover Scout Group, which has been in existence for more than 90 years, has been awarded a £2,650 grant to help them buy four new sailing boats. The scout group is aiming to run sailing activities at Aylesbury Sailing Club for its 120 uniformed members.

The Adstock Village Hall Committee will use their £3,500 grant towards the refurbishment of the village hall. Improvements will include modernising the kitchen and toilet facilities.

The latest round of grants is an example of how the council is using its funding pot to help community groups with much-needed financial assistance.

Groups who provide leisure facilities or activities can apply for funding for projects that improve the range or quality of the service they provide, community buildings or equipment. Generally, grants will be awarded for up to 30 per cent of the cost of the project, to a maximum of £5,000, although a limited number of larger grants are available for significant capital projects.

Councillor Pam Pearce, Cabinet Member for Community Matters, said: “Aylesbury Vale has so many community and voluntary groups who work hard for the people of the district, and we try to assist as many as possible. It is important that all organisations across the Vale realise that they can apply for grants and I would encourage others to come forward and make applications to see if there is a way the council can help.”

The next deadline for submitting applications is 12 March. For more information or to request an application pack, please email sbutt@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk or ring 01296 585186.