Important milestone reached for Community Chest fund
Archived press release
Date Published: 04/04/12
Community Chest and Quainton Railway Society representatives
A project that will see work carried out on an historically significant building in Quainton is the recipient of a landmark grant from the Aylesbury Vale Community Chest fund.
At its latest meeting, the Community Chest grants panel awarded the 100th project grant to the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, which has one of the largest collections of locomotives, vehicles and railway memorabilia in the UK.
The Quainton Railway Society, who own and run the centre, applied for a grant of £3,796 towards remedial work on the main museum building. The organisation is seeking funding to weatherproof the building by repointing walls, renewing defective guttering and sealing minor leaks to the roof.
Although not listed, the building is of considerable historic significance as it was used as an emergency food and bedding store during the Second World War. It now houses artefacts and memorabilia from the earliest age of steam power through to diesel locomotion.
Local schools regularly visit the centre, often when studying World War II, the Victorian era or industrial heritage.
Eric Miller, Fundraising Officer for Quainton Railway Society, said: “Over the years the building has degenerated and it’s come to the stage when something has to be done. This project will bring it back to what it should be. The Aylesbury Vale Community Chest has been very supportive. I would encourage other groups to apply for funding – it’s a wonderful thing.”
Funded jointly by Aylesbury Vale District Council and the Vale of Aylesbury Housing Trust, the £5 million grant scheme was established to help voluntary and community organisations provide, or improve, services and community facilities for the benefit of everyone living in the Vale.
Since its inception in 2007, the fund has awarded to date close to £2.5 million to a wide variety of community projects.
Councillor Pam Pearce, Cabinet Member for Community Matters at AVDC, said: “This benchmark award is a reflection of the great number of excellent projects across the district that have been funded by the Aylesbury Vale Community Chest. The Buckinghamshire Railway Centre project is yet another example of how this grant fund can help community and voluntary groups deliver projects that will have a direct and beneficial impact on our communities.”
Matthew Applegate, Chief Executive of Vale of Aylesbury Housing Trust, said: “I am very proud of the many things that have been jointly achieved by working in partnership with AVDC - but today we're celebrating 100 reasons why the Community Chest is my personal favourite. Whether it’s preserving our heritage or providing vital support to vulnerable people - the cash grants really do make a difference.”
Community and voluntary groups can apply for two types of grant: micro grants of up to £1,000, which can be applied for at any time, or one-off project grants of up to £25,000 for capital or revenue costs, which are awarded three times a year.
The money can be used for a range of purposes including new equipment for groups, paying for volunteers’ training or improving community facilities. To be successful, each project needs to demonstrate local need, community involvement and benefit in their application.
To be eligible to apply, groups must be formally constituted, not-for-profit and operate within Aylesbury Vale, for the benefit of local residents or visitors to the area.
For more information about Community Chest grants, call the grants team on 01296 585634 or email communitychest@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk