South Cambridgeshire community groups share £12,000 windfall

Fourteen South Cambridgeshire community groups are celebrating after receiving a share of £12,000 to support local clubs and projects.

The second round of funding to be awarded from South Cambridgeshire District Council's Community Chest grant scheme has been felt by children at Smarties Pre-School in Steeple Morden, which received £1,000 towards a new sensory garden.

First Orwell Guides will be better prepared with a £600 grant towards the purchase of new lightweight tents and Fen Drayton residents will be feeling better informed thanks to a £1,000 grant towards a new village noticeboard.

Further funding was awarded to St Mary the Virgin Church at Linton to help towards the creation of a community peace garden and to Melbourn Amateur Dramatics Society for the purchase of two spot lights and a graphic equaliser to improve performances. Money also helped Linton Heights Junior School to purchase Forest School equipment and Bethel Baptist Church in Swavesey to buy a combined electric cooker, microwave and hob for its recently refurbished kitchen. (See full list of grants awarded below).

Almost £18,000 is still up for grabs this financial year for voluntary and community groups, charities and parish councils working towards improving the quality of village life for local people. Grants of up to £1,000 are available for:

Improvements to community facilities

Repairs to historic buildings/monuments/memorials

Tree and hedge planting schemes

Equipment and materials

Start-up costs

Cllr Simon Edwards, portfolio holder with responsibility for community grants at South Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “Our Community Chest grants are very popular and make a real difference to what local groups and projects can achieve for the benefit of individuals and communities across South Cambridgeshire.

“I am pleased that such a wide range of groups across the district were successful with their funding applications, we are always pleased to be able to do our bit to support their efforts, and I look forward to seeing the results of their hard work.

Grant applications are accepted at any time and can completely or partially cover the costs of a project, equipment or work. For application forms and full details about the fund, plus guidance on eligibility, visit www.scambs.gov.uk/communitychest