Local partnership puts Community Chest grant to good use

News from our partners Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing

The Grove and Lodge Farm Partnership have put the £350 Community Chest Fund grant they received from Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing to good use by brightening up part of the local community in Bridgnorth.

On Tuesday 11 November 2014 children from St Mary’s Primary School Gardening Club took part in an exciting flower planting activity outside the Mid-Counties Co-Op, who sponsor the scheme.  They were assisted by some of the Bridgnorth Town Council’s gardening team, who very kindly gave the project their skills and expertise.

Also present were Shropshire Councillors Christian Lea and William Parr, as well as Emma Feely of Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing, members of the Grove and Lodge Partnership, and representatives of the Mid-Counties Co-Op.

The weather may have been miserable, but spirits were high, especially once the planting was finished, and the results of this joint project can now be enjoyed.

Ann Maltby, Chair of the South Area Panel, said:

“This is a great use of our Community Chest fund.  We are very proud to be associated with this worthwhile project, and hope that this will encourage others to get in touch with us for funding.”

Pauline Harris, resident, and member of the Grove and Lodge Partnership, said:

“I’m thrilled with the way the community has pulled together to support what was a fantastic event that everybody enjoyed.  I’d really like to thank Nic Bromley of Rushmere Nurseries for providing the plants and showing the children how to plant them.  They’ve done a great job.”

The event was part of the Grove and Lodge Partnership’s Bridgnorth in Bloom initiative, to make Bridgnorth more attractive for residents during winter.

The Grove and Lodge Partnership are holding a meeting on Wednesday 26 November 2014 at 9.30am at St James Hall, and all residents are welcome to attend.

Further Information

Each financial year Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing set aside a budget for community-based projects in areas where they manage housing stock.

You can apply for funding up to a maximum of £500 for projects that make communities:

• Safer – such as extra security lighting
• Greener – such as planting of shrubs/plants
• Cleaner – such as litter bins/removal of graffiti
• United – such as projects that encourage better relations between neighbours.

Examples of eligible projects include: educational workshops, setting up a residents group, leaflet dropping, training.

Who can apply?

Anyone from a community group, or any individual, who lives in the Bridgnorth and Oswestry areas.

How can you apply?

Call 01743 210205 and we will send you an application form – we look forward to hearing from you.

Here’s a link to this on Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing’s webpages:  http://starhousing.org.uk/news/local-partnership-put-community-chest-grant-to-good-use/