Calderdale cash boost for community projects and groups

Calderdale Council’s Small Grants panel meets four times a year and gives out one-off grants of up to £3,000 for voluntary and community sector projects that help achieve the Council’s ambition of making Calderdale a clean, safe, attractive and thriving area for people to live in, work in and visit.

At the most recent meeting of the Panel, funding was allocated to 10 different community groups.

The grants awarded ranged from smaller amounts for material costs to larger sums for equipment purchases.

At the meeting of the panel last year, many of the grants awarded went to community festivals in the run up to the Tour de France. This year, the legacy of the race continues, with £3000 being awarded to Ling Bob Parents Association, to fund equipment for a new Out of School cycling club. The money will be used to buy 15 bicycles and equipment, developing skills and promoting the health benefits of cycling.

The sports theme continued, with £2780 funding awarded to allow the Pennine Sub Aqua Club to offer 50 local families subsidised water safety training, delivered by volunteers.

Also, the Threeways Centre in North Halifax received £1788 towards the cost of repairing and purchasing new sports equipment.

To continue the support for events associated with the First World War, the panel awarded £2000 to the Todmorden Royal British Legion, to help towards to cost of staging a rededication event for the Todmorden War Memorial statues.

These are just some of the successful organisations, many more will also benefit from the funding.

Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Councillor Marcus Thompson, said: “We recognise that a small grant can make a big difference, helping communities to help themselves. I’m happy that we can continue to offer this funding option through the Small Grants Scheme

“This is about helping small groups turn their big ideas into a reality, and it’s good to see that the organisations awarded continue to be so varied and diverse.”