New community fund awards first grants

Players at Whitworth Valley Football Club

Local projects have been awarded grants through the new Crook Hill Community Benefit Fund.

The largest award went to Whitworth Valley Football Club -  £10,000 to improve the infrastructure at the Rawstron Street football ground. The panel were impressed by the number of teams the club runs – 14 different squads – and how the club encourages participation by all regardless of age or gender.

Danny O’Malley Chair of Whitworth Valley FC said: “We are extremely delighted to be receiving a grant for £10,000 from the Crook Hill Community Benefit Fund. This will be spent on improving the facilities at our Rawstron Street Football Ground as we continue to build and develop the club. It is a very welcome and substantial investment that will benefit all of our fourteen teams and the wider Whitworth community. It is greatly appreciated.”

Other projects in Whitworth sharing the wind fall include Whitworth Vale and Healey Band, Whitworth 41st Scout Group and Whitworth Community Choir.

Funding was also awarded to the 25th anniversary Rushbearing Festival and the annual Food and Drink Festival both of which take place in Littleborough during the summer.

Wardle village also had a number of successful projects with the scout troop, Wardle Football Club and Wardle Recreation Ground all being selected to receive grant support.

Hare Hill House Community Hub was also awarded over £4,000 to assist in repairing the roof.

Money for the Community Fund is provided by Hastings Funds Management UK (Hastings) who manage the Crook Hill wind farm. This annual fund will distribute £35,000 each year for the expected 20-25 year lifetime of the wind farm.

Groups located within a 5km radius of the wind farm can apply for amounts between £250 and £10,000.

The fund is being administered by national charity GrantScape.

Liz Payne from GrantScape, said: “The fund has begun on a high with a fantastic response from local groups seeking funding. There’s obviously a wonderful community and voluntary sector in the local area and some truly worthwhile schemes. Competition was high and some tough decisions had to be made. Well done to the successful groups. The next 12 months will undoubtedly be exciting as each project comes to fruition.”

Groups wishing to make an application can do so using a simple online application form which can be found on the GrantScape website www.grantscape.org.uk. Groups can also contact the Fund Manager, Liz Payne directly on 01282 543775 if they would like to discuss a potential project or need help making an application.

Groups have plenty of time to make an application as the next deadline isn’t until February 2017.