This fund had a total of £2000 available for grants for local projects. It was been set up to enable community groups in the Holt area to access funds easily and quickly.
Projects that could apply were those that are run by not-for-profit organisations based and working in the partnership area such as voluntary or community organisations. We funded projects that develop activities for recreation and environmental-based projects, as well as those that increased opportunities for local people. In previous years projects supported by these grants have included: the purchase of gardening equipment for a primary school, buying mallets for a Junior Croquet Club, help towards buying a new lawnmower for a bowls club, improvements to the entrance of a village, replacement chairs for a parish social club, recycling Christmas Trees into chipping compost in four villages, support towards a Scout group project, and allotment improvements.
The maximum grant was £250 for any one project. Ideally each application would have some match funding (which can be “in kind”).
Applications had to be returned by 28 February 2010 and we had 16 groups applied – showing that there is a large demand for such grants.
The 10 successful applications that were notified by mid March are:
- Bodham Youth Club: ‘Bulbs for Bodham’
- Briston, Higginbottom Recreational Charity: ‘Briston Community Centre Playroom Conversion’
- Holt Billiards and Snooker Club: ‘Billiard Table Repair and Maintenance’
- Holt CAB: ‘Revamp Holt CAB’
- Holt Community Centre: ‘Glasswasher Purchase’
- Holt & District Day Centre: ‘Transport Costs Assistance’
- Holt Playing field Association: ‘Keep in Trim’
- Holt Scouts: ‘Cladding /Plastering’
- Melton Constable Community Association: ‘May Day Celebrations’
- Sharrington Village Hall Committee: ‘External Spring Clean’
All projects have to provide receipts and complete an evaluation process to demonstrate that they were completed as detailed in their applications.
The 6 applications that were unsuccessful have all been offered help with grant searching for alternative funding sources.
HAP organised Holt Town Council and Holt Hall to meet to be able to advance the ‘Peacock Play Area Improvement Project’ plans for wildlife area so that despite not being successful with Community Chest grant aspects of that project are progressing.
Other Projects / Grant applications supported this year:
£1,243. From Victory Housing towards CU set up, held by Norfolk Credit Union for establishing Holt Community Area Bank.
Other income HAP has helped generate through supporting drafting grant applications: £50,000. Playbuilder grant in one village and £2,000. Norfolk Community Foundation grant towards refurbishment of a community space in another village, both will be paid direct to applicant organizations
