Almost £10,000 in grants is set to boost community groups across South Cambridgeshire

Five projects ranging from a recycled bike scheme to village tree planting are set to benefit from South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Community Chest fund.

The grants are available to voluntary and community sector groups, charities and public sector bodies, looking to further improve the quality of life for district residents.

The latest round of funding was given the green light in a meeting of the District Council’s Grant Advisory Committee.

A sum of £2,000 each was awarded to:

• The Farmland Museum at Waterbeach for new guttering at the education block and cart shed which were built almost 30 years ago. The guttering joints are leaking, and the system needs totally replacing. The monies will also fund associated rainwater capture mechanisms to help with the watering of the Museum allotment and gardens.
• Fen Drayton Village Hall for new blinds in the committee room, to encourage more people to hire the facility eg businesses, clubs, weddings, exercise groups, children’s play groups and parties. By installing pleated blinds with brush seals in the window/door frames, it will help reduce heat loss from the building.
• Gransden Bowls and Croquet Club for a specialised refurbished lawnmower to maintain the green, as well as new club croquet mallets suitable for both children and adults, as most of the club’s stock is on loan or donated. The club is keen to increase its membership and improve access by families, young people and those with disabilities.
• Foxton Parish Council to plant six large trees along the internal fence line of the new children’s playground on Foxton Recreation Ground to provide shade for the new under- five’s play equipment and seating area as well as acting in part as a wind and sound barrier to benefit all users of the playground.

In addition, The Liberation Cycle was awarded a grant of £1,657.13. This newly formed charity provides free reconditioned bikes and bike servicing to people on low incomes or suffering from a critical illness. Many of these beneficiaries have no other primary mode of transport and having a bike will enable them to access services in their community. Funding will go towards the start up costs needed to create a community-based workshop where participants can come together to dismantle bicycles, learn the basics about their inner workings, and develop essential mechanical skills as well as make new friends. The charity is currently based in Steeple Morden Village Hall.

Cllr Henry Batchelor, Lead Cabinet Member for Communities for South Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “We are pleased to support our local community through the Community Chest funding, which helps empower groups to deliver a wide range of projects aimed at improving life for our residents. Whether it's enhancing public spaces or boosting wellbeing and sport this funding reflects our commitment to building a thriving, connected community for everyone."

• Find out more about South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Community Chest grants, which are regularly awarded throughout the year, and how to apply by visiting the webpage.