Council cash for Tynedale community groups

11 Jun 2019 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news

Community groups in Tynedale have been recognised for the work they do in their local community. 

The groups were recently awarded a grant from the Community Chest, run by Northumberland County Council, and were presented with a certificate at their local area council meeting at Hexham House.

The scheme awards grants of up to £5,000 to support community groups and organisations county-wide. The funding can help with costs by issuing 75% of the total amount required, towards equipment for community group activities and sports, venue refurbishments, transport facilities and much more.

More than 1,500 projects have benefited from £2.8 million in grants since 2009, which has contributed or helped towards £20 million worth of projects within Northumberland. 

One such organisation was Allendale Cricket Club, who benefited from a grant of £4,000 to purchase new cricket nets for their thriving club. 

John Raglan, Hon Treasurer expressed his gratitude to the Community Chest on behalf of the club  “After a successful recruitment campaign our junior cricket numbers rose from 12 to 85 in 2018 which is fabulous but it brought a problem. 

“The nets were too small and out of date and we had a grant from the community chest of £4,000 and a contribution from Cllr Horncastle of £2,000 towards a £16,000 project which is about to be realised. Our junior numbers this year are over a hundred, which is fabulous.”

Other community groups in attendance included; Jessica's Sarcoma Awareness, Wylam Institute Community Association, Hexham Football Club, Hexham Community Church, Hexham Community Centre, Dragon Tale Theatre Group and Happy Faces Prudhoe.

Another recipient of a Community Chest grant, Hexham Community Centre was represented by Clare Mwande who spoke of their plans to expand and grow their centre  

She said: “Hexham Community Centre is a very, very busy part of Hexham life. It’s largely sustainable but now we’ve got some plans to push and do even bigger things than we’ve done before. So this is a really good start.”

Cllr Nick Oliver, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services at Northumberland County Council, said: “The Community Chest Fund is a fantastic opportunity for local community groups and organisations to enhance their services which will ultimately benefit the local community. 

“The scheme contributes to achieving our ambition for Northumberland, which is to support voluntary and community groups and organisations to deliver activities to maintain and create sustainable communities.”

For more information about the Community Chest Scheme click here or email: communitychest@northumberland.gov.uk