£22,000 of grants handed out to local projects

NEARLY £22,000 was awarded to local groups and projects by the Melksham Area Board at their meeting this month.

A new community woodland in Seend, new and improved outdoor seating in Bowerhill, a ‘face-lift’ for the Riverside Club and a post-lockdown party for young carers were some of the schemes awarded a grant – which came to a total of £21,929. Young Melksham, The Centre for Independent Living and Carer Support Wiltshire also received grants

Avon Needs Trees received £5,000 to help towards the charity’s bid to purchase  land in Seend to create a new, permanent, community woodland.

Their application said, “Local residents will benefit from access to 19 acres of land that is currently private apart from restricted pathways. They will benefit from environmental improvements – better biodiversity, natural flood management, cool woodland on hot days, improved air and water quality, and carbon sequestration.”

Bowerhill Residents Action Group (BRAG) were awarded £2,511 to help with the cost of replacing public outdoor seating that is damaged or has reached the “end of its useful life”. The local group will also install a new bench and two new picnic tables where residents have demonstrated there is a need.

Explaining the benefits of the proposed work, BRAG said, “To facilitate and encourage outdoor exercise, especially among the less mobile who find walking long distances without a rest difficult. 

“BRAG also wish to develop the Age Friendly Seating Initiative promoted by the area board by ensuring there are plenty of places for people to rest while out on a walk.”

The Riverside Club were given £1,820 towards new front doors and internal painting and decoration to help the club prepare for reopening when Covid-restrictions are lifted.

“We want to get the club open as quick as possible,” said Chris Pickett at the meeting, on behalf of the Riverside Club.

Young Melksham was awarded £2,850 towards the operation of its ‘No Limits’ SEND club. Their application said, “This youth club supports between 35-50 young people with a range of special educational needs and disabilities who attend our weekly club. The club provides opportunities for young people aged 13-25 years.”

The Centre for Independent Living was given  £1,000 to facilitate connections between people in Melksham as part of the “Community Connectors” project. Explaining the project, their application said, “(This is) a project to support adults aged 18 and over in the Melksham Primary Care Network area covering Melksham GP surgeries to connect with their community through providing small person-centred wellbeing opportunities, which will build confidence, promote well-being and reduce social isolation.”

£2,700 was ringfenced by the area board to host a post-lockdown party for young carers.

Explaining his proposal, cllr Nick Holder said, “In brief, I want the money to fund an “event” for the young carers across the Melksham area. This could be either a late Christmas party or an end of lockdown party for them. 

“These young people have a pretty tough time in normal circumstances, but lockdown has been even worse for them as they have not been able to have much/any contact with people of their own age.”

Other grants awarded were £1,000 to the Bulkington Playground Committee towards playground equipment; £500 for Steeple Ashton Guides to help them purchase a laptop and a projector;  £2,048 for Whorwellsdown District Girlguiding to support Rangers and young leaders to attend a “confidence building” event; and £2,500 for Carer Support Wiltshire to help towards counselling for unpaid carers.

Requests from Melksham Music and Drama and Melksham Town Council for grants were deferred to later in the year.

Melksham Music and Drama requested £4,000 for  radio microphones to perform ‘Joseph’ at the Assembly Hall later this year. 

However, councillors felt that it was “unlikely” that the group would be able to meet to rehearse until at least June. They also suggested that the application needed to be “tidied up”, with some councillors confused by the figures presented in their application.

Melksham Town Council’s request for £2,500 towards its CCTV project was deferred as councillors felt that they needed more detailed information about what the money was needed for.

Another request from Melksham Town Council for £2,080 towards their plans for new Market Place markets was rejected by the area board, as they felt it did not meet it’s grant criteria as it was a commercial venture.