CAWS calls for help Phone box scheme needs your vote

LOCAL group, CAWS, Community Action: Whitley and Shaw, is raising money to turn two decommissioned BT phone boxes, one in Whitley and one in Shaw, into something the community can use.

There are two de-commissioned BT phone boxes in the neighbouring villages of Shaw & Whitley which have been adopted by the Parish Council (Melksham Without) on behalf of CAWS.

After consultation with the members of CAWS (the villagers of Shaw & Whitley), the intention is that one phone box (in Shaw) will be converted into a local history archive, with information about the two villages going back hundreds of years. This box is opposite Shaw CofE Primary school, so will be a valuable asset to the children that attend.

The second phone box is in Whitley which has predominantly retired population, so that phone box will be converted into a free book lending library.

CAWS members from the two villages have committed to: • Renovate the two boxes at an estimated cost of £1,500. • Perform the conversions at a cost of £1,000 (for a printed history archive) – £5,000 (for a interactive kiosk history archive. • Cover ongoing maintenance at a cost of £250 per year.

In order to carry out the necessary works, CAWS has applied to the Aviva Community Fund, a competition in which offers the chance to get funding for an important cause in the community. It works on a voting system and the projects with the most votes are entered into the finals, where a judging panel will award the funds. The fund will finance over 500 projects across communities in the UK.

To be eligible to vote for the phone box project, you will need to create an account with Aviva. Voting closes on Tuesday 21st November. More information can be found on the website: www.avivacommunity fund.co.uk/voting/project/ view/17-3457#1

As well as applying for funding, CAWS is holding fundraising events where proceeds will go towards the renovation of these phone boxes and other events in summer 2018.

CAWS: Christmas Crack-er will feature fundraising prize bingo and auction on Friday 1st December from 6.45pm at Shaw Village Hall. Tickets £5 per person from The Toast Office village shop. There will be no admission without a ticket and tickets are limited to 60. The ticket price includes entry, prize bingo play and your first drink of wine, beer or soft drink.