Over £15,000 awarded to local projects

A TOTAL of £15,495 was awarded to local projects and organisations at last month’s Melksham Area Board meeting.

Plans for a new community shop to support Whitley and Shaw; a new canopy for the piazza area at the Melksham Hub Café at the train station; a new defibrillator for the pavilion in King George V Playing Fields, and plans to resurface the Millennium Riverside Walk, all received financial backing from area board members. 

Melksham Hub Café was awarded £5,000 towards the cost of a new canopy. Their application said, “The café is small and in consequence of Covid-19 it is better operated as a takeaway using outside seating. A large canopy has planning permission and we are seeking funding to supply and install the canopy.” 

Shaw and Whitley Community Hub were awarded £5,000 towards the set up of a community shop in the building of the former shop and Post Office on Top Lane in Whitley. The grant will be used to purchase equipment to run the shop including a fridge-freezer and a ‘point of sale’ system. 

Councillors agreed to the grant after they were reassured that any profit made by the shop would be reinvested into local community projects in Shaw and Whitley. 

A project to resurface the Millennium Riverside Walk – which is located next to the River Avon, connecting King George V Playing Fields with Murray Walk, was awarded £5,000. 

The application, which was proposed by chair of the area board, cllr Phil Alford said, “Its condition has deteriorated over the years and the path has become eroded to the point that the surface is now below the surrounding area, therefore after rain large puddles form, making it hard to keep feet dry.  

“People then take to the grass turning it into a mess, so footwear becomes wet and muddy. The surface is also very uneven making it difficult for pushchairs and mobility scooters, and it is also painful on the feet. The path requires resurfacing before we get into another winter.”  

Melksham Town Council were given £495 towards a defibrillator that will be placed at the pavilion at King George V Playing Fields.