Community parks given huge funding boost (From The Argus)

Community parks given huge funding boost

3:00pm Saturday 19th January 2013 in News

Community projects in a national park have been handed £80,000 of grants.

The South Downs National Park Authority’s Sustainable Community Fund is aimed at making the area better for the people that live and visit it.

Among those awarded grants is up to £19,000 to Arundel-based The Hanover Band Foundation to bring traditional music and musical workshops to schoolchildren and community choirs.

Ken Bodfish, who is a trustee of the band, is also chairman of the fund, which has £700,000 to offer in grants.

Mr Bodfish said: “These projects are great examples of the drive, innovation and community spirit of people living and working across the South Downs National Park and we’re proud to give them our support.

“Any partnership, voluntary group or organisation can apply for funding for non-profit making projects .”

Among the other awards is up to £20,000 to support an extension to Pyecombe Church, just north of Brighton.

The community has already raised £35,000 towards the work to the Grade I listed building, which dates back to 1170 and sits on the South Downs Way.

It is hoped the refurbishment will open the venue up to the thousands of walkers, cyclists and horse riders who pass the church each year.

Stansted Park, which is near Rowlands Castle on the West Sussex and Hampshire border, has been awarded up to £20,000 for a project to reduce its carbon emissions and encourage visitors to learn about biofuels.

Harting Primary School, near Midhurst, has been awarded up to £20,000 to support outdoor learning and provide a sheltered outdoor space for the community.

For more details visit www.southdowns.gov.uk/communi ties/funding/sustainablecommunities- fund.