Telford projects give £400,000 to improve the town
More than £400,000 has been awarded to community projects across Telford.
The first phase of handouts from the £1.26 million Community Pride Fund will help a childcare nursery to move to new premises, improve a village hall and help towards providing fitness equipment in a town park.
The fund was launched last year by Telford & Wrekin Council as part of the £13.6 million Pride In Your Community programme to support regeneration in the town. More than 60 applications were made for cash, and the first recipients have been announced today.
Grants are for capital projects only, such as new builds or improvements to existing buildings or purchasing of equipment. The scheme was open to businesses, voluntary sector and public sector organisations.
The first wave of funding will see £412,358 spent on 33 projects.
They include a £100,000 grant to build a new Trench Tots nursery and enable relocation from its existing site.
A sum of £50,000 is to be given to Captain Webb Primary School in Dawley to buy an "eco friendly building or container" for community use.
Ironbridge Coracle Trust will get £40,000 to put on a workshop teaching people how to make coracles, while just over £36,000 will go to Ketley Parish Council for new paths, fencing and signs in at Paddock Mound
Nearly £25,000 is to be given for improvements to Longdon upon Tern Village Hall, while just more than £20,000 goes to the Friends of Dawley Park for fitness equipment in the town's park.
Councillor Shaun Davies, cabinet member for neighbourhood services, employment and skills at Telford & Wrekin Council, said he was very pleased so many people had applied for cash through the new scheme.
"These will make a real difference to local communities and result in some substantial improvements," he said.
Councillor Bill McClements, cabinet member for finance and enterprise, said good management had allowed such a scheme to be run during difficult times.
