Groups take a share of £1million Lottery fund

Five groups in south Warwickshire have shared a slice of £1million in Lottery funding.

The money, which has come from the Big Lottery Fund, will benefit 82 groups across the West Midlands including those in Tysoe, Claverdon, Pillerton Priors, Hampton Magna and Ilmington.

Claverdon Church Centre is one of the biggest winners, having scooped £10,000 to pay for cinema equipment, to allow it to host regular film viewings.

Children at Budbrook Primary School in Hampton Magna will also be pleased at this week’s announcement that £10,000 will go towards the school’s Lets Play project.

The money will be used to install a trim trail, and play activities.

Over in Tysoe, more than £9,000 has been awarded to enhance refurbishment work currently underway at the village hall.

The money will pay the complete redecoration of the hall and the installation of blinds and soundproofing.

Percy Sewell, chairman of the Tysoe Village Hall Committee, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been awarded this funding. Whilst we did a lot of work on the village hall last year, the improvements this money will pay for will really show that the project is moving forward. When we install things like the soundproofing, people will really be able to see the change.

“We are all extremely grateful to the Big Lottery Fund for their generosity.”

Pillerton Priors Village Hall also scooped a significant lottery grant, receiving £5,199 to purchase a new mower to tend the field and grounds attached to the hall, while the Ilmington Community Shop will also get £8,612 to improve its facilities.

Lyn Cole, Big Lottery Fund England grant making director, said: “So many local community organisations are enabling people to spring forward and make positive changes to their lives. It’s wonderful when we get to hear the stories of how through these projects people have overcome barriers, learned new skills and improved their lives.”

This week’s awards have been made through the Big Lottery Fund’s Awards for All and Reaching Communities programmes.

Awards for All provides grants between £300 and £10,000 to voluntary and community organisations and Reaching Communities awards larger grants of £10,000 and above.