Royal grants get Stratford in party mood
STRATFORD-UPON-AVON is set to be a sea of Union Flags and bunting this summer after the Town Trust provided £10,000 to various groups and individuals to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday.
Late last year, grants of up to £400 were made available to pay for, or go towards, the costs of a street or tea party.
Almost 50 applications for a share of the money were received, with a value of just under £18,000, and the successful applicants were informed last week.
Among the 34 to receive grants are the Jubilee Club, awarded £400 to hold the first event at Bishopton Community Centre in April.
The Alveston Villagers’ Association was granted £400 for a party on The Green in June, while Shottery U3A was awarded £300 to celebrate at the Methodist Community Centre. Other organisations to win grants for celebrations are Heart of England Mencap, The Shakespeare Hospice, Springfield Mind, Escape Arts and the Friends of Rowley Fields.
The Queen’s 90th birthday will be officially marked across the world between 10th and 12th June. Parties supported by Stratford Town Trust run between April and the end of June. Sue Short is one of a group of residents of Albany Road and Wellesbourne Grove who are also set to benefit from the grant money.
Sue said: “We are delighted to have received this grant, we would have held a party regardless of whether we received it or not, but it will certainly help us.
“We enjoy just getting together and planning everything at the Lifeways Centre as well. We are making bunting and also a patchwork quilt that we will hopefully auction off for charity on the day.”
The Friends of Rowley Fields will also receive a proportion of the money to help fund its celebration on 12th June, which is free to everyone.
Last year the Town Trust, which owns Rowley Fields, had been planning to sell the green space for housing development, a move opposed by the Friends of Rowley Fields’ group.
The Trust dropped the plan later in the year and both groups are now working together to promote the area as a valuable community space.
Tim Bailey, from Friends of Rowley Fields, said: “We have had an interesting time with the Town Trust over the last 18 months.
“We are now trying to work in partnership with them, and the award of this money is a very positive step. I’m very glad they are working with us and helping by supporting this event.”
