Happy New Year for six community groups

Six community groups in South Cambridgeshire are starting the new year in style, after receiving grants from the District Council’s Community Chest fund.

The programme regularly distributes up to £1,000 to local voluntary and community groups who apply, and the latest round of funding has just been confirmed.

Players at Cottenham United Football Club will be on the goal trail after their club was awarded £1,000 to pay for new goals.

The Friends of Histon and Impington Recreation have also been given £1,000 which will go towards an exercise bike for the stroke survivors club they run.

Repairs will be made to a church tower clock in Duxford, after Duxford Parochial Church Council was given £1,000. Structural repairs will also be made to the organ chamber wall at a church in Knapwell, after the Parochial Church Council of All Saints Church in the village got a grant totalling the same amount.

The charity CamCare UK, based in Cambourne, will use its £1,000 funding to purchase electronic kits, a projector and laptop for the Cambourne Electronics and Robotics Club.

Finally, members of Milton Guides and Seniors will soon be having more outdoor fun thanks to a £700 grant which is being put towards new camping equipment.

Cllr Simon Edwards, portfolio holder with responsibility for community grants at South Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “I’m really pleased that we’ve been able to hand out more than £80,000 in grants via our Community Chest fund so far this financial year. All this money has been given directly to the local groups that make such a difference to the lives of our residents of all ages. It’s lovely to be able to start 2018 in this positive way, contributing funds towards deserving groups across South Cambridgeshire.”

Anna White, from the Milton Guides and Seniors, said: “Everyone involved in Milton Guides and Seniors is so pleased to be awarded a Community Chest Grant of £700. Alongside a huge fundraising effort, this award will enable the three units to replace old, worn-out tents and camping equipment.  Across the Milton Units, we have more than 50 girls attending regular meetings, and outdoor activities and camping trips are an integral part of the overall programme.  These camping experiences promote team-working and mutual support and respect, whilst building self-confidence, self-esteem, independence and resilience; all such invaluable skills for the young people in our community.”

Graham Hamilton-Hopkins, Treasurer at Duxford Parochial Church Council, said: “The tower clock on Duxford St Peter's church, which is the only public clock in the parish, has been losing time for the past few years. Repairing it has been beyond the means of the Parochial Church Council. With the help of the Community Chest, support from local groups and a local appeal, sufficient funds have now been raised to restore the clock mechanism and repaint the face.”

For further details about the Community Chest fund, visit www.scambs.gov.uk/communitychest