In article , Bob Hobden
writes
BlankKnowing that professional gardeners etc, read this Ng does anyone know
of sources of cash grants for the making and equipping of Parks and open
spaces?

The reason I ask is that our allotment site is to become a park but the
Council say they have little money to provide what the locals want, indeed
the last thing I heard was that no playground equipment would be provided
for the kids and even trees could not be funded. A grass field only then.
Might as well leave it as the nature reserve it has become.


Bob (and anybody else interested)

I attended a Community Forum Conference last night which dealt with all
sorts of topics, but primarily aimed at the Communities 'helping
themselves' with the help of others, but you cannot work on your own.
There has to be a set non profit making organisation, with a bank
account, a set of rules or 'constitution' and hold 'regular meetings'
and have an aim and object in mind. You make reference elsewhere of the
'Friends', if you want to see action, go and join them and get them to
do things. Money, or lack of it now, is not a barrier. It does not stop
you from starting and contacting all the various different organisations
which will give money. There 'IS' a budget within your council for such
projects and there will be a person there to help you. Track them down
and talk to them, or get someone in the 'Friends' to get them off their
backside.

One you can get started with is "Awards for All England" they could give
your group between £500 and £5000 and I believe this is the one I spoke
about earlier and gave our Administrator the telephone number, which you
asked for. For an Information and Application Pack, telephone 0845 600
2040 or you can go to their website at www.awardsforall.org.uk. This
group is for all of England and when you get the pack, you will see the
country is divided up into 9 regions.

The Leader of our Council opened the Conference and explained that in
our area, there are 34 'Forums', 'Partnerships' or 'Local Groups'
covering the area and the council have given out £150,000 across these
34 Groups. I would imagine, that your council have a 'supply of cash' as
well, maybe not this year, but get in there NOW and shout your mouth
off, 'in the nicest possible way' :-)) and get yourself known. If you,
or a member of the group 'put themselves forward' in a very determined
way, you will be listened to. Don't be side tracked and don't be put
off.

That is just a bit more help, but I do strongly recommend that you get
into or form a group. (Sounds as though you have) As I said before,
there is TONS of money available, but you have to be organised. 'Just
you' or 'Tom', 'Dick', or 'Harry' will be swept away.

Good luck and best wishes

Mike


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in one
pretty and well preserved piece, but to skid across the line broadside,
thoroughly used up, worn out, leaking oil, shouting GERONIMO!