£50,000 boost for community project

WESTBURY Community Project has received a grant boost of £50,000 from Hills Waste to help turn the former youth centre into a community hub. 

The grant is part of Hills’ Landfill Communities Fund and will help to achieve a community centre offering space to local groups and organisations. 

Currently involved in the project are Wiltshire College, which would use the centre as an outpost, delivering training courses to all ages; Westbury Youth Football Club; Superstars – a club run for children in the school holidays; Westbury Shed; and Westbury Juniors and Infants schools.

The centre could also house a community internet cafe, office space and be hired for use by businesses such as local pre-schools.

It was also announced last month that the White Horse Children’s Centre will also use the facilities once their centre has been closed to host Wiltshire Council’s children’s services. 

Chair of the Westbury Community Project, Richard Hatt, said, “I was delighted to open up negotiations with Hills for the possible extremely generous donation towards  the set up costs of £50k to the Westbury Community Project. Hills have confirmed that once the necessary paperwork and safeguards are in place they will be happy to support WCP. This is another clear indication that local business and the community of Westbury have a real commitment to develop a resource that will potentially benefit so many.”

Trustee of the Westbury Community Project, Ian Cunningham said, “We are pleased to be offered such generous support by a local company for this important and inspirational project and hope that more businesses will join in. We welcome donations and support in kind of any size and would be delighted to explain more about this charity to anyone who is interested.”

A spokesperson for Hills Waste said, “The Westbury Community Project had applied to Community First for a grant under the Landfill Communities Fund, which is supported by Hills.  All projects that receive funding under the Landfill Communities Fund need to meet certain criteria to be eligible to receive a grant.

“Since its inception the Landfill Communities Fund supported by Hills has granted £14.8 million to projects mainly in Wiltshire and also some surrounding areas that improve community facilities and access to the countryside.  

“Projects in Westbury that have benefited from funding in the past include The Laverton (Phases 2,4 and 6), Westbury Rugby FC (2 projects), Westbury Roundwood Scout Camp, Westbury Leigh Park Community Centre and Westbury & District Cricket Club.  

“Landfill Communities Fund grants have also been made to numerous projects in the surrounding villages of North Bradley, Dilton Marsh, West Ashton, Bratton and Edington. 

 “Hills is proud of its association with Westbury and plays an active role in supporting community events and groups associated with the town including sponsorship of the Westbury Festival (7 years), Westbury Rugby FC (kit and event), Westbury Railway station (compost donation), Westbury Men’s Shed (compost donation), Westbury primary schools’ waste education project in association with Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, Westbury United FC perimeter board (7 years) and donation of litter picking equipment for community clear ups.

 “Community projects interested in finding out more about the Landfill Communities Fund should make contact with Community First in Devizes, or visit their website www.communityfirst.org.uk.”

Individuals or companies who would like to contribute financially or with services for the Westbury Community Project, are asked to make contact with Richard Hatt at Westbury Junior School.

And similarly, any groups who like to book rooms on a regular or infrequent basis need to contact Richard Hatt to reserve spaces.