Area board community grants

WESTBURY Area Board has granted funding for a number of projects totalling £8,723.

Both Edington Parish Council and Bratton Parish Council were granted funds of £2,122.96 and £2,100 respectively, to purchase a speed indicator device.

They said, “This purchase will enable the parish councils to operate them in various locations within the villages. This has been identified by Wiltshire Highways department and other councils to have an impact on the speed of traffic along a road. The villages have very few pavements along the B3098 and speeding traffic adds to the dangers for pedestrians using the road. It is hoped that this device, along with other measures already planned, will reduce the danger level for pedestrians.”

The Edington Parish Hall committee asked for £500 to invest in more efficient lighting ceiling sockets for the community hall.

David Pike, a representative from the hall said, “The hall is used by local groups including the under 5s weekly, a luncheon club,  a one-off charity event and social events, parish council meetings and fundraising by the committee.

“The lighting at present is difficult because of the age of the fitments, causing bulbs to be replaced frequently in the very high ceiling, needing a scaffold tower and flickering lights pending replacement.

“The investment in up-to-date fitments will avoid flickering lights.The bulbs themselves can be funded from hall income.” He added, “Greater use of the hall is encouraged to aim to reduce social isolation.”

The sum of £4,000 was awarded to Emma Osmond of Cygnets pre-school who plan to offer a new pre-school provision in Bratton.

She said, “In order for the Bratton Pre-school to be set up, we are asking for grant money to enable us to resource fully and refurbish the Pavilion. By resource we mean items such as office furniture, kitchen appliances, soft furnishings, consumable items and IT equipment. We need this setting to be as attractive as possible to families in order for it to be successful. This means it being fully resourced once it’s opened, something we don’t have a budget for currently. In the future, any profits made will be invested back into this setting to resource ongoing, but a profit is unlikely in the first year.” 

The Independent Living Centre also put forward an application for £3,000, however this decision was defered to the next area board meeting due to a representative not being present and the board needing more information.