by Alan Quick

PROJECTS from Newton St Cyres, Cheriton Bishop and Lapford are among 214 South West community organisations celebrating after being awarded a share of £3.2 million in National Lottery funding in the latest round of funding announced on Tuesday, March 6.

The money has been raised by players for good causes and is being distributed by the Big Lottery Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK.

At Newton St Cyres the Friends Of Newton Arboretum has been awarded £2,800 to purchase a lawnmower to mow paths and open spaces to enable to fully maintain the arboretum which is used by the local community for leisure activities.

Also at Newton St Cyres, the Parish Hall committee receives £6,568 towards the refurbishment of the hall kitchen, improving the facilities available to the community and allowing larger events to take place.

Chulmleigh Academy Trust receives £7,125.60 for Lapford Primary School Outside Environment Bid.

The funding will be used by the school to install play equipment, giving children from the local area an opportunity to take part in physical activity.

Cheriton Bishop Parish Council receives £4,216 to provide a community public access defibrillator in the village.

The funding will also be used to hold public awareness, information and training sessions to the rural community, giving people the knowledge to be able to carry out lifesaving support.

Burrington Parish Council receives £2,935 to deliver a community survey that will focus on the development of public resources and exploring the housing needs for people who live in the area.

The project will allow people to have a say in how the parish develops in the future.

Umberleigh Village Hall receives £7,700 for stage improvements and decoration.

The funding, in addition to funding for redecoration, includes fireproof curtains which meet modern safety standards. The project will allow continued use of the venue for community events and activities.

George Nympton Village Hall receives £9,021 towards a refurbishment project which includes the installation of a new kitchen at the village hall, which will improve the facilities available to this small rural community.

James Harcourt, England Grant-Making Director at the Big Lottery Fund, said: “Great community projects like these are what National Lottery funding is all about. We can see how the money raised by players for good causes helps to bring ideas to life and gives local people the opportunity to work together for the good of their community.

“Whether from a village, town or city, we’re proud that our funding supports people who have identified what matters to them and their community and who want to make a positive change.”

The Big Lottery Fund distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes.

Every week, it gives out more than £13 million to fund bright ideas, big or small. Today’s announcement sees £54 million being made available to community groups and organisations across England this quarter.

To find out more visit: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk .