A popular community festival in Peasedown that has achieved record success over the last nine years has re-opened its grant scheme to give money back to the community.
Peasedown St John’s Party in the Park is held every summer on Beacon Field, and due to the success of the eighth event last year, thousands of pounds was raised.
The majority of the money will go towards funding Party in the Park 2017, but the organisers have set an amount aside, the Party in the Park Grant Fund, to reinvest back into the village in the form of small and medium-sized financial grants.
Since the scheme was set up in 2010 a total of £9,000 has been given away to organisations such as Peasedown Methodist Church, Little Treasures Toy Library, Peasedown Youth Albion FC, Chess in Schools, Peasedown Residents Association, Peasedown Cricket Club, Laurel Farm Kindergarden and the local scouts.
Event organisers have announced they’re giving away up to £2,000 again this year.
Party in the Park Chairman, Nathan Hartley, said: “When the organisers first met to plan Party in the Park we decided that no matter how much money we raised we’d like to give some of it back to the community.
“Thanks to the success of our eight previous festivals we are pleased to announce that the Party in the Park Grant Fund will give away up to £2,000 again this year.
“This is our way of thanking residents for supporting last year’s festival and making it such a special day.”
Local organisations can apply for funding themselves, or be nominated by a third party.
To qualify for a Party in the Park Grant, applicants must be part of an organisation that’s either based in Peasedown St John or has beneficiaries in the community that will directly benefit from the funding.
The organisation should be not-for-profit, a registered charitable trust, or seeking funding for one-off costs that cannot be met from their existing finances.
Applicants and nominators can apply for up to £500 each. Preference will be given this year to groups and individuals who haven’t applied before.
Joy Fraser, Festival Treasurer, said: “All the members of the Festival Team have a strong sense of pride in Peasedown St John. We believe passionately in supporting the community at a grassroots level.
“Therefore, as well as just organising a large summer event each year we also want to do things for the community all year round.
“We want to know from the public how they think the money should be spent. Anyone with ideas can get in touch.”
With new faces joining the Festival Team last year, the organising committee currently consists of:
- Nathan Hartley – Chairman
- Joy Fraser – Treasurer
- Karen Walker – Bookings Manager & Premises License Holder
- Jo Davis – Entertainment Manager
- Mike Auton – Fundraising Manager
- Craig Gill – Webmaster and Literature Designer
- Jeannie Heath – Secretary
- Tom Benyon & Andrea Feeney – Volunteer Managers
The closing date for applications is Friday 31st March. All interested applicants can download a copy of the Grant Fund application form at www.peasedownpartyinthepark.org.uk or email Joy Fraser at [email protected].
Successful grant applicants will be congratulated in front of a packed festival crowd at Party in the Park 2017 on Saturday 10th June on Beacon Field, Peasedown St John.
