A community grant scheme set up in 2009 to support grassroots projects in Peasedown St John has reached a new milestone.
A total of £3,000 has now been distributed through the Party in the Park Grant Fund to a range of organisations, many of which wouldn’t have received funding otherwise.
The fund is sourced through the annual Party in the Park village festival which, after a 5th successful year, sees between 2,000 – 3,000 people enjoying live music, entertainment and an array of attractions.
Joy Fraser is the festival treasurer, she said: “The donations we receive from the public at Party in the Park, the stall holder fees and sponsorship from businesses enables us to set aside a sum of money each year to give back to the community.
“This is our way of doing more for the community all year round, not just at a one-day summer event.”
The £3,000 mark was reached just recently following a grant of £150 to Peasedown St Methodist Church to fund a day-trip for older members of the church, and a £600 grant to Peasedown Cricket and Croquet Clubs to purchase new picnic tables, and a machine to soak up excess water on the pitches in wet weather.
Since 2009, these organisations and projects have received support through the Fund:
• Laurel Farm Kindergarten
• Peasedown St John Scouts
• Peasedown Methodist Church Youth Project
• Explorer Scouts
• Peasedown St John Children’s Centre
• Beacon Hall Lunch Club
• Peasedown Youth Albion FC
• Bath Stroke Group
• Beacon Hall Kitchen
• Peasedown Methodist Church Kitchen Refurbishment
• Bath All Starz Cheerleaders
• Peasedown Cricket and Croquet Clubs
• Peasedown Methodist Church Golden Years Holiday Club
• St John’s Church Youth Football Coach
• Peasedown Primary School Centenary Celebrations
Festival organisers believe the Grant Fund has contributed to the success of the Party in the Park brand over the last five years, with many large businesses choosing to sponsor the festival knowing that, in turn, the festival is helping those in the immediate community.
Fundraising Manager Mike Auton added: “Many of our larger festival sponsors are keen to support us because of the way funds are redistributed back into the community.
“To have given £3,000 to voluntary groups in Peasedown St John is something we all feel very proud of. Our team works hard every year to ensure we can run initiatives, such as the Grant Fund, the Sara Holley Community Award or our Be Part of It scheme, all of which have had a real effect on those that are involved with them.”
