More funding available for Sevenoaks community projects Date: 01-09-2010 More than £400,000 has been granted to 25 community projects in the Sevenoaks area by the Cory Environmental Trust in Britain (CETB) and Ibstock Cory Environmental Trust (ICET) since the trusts were established in 2003 and 2001. However, more funding is available and the Trusts are keen to encourage applications from local groups and organisations. Otford Cricket Club, Sevenoaks Wildlfe Reserve and Chipstead Juniors Football Club have already received substantial grants from the Trusts, as well as other local social groups, nature reserves, churches and sports clubs. Projects both large and small are eligible, from the rebuilding of a dangerous boiler chimney at St Peter and St Paul Church, to te renovation of Otford village pond. What all the projects have in common is a strong community focus. To the Kent Wildlife Trust alone, £50,000 was granted to improve the Bough Beech Visitor Centre and Nature Reserve for both the community and wildlife. As well as managing the habitat to improve biodiversity, access was also improved for wheelchair users, families with pushchairs and those with special needs. Approximately 10,000 people vist the reserve every year. Local scout groups have also been the focus of the Trusts, with the 4th Sevenoaks (St Johns) Scout Group receiving four grants, totalling more than £40,000. Thanks to the funding, ambitious projects such as the creation of a conservation area and and archery range have been completed and there are plans to develop an assault course in the newly extended grounds. The group has also been able to purchase additional ground for camping, wide games and other scouting activities. Other costly maintenance works, such as floor repairs and new windows and doors, have been funded. The 15th Sevenoaks (Otford) Scout Group was granted £20,000 for toilet improvements, including disabled facilities. Angela Haymonds, Trust Secretary, said: "We have already supported many community projects in and around Sevenoaks, howevern 25 projects is not enough. We still have funding available and are keen to encourage as many applications as possible. The trusts aim to fund projects which will maker a real difference to the local community and benefit as many people as possible. The more applications we receive the bigger the difference we can make." A recent example of this was a CETB grant of more than £20,000 to Stansted Village Hall for building an extension. The funding has helped almost double the floor space, allowing the community to make much better use of the facility. On re-opening, the hall made full use of its new extension, holding a farmers' market and coffee morning. Other events such as pantomimes, plays and dances are also planned. Penny Goring, Chairman of Stansted Village Hall, said: "This work has transformed the hall, enabling a wider variety of activities including sporting events and social occasions. Without the very generous grant from Cory Environmental Trust in Britain, none of this would have happened and we are extremely grateful to them." The funding for the community projects was made possible by the Landfill Communities Fund (previously known as the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme), which enables Cory Environmental, as a landfill operator, to make contributions to approved Environmental Bodies. Cory Environmental Trust in Britain and the Ibstock Cory Environmental Trust were set up by Cory Environmental and the Trusts focus on supporting community based projects within a ten mile radius of Cory landfill sites. Projects eligible for funding include the restoration of historic buildings, refurbishment of community and sports centres, provision of sports equipment, the improvement of public gardens and play areas and the enhancement of woodland, riverside and other wildlife habitats. If you have a project that you think may qualify for funding in the Sevenoaks, Tonbridge or Tunbridge Wells area or anywhere else within a ten mile radiius of Cory's site at Bat and Ball, please get in touch with Angela Haymonds, Trust Secretary on 01753 582513 and she will be delighted to provide advice and an application pack.

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