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Grants Panel Awards Money to Local Groups
| Published: 24th November 2009 22:44 |
Members of the Grants Sub Board at Gosport Borough Council once again issued grants to local groups to help them improve facilities, safety or even to help their members achieve their goals.
Talking of goals, Gosport Football Club (not Gosport Borough Football Club) was formed in 2004 and currently has sixteen teams of Under 6 to Under 17 age range.
Already a Charter Standard Club (the FA's Kite Mark) the club is looking towards becoming a Development Charter Standard Club and, in order to do this they have to train more parents and coaches. The Club currently has nine qualified coaches supporting the sixteen teams. Now eight volunteers are to be trained to complete the FA Level 1 Coaching Certificate.
To afford the First Aid and Safeguarding Children and Young People training, and the equipment required, the club requested a Grant. Always keen to support worthwhile sporting activities which give children something positive to do, Members awarded the Club £864.
Next was Gosport & Fareham Snooker League. Formed in 1930 they currently have 250 members. The League runs two divisions with 25 teams which take part in competitions throughout the year to encourage and promote snooker for all ages.
Although talented, some of the younger members live in deprived areas and are unable to afford the cost of entering competitions, which help them gain confidence, experience and so do well at their sport.
The Club were requesting a grant towards the cost of assisting 30 such players to enter National competitions run by the English Association of Snooker & Billiards. The panel fully supported the requested grant of £375.
The Bridgemary Centre at Nobes Avenue in Bridgemary has been a popular venue for residents since the 50's. Managed by Bridgemary Community Sports College on behalf of the Council, it plays host to a variety of activities and local groups including Pilates, Keep Fit and Weight Watcher classes, Dance Divas and Mother and Toddler groups. The hall also hosts coffee morning for groups such as Breakthrough Breast Cancer and the Alzheimer's Society.
In order to encourage more people to use the centre the group wish to raise its profile by giving it new signage, a notice board and a tree to brighten up the tired garden area. Knowing how much the community use and rely on the hall Members agreed the £716 grant requested.
Based at Lee Community Centre, Little Shipmates is a pre-school which currently has 57 members aged under 5, all of whom live in the Gosport area. They provide a range of activities for the youngsters, but with a hard outdoor play area surface, outdoor activities are limited. To enable healthier, safe outdoor play, particularly during the nicer weather, the group requested money towards the purchase of a new safety play surface. They have been busy fundraising, organising events such as a summer and School Fair to raise money. Recognising how much they are doing to help themselves, Members were pleased to agree the £2,275 grant requested.
Next was Lloyd Vine Leisure, requesting a grant of £600 to enable one of their members to progress his amazing skill of weightlifting. Dean Bowring, who has received Grants from the Panel previously, was there to thank the panel for their support in helping him with the £600 finance required to help him achieve his dream of taking part in the World Championship in Delhi, India, earlier this month.
Not only did Dean attend, but he won the World Championship and last night, after showing Members the medals he had won as British, Commonwealth and European Champion, Councillor Mark Hook spoke on behalf of the panel saying: "We all congratulate Dean on his incredible achievements, particularly as everything didn't go too smoothly regards his visa to get into Delhi. It is great to have someone here before us showing us just how much our Grant has helped them achieve their dream. To see such a successful result from a Grant awarded by this Council is incredible. Not only has it helped Dean achieve his goal, but it has put Gosport on the World map." Acknowledging the £600 requested, the Panel wished him continued success.
Solent Ice Hockey Club was formed in 1985 and currently has 109 members, 20% of those from Gosport. The club were requesting a grant to enable them to purchase more equipment for training which they can then loan to disadvantaged children who perhaps are unable to buy the equipment themselves. The panel agreed £1000 be awarded.
Last item on the agenda was a request from the Big Noise Community Samba Band. With 26 members, 22 of which live in Gosport, they perform at various charity events for free and also do a few paid events to raise money for equipment. The band encourages membership of all ages which they believe gives them an interest and develops their skills, encourages self confidence, self esteem and well being. They currently have a waiting list of people wishing to join but in order to take on more they need more equipment. A grant of £1000 was requested to go towards the purchase of various items of equipment and clothing and to go towards making a DVD/CD. Most members had attended an event where the band had played and said they were to be congratulated for always putting a smile on people's faces. They awarded them £1000 requested.
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