Five community groups in South Holland have been given extra funding for new projects.
The Donington Ideas Group plans to improve Flinders Park ahead of its namesake’s return next year. The organisation is set to receive funding as part of the latest round of grants for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
Fleet Parish Council say its looking to use the money to install a permanent table tennis table on a small hard standing area on the playing field and a small climbing frame within the park.
A spokesman said: “Fleet Parish Council are delighted that our application was successful so we can install new equipment and move forward to the next stage of our project.”
Others to receive grants include Gosberton Snooker and Bowls Club, Cowbit Village Hall and both Weston and Fleet parish council.
The remains of explorer Matthew Flinders (who died in 1814) is due to be re-buried next year, after his London grave was removed during work on the HS2 rail link. The Donington Ideas Group wants to get the village looking immaculate in readiness.
“We’re absolutely delighted,” said the group’s Jayne King. “With the Flinders Bring Him Home group doing some fantastic work, it’s going to be a big occasion in the village.
“This allows allow us to replace some of the play equipment that’s coming towards the end of its life and make improvements where we can.
“A camera has recently been damaged which we’ll look to replace too.
“The park is already looking wonderful thanks to the amazing volunteers we have who do such an amazing job of cutting the grass and picking up litter. The grant will allow us to add to this.”
The Voice asked all the organisations what they were going to spend the money on.
Gosberton Snooker and Bowls Club declined to comment on their project as it had not had official confirmation from South Holland District Council.
Weston Parish Council nor Cowbit Village Hall responded to our request for more information.
It’s not been revealed how much each project or region is getting, but the South and East Lincolnshire Local Councils Partnership, of which South Holland is a member alongside, Boston Borough Council and East Lindsey District Council, says its authorities have been given £1.3m to be handed out by the Lincolnshire Community Foundation’s Levelling UP Community Grants Programme (GRASSroots).
No bids came forward for the Boston district.
In a joint statement, Coun Steve Kirk, portfolio holder for The Coastal Economy, and Councillor Adam Grist, portfolio holder for Market Towns and the Rural Economy at East Lindsey District Council and Councillor Paul Redgate, portfolio holder for Finance, Commercialisation, Levelling Up and UK Shared Prosperity Funding at South Holland District Council, said: “This funding gives a vital boost for parishes to improve their village halls, their popular clubs and allotments – which will be hugely beneficial to the people who live in those communities and visitors too.”
