A ‘Curiosity Club’ is being launched at a South Holland venue thanks to the latest round of government funding.
Gedney Dyke Village Hall is one of eight projects to benefit from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund Grassroots donations.
It has purchased a projector and a demonstration camera with the money for the Curiosity Club, a monthly gathering designed to bring people together through shared interests, lifelong learning and good old-fashioned community spirit.
“The idea behind the Curiosity Club is simple: everyone has a story to tell, a skill to share, a hobby they are passionate about, or an experience that others would love to hear about,” a spokesman for the committee said.
“Whether you have travelled the world, keep bees, grow prize-winning vegetables, trace family history, paint, photograph wildlife, make model railways, restore vintage machinery or simply have a fascinating life story to tell, there is something that others can learn from you.
“Each month, local people will be invited to talk about a hobby, interest, skill or experience, with opportunities for demonstrations, questions and hands-on activities where appropriate. The newly funded projector and desk camera will allow close-up demonstrations to be displayed clearly on a large screen,
“We are particularly excited about the possibilities this creates for practical workshops. Whether learning a craft, watching an artist at work, discovering a new skill or simply listening to someone talk passionately about a subject they love, there will be something for everyone.
“While the club will be open to all ages, we hope it will be especially valuable in helping people make new friends, build confidence and reduce loneliness. Village life is at its best when people come together, and we believe there is a huge amount of untapped knowledge, talent and experience within our local community just waiting to be shared
The other successful projects for the Grassroots funding are:
- Spalding Common Village Hall – Renovations to the interior of the hall.
- Gedney Dyke Village Hall – Equipment to start a new Curiosity Club.
- Moulton Chapel Community Centre – Purchase of play equipment.
- Moulton Park Committee – Car parking improvements including accessible pathways to the play area.
- Spalding Badminton Club – Purchase of essential badminton equipment and support to train new coaches.
- Saracen’s Head Village Hall – Funding towards an accessible toilet.
- Cowbit Parish Council – Renovations to an accessible toilet and accessibility improvements to pavilion.
- lPE11 Men’s Shed, Gosberton Risegate – Works to relocate a workshop to Marjorum Hall.
It takes the total fund for the Grassroost fund, part of the scheme set up to replace EU funding after Brexit to around £1.5m in South Holland.
It’s overseen locally by South Holland District Council and run by the Lincolnshire Community Foundation.
Coun Paul Redgate, the district council’s portfolio holder for finance, said: “South Holland District Council is delighted to be able to bring this hugely successful UKSPF programme to a close with a final round of grants.
“Over the past three years the results delivered through this Lincolnshire Community Foundation fund have been nothing short of incredible.
“From renovated village halls and vastly improved community spaces to volunteering opportunities and new sports clubs, we have been able to support communities in towns and villages across the district – and we have left a lasting legacy.”
