£150k boost to community projects across Babergh and Mid Suffolk

Funding towards a new football club stand and play area improvements are among 21 grants to support community groups and organisations in Babergh and Mid Suffolk.

During the application window, which closed in January, organisations could apply for up to £10,000 toward projects that improve sports and play facilities, help acquire new equipment and make village hall upgrades.

Now, the funding has all been allocated, with a total of 21 organisations finding out that their submissions were successful.

From village hall upgrades and accessibility improvements in Babergh, to roof replacements and sports club refurbishments in Mid Suffolk, the successful projects ensure that a wide variety of community spaces will be levelling up as work gets underway.

In total, £148,916.63 has been allocated across the districts, with £62,772.34 shared between eight organisations in Babergh and £86,144.29 spread between 13 organisations in Mid Suffolk.

Teresa Davis, Mid Suffolk District Council’s cabinet member for Thriving Communities, said: “I’m so pleased that we received a large number of successful applications in Mid Suffolk, ensuring that the benefits of this funding can be felt by a large number of people all across the district.”

And Laura Smith, Babergh District Council’s cabinet member for Thriving Communities, added: “It’s been another successful round of capital grant allocations in Babergh, with over £60,000 handed out in this window alone.

“However, when one application window closes, another one is bound to open, so always check the ‘community funding’ section of our website to find out what support we can offer your local organisation.”

Babergh capital grant recipients:

• Capel Community Trust – new accessible doors, £9,336.37
• Freston Village Hall – kitchen renovation, £9,960
• Chamberlin Hall – Chamberlin Hall improvement programme – re-decoration, £10,000
• Lavenham Community Council – fire alarm upgrade to Lavenham village hall, £8,208
• The Shelley Centre for Therapeutic Riding – new field shelter, £5,000
• Leavenheath Village Hall Management Committee – disabled parking bays, £5,476
• Leavenheath Parish Council – new play area, £10,000
• Parochial Church Council of St Mary’s Hadleigh – heating and lighting improvements, £4,791.97

Mid Suffolk capital grant recipients:

• First Fressingfield Scout Group – new ovens – cooking it up, £1,800
• Harleston Magpies Hockey Club – specialist pitch maintenance equipment and storage, £9,425
• Stowmarket Town Council – new fencing to Hill Rise play area, £10,000
• Wattisfield Community Centre – flat roof replacement, £10,000
• ReStow CIC – layout alterations and heating improvements at Fox Yard Studios, £8,631.42
• First Debenham Scout Group – new trailer, £2,875
• Needham Market Football Club – new spectator stand and facilities, £10,000
• Palgrave and District Community Centre – CCTV, £2,791.80
• Occold Recreation and Amenities Council – zip line repairs and refurbishment at Occold play area, £2,796
• John Peel Centre for Creative Arts CIC – new seating, £7,554
• Rickinghall Village Hall – MUGA refurbishment, £8,262
• Stowmarket Town Council – improved window glazing within the business suite of Milton House, £5,955.67
• Worlingworth Cricket Club – drainage repairs, £6,053.40