Final South Holland GRASSroots awards take total investment in local community projects to almost £800k

The final awards for the UK Shared Prosperity Funded (UKSPF) GRASSroots grant scheme have been announced, with almost £650,000 awarded over the past year through the South Holland District Council scheme, distributed by Lincolnshire Community Foundation.

With match funding leveraged, just under £800,000 has been invested in parishes, village halls and community projects in South Holland through the programme, which is now closed for new expressions of interest.

GRASSroots first began awarding grants 12 months ago, and has supported 40 community projects, sports clubs, parish councils and village halls to meet their aim of bringing people together through many methods including improving facilities and boosting volunteering opportunities.

This latest round of funding, which totals £235,981, brings the scheme to an end in South Holland, however applications are still being accepted elsewhere in the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership, in Boston Borough and the East Lindsey district.

In this round, awards have been distributed to:

Surfleet Play and Recreation Charity - To repair and replace equipment in the children's play area, install a shelter for the Forest School and install safety signage around the park.

West Pinchbeck Village Hall - Replacement of existing boiler, installation of disabled toilet/improvement to toilet blocks and disabled access, resurfacing of car park and replacement of two windows.

Holbeach Amateur Theatrical Society - New lighting and sound equipment.

Deeping St Nicholas Parish Council - Redevelopment of St Nicholas Park.

Sutton Bridge Parish Council - Development and refurbishment of play area.

Crowland Town Bowling Club - New clubhouse.

Gedney Drove End and Dawsmere Village Hall - Upgrading of electric wiring, installation of kitchen extractor fan and signage for the hall.

Fleet Parish Council - Renovation of the playing field with more accessibility for disabled users.

Holbeach United Community Sport Academy - New lighting and redecoration of academy building.

Weston St Mary Village Hall - Upgrading the village hall, replacing the floor, fire doors, patio and fencing.

Marjorum Beehive Association Ltd- Replacement of hall's warped wooden floor and redesign of male toilet to include ramp and changing facilities.

Sutton St Edmund Parish Council - Installation of outdoor gym equipment.

Councillor Paul Redgate, deputy leader and portfolio holder for finance, said: "I am so pleased that we have marked this milestone just 12 months after the first awards were made by Lincolnshire Community Foundation.

"This investment marks a once in a generation investment by the council.

"There has been a huge demand for this grant scheme and those who have been successful have demonstrated what can be achieved with the right combination of suitable funding and passion.

"All of the recipients have used the funding to help to build their communities and improve their facilities or volunteering opportunities - and that's exactly what we wanted to see happening with the UKSPF funding.

"I hope that these final recipients make the most of their awards, and I look forward to seeing the results of their work."

To find out more about other projects and the impact the UK Shared Prosperity Fund is having on South Holland, visit www.sholland.gov.uk/UKSPF