For immediate release news release

Grants boost for West Oxfordshire local projects West Oxfordshire District Council’s Cabinet has agreed over £65,000 in grant funding for community projects, including £37,500 to transform a community facility in Long Hanborough.

Long Hanborough Methodist Church wants to redevelop a popular community space at the rear of the Church into a modern vibrant area that can be used by many more people and help cater for the village’s growing population.

The premises are well-used by all the community and house art groups, a volunteer-run cafe, fitness classes, youth club, music rehearsals and concerts. But they are currently in a poor state of repair and in need of modernisation.

The District Council’s £37,500 grant moves the community project a step towards its goal of securing over £700,000 to meet the total costs needed for the scheme.

Local resident, Andrew Gower, is raising funds for the Long Hanborough project. He said, “The Methodist Church is in the heart of the village and being in a central location makes it a busy social hub. The current premises are bursting at the seams and the catering facilities are barely adequate. As the village is growing fast we expect that demand will only continue to increase.”

Pictured from the left are Andrew Gower and Cllr James Mills at the entrance to the community rooms at the Methodist Church.

Cllr James Mills, Cabinet Member responsible for Leisure said, “It is good to see what active communities we have in West Oxfordshire and the sterling work done by volunteers for, and on behalf, of their communities. I’m pleased we are able to support our existing community facilities in ways that will improve and increase their usage. By providing these grants we are investing in our community resources and bringing funds of over £860,000 into the District.”

At the Cabinet meeting the following grants were also allocated:

 £6,353 funding support towards an outdoor gym and a large slide at Hailey Recreation Ground. The equipment will provide much-needed recreational facilities for adults and teenagers in the village. It will be placed alongside the play area, so parents with young children can exercise together. The total cost of the project is £33,881.

 Cassington Parish Council awarded £13,845 towards a raft of improvements at the Sports Pavilion. The total project cost is £73,843.

 Northmoor Village Hall awarded £4,460 to improve its facilities so there is better access for disabled people, a fire safety system is installed, electronics upgraded and improvements made to the heating system. The total project cost is over £25,583.

 Kencot Village Hall is allocated £3,080 towards building a storage area to the rear of the Hall. The total project cost is £17,612.

The next round of Community Facilities Grant applications will be considered at the November Cabinet meeting and applications must be made by 15 September. Application forms are on www.westoxon.gov.uk/communities and further information is available by calling 01993 861080.

The Cabinet’s allocation of grant funding was made at a meeting on Wednesday 17 June and is subject to the usual call-in period.