Coalfield community groups get £120,000 in trust grants

COMMUNITY groups in both Rotherham and Barnsley have been given grants worth more than £120,000 to help them to expand activities in areas suffering from the decline of traditional industries.
By The Newsroom
Published 16th Mar 2010, 22:40 BST
Updated 16th Mar 2010, 22:40 BST

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust, an independent charity set up in 1999, has awarded 97,447 to a group behind a plan to open a community cafe in the Clifton area of Rotherham.

It is hoped to run the cafe at the United Methodist Church, which already hosts a popular playgroup, friendship group, junior and senior youth clubs, an art group and keep fit classes.

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Funding from the trust will pay for an existing kitchen area to be overhauled, doubling its size, as well for the purchase of tables and chairs, creating a cafe capable of serving up to 100 people.

Church spokesman Roy Bott, said: "This is an exciting partnership venture between the church and the local community. The need for a community cafe and improved kitchen facilities was identified when we consulted current users.

"We are very grateful to the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, which has enabled the dream to become a reality."

Two Rotherham sports clubs have also received grants, with 2,575 offered to the town's Wheelers Cycling Club, which will allow members to run a five-week cycle maintenance course. A roller hockey club called Team Blackhawks has been given 4,800 to help run a recruitment drive for its teams, which range in age from under-10s to adult.

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Local Labour MP Denis MacShane said: "It is fantastic to see so much money being awarded to Rotherham projects and to see such diversity in the groups receiving this vital injection of cash."

Mr MacShane, was joined by his Barnsley counterpart Eric Illsley in his praise for the CRT, with Mr Illsley welcoming a grant of 20,350 which will help the town's college to buy a new minibus for its sports academy.

The bus will also be made available to sports groups for trips to competitions and festivals.

Mr Illsley added: "I am delighted that the CRT has been able to support the purchase of this minibus. I am sure the bus will be a popular and essential student and community resource and allow the Sports Academy to build on its excellent network."

Related topics:RotherhamBarnsley