The funding programme was made available through the Government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund. The England-wide initiative is a new £110million, two-year capital fund from the Department for Environmental, Food and Rural Affairs, complementary to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund – run by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. It has enabled councils to support projects in rural areas of the district.
Details of the projects are:
Round Two
Upgrading traditional court floodlighting system to LED fully shielded luminary floodlights for seven tennis courts.
Grant allocated £15000
Purchase and installation of four picnic benches and parasols.
Grant allocated £1259.60
To install Thermal Film onto our Crittall Windows to provide insulation.
Grant allocated £2,709
Remove wooden chipboard floor and replace with environmentally friendly tiles at the pavilion. Install eco-friendly electric wall heaters for pavilion to be used in the winter months. Access to steps leading up to the Pavilion is steep and there is also a slope to contend with. We want to install ‘ grab rails’ over a 5 metre stretch leading to the steps.
Grant allocated £1600
Looking to install a stair-climber to enable easy access for all users of the centre. As the entrance to the Centre is via three steps.
Grant allocated £2492.50
To buy an electric support to machinery store to enable them to charge future electric equipment.
Grant allocated £1892
Installation of solar battery storage for Nutley War Memorial Hall.
Grant allocated £4090
Create a designated pathway to the children’s playground to increase access for wheelchairs, disability scooters, buggies/prams and bicycles.
Grant allocated £2,297.50
1. A field shelter for under cover seating and storage of mobile games equipment
2. A petanque pitch
3. Benches and picnic tables
4. Tree and hedge planting specified in the planning consent
Grant allocated £4861.50
To install a hearing loop system within the hall, purhcase microphone and speaker. Purchase energy efficient handryer in disabled toilets to reduce waste re paper towels.
Grant allocated £2,349.46
To improve accessibility by:
– provision of additional seasonal paths to areas not currently safely accessible, with addition of sleeper bridges/
– Improve access to the boardwalk with the addition of non-slip planks
– add 2 new picnic benches
Grant allocated £2853.40
Improving the area for residents/visitors to be able to enjoy the woodland.
Funding to purchase benches, a dog waste bin, bird and bat boxes.
Grant allocated £1,479.50
Round One
Wealden District Council’s Community Spaces Grants programme has allocated £15,850.76 towards seven projects to help improve local rural green spaces.
The grants programme was launched on Friday 29 September 2023 and projects were completed by June 2024.
Installation of two seats, which will be made from sustainable materials within play area at Waldron Recreation Ground and one seat in Hardy Roberts Rec Ground.
Grant allocated £1157
Posey Green: Incorporating new seating and a new cycle rack.
Herstmonceux Recreation Ground: 10-12 cycle racks and a shelter for buggies to encourage active travel rather than car use.
Grant allocated £4292.5
Installation of two cycle racks and four memorial benches made from 100% recycled materials along Horam Get Active Pathway.
Comments from the local community after the project was completed:
“I am really lucky to have this on my doorstep. It has improved walking in the winter months”
“Its a great improvement for me walking the dog”
“I am really pleased to see new benches, the whole area looks great now”
“The new bike racks have encouraged more visitors to use the rec and all of it’s facilities whilst encouraging less car journeys.”
“People are happy to leave bikes safely whilst they are enjoying the various facilities at the community space, and more cyclists using the nearby Cuckoo Trail have been encouraged to visit”
“I have to say that the path has been a great success, now with the benches and extra bins added the area has become even more of an asset for Horam than it was even before.”
“I just want to congratulate you and your committee for achieving this great milestone for the community.”
Grant allocated £2120.5
Contribution towards a wood chipper to help improve the paths in church wood and make it more user friendly.
Grant allocated £2104.82
Creating a friendship garden predominately for older people to enjoy nature and working in the garden. The produce grown will support RSM’s weekly luncheon club and ‘Feed it Back’ table.
The community within Rotherfield were involved in the project. Pathways around the garden have made the area accessible for people with reduced mobility. The garden has many possibilities for growing, working with local groups such as school children,
learning and friendship.
Quotes from the community: “I cant believe we now have this facility in our community” “I’m so excited to get growing”
“Cant wait to get food on the menu”
“what a peaceful haven for older people”.
Grant allocated £2600
Improvements to a number of footpaths and access points to increase accessibility to the reserves.
Grant allocated £959.94
Purchase of an accessible basket swing for Teasley Mead Recreation Ground.
Grant allocated £2616