Funding boost for community plans in Ryedale (From Gazette & Herald)

Funding boost for community plans in Ryedale

1:57pm Wednesday 13th March 2013 in News By David Jeffels

COMMUNITY projects in Ryedale are set to benefit from thousands of pounds from the district council.

Wilton Village Hall has received £10,000 towards the cost of an extension to the hall to provide toilets and a new kitchen. The move follows a parish survey which revealed the hall is the only community facility in the village, but is in need of upgrading.

Sarah Lally-Marley, funding advisor to Ryedale Voluntary Action (RVA), said: “It has brought the village closer together and as a result a number of new groups have been created including children’s arts and craft classes, a local history group and fitness classes for older residents, as well as a number of fundraising events.”

Because Wilton has no shop, post office or pub, the hall’s renovation has gone a long way to tackling the problems of rural and social isolation.

Fadmoor Village Hall has also benefited, with a grant from RDC’s new Community Investment Fund (CIF). It has received £10,000 towards its refurbishment, including a new heating system, windows and insulation, again resulting from a parish survey.

Ryedale Community Transport, which provides community transport services for people without their own car or unable to access public transport, has been given £21,000 through the CIF.

The CIF has also provided £13,030 to RVA for its funding advice service and a development worker, and £9,580 for the organisation’s volunteer centre.

Julian Rudd, the council’s head of economy, said the CIF had a fund of £247,826. “Ryedale District Council has a long tradition of supporting community development. Ryedale is the second most sparsely populated district in the country. It is also an area with notably low household incomes,” he said.