Community groups across Alston, Garrigill and Nenthead have recently benefitted from £15,000 worth of grants from United Utilities.
Nineteen groups were successful in their funding bids with grants of up to £3,000 being given out to each organisation.
United Utilities made the money available after a period of disruption in the area in 2018 when work was undertaken to replace the water main. Since then, Alston Moor Business Association (AMBA) has been administering the fund to ensure the money benefits the community.
Alston Moor Community Energy develops micro ‘green energy’ projects. They received a £1,000 grant which contributed to the installation of solar panels at Alston Moor Federation school buildings on Church Road.
The result has seen a saving on energy costs for the school and income generated via the sale of surplus electricity. The panels are also the subject of science lessons.
Alston Moor Community Kitchen received £360 towards food and educational materials. The group met weekly for six months and utilised the catering room at Samuel King’s school. As well as cooking classes there was a focus on education around nutrition and food waste.
Alston Dance Troupe
Alston Dance Troupe runs dance classes for under 18s. Each year it raises funds in the region of £2,000 to allow it to compete in a national event in Blackpool. A £500 grant was a contribution towards this and enabled more than 30 dancers and support staff to attend the event.
Alston Moor Golf Club received a grant of £1,000 to purchase and install a defibrillator on the course.
Nenthead play park received a grant of £1,000 towards the cost of designing and upgrading the park. The designs have now been approved by the local planning authorities and the work to upgrade the park is ongoing.
Other successful bids came from Garrigill Village Hall, Alston Community Gym, Alston Moor Observatory and others. In addition, Alston Moor Partnership received a grant that will be used to fund a range of projects in the community plan.
Ian Grey, AMBA committee member, said: “We are very grateful to United Utilities for the funding and know that each award delivered significant benefits to the recipients. In several cases the grant enabled the group to start projects that will deliver in the longer term.”
Alina Williams of Alston Dance Troupe said: “This support got our fundraising off to a flying start and enabled us to make firm plans to attend a national event in Blackpool.”
Gaynor Murphy, Head of Stakeholder Relations at United Utilities, said: “It’s fantastic to see all the great organisations around Alston Moor that have benefitted from the money that we donated. We understand the impact our work can sometimes have on local communities, so it’s important to ensure we give back and support those affected.”
