It was an exciting year for the Making it Local team – a change in all staff members meant getting to grips with the programme very quickly, and dealing with the challenges it often presents. Over the 12 month period between 1 April 2010 and 31 March 2011, the project development workers presented nine funding workshops with 139 individuals attending from a variety of organisations including community groups, charities, private businesses, committees and trusts, parish, town and district councils.
We received 67 initial project outlines within the Blackdown Hills AONB. 15 projects within the AONB boundary were approved during this time. Several more worked on developing full applications which will progress during 2011.
At the beginning of March 2001, we received bad news from the Regional Development Agency as all Local Action Group funding was suspended nation-wide for new applications until September 2011. However, we continued to accept initial project outlines and applications for approval in principle, in order to create a pipeline of projects ready for when the suspension is lifted.
Julie Fergusson
Blackdown Hills project development worker
Projects funded during 2010-11
Donyatt Village Hall - Reduce the carbon footprint of Donyatt Village Hall (DVH) to the lowest practical level for an old building
MiL funding: £13,539.78
Taste the Harvest - Run a local food and farming two day event for primary school children and volunteers, linking food, farming and the landscape.
MiL funding: £4,860
Development of new sportsfield at Dunkeswell – Provide facilities in the sportsfield for community use, picnic tables, bin, shelter.
MiL funding: £5,092
Blackdown Environmental Teams – Environmental volunteering, training and qualifications.
MiL funding: £32,962
Promoting Wildside Experience – Develop marketing for local business
MiL funding: £1,400
Blackdowns Healthy Cooking and Living - Purchase kitchen for healthy cooking classes
MiL funding: £ 2,378
All Change for Tea - Provide changing and catering facilities for a variety of sports clubs in Upottery
MiL funding: £8,436
Harvesting Voices - Oral history project
MiL funding: £28,644
You Gen - Improve business website
MiL funding: £7,549
Blackdown Hills Archives - Improve access to archive
MiL funding: £4,935
Blackdown Hills Chiropractors - Equipment, marketing and website
MiL funding: £1,478
Bitpod - Improve and purchase equipment for business
MiL funding: £3,000
Wellington Map - Map showing Wellington shops and businesses
MiL funding: £1,188
Chardstock play area - Groundworks and fencing prior to a play area being constructed
MiL funding: £6,337
