Wessex Water fund grants available for environmental projects
Grants of up to £1,500 available to Wiltshire community groups
Wiltshire Community Foundation are running the Wessex Water fund where community projects which protect or improve the environment can apply for grants of up to £1,500.
The Wessex Water Environment Fund, which opens for applications on April 29, was created by the company to support projects involving communities in environmental activities to benefit their area, have a positive impact on local environments or educate people about the importance of supporting it.
Priority will be given to groups working to save water, cut the use of single-use plastics, reduce waste or improve local biodiversity.
Kirsty Scarlett, Wessex Water’s head of community engagement, said:
“The grants will also be targeted at organisations where a small amount of money can make a significant difference.
“Groups eligible are those with charitable aims, registered charities, and community interest companies with an annual income of less than £500,000. Schools and parish councils can apply if they can show community benefit to their project.”
Last year the fund awarded £9,000 to seven projects.
Among the recipients was the Wessex Multiple Sclerosis Centre in Warminster (pictured above), which received £1,300 to make its garden more sustainable for members - who come from all over Wiltshire.
£1,450 was awarded to the Devenish Bradshaw Charitable Trust, which looks after the Laverstock Water Meadows (pictured top).
Chairman of trustees Jane Wilkinson said:
“The grant paid for an oak interpretation and orientation sign because there is no information about what flowers and wildlife can be found on the meadows and what can be found in the river.”
Wiltshire Bat Group spent hours sifting through cow pats on Salisbury Plain as part of a study into food sources for Greater Horseshoe Bats thanks to a £1,482 grant.
The surveys by two students helped create more interest into bats among the farming community.
Project leader Gareth Harris added:
“South Wiltshire hosts internationally important numbers of wintering greater horseshoe bats and effective conservation of these bats includes enhancing winter foraging areas, as well as protecting their roosting sites."