Shivering on the sidelines has become a thing of the past for the manager and substitutes at Stanton Football Club, thanks to a grant from St Edmundsbury.
The club became just one in a long line of community groups to benefit after an application for £1000 towards installing new dug outs was approved. Work was completed this month and officials from the two adult teams at Stanton are now enjoying shelter from the wind and rain while cheering their team to victory.
Peter Knights, Chairman of Stanton Football Club, said:
“We did have some old dug outs, but they didn’t meet FA specifications as we couldn’t fit many people inside. That meant those standing on the sidelines were exposed to the wind, rain and snow.
“We are really pleased with the new dug outs – they have really made a difference to everyone at the club and to the visiting teams. As a club, we do a lot of fundraising but that money all goes towards day-to-day running costs so without this grant, installing new equipment wouldn’t have been possible.”
The dug outs are just one of a wide variety of community projects which have been given grant aid recently. Cavendish Wanderers Cricket Club, which is open to boys, girls and adults, has also received cash for a new mower, all weather matting and a practise net, while Kedington Community Centre has been given help for repairing a wall and the roof, replacing the guttering and adding wheelchair ramps and a cushioned surface to the patio area.
Cllr Sara Mildmay-White, St Edmundsbury’s Portfolio Holder for Resources and Community Development, said:
“These grants are so important to a variety of clubs and groups, which otherwise may not be able to make vital improvements which go on to benefit their local communities. We support a hugely diverse range of organisations across the borough and are delighted to be able to help.”
Call 01284 757079 for more information on how your group could apply for a grant from St Edmundsbury or visit www.stedmundsbury.gov.uk to download an application form.
ENDS
ISSUED BY LIZ HEARNSHAW, COMMUNICATIONS UNIT, ST EDMUNDSBURY BOROUGH COUNCIL. Tel 01284 757033. liz.hearnshaw@stedsbc.gov.uk
