Woolavington and Puriton asked how to spend £1m (From Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News)

Woolavington and Puriton asked how to spend £1m

11:00am Wednesday 20th March 2013 in News By Kirsty James

VILLAGERS in Woolavington and Puriton are being asked how to spend a massive grant of £1m Lottery funding.

Between them, the villages have been awarded the cash by the ‘Big Local’ fund which was set up to enhance 150 small urban and rural communities.

The fund, managed by the Local Trust charity, targets areas which may not have been successful in gaining funding and resources in the past.

Cllr Mark Healey, of the Puriton and Woolavington ward, said: “The funding has been allocated over the next ten years.

“We’re looking at various options for how to manage the money, such as splitting it into bite-sized amounts for smaller projects.”

Cllr Healey has suggested splitting the cash into three pots of money; one for Puriton, one for Woolavington and one for projects which link both communities.

He added that residents in Puriton have already suggested setting up their own Puriton Community Centre.

“It’s going to be an exciting new project which brings the community together and accommodates all age groups,” added Cllr Healey.

“I hope it will encourage people to visit those areas and spend money to stimulate the local economy.

“It’s got to be ‘people-led’ so we’re in the process of getting a group together to spearhead the scheme.”

To get involved with the projects call Cllr Healey on 01278-685368 or email mark.healey@sedgemoor.gov.uk – for more information visit www.local trust.org.uk/big-local/

• A Big Local session will be held on April 3 from 11am to 1pm at Woolavington Community Hall, followed by a presentation and Q&A on April 4 from 7.30pm to 9.30pm at Woolavington Village Hall and a drop-in session on April 6 from 10am to 12pm at Puriton Primary School.

Contact Local Trust rep Julian Mellor on 0777 929 3501 or julian@2md.co.uk.