2018 WESTERN AREA WINNERS

ANNOUNCED

The 17th Community Chest Awards were held at the Crown Hotel, Blandford Forum in September 2018. The judges were Fiona Dart, Blackmore Vale Media editor; Marilyn Barber, Stour & Avon Magazine news editor; Grant Robson, The Community Foundation; Lucinda Gray, Andy Wing and Mark Woodhouse, Hall & Woodhouse together with independent judge Colin Brady.

Mark Woodhouse welcomed guests, who included Lord Lieutenant of Dorset, Angus Campbell, and local civic leaders, explaining that the purpose of the Community Chest was to work together towards improving facilities and the life of local residents.

182 applications were received for grants totalling over £316,000. 27 organisations were successful, each receiving a share of £25,555, with grants ranging from £323 to £2,595.

The White Hart, Longham run by Business Partners Paul and Carol Stroud once again generously boosted the Community Chest pot with the annual proceeds from their Book Club and a Beer & Cheese Evening.

The highest award of £2,595 went to Burngate Stone Carving Centre, an educational centre set up to revive and preserve Purbeck’s stone working heritage. The grant will pay for an additional 12 weekly sessions of an art and skills project for people experiencing social isolation and low level mental health issues in the local community. The more modest, but equally appreciated, sum of £323 went to the Apollo Swimming Club for the Physically Disabled to enable them to kit out their new minibus with updated first aid kits and safety equipment.