Sulgrave Parochial Church Council has become the latest community group to benefit from the HS2 Community and Environment Fund (CEF). They have been successful in their bid for a £75,000 grant to improve facilities in the Church Hall at St James the Less in Sulgrave, Northamptonshire.
The project will involve refurbishing and upgrading the church hall which is over 100 years old. The hall is a focal part of the community, providing a social hub and is used by a wide range of residents from the local village. New disabled toilets will also be built as part of the upgrade project, improving accessibility and making the community facility available to be used by all.
The HS2 Community and Business funds were launched in 2017 and have to date supported 15 projects in Northamptonshire which have shared over £700,000. Projects have ranged from community facilities upgrades, improving play facilities, to schemes to support community cohesion and tackle loneliness.
Cathy Elliott, Independent Chair of the HS2 Funds, said:
“Community spaces are now vital more than ever and I am pleased that the Sulgrave Parochial Church Council has been successful in its application to the HS2 Community and Environment Fund, and will improve the valued church hall and improve access for people with disabilities.
“The HS2 Funds are available to support local communities and businesses that are impacted by the construction of HS2 and I welcome other organisations near to the line of route to apply and gain the tangible benefits of these Funds.”
Anna Faure, Sulgrave Parocial Church Council said:
“The Sulgrave village community is thrilled to be a recipient of the HS2 funding, which will enable us to enhance the existing hall facility, making it user friendly for all, including addressing the warmth, damp and disabled access which we have not been able to tackle in the past due to financial restrictions. The village has lots of plans and ideas for new and exciting uses for the renovated hall and we can’t wait to start.
“We look forward to working with HS2 and Groundwork UK to fulfil our community goal and enjoying our renovated hall in the future.”
As construction of HS2 gets underway, applications for the funds are still being welcomed. The Funds for Phase One, independently administered by community charity Groundwork UK, support urban and rural, community, environmental and business projects.