Funding available for tidy projects

Projects that clean up towns in Monmouthshire can apply funding thanks to a Welsh Assembly Governments Tidy Towns initiative.

The scheme means Monmouthshire County Council is making funding available for community groups to tidy up and enhance the county.

Funding of up to £2500 is available to community groups, town and community councils who involve local residents and volunteers in community activity that will enhance their local area.

Funding already allocated includes Friends of Tintern Old Station (planters, benches, bird and bat boxes), The Bryn Village Hall Association (enhancement of a community garden) and Monmouthshire Youth Project for its art project with young people at the subway in Monmouth.

The projects must agree to adopt an area in the county and continue to assist with activity such as community clean ups or habitat and flaura and fauna development.

Sue Pickard of Friends of Tintern Old Station said:

"The funding received through Monmouthshire Tidy Towns:Tidy Local Communities has assisted our group to help develop the area around the Station, encouraging  recycling and attracting many comments on the improvement in the overall appearance and cleanliness of the area. It has been a great help in starting the project and has given us the impetus for further fund raising."

The group will be placing insect and bat boxes which will offer  young people and visitors a better insight into the wildlife in the area.

For more information on Tidy Towns: Tidy Local Communities green contact Deserie Mansfield on 01873 736037/07793259017 before the deadline of 14th September 09