Timsbury Church Receives Award

Since the Waltet Community Fund was created one year ago many organisations have benefited from donations from the fund to assist local projects in Braishfield, Michelmersh, Timsbury and Romsey. The fund was created by Waltet directors in conjunction with Ex-chairman of Hampshire County Council Alderman Michael Woodhall to provide support for community projects in the neighbourhood where their Waltet recycling plant RFSF Recycling is situated. Three organisations have benefitted from the latest round of grants from the Waltet Community Fund and they include Michelmersh and Timsbury Football Club who received £250 towards the cost of eighteen warm up tops for their squad.

Saint Andrews Church at Timsbury had a problem with jackdaws and other birds damaging the church’s wooden tower when they nest there so the Timsbury Parochial Church Councils applied for a grant towards the work to “bird proof” the tower. There application was successful and they also received £250. Thanks to this donation birds will not be nesting in the tower this year and causing damage as they have done in previous years. The third recipient in this quarter’s grants was given to Ampfield Community Pre-School Group who meets in the village hall at Ampfield. The Group applied for a grant to buy new washable educational printed anti-slip rubber mats to enhance the “story telling” and “play” areas so the young children, who are only aged two and a half to five years old, do not have to sit on cold wooden floors.

“This generous grant has ensured that we can buy the mats ready for when the new term starts after Easter. They will be immediately put to good use for the benefit of the children,” said Sandy Oliver, Pre-School Group manager. “Now-a-days as support from local authorities is becoming more difficult we are very grateful to companies like Waltet for their help in the community.”

“No man or business is an island and Waltet and RFSF Recycling are an important integral part of the local community,” stated Alderman Michael Woodhall at a recent grant funding award meeting. “When I was a councillor I was able to help local organisations get funding from the County and I know how much good can come from modest awards that are spent directly on local projects. I am pleased that Waltet agreed to support the local community by setting up the Waltet Community Fund and to ask me to chair the committee that administer it. Previous grants have been made to the Timsbury and Michelmersh Cricket Club towards the cost of cricket practice nets and two hundred and fifty pounds to complete the target amount for a adult fitness trail at Braishfield.

“I am looking forward to hearing from individuals and community groups wishing to apply for the next quarterly awards this summer. The maximum grant we award is £250 and it can be for an individual as well as a group to help with a project or personal development in the area of Braishfield, Timsbury, Michelmersh and Romsey. Application forms can be downloaded from the Waltet web site or they are available at the offices of the Romsey Advertiser or they can write directly for an application form to Michael J Woodhall FRICS at The Granary, North Houghton, Stockbridge, Hampshire SO20 6LF or email Michael.woodhall1@btinternet.com ”

May 2011