New Forest District Council gives local organisations and charities more than £270,000 in grants

CHARITIES and organisations in the New Forest are to benefit from grants totalling more than £270,000 from the district council.

A team of councillors in November considered 27 applications from across the area for 2023/24 which were put to the ruling cabinet at its latest meeting.

A report noted some groups had received less than they requested in order to spread the money round more recipients, adding: "Due to the number and value of applications the group had to make difficult decisions."

Paultons Cricket Club gained £40,000 to aid the rebuild of its clubhouse after an arson attack in January last year.

It was agreed to give £10,000 each to St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery in Lymington, Forest Arts Centre in New Milton, Forest Forge Theatre in Ringwood, arts and education charity SPUD in Sway, and Totton-based Youth and Families Matter.

New Forest Disability Information Services received £18,500 while Hammersley Homes, which supports adults struggling with their mental health, was granted £5,000.

The Handy Trust in Hythe received £7,000; Community First Wessex which supports the voluntary sector £35,000; and the not-for-profit New Forest Bike Project £2,000.

Testwood School in Totton received £20,000 towards the replacement of its synthetic turf pitch.

Other recipients included £17,000 for East Boldre Community Stores; £5,000 for Everton Sports and Social Club; and £5,000 for Hordle Community Association.

The cabinet agreed to continue support for transport initiatives, with £28,556 given to the Call and Go bus service; £7,800 for the moped loan Wheels to Work scheme; and £13,671 for Group Hire, which provides affordable wheelchair accessible minibuses to hire for voluntary or charitable organisations.