Time is ticking by for applications to Westfield Parish Council’s annual grant pot, which closes on Monday, 3rd October. Grants of up to £1,000 are available and more in exceptional cases.

Last year, the Parish Council was delighted to be approached by the Unsung Project, which is a Literacy and Music Commission from B&NES Council run by Kilter Theatre. The Parish Council grant of £600 was awarded to bring Kilter’s Unsung project to two schools in the parish – Westfield Primary and Fosse Way.

The grant enabled a Professional creative practitioner to deliver three lyric-writing workshops at each school to pupils from years 3–4 at Westfield Primary School and years 3–8 at Fosse Way School. Two songs were created during the workshops: ‘Out There’ (Westfield Primary School) and ‘Bright Lights Over Fosseway’ (Fosse Way School). The next stage of the project involved the acclaimed Westfield Ladies Choir, who rehearsed the songs with the practitioner in preparation for a performance of the songs by the choir to the pupils, parents and teachers.

Fosse Way School’s Music Co-ordinator, Rebecca Hastie, said: “It was a great opportunity for pupils across the school to work together and develop their social and communication skills. The visuals used in the workshops were helpful and ensured that the workshops were accessible to all, including non-verbal pupils. All pupils enjoyed coming together to write their own song and really enjoyed singing with Gill.”

Grants are available for any organisation working in or for the parish of Westfield. Groups and organisations big and small are invited to complete a simple application form for grants which can be given for capital items and one-off projects as well as for on-going costs.

The Parish Council would be very happy to discuss potential applications and are available to answer any queries. Full details of the criteria, as well as a simple application form, can be found at: www.westfield parishcouncil.co.uk or by calling: 01761 410669.