A public meeting for 'Big Local', which was set up to distribute the Big Lottery funding of £1 million for Radstock and Westfield, will be held on Wednesday, 6th November at the Victoria Hall, starting at 7 p.m. This will be an opportunity for local people to hear about the group's progress and also to launch the 'Dragon's Den' small grants competition, as well as offer the chance for more local people to join in and have their say about where this money will go.
Even before the £1 million is released, the 'Dragon's Den'-style funding opportunity will be launched. The idea is that there will be the chance for local groups or individuals to say how they would spend £500 and then the ideas will be voted on by local people, with ten prizes of £500 for the best ideas.
There will be more details during the meeting on 6th November, including where local people can send their ideas, with a 'display' day in February, when everyone will be invited to come along and vote. The idea of these small grants is not to simply 'give away' money, but for people to use it in a way that will see a return for the community and make a lasting and positive difference to the area in which we live.
The steering group has been working hard, but do need more local people to come along and help. On the night, the group will be asking for more volunteers – all they need to do is to live in the area and be independent. There is training and support available and no previous experience is required.
Radstock and Westfield Big Local was set up when the two communities were granted £1m by the Big Lottery in 2011. A local steering group has been finding out how local people think the money should be used. One way is to give small grants to local groups to enable them to run activities, carry out work and make things happen.
Robin Moss, Chair of the Radstock and Westfield Big Local Steering Group, said: "The launch of these grant awards is a real step forward in the programme. Progress has been good, although probably not as fast as most of us thought and hoped. Understandably, National Lottery put in a lot of hoops to jump through if you want to get to the £1 million.
"We have just finished the consultation stage and now need to write the Big Local Plan, which details the history and profile of the community, what local people want to do with the money and what the area will look like in ten years."
The café at the Victoria Hall will be open for refreshments on the night. Everyone from Radstock and Westfield is welcome to come along to find out more. Further details from: http://www.myradstock.org.uk">www.myradstock.org.uk