Following the success from the Dragon's Den held in March 2014, the Big Local Partnership is pleased to announce the date for the next event, where grants are up for grabs: Friday, 30th January.

But you have to be in it to win it! The only rule for entering is that it has to benefit communities in Radstock and Westfield.

The Dragon's Den celebration will take place at Prattens Social Club, from 7 p.m., is free to enter and will include snacks. The funding will be allocated during the evening by local residents voting and supporting their favourite project, with the Dragons asking the questions.

Last year, over twenty groups and individuals applied for the ten top prizes of £500. These varied from repairing a footpath stile to schoolchildren putting on an art exhibition, from installing a disabled loo, to new tents for local Scouts.,p>This year, the format is the same. All applicants will be able to present their bids on 30th January, a team of 'Dragons' will quiz them, then the decision will be made by local residents, who will be voting for their preferred choices.

The organisers hope that as well as getting small ideas that will make a big difference, they will also get big ideas that could make a massive difference! The Partnership is now waiting for the National Lottery to agree the plan for the spend of £1 million and all the paperwork is in. Once the final stamp of approval is received, then the team can look at bigger, more long-term projects.

The closing date for all Dragon's Den application forms is 5 p.m. on 16th January. Forms are available online, as well as from the Westfield Parish Council Offices.

It can be for anything that will improve and enhance the Radstock and Westfield communities, which include Writhlington, Clandown, Tyning and Haydon.

All applications will be considered, e.g. groups wanting to provide a new or improved service, new bench for a bus stop, resident workshop/training and community bulb planting. The only thing that money cannot be used for is something the local Council should be doing.

Application forms and guidance notes can be downloaded from http://www.myradstock.org.uk">www.myradstock.org.uk or http://www.mywestfield.org.uk">www.mywestfield.org.uk sites or collected from the Westfield Parish Clerk – Mrs. L. J. Welch, Westfield Parish Council, The Oval Office, Cobblers Way, St Peters Business Park, Westfield BA3 3BX. Telephone: 01761 410669. Forms can be returned via email to: council@westfieldparish council.co.uk or [email protected]">[email protected]

For any queries, please do not hesitate to contact Sarah Westell on: 01749 938506.