Radstock and Westfield's Big Local Project is today celebrating after receiving the £1 million worth of Lottery funding that has been in the making since the news was announced in November 2010.

Big Local was set up to oversee the distribution of the money, with £100,000 of the new money to be looked after by Westfield Parish Council as the Locally Trusted Organisation. Several small grants have so far been distributed in the run-up to the million being granted, in the form of the popular 'Dragons Den' evenings, where community groups bid for public votes which could see them win grants of up to £500.

The main purpose for the million pounds is to encourage regeneration and to ultimately, make the money last longer. Therefore, any cash handed out to local organisations or projects will need to demonstrate that it is an investment for the future which will make a lasting, positive difference to the area. Big Local have also had to write and submit a Plan, by its Steering Group, made up of local representatives, to explain how the money will be spent over ten years and its wider ideas, such as improving transport links, providing more for the youth of the area, employment and small businesses, maintaining existing buildings and public spaces and other ideas, such as the potential for more allotments and a Farmers' Market for Radstock and Westfield. The plan was submitted in November 2014, and with it's approval, the money was released this week.

More on this in next week's Journal. For information on Big Local, visit: http://www.myradstock.org.uk">www.myradstock.org.uk or like them on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BLRadstockWestfield">www.facebook.com/BLRadstockWestfield

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