Neighbourhood Planning grants – Locality
Locality will continue to deliver the Neighbourhood Planning Support Programme over the next four years, from 2018-2022. The programme builds on the 2015-18 programme and any support previously received will be taken into account. The programme will provide anyone working on a neighbourhood plan with support from the Locality team, AECOM and other partners/specialists through:

• a basic grant of up to £9,000
• additional grants for eligible groups with an extra £8,000
• technical support through expert partners AECOM and other specialists

Under the new programme there will be some important changes to eligibility criteria for support available to groups. In addition, the amount groups are eligible for in grants will depend on what they have received in the 2015-18 programme. Get full details of the changes and what you’re eligible for on neighbourhoodplanning.org
The new programme opens for applications on 3 April 2018.
https://mycommunity.org.uk/2018/03/15/new-neighbourhood-planning-programme-changes-to-my-community-everything-you-need-to-know/
 
Reaching Communities England – Big Lottery Fund
The Reaching Communities programme aims to make positive change in communities. Big Lottery particularly want to hear about ideas that support:

• Lasting and sustainable changes to places and spaces
• Communities to develop happier and stronger relationships with each other
• Taking action to focus on the root causes of social problems to tackle them at the earliest possible stage

Through Reaching Communities funding you can apply for between £10,000 and £500,000. Successful grant can fund some or all of the costs associated with delivering a project, including staff salaries, training, volunteer expenses, management costs, equipment, premises costs, monitoring and evaluation and overheads. The programme can also fund up to £100,000 for small scale capital work, such as refurbishment, the purchase of vehicles, land or buildings.
Big Lottery encourage applicants to contact them before applying for additional advice and support before you submit your application.
The programme is due to re-open for applications on 2 April 2018.
https://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/reaching-communities-england
  Continue Reading →

Whaley Bridge Art Group now has places for new members (from September 2017).

If you would like to join us, please call 01663 733220 or 01663 734187.

We meet on Mondays 1.30-4.00pm in WB Uniting Church (upper hall).

This is a friendly group welcoming all abilities from beginners to talented artists.

Come along one Monday and find out more about us.

Please note the new requirement to pay at time of booking!

Carnival day this year in Whaley Bridge is planned for Saturday 24 June. Plans are still being developed and there is still time to get involved. This is a community event, run for the benefit of all people in Whaley Bridge with the aim being to provide a fun day for children (young and old).

The timetable will be similar to last year’s:

• Judging of Lamp posts, Houses, Pubs & Shops from 10.00
• Check-in for floats, visiting Royalty and participants at Bingswood Car Park at 11.00
• Booking-in point at Tom Brad’s Croft, Canal Basin from 11.00
• Road closed along Market Street from Tesco to Buxton Road at Horwich End, and Old Road from 12.45 to 14.15.
• The Carnival Parade will set off at 13.00 and follow the route Canal Street, Market Street, Buxton Road, Chapel Road and along Old Road to the bottom
• Confirmed participants in the parade include The Urban Gypsies, Northenden Pipe Band, Whaley Bridge Band, New Mills Band, The Clipstone Silverbirds Marching Band, High Peak Radio, and local groups including Whaley Bridge Brownies, Tesco With Bridgemont Nursery, High Peak Gymnastics, The Village Kitchen and Revelation Rhythms
• Following the parade Whaley Waltz fell race will start from outside The Railway
• There will be a street collection by volunteers
• A family fun day at the Bowling club will follow immediately after the parade with Trevor Zoppi’s  Carousel,  Slide, Inflatables, and performances by Kevin O’Neill, Clipstone Silverbirds, Northenden Pipe Band, Run of the Mill and others! There will be refreshments, tea, coffee, cakes, ice cream and of course a bar at the Bowling club
• This year there will be a wide variety of stalls
• All profits of the event, after expenses, will go as donations to local children’s groups (last year over £1100 was donated)

A Programme and Local Business Guide is being put together which will be available free prior to the event, thanks our wonderful sponsors.

There is still plenty of time to participate either as an individual or group on foot, on a trailer, in an open top vehicle, in an historic vehicle or Great Grandad’s penny farthing (careful on Old Road). 

Volunteer marshals, advertisers, sponsors, programme deliverers, stall-holders, performers and entertainers can all get in touch via our contact form at this link (just click the appropriate item in the drop-down box):

http://whaleyrosequeen.co.uk/contact/

or by contacting the Carnival Chair by email

We have planned a whole host of fun activities for all ages to enjoy during the day and evening.  Wander over to Bag End for scheduled group games and craft activities.  If you want to try the best food this side of the Shire, pop by the Prancing Pony for food and beverages throughout the day and evening.  You can eat inside the Inn or bring a picnic chairs to sit outside on the grounds.

A fanciful wizard known in these parts will entertain you with his magic, Other musicians and acrobats will aim to please both Hobbits and Elves alike.  While you are inside the Inn listen for news about a mysterious ring that has gone missing and is waiting to be discovered somewhere in the enchanted grounds.   Everyone will not want to miss the costume contest, Ceilidh and fireworks at the party tree and barn later that night. Continue Reading →

High Peak Borough Council has today published the names of the candidates which have been nominated to stand for election in the General Election to Parliament and in the Borough Council Elections which take place on 7th May 2015.

The list of candidates for the Westminster Parliamentary elections is: here

The list of candidates for the Whaley Bridge Ward of High Peak Borough Council is here

Meanwhile no vote will be held for the Town Council as none of the seats were contested. The existing councillors were re-elected unopposed, with the addition of Zara Clarke (Labour Party) who has been elected unopposed for Fernilee Ward, in a previously vacant seat, formerly held by Linda Leather. The official notice is here.

The last date for registration if you wish to vote is 20th April. You can register here, but you will need your National Insurance number to do this.