NORTH NORFOLK BIG SOCIETY FUND
FOUR MONTH MONITORING REPORT
Fund Object:
The aim of the fund is to help build strong communities in North Norfolk. It aims to help
communities to develop new and innovative projects which will improve their social and
economic wellbeing.
Grants Awarded:
The Fund committee met in September 2012 and awarded the following grants totalling
£32,430.
Applicant
Grant
Aldborough Community Centre
Summary
£1000
Aldborough Community Centre provides a venue
for a variety of locally based organisations.
North Norfolk : Aldborough
This grant was awarded to replace stage curtains
and track.
Progress
Sue Metcalf reported “The new curtains have transformed the front of the stage from a faded, well worn,
shabby appearance to a brighter, luxurious effect. The hall is in daily use and most of the time the curtains
are closed so they become part of the décor. However, they will be working overtime in February as our
annual pantomine commences. We are sure the curtains will be admired by all those attending this event.”
“Thank you once again for awarding this grant and for the excellent help and user friendly process.”
The group have provided a photograph which was taken during rehearsals.
Applicant
Aylmerton Parish Council
Grant
Summary
£2000
Aylmerton Parish Council attends to the facilities
and community of Aylmerton.
North Norfolk : Aylmerton
This grant was awarded to install skateboard/
cycle/ scooter equipment on the playing field.
Progress
The skateboard ramp was installed in time for the Christmas Holidays. The youngsters were delighted and
made good use of the equipment over the holidays. The group have had feedback from one parent who
said that her child spent 5 hours there in just one day!
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The biggest benefit is that the youngsters now have somewhere to practice their BMX and skateboard skills
in a safe environment. They are no longer playing in the road, thus ensuring their safety as well as that of
other road users and pedestrians. It is also giving the more proficient younsters a chance to showcase their
skills.
Applicant
Grant
Cromer and District Foodbank
Summary
£5000
North Norfolk : Cromer
Cromer and District Foodbank aims to relieve
poverty in the local community through the
collection, storage and distribution of nonperishable food for the benefit of those in need.
This grant was awarded to support the core costs
of establishing and operating the Cromer and
District Foodbank in its first year.
Progress
The demand for this service continues to increase and in response to this growth the group now serves the
Coastal Arc from Holt to Sea Palling, including North Walsham, Aylsham and the rural areas between.
They have distribution centres in Cromer, Sheringham, North Walsham, and from this month Aylsham, with
an intention of extending to Holt later in the year. They are also planning to incorpate an ‘out of hours’
service to their users.
Currently, including trustees, they have approximately seventy volunteers, and around thirty partner
agencies who assess need, issue vouchers, and seek to address the underlying need. Over fifty churches
and more than a dozen schools and community groups have supported the foodbank in various ways, as
well as many individuals.
To the end of January 2013 Cromer and District Foodbank have provided three-days-worth of food (2.8
tonnes) for 330 people, approximately one third of whom are children. The underlying needs include benefit
delays; bereavement; low pay; debt; domestic violence; redundancy; homelessness, among others.
Sometimes the need (both for food and for some sign of hope) is desperate, as evidenced by a client’s
remark: ‘The tunnel has been so long ... this is the first day we have seen any light’. Over recent months
the group have not only been feeding those in need, but have contributed to community cohesion; personal
development; family stability; child well-being and client self-worth.
The trustees were delighted and most grateful to receive this grant and saw it as both a practical financial
support and an encouragement.
Major expenditure of the grant to date has included: Warehouse racking, I.T equipment, tabards for
volunteers and it has also covered volunteer mileage, postage and stationary.
Applicant
Grant
Fakenham Recreation Ground
Charity
Summary
£10000
Fakenham Recreation Ground Charity is the
trusted body with stewardship of the community
park in Fakenham.
North Norfolk : Fakenham
This grant was awarded to upgrade social and
recreational facilities at Millennium Park.
Progress
After waiting until the worst of the winter weather has passed to start the project the group have now
decided to install a cantilever swing at the Millennium Park. They feel this should be a much more exciting
swing option for the 1000+ teenagers in the area, than the current traditional children's swing.
Subsequently, they have placed an order for the installation of a cantilever swing complete with grass mat
safety surrounds estimated at around £9,000. Installation is planned for the week commencing 11th March
2013 in good time for the Easter school holidays. The remainder will be used towards the pre-school play
equipment as indicated in the application.
Applicant
North Norfolk Community
Woodland Trust
North Norfolk : North Walsham
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Grant
Summary
£2930
North Norfolk Community Woodland Trust
manages and enhances community owned
woodland in the parish of Knapton, North Norfolk.
This grant was awarded to develop aspects of the
Woodland.
Progress
After receiving the grant in October the group were unable to obtain the Heather seeding from the Norfolk
Wildlife Trust land at Buxton Heath as the standing heather which was destined for Pigneys Wood had
already started to shed seed and could not be viably cut and moved to their land.
The order has now been repeated for Autumn 2013. The group hope that it is ready to be cut, transported
and applied in September 2013 but if there is a late season, the date could stretch into October.
Applicant
Grant
Poppy Centre Trust
Summary
£10000
North Norfolk : Stalham
Poppy Centre Trust maintains the amenities of
Stalham for the benefit of the inhabitants of
Stalham and Happing area with the object of
improving their conditions of life.
This grant was awarded to complete flooring works
as part of the project to create a youth community
building for Stalham.
Progress
Colin reported in early February that the project of putting in a new floor is well under way and all going to
schedule. The plumbers are in at present with a view to laying the underfloor pipework within the next two
to three weeks. Further funding has since been secured which has brought this project yet closer to
completion, and it is proceeding extremely positively.
Applicant
Grant
Skeyton Village Hall Association
Summary
£1500
North Norfolk : Skeyton
Skeyton Village Hall Association exists for the
benefit of the residents of Skeyton and the
surrounding area. The village hall is used as a
venue for various activity groups, and the
committee seeks to arrange entertainment to foster
and develop community spirit.
This grant was awarded to update the toilet
facilities.
Progress
The work is complete and the updated toilets, washbasins and urinal are more efficient and easy to clean
and maintain.
Mollie Fearn the Chair of the committee stated: “The community and surrounding villages that hire the hall
have all benefitted from the work and on behalf of the committee I would like to thank you so much for the
financial help of your grant. We could not have achieved this without you.”
Grants Awarded:
The Fund committee met in September 2012 Large and awarded the following grants
totalling £22,000.
Applicant
Erpingham P.C.
Grant
Summary
£10000
Erpingham Parish Council maintains the area of
Erpingham with Calthorpe.
North Norfolk : Erpingham
This grant was awarded to construct a multi use
games area (MUGA) in the village of Erpingham.
Progress
This grant was released early January after the group successfully obtained a further £88,500 from the
Community Construction in December. This project is now in a position to go ahead, and works are
expected to start shortly.
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Applicant
Grant
National Coastwatch Institution
Mundesley
Summary
£12000
North Norfolk : Cromer and
Mundesley
National Coastwatch Institution Mundesley assists
in the preservation of life at sea and of those using
the Mundesley foreshore.
This grant was awarded to establish a new NCI
affiliated coastwatch station in North Norfolk
serving Cromer and its immediate environs.
Progress
The group have placed a deposit of £4,000 on a Porta-cabin, and fencing around the site has been
arranged with a local fencing contractor for just under £2,000.
Volunteer watchkeepers have started to step forward for the Runton Coastwatch Lookout, and it seems
that many local residents are happy to volunteer their time as a safety ‘visual.’ The group expect that they
will require around 50 unpaid volunteers.
Update on Large Grants Awarded May 2012:
Applicant
Grant
Cromer Skatepark
Summary
£10000
North Norfolk : Cromer
Cromer Skatepark Cromer is currently fundraising
to build a new skate park at The Meadow in
Cromer.
This grant was awarded to install a skate park
facility.
Progress
Planning permission is now in place, however the group continues to work with North Norfolk District
Council and Norfolk County Council to secure a lease for the land.
Applicant
Grant
Sheringham Skate Club
Summary
£10000
North Norfolk : Sheringham
Sheringham Skate Club Sheringham aims to
promote community participation in healthy
recreation for the benefit of the inhabitants of
Sheringham by the provision of facilities for skate &
bike sports.
This grant was awarded to contribute to the costs
of building the skate park.
Progress
The Sheringham Skate Project started in October 2012 and the grant was used as part of the £150,000
capital costs for the entire project delivery. The facility was opened to the public as a soft-launch before
Christmas, with the major launch event and publicity planned for Spring 2013 (to maximise on good
weather.)
The main beneficiaries are the young people of Sheringham and the surrounding areas, predominantly
aged 14-25. They aim to cater for 1000 young people in year one, mainly repeat visitors.
Applicant
Wells Maltings Trust
North Norfolk : Wells next the Sea
Grant
Summary
£38000
Wells Maltings Trust plans to restore and repair the
historic Maltings building and create an exciting
landmark community facility and visitor destination
to the social and economic regeneration of the
local area.
This grant was awarded to restore and repair the
Sackhouse building.
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Progress
The initial pre-work preparation has begun however the main body of the build work on the Sackhouse is
yet to start. The Sackhouse is currently being prepared with a local building firm, stripping out the
Sackhouse and completing remedial dampwork. No major problems have been experienced so far and the
main body of the work is expected to start in March.
The group continues to raise awareness of the project via their website and in the local press and this has
continued to generate positive interest including a waiting list of local businesses. The groups feels that the
project is benefitting the whole community of Wells and the surrounding villages but especially the local
small enterprises, start up businesses and teenagers, and ultimately offers huge positive benefits for the
regeneration of Wells which will impact on the whole community.
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