Projects ranging from reducing textile use and promoting sustainable living, improving biodiversity and caring for neglected green spaces, to installing swift boxes and boosting compost production have all benefitted from grants from the Borough Council’s Climate and Nature Fund.
A panel of judges assessed the applications made to the fund over the summer and awarded funding to nine community groups:
- Glossop Community Allotment will purchase equipment to help turn waste into compost to use on the allotments whilst the Visionaries Collective will use the grant to boost compost production capacity at The Beeches community garden
- Buxton Civic Association will improve monitoring of biodiversity of woodlands and encourage community participation; Nature New Mills will use their grant to tackle invasive species and deliver public engagement and education; and the Friends of Whitfield Rec will renovate neglected areas of the rec and carry out planting
- The Hummingbird Project are promoting sustainable living by reducing textile waste, encouraging reuse and repair and community gardening
- Transition New Mills will present a series of community climate-related films
- Sustainable Hayfield are installing swift boxes to encourage breeding in the High Peak whilst Peaky Minders will fit dipper boxes at various key points over the rivers Goyt, Blackbrook and Sett
Executive Councillor for Climate Change and Environment, Councillor Jean Todd, said: “Thank you to everyone who applied for funding – it really demonstrates the importance local communities place on improving their neighbourhoods and the environment. It’s been fantastic to see their ambition and the creativity of their ideas.
“We’re delighted to have been able to support them to achieve their aims with these grants. The variety of projects that are now being delivered shows the range of ways we can all contribute to improving how and where we live and mitigating our impact on the environment and I hope people are inspired to make small changes in their lives.
“Congratulations to all the successful applicants. I look forward to seeing the results of the projects. If your group applied but did not receive funding, please look out for next year’s funding session.”
High Peak CVS administer the funding on behalf of the Council. Ross Burnage, CEO, said: “Living in the High Peak, the connection to nature and climate issues are literally on our doorstep. The funds provided by the Council allow local community and voluntary groups to actively be involved in improving access, biodiversity improvement, education or promoting recycling to name but a few.”
PHOTOGRAPH
The pollinator area in the Serpentine Community Garden funded by the Climate and Nature Fund.