DDC Press Release *****
FUNDING INITIATIVE HELPS HIT THE RIGHT NOTES
A key funding initiative is helping local groups to hit the right notes for communities in the former Kent Coalfield Areas - and the latest award has been a grant for £10,000 towards new instruments for the Snowdown Colliery Welfare Band.
Bridging The Gap is a Coalfield Regeneration Trust funding initiative administered in partnership with the Community Development Team at Dover District Council. It offers funding between £500 and £10,000 to local groups and organisations looking to expand, improve or offer new services to residents of the former Kent Coalfield Areas. The award to Snowdown Colliery Welfare Band will help towards the purchase of new instruments, and enable instruments to be available for up-and-coming musicians.
Further funding is available for voluntary and community organisations in the coalfield areas, and local groups are invited to apply. Dover District Council held special funding workshops in May for local community and voluntary groups, with workshops at St Peter's Church in Aylesham, Betteshanger Social Welfare Sports Club, Deal Town Hall and Elvington Community Centre.
Coalfield Regeneration Trust Chair Peter McNestry said: "We are looking forward to continuing our work in the Kent coalfields."
Cllr Mrs Julie Rook, DDC Cabinet Member for Community, Citizenship, Youth and Sport said: "Dover District Council has been working in partnership with the Coalfield Regeneration Trust for the last eight years and we are delighted to see communities benefiting from Bridging The Gap funding. We continue to work to assist the community and voluntary sector, and would encourage any organisation that has a project that would benefit from this funding to come forward and let us know."
For more information about Bridging the Gap funding, please contact Una Mills, DDC Regeneration Officer - Small Projects, on 01304 872066.
I wonder if it was a coincidence that you both appeared to be absent at the same time.. 
