PENZANCE Councillors have awarded over £20,000 in grant funding to five local community organisations over the summer. 

Across recent Full Council and Finance & General Purposes Committee meetings, both held at St John’s Hall, Penzance Councillors resolved to award £24,789 funding to the five organisations to help a range of ongoing projects and events which benefit residents in our parish. 

The groups that have been awarded funding include:

· Paul Cricket Club - £10,000

The funding to the club will help towards the costs of replacing their practice nets which are now around 25 years old and no longer safe to use. The new nets will provide all players with a safe and secure environment to practice and the club are also looking to open up the use of the nets to local schools and ad hoc group sessions. 

The community sports club aims to foster and promote participation in the game of cricket through the provision of safe practice and playing facilities, coaching and fixtures for all playing members. They also provide opportunities for recreation within the local community.  

"We are extremely grateful to Penzance Council for their generous grant, which will benefit the whole community” said Sharon Dee, Hon. Secretary for Paul CC. 

“We have needed to replace our practice facilities for some time and have carried out various fund-raising activities. This grant now gives us the necessary funds to allow us to start work as soon as this season ends." 

· Growing Links CIC - £8,313 

This funding will help towards the costs of buying kitchen equipment when Growing Links CIC move their successful Street Food Project from its current location to the new Safe & Well Hub at the former John Daniel Centre early this month.

They will be able to continue providing lunch and dinner for vulnerable adults and their new location will also help their service users access other support services at the hub, working within a wider partnership and positively develop the project helping our community when in crisis. 

“This funding will help us to purchase a commercial kitchen which will cook for those that need it but also provide vocational skills for our volunteers and beneficiaries in catering and self-care,” said Lynne Dyer, Director of Growing Links. 

Their aim is to make the local food system accessible, affordable and available to those that need it most. They run several projects including the Street Food Project which provides hot meals to vulnerable and homeless adults as well as running The Community Garden in Gulval where they run 1.5 acres of organic market garden and horticultural workshops producing fresh seasonal produce.

They also run Tree Field, 2.8 acres of re-wilded meadow and wellbeing activities for those who want to look after their mental and physical health. 

· St Piran in Penwith - £2,956 

This funding, for the eighth year running, will cover the costs of rigging and de-rigging the St Piran flags in the town, public liability insurance, rent of St John’s Hall and a saffron bun and pasty voucher for all the children taking part in the St Piran’s Day celebrations in 2025.

“St Piran in Penwith are proud of their connection with Penzance Council and value their continued support,” said Jakki Williams, chair of St Piran in Penwith. 

· Gulval Village Community Association - £1,000 

The funding will cover the costs of replacing the existing defibrillator at The Coldstreamer Inn for the village community in Gulval. 

· MusicAbility CIC - £2,520 

For the second year running, this funding will enable MusicAbility CIC to continue providing a weekly music therapy group for adults with learning difficulties in our local community. 

“We are very pleased to be maintaining this weekly music therapy session in the heart of Penzance, particularly as it provides a confidential setting for personal expression and vital social communication,” said Ruth Boulton, Director and Music Therapist at MusicAbility CIC. 

“Using improvised music & sound to connect with emotions and with each other, group members are enabled to process and safely explore the spectrum of life’s challenges and highlights, supported by an experienced professional therapist. There is currently a space in this life-affirming group at MusicAbility Centre – and there’s no cost to join.”

Cllr Stephen Reynolds, mayor of Penzance said: “These latest grant awards reflect the wide range of community activities that are such a feature of life in the Penzance parish and provide so many benefits to local residents”. 

“By helping promote community participation in sport, supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our community, and championing our local culture and heritage, these awards align well with our own objectives as a council.” 

To find out more about how to apply to Penzance Council funding, visit online: www.penzance-tc.gov.uk/grants/ or contact the council offices (Tel: 01736 363405 or email: [email protected])