Top cash awards go to district (From Witney Gazette)

Top cash awards go to district

12:45pm Thursday 14th February 2008 in Witney By David Horne

A RURAL centre to help people with mental health problems and a go-ahead cricket club have both been given cash awards.

Bridewell Organic Gardens, between Finstock and North Leigh, and Great Tew Cricket Club are receiving the maximum £10,000 grant in the latest round of Awards for All, through the Big Lottery Fund.

Alex Taylor, general manager of Bridewell, said he was delighted with the grant, which will be used to pay for replacement garden equipment and IT equipment for training.

The centre has about 60 people on its books at any one time, providing therapy through hands-on activities, including horticulture, winemaking, and blacksmithing.

"We support people with mental health problems, like depression or schizophrenia, and the activities help them rebuild their self-esteem and confidence," he said.

"About 70 per cent of our funding comes from the primary care trusts, and the balance from our own fundraising.

"So it's great to get the maximum grant to cover the entire cost of what we need to buy and provide to update our training."

The money will buy equipment, like shredders, chainsaws, and bush cutters, as well as IT equipment for the two full-time and six part-time staff and volunteers.

Great Tew Cricket Club is undergoing expansion with vital money for a second playing area.

It has received the maximum grant of £10,000 towards the cost of laying out a cricket square with five pitches, levelling and reseeding the outfield, along with fencing, sightscreens, and covers.

The project, costing just over £20,000, is also being backed with £5,000 from West Oxfordshire District Council, and the remainder through club fundraising.

It follows the building of a new pavilion, called The Tew Centre, which opened in December 2006.

Paul Catling, club chairman, said: "We run three teams in the Cherwell League, as well as many junior sides, so the second field is necessary. It's good to get the maximum from Awards For All."

The club has more than 200 members, most of them players.