SOUTH SOMERSET NEWS: Castle Cary community project benefits from committee grant

A NEWLY-FORMED community group in Castle Cary has benefited from a South Somerset District Council grant of £5,800 towards the purchase of a community garden.

The Moat Garden Project registered with the Charity Commission in October last year, with a view to raising the funds needed to purchase an amenity space and preserve it for the community into the future.

The council’s Area East Committee funding is the last piece in the funding jigsaw which includes grants from the Town Council, local businesses, Garfield Weston Foundation and local fundraising activities.

The land which is currently in private ownership includes a community garden/quiet area for local residents and a kitchen garden area used by the primary school.

Roger Welden, Secretary to the Moat Garden Project Group said, “The group is delighted to have all the funding in place needed to acquire the garden and we very much hope to conclude negotiations in the next couple of months.

“We intend to continue to enhance the garden area and hope to hold more community events over the summer months.”

Cllr Nick Weeks, chairman of the Area East Committee and the council’s Castle Cary representative, added: “This is a truly unique area situated on a historic hill fort just off the town centre.

“A small group of committed volunteers have maintained and improved the area over the years and Area East Committee is pleased to support this worthwhile project to purchase the area and safeguard it for community use.”

Area East Committee considers community grant requests twice a year.

For further details on eligibility and how to apply, visit www.southsomerset.gov.uk/community-grants.

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