Financial boost for local groups

Over £500,000 was allocated to various groups in the area from the council’s Legacy Grant Scheme.

The original figure of £350,000 was increased to over £500,000 after a significant number of applications were received.

Fifty applications were approved, amounting to £507,592.90 of funding for different projects in the Banbridge area.

A number of groups received around £25,000 in funding, including Gilford Amateur Boxing Club, who were awarded £24,500 for windows, doors and heating.

Banbridge Hockey Club also received £25,000 for kitchen refurbishment and upgrade and Banbridge Rugby Club were awarded £24,772.50 for a replacement boiler, shower units and loft insulation. Clann na Banna Gaelic Athletic Club will also receive £25,000 for a tarmac training area and the Den Youth Club was granted £25,000 for the purchase of a modular building.

Many other groups received smaller grants, including Banbridge Musical Society, who received £1,296 for musical equipment and Annaclone Gaelic Athletic Club was granted £25,000 for a new sports floor.

There will be new lighting, toilets and conference facilities for Stramore Community Association after it was awarded £20,500 and Garvaghy Rural Development Group will be able to refurbish their kitchen after receiving a grant for £14,924.59.

There will also be a new kitchen for Blackbridge Rural Development after they were given £12,988.50 from the Legacy scheme and Down Area Rural Transport will be able to purchase two second hand minibuses after receiving £23,437.50.

Mullabrack Rural Community will refurbish their toilets with their grant of £7,767 and Carnew Rural Society will resurface their car park and purchase fire retardant curtains with the £10,155 they were awarded by the council.

There will be new chairs for Banbridge Orange Hall after they were awarded £3,600 and Club Elegance received £4,563 to enable them to purchase new tables and chairs. Banbridge Netball Club will have a new kit and balls with their £1,211.55 grant and Kilmacrew and District Rural Community Group will also be able to refurbish their kitchen and replace the front door.

Other groups received funding for a wide range of projects, including the purchase of IT equipment and sports equipment. Thirty other organisations had their applications turned down by the council as they did not meet the agreed criteria.