St Michael’s School in Aldbourne were successful in their application for £5,000 for an ‘inclusive playpod project’. These kits from the Scrapstore include training in their use, are excellent at firing up young imaginations.
Ideal, it was argued, for a school that has a comparatively high proportion of SEN children – and children with emotional and wellbeing issues.
In this Marlborough News Online report from 2014 you can see how well Preshute school’s Playpod went down with pupils.
The St Mary’s Babies and Toddler Group nearly closed down in September. But with volunteers stepping in, it will still be carrying on its good work. They were awarded a grant of £1,000 for new toys and a craft box.
Marlborough Tennis Club had put in for £18,000 towards their clubhouse and courts near the Golf Club. They have funding and loans from the Lawn Tennis Association, Sport England and their own considerable savings, but this grant would narrow their shortfall.
It is a Member’s Initiative and so does not have the usual cap on the size of the grant. However the Area Board Chairman, Councillor Jemima Milton, pointed out that it would take up 40 per cent of their annual grant budget – and there were still other applications in the pipeline.
The Board wants to make a contribution, but deferred a decision to see how much of the £18,000 could be granted.