Groups delighted at funding

Published on 15th March 2007 in News

Almost £30,000 has been awarded to community groups across the region and will be put towards improving facilities for young people.

Howden Youth Cafe, Eastrington Busy Bees Playschool, Snaith and Cowick Drama Group, Hull and District Canoe Club and Hull and District Anglers' Association have all benefitted from funding from the Local Network Fund, through Humber and Wolds Rural Community Council.

Seven thousand pounds went to Howden Youth Cafe, which runs out of the Shire Hall once a week.

The money will be used to fund an extra weekly session on Thursdays and an outreach worker.

Ingrid Ridley, chair of the cafe's committee, said: "We're just over the moon.

"It was agreed at a meeting that if we could get additional nights at the youth cafe, it would help with the anti-social-behaviour problems.

"The outreach worker will talk to the kids hanging around the town and be a friendly face for them.

"They will also give them pointers on what they could be doing and recommend trips and activities to us, like the circus workshop at the Christmas late opening."

Tonight (Thursday) will be the first of the extra sessions, between 7pm and 9pm.

Liz Bowden, manager of Eastrington Busy Bees Playschool, said they were thrilled to have been given £6,910.39, which will be spent on new toys and learning equipment.

"Each piece of equipment has been matched to an early learning goal," she said.

"The children helped chose the toys out of a catalogue."

Snaith and Cowick Drama Group are looking forward to putting £3,080 towards much-needed production equipment for 'Teachers', which they will perform in July.

The Hull and District Anglers' Association and Hull and District Canoe Club, based in Brough and North Cave respectively, will both develop their junior programs.