Waterways ready for tv show cash battle

Published on 29th November 2007 in News

TV viewers will today decide the fate of a project which could see £60,000 coming into Old Goole.

At 6pm today, the Waterway Museum's Roots 2 Shoots project will go head to head with another scheme to win the money in ITV's People's Millions contest.

If they win, the museum will use the money to landscape derelict land in Old Goole and turn it into a large allotment with a picnic area and play area. They also plan to fence off the plot, and involve volunteers in growing produce that will be used at The Moorlands cafe, a project partner. It will improve access to fresh, local produce and involve young people.

Roots 2 Shoots has been pitted against a project in Bramley, Leeds, which wants to turn part of a church into an information centre for young people.

The contest began on Monday and ends tonight, with two projects competing every night. The result of Goole's bid will be announced tomorrow. The runner-up project with the highest number of calls will also win the money.

Representatives of each project have been given exactly the same amount of time to present their bid.

Clare Hunt, operations manager at the museum, was filmed for the programme last week.

"It went very well," she said.

"It's bit a tense and nervous here at the moment. But I'm a natural optimist and I'm feeling hopeful.

"I believe in what we're doing - it would mean a tremendous amount for Old Goole. They need some energetic support.

"The message is: 'Vote for us and you'll be voting for your own town'."

People will be able to vote for Roots 2 Shoots from 9am until midnight today. The number will be announced at that time on www.biglotteryfund.org.uk, under 'Get the People's Millions voting numbers', then ITV Yorkshire. They will also appear in the Daily Mirror.

It means that people in Goole could give Roots 2 Shoots a head start before the programme is broadcast this evening.

When the museum first learned that they would be competing on television, Clare expressed concern that a city project will automatically get more votes.

However, posters have made to publicise Goole's bid, which have been displayed in the museum and "wherever we can!", Clare said.

Calls to the voting numbers will be charged at the standard national rate. Call charges from a BT landline will cost less than 10p. Calls from other providers and from mobiles will vary, and could be higher.

No profit will be made from the phone-in by either ITV or Big Lottery Fund.