A PROJECT to refurbish the old village pump and produce a leaflet about Northlew has won a £6,500 grant boost from the Tarka Country Millennium Awards.
Helena Williams, Marilyn Livingstone and Irene Oldale and other members of the Northlew Village Project put together the grant bid with the support of the parish council, the church, chapel, school and Victory Hall committee.
Mrs Williams said the project was split into three parts: refurbishing the village pump, a celebration day, and producing a leaflet about Northlew.
Mrs Williams said the idea for the village project followed on from the completion of a book detailing the history of Northlew, which was undertaken to mark the millennium.
Villagers were invited to a presentation evening in June in the Victory Hall in Northlew to hear about details of the project to refurbish the pump and produce a village leaflet.
Many people have already been consulted about the pump design through a questionnaire, the results of which were part of the presentation. The work, supported by other volunteers, will span a six-month period, during which training to support the project will include first aid, clearing and maintenance of a parish walk, work with the Devon Wildlife Trust for adults and schoolchildren, food hygiene and design.
When the project is completed in January 2004, there will be a celebration day when the refurbished pump will be blessed and a traditional wassail held. Entertainment will be provided by the Northlew Silver Band, pupils of Northlew and Ashbury Primary School and the Packhorse Singers, organised with the help of the Wren Trust.