GROUPS and organisations in West Devon are celebrating a springtime boost this week ? after scooping cash in the latest round of grants from the National Lottery?s Awards for All scheme.
The biggest winner in West Devon is the Lifton-based West Country Rivers Trust, which has been awarded the top grant of £5,000.
A spokesperson from the trust said: ?We are very pleased to have received the grant. It will enable us to continue developing our educational programme and help to fund vocational courses throughout the local community.?
Lewdown Cricket Club has secured a grant of £4,124, which is being put towards an all-weather Astroturf wicket.
Jack Skuse, club secretary, said: ?It?s absolutely great news, we are very excited by it.
?It will help us a great deal with training, particularly with the young players.
?They lost out quite a lot last year because of the weather and I don?t think we could have afforded this without the lottery grant,? said Mr Skuse.
Mr Skuse said he hoped the new wicket, which has also attracted funding from the Lords? Taverners, would be installed next month, ready for use in May.
The South Devon branch of the Parachute Regimental Association has been granted £3,500, which will enable members of the association to travel to Holland this September to attend events commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem.
A spokesman for the branch, said the grant has enabled a 49-seater coach to be booked for the trip, which was a great boost.
?It means we can concentrate on filling it now. The idea is to make sure we can get as many veterans, or their widows or families, going as possible ? we have already had a good response,? he said.
And the Princetown Civil Service Retirement Fellowship has attracted a £2,100 grant.
Michael Fitzpatrick, group secretary, said: ?It?s brilliant news. I put the application in on the off-chance and I was delighted with the result.?
Mr Fitzpatrick said the group, which has more than 150 members spread out over a very rural area, holds regular meetings and during the summer makes monthly trips to places of interest.
The grant will help subsidise transport and entrance fees for these trips ? and help hire an entertainer for the Christmas party.
More than 200 South West groups and organisations benefited from the latest round of Awards for All grants, which vary from £500 to £5,000.
Raymond Moore, senior awards officer, said: ?I know these grants, although small, make an enormous difference to a wide range of groups and projects that are working for the benefit of their communities.?
Veterans groups and individuals who would like to know more about funding possibilities can call the free helpline on 0800 169 2277. Anyone wishing to apply for an Awards for All grant should call 0845 600 20 40 or go to the website at http://www.awardsforall.org.uk">www.awardsforall.org.uk