THE Winsford Trust has secured a Key Fund bid of £10,000. The cash will enable the enlargement of the car parking area at the Winsford Centre and the installation of modern office facilities.

Winsford Trust chairman Sandra Willetts said some of the equipment has already been ordered — and the builders will start on the car park extension at the end of the month.

'The office facilities that we are putting in will enable local community groups to come in and use them because we think that the demand is there,' she said.

Mrs Willetts said the trust had a meeting with local parish councils last year which stressed two particular needs.

'One was more accessibility to IT technology and the other was transport. There isn't a great deal we can do about transport yet but as far as IT facilities and office equipment goes, we can do something — and that is what we have achieved with the Key Fund,' she said.

She believed small clubs or societies, using floppy discs, would be able to make use of the facilities.

'We will also be there for fun. IT technology is a tool — it is there to be used and we want it to be fun for people.'

She said there were 'all sorts' of possibilities. Once the equipment is in there will be an official launch day for people to come in and see what equipment there is — and what use they can get out of it.

Today (August 23) and tomorrow (Friday) two IT Roadshows are being organised by the Senior Community Education officer from Holsworthy Community College. Today's runs from 11am to 3pm and tomorrow from 5pm to 8pm. All members of the local community are welcome.

l Earlier this year Mrs Willetts was accepted as a student with the School for Social Entrepreneurs who are in partnership with the Community Council of Devon.

She says it is a way of opening doors to help people develop their talents so they can be used more efficiently for the benefit of the community.

l Recently a team from the Holsworthy Family Workshop came to Winsford and helped club members decorate terracotta pots. It is hoped this will be the first of similar visits.

l A Garden Fete on Saturday, August 11 — held indoors due to bad weather — created a profit of nearly £193 which included donations of £65.