Saundersfoot's Vineyard Vale Community Group is in the running for the TPAS Tenants and Residents Participation Award again. The group tasted success in May last year when they won first place in Wales. Now, Pembrokeshire Housing Association has nominated them again. The award ceremony will take place in Llandudno on May 18. The Vineyard Vale estate consists of 74 houses and a combination of Pembrokehsire Housing tenants and private residents. The aim of the community group, which was formed some two years ago, is to benefit all residents, by working together to develop and enhance the area in which they live. As a group, they are about to embark on their most ambitious and largest project to date - they are attempting to leasehold the park land and raise funds to improve their existing play area and equipment. "We are bidding for grant funding of £20,000 from Pembrokeshire County Council, which we will have to match fund, to provide new and more user friendly equipment for the play area, as well as providing a planting area for children and for those with special needs," explained group secretary, Lynn Perfect. "A designated area has also been designed for toddlers, as well as a barbecue and events area," she continued. "We also aim, with the help of Pembrokeshire Housing, to set-up a website - this service will also offer email addresses to all residents at Vineyard Vale, centrally administered to bring email and internet access to those who do not have a computer." Since its formation, the group has been successful in setting up various schemes, including a neighbourhood watch, holiday scheme, assistance scheme, laminator project and 'Piper Life Line', which elderly and disabled residents can contact in an emergency. In addition, the group, which is also actively involved in fund-raising for local good causes and runs 'helping hand' schemes for residents, also arranges community trips and social evenings, as well as events and celebrations. Anyone who would like to offer assistance with funding for the park land and play area project, should contact Lynn on 811180.
