Projects ranging from local history research, to village enhancement and energy efficiency in community buildings, were recognised on Tuesday when community representatives gathered at the Regency Hall, Saundersfoot, for SPARC's 2001 Community Pride Awards.
The Community Pride grant scheme has three categories Environment, Enhancement and Heritage. Its aim is to strengthen the fabric of community life, not only leading to benefits for local people, but also helping to attract visitors who assist the local economy. The scheme is part of the Supporting Communities initiative and is part funded by the EU under the Objective 5b ERDF progamme.
Over the past 18 months, grants of up to 50 per cent of a project cost, but not exceeding £1,000, have been paid to more than 20 community groups who completed projects. A Community Pride competition ran alongside the scheme.
Matching funds were raised by local people through various activities, ranging from an Avon Evening to a Chicken, Chips and Bingo Evening; a Raft Race and a Village Sunday Lunch. In addition to enhancing the quality of life in a practical sense, the Community Pride initiative also helped to build on existing community spirit and to further develop skills and knowledge.
Many projects involved considerable research, others involved dealing with various authorities - to obtain Highway Authority permission to site a new bench for example - or learning about a particular profession such as publishing.
The awards event at Saundersfoot included a presentation of certificates and cheques to competition winners by county councillor, Bill Philpin, vice-chairman of SPARC/PLANED. PLANED is the name that SPARC will be known by in the future because it now covers all of Pembrokeshire. It stands for Pembrokeshire Local Action Network for Enterprise and Development.
The £250 prize money will be used to further assist community projects. After the presentation, a celebratory tea was provided by members of St. Issell's WI who received an award for their Coppet Hall Information Panel.
In addition to the St. Issell's entry, two local history books were recognised. These were 'Llanteg Down the Years', researched and published by the Llanteg Local History Society, and 'The History of Pembroke -without the boring bits', published by a group led by Pembroke Town Council.
Other winners were the St. James Fair Committee, which revived the traditional village fair, involving community members of all ages and raising funds for local causes. St Florence School pupils produced a millennium project wall hanging. Reynalton Residents Association commissioned a local artist to paint a backdrop for the village hall, depicting scenes from the community.