Penzance Council awards over £20,000 in funding to local community organisations

Over the summer, Penzance Councillors have resolved to award over £20,000 in grant funding to five local community organisations.

Across the 15 July Full Council and the 19 August Finance & General Purposes Committee meetings, both held at St John’s Hall, Penzance Councillors resolved to award £24,789 in grant funding to five local community organisations for a range of ongoing projects and events which benefit residents in our parish.

Which groups have been awarded funding?

• Paul Cricket Club - £10,000
• Growing Links CIC - £8,313
• St Piran in Penwith - £2,956
• Gulval Village Community Association - £1,000
• MusicAbility CIC - £2,520

How will the funding be used?

Paul Cricket Club

Our funding to Paul Cricket Club will help towards the costs of replacing their practice nets which are now around 25 years old and no longer safe to use. The new nets will provide all players with a safe and secure environment to practice and the club are also looking to open up the use of the nets to local schools and ad hoc group sessions.

Paul Cricket Club is a community sports club whose aims are to foster and promote participation in the game of cricket through the provision of safe practice and playing facilities, coaching and fixtures for all playing members. They also provide opportunities for recreation within the local community.

"We are extremely grateful to Penzance Council for their generous grant, which will benefit the whole community” said Sharon Dee, Hon. Secretary for Paul Cricket Club.

We have needed to replace our practice facilities for some time and have carried out various fund-raising activities. This grant now gives us the necessary funds to allow us to start work as soon as this season ends. Exciting times for Paul Cricket Club thanks to Penzance Council!"

Growing Links CIC

Our funding to Growing Links CIC will help towards the costs of buying kitchen equipment when they move their successful Street Food Project from its current location to the new Safe & Well Hub at the former John Daniel Centre early this month. They will be able to continue providing lunch and dinner for vulnerable adults and their new location will also help their service users access other support services at the hub, working within a wider partnership and positively develop the project helping our community when in crisis.

“This funding will help us to purchase a commercial kitchen which will cook for those that need it but also provide vocational skills for our volunteers and beneficiaries in catering and self-care” said Lynne Dyer, Director of Growing Links.

Growing Links CIC aim to make our local food system accessible, affordable and available to those that need it most. They run several projects including the Street Food Project which provides hot meals to vulnerable and homeless adults in Penzance as well as running The Community Garden in nearby Gulval where they run1.5 acres of organic market garden & horticultural workshops producing fresh seasonal produce. They also run Tree Field: 2.8 acres of re-wilded meadow and wellbeing activities for those who want to look after their mental and physical health.

St Piran in Penwith

Our funding to St Piran in Penwith, for the eighth year running, will cover the costs of rigging and de-rigging the St Piran flags in the town, public liability insurance, rent of St John’s Hall and a saffron bun and pasty voucher for all the children taking part in the St Piran’s Day celebrations in 2025!

"St Piran in Penwith are proud of their connection with Penzance Council and value their continued support” said Jakki Williams, Chair of St Piran in Penwith.

Gulval Village Community Association

Our funding to Gulval Village Community Association will cover the costs of replacing the existing defibrillator at The Coldstreamer Inn for the village community in Gulval.

MusicAbility CIC

Our funding to MusicAbility CIC, for the second year running, will enable them to continue providing a weekly music therapy group for adults with learning difficulties in our local community.

“We are very pleased to be maintaining this weekly music therapy session in the heart of Penzance, particularly as it provides a confidential setting for personal expression and vital social communication” said Ruth Boulton, Director and Music Therapist at MusicAbility CIC.

“Using improvised music & sound to connect with emotions and with each other, group members are enabled to process and safely explore the spectrum of life’s challenges and highlights, supported by an experienced professional therapist. There is currently a space in this life-affirming group at MusicAbility Centre – and there’s no cost to join!”  For more information, please email referrals@musicabilitycic.uk or call: 01736 332861

“These latest grant awards reflect the wide range of community activities that are such a feature of life in the Penzance parish and provide so many benefits to local residents” said Cllr Stephen Reynolds, Mayor of Penzance.

“By helping promote community participation in sport, supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our community, and championing our local culture and heritage, these awards align well with our own objectives as a council.”

Penzance Council provide grants to local community groups and charities who are working to benefit our residents and our Parish environment – find out more about how to apply online: www.penzance-tc.gov.uk/grants/ or contact the council offices (Tel: 01736 363405 or Email: info@penzance-tc.gov.uk)