COMMUNITY groups in the area will receive more than £25,000 in grant money for cultural projects.
The cash will boost schemes operating in Havant, Fareham and Gosport, varying from a video documentary about a deprived estate to a theatre group teaching young children about Vikings.
Councillor Keith Chapman at Hampshire County Council awarded the cash from a pot of £118,000 as part of his role as executive member for culture and recreation.
Havant and District Orchestra Society will receive £4,750 to put on concerts and get amateur musicians to play along with them in venues in both Havant and Fareham.
Steve Bartholomew, chairman of the orchestra, said he is delighted the group will get the cash in difficult times for the arts.
‘We’re absolutely delighted to be included and we’ll be spending out a very big thank you to the council,’ he said.
‘It’s about capturing young people’s imagination and enthusiasm.
‘We’re tremendously fortunate to have lots of loyal players and listeners but it’s always difficult bringing in youngsters.’
Rowner Community Trust in Gosport has been granted £4,700 for its project to document the estate while it is transformed with a multi-million pound regeneration.
James Stallard, a trustee at the group, said: ‘It’s a welcome boost and a little bit extra to get things done.
‘It is needed, every organisation that needs this sort of money does not go into it lightly.’
The scheme will train both elderly people and younger people out of work and not in education who have lived on the estate for a number of years in the use of video and camera equipment.
The trust will receive the money on the provision they can find other sources of funding for the future.
Also in Gosport, Loud and Proud, a volunteering group for 16 to 25-year-olds is set to get £4,750 to help prepare young people for jobs.
Horndean Community Association will receive £1,500 for its volunteering programme, which aims to give people the experience necessary for employment.
SOOP Theatre CIC based in Havant will teach aged 9 years and over about the Vikings with a theatre production, with a grant of £5,000.
And the Wecock Community Association gets a £4,000 boost for its community programme offering lunch clubs and coffee afternoons.
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