Public Support Chesterfield Canal Project

A STAGGERING 13,000 people have backed a petition to show there is support for restoring Chesterfield’s canal.

Less than a year ago the Heritage Lottery Fund reportedly said the waterway’s mammoth rennovation did not hold much heritage value or public support.

Now that has been proved otherwise by the Chesterfield Canal Trust petition.

The canal stretches from the River Trent to Chesterfield, through tranquil countryside to what will be the multi-million pound Waterside development.

In total restoring 20 miles, with nine left to close the gap, will cost around £32m. Funding is being sought in chunks and the petition will help bids by showing how much support there is for the massive initiative.

Latest progress includes a 200m stretch being rennovated at Mill Green and Staveley’s new canal basin.

The Heritage and Lottery Fund said discussions are ongoing about the project’s development and support that may be offered in future.

Over £91.4m has been awarded for more than 215 projects on canal or river navigations by the fund.

Share of £5m for community enterprises

Local villages have one month to apply for a share of £5 million Lottery cash to create  community enterprises and revitalise their area.

Projects have until 5pm on Thursday 20th October to apply for up to £30,000 from the Big Lottery Fund’s Village SOS Active competition.

Anyone living in a rural village of less than 3,000 people, with an enterprising idea can register to be in with a chance of a grant.

All applicants have to do is outline the idea in on online form and the best ideas will be chosen to complete a full application for a grant of up to £30,000.

The Village SOS television series broadcast over the last few weeks, followed the journey of six UK villages as they used a Big Lottery Fund grant to set up a new community business, including a Peak District community that started up a new local food project and cookery school.