New group is in tune with the community (From The Oxford Times)
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New group is in tune with the community
1:00pm Friday 28th September 2012 in News
Janet Stansfeld, centre, has started a new community singing group at Alice and Margaret House in Rose Hill
A NEW singing group is among nine projects that have benefited from cash for community groups in Rose Hill and Iffley. Other projects that need money to support work in these areas are being invited to apply for further Community First funding before Friday, November 16.
The Community First scheme is an £80m Government-funded initiative that is running nationally for four years, until March 2015.
A panel made up of community figures from Rose Hill have £33,000 to allocate over the next three years and groups can apply for grants of up to £750.
Alice and Margaret House Association received £500 to set up a new choir called Rose Hill Community Singers.
Ms Gardner said: “The singing group’s launch was absolutely fantastic, it was great. We had about 15 people turn up and it was such good fun.
“It was a real multicultural event as well, turning in a really good mix of people.”
New members are welcome at the group, which launched this month and meets alternate Wednesdays from 2pm-3pm at Alice and Margaret House in Desborough Crescent. The next meeting is Wednesday, October 10.
Group leader Janet Stansfeld said she would encourage groups to apply for funding, and added: “I think the singing group has gone really well. They sound great, I am really impressed.
“I think the singing group is really good for building a community.”
Other groups that have received funding so far include Rose Hill Community Association, the Rose Hill Wanderers, and the Rose Hill and Donnington Advice Centre.
Fran Gardner is a member of the decision-making panel and community development worker for GreenSquare housing company.
She said: “We are encouraging community groups to start thinking about their application.
“The funding has made an enormous difference already and is open to groups from both Rose Hill and Iffley.
“The maximum is £750, but it is enough to make a difference and to get people out or doing things.”
Groups can find full details of the funding, guidelines and criteria or download an application form at the Rose Hill Community First website oxford.gov.uk/ PageRender/decC/CommunityFirstFund.htm#1 Application forms are also available at the Rose Hill Children’s Centre, Community Centre and Primary School.
For further details, call Cheryl Snudden on 01865 252646 or Fran Gardner on 0777 032 4 277. To find out more call about the singing group, call Ms Stansfeld on 01865 762200.
