Three community groups have been awarded a total of £2,230* following a meeting of North Herts Council’s Hitchin Committee on 12 October.
Getting Rooted CIC was awarded £430 for the set up and running of new adult/teen gardening workshops. The group’s ethos is based on permaculture principles to encourage people to connect with their natural surroundings – caring for the earth, for people and sharing resources. As well as their outdoor learning and sharing garden Ron's Plot Community Allotment at Burford Way, for which the grant is for, they run Sunnyside Community Front Garden and contribute to raised veg beds at Our Lady's Church/Hitchin Foodbank.
Aletheia Mashiri, Getting Rooted Founder, said: “A big thank you to North Herts Council for their continued support of green projects in the area. We’re looking forward to running these workshops in the spring.”
Hitchin Allotments Association was awarded £800 for the purchase of a tool store and tools which they will loan out to new allotment tenants. The association has members from all five allotment sites in Hitchin. Buying equipment for an allotment can be expensive and put people off, as well as present a challenge soon after taking an allotment on. The tools will also be used by volunteers to help support older or unwell tenants, whose allotments can be their lifeline.
Paul Dee, Secretary of Hitchin Allotments Association, said: “This grant will make a real difference, helping people in the early days of working on an allotment and removing one of the major costs which can be an obstacle to some people taking an allotment in the first place."
Letchworth and Hitchin Sea Cadets was also awarded £1,000 for IT equipment to aid training for the cadets, camping and boating equipment, education and training events (plus £1,000 matched funding from Letchworth Committee). The group’s aim is to guide young children to become more responsible young adults by offering a range of activities to promote leadership and motivation – from sailing, windsurfing and powerboating, to rock climbing, camping, and music. Cadets can also gain national recognised qualifications outside the normal education remit.
Rob Bentley, Unit Chairperson at Letchworth and Hitchin Sea Cadets, said: “The committee, staff and cadets would like to thank all at North Herts Council for the grant for our IT equipment. This will make a big difference to the way our staff teach our cadets. Our online training courses will be easier as we can now log on at the unit rather than the cadets attempting to do it at home without staff help. A big thank you to you all.”
Councillor Ian Albert, North Herts Council’s Hitchin Committee Chair, said: "We are very pleased to help these groups in Hitchin which are all contributing to our local community.
“With Hitchin Allotments and Getting Rooted, being outside and connecting with the earth through growing plants and food can be a valuable activity for your physical and mental health and wellbeing whatever your age.
“The Sea Cadets offer a fantastic programme for young people across North Herts.
“We were also delighted to hear that Hitchin Quakers has raised the additional funding needed for the Unity Sculpture Project in the Peace Garden. We will now be able to release the contribution of £2,000 agreed by the Hitchin Committee last year."
More information about community grants
*subject to completion of the necessary formalities
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