Time to apply for revenue grants

If you're a voluntary group working to make our local communities better, did you know that you can apply for a small grant from South Gloucestershire Council to help you do it?

At the September Area Forum capital grants - for "project" type works - were awarded to a number of local organisations:

• South Gloucestershire Citizens Advice Bureau - Boiler replacement - £2844
• Sodbury Tennis Club - Court 4 Floodlighting - £2000
• Shopmobility (South Gloucestershire) - Shopmobility  - £900
• Ridgewood Community Association - New Computers - £1000
• Cafe Ridgewood - Lap top - £500
• Abbotswood Pre-school - Outside Space Project - £3000
• Pop Inn Cafe - £432
• Shireway Community Association/Midway Social Club - Childrens Play Area - £930
• South Gloucestershire Deaf Association - Promotional banner purchase - £148
• Yate and Dodington in Bloom - Carved Sculpture at Jubilee Gardens - £2000
• Yate and District Archaeology Group - Archaeological Equipment - £898
• South Gloucestershire Youth Initiative - St Nicholas Youth centre - £2000
• Yate Star Twirlers - Yate Star Twirlers - £440
• Yate & District Heritage Centre Trust - Laptop for Community Work - £1230
  

The current round of applications is for revenue grants - small grants that can help you with your basic running costs and buying small pieces of equipment. For example, they can help towards room hire, insurance or putting on a community event. We are especially keen to hear from groups that haven't made an application before as we want to make sure we are reaching all parts of the community.

You can find out more and make your application on the South Glos Grants Website. There is also a helpline available on 01454 865865 Mon-Fri, 9 am-4 pm.

In communities that have had new housing, there is also an opportunity to make a proposal for spending some of the New Homes Bonus that the government gives the council for the first 6 years after each new house is built.

 If you want a New Homes Bonus scheme to be considered at the next Area Forum, you need to apply by Monday 4th November. Applications for the following meeting should be submitted by 3rd February. Contact your local councillor if you'd like to know more.

Badminton Road night closures

The A432 Badminton Road will be closed between Culvert Avenue and Nibley Lane 8 pm to 6 am for 4 nights starting on 28th October 2013. This is so that resurfacing work can be carried out.

Have your say on police

You have until Saturday 26th October to tell Avon and Somerset Constabulary what you think about plans to re-shape the structure of the force and the way it works.  You can find out more and have your say on their website.

Art by Yate, 8 by 8

Calling all local artists! Art by Yate is a colourful and imaginative art project created by local people, children, and artists - in fact anybody can have a go. Collectively, the canvases can be seen as an exploration of modern culture and life in Yate, Chipping Sodbury and the surrounding areas.

The vision is to create an exhibition of 8×8 inch canvases each created by a local artist, child, mother, father, or local resident. Anyone can take part.

The canvases will be sold in support of the Chipping Sodbury Lions Club. To take part or find out more, email artbyyate@gmail.com

A38 overnight roadworks 14 to 28 Oct

It may be outside our immediate area, but many people will use the A38 Filton Roundabout when they travel further afield. From 14th-24th October, major resurfacing work will take place at night, starting at 8pm and continuing until about 6am the following morning. All approaches to the roundabout will be closed and traffic diverted.

Yate to Westerleigh road now open again

Network Rail have now finished their work at the double railway bridge and the road is open again. They struck some problems but brought extra people in to finish off the work.