Grants boost communities

to buy equipment to support a recruitment campaign; £300 to St Johns Long Eaton Parochial Church Council towards the cost of replacing a store room roof, and £600 to Little Eaton Playgroup for equipment.

Community Forum and the Friends of Straws Bridge.

Lots of communities in Erewash have benefitted from funding over the last year thanks to the council’s grants schemes.

A total of £18,699 has been awarded to community and voluntary organisations as part of the Community Grants Scheme, and Fast Funding scheme.

This included £1,000 to Risley Neighbourhood Watch for their summer fete and family fun day; £200 to the Third Ockbrook Brownies

The Fast Funding Community Grants scheme saw the Friends of Stanley Common receive £500 towards the cost of litter picking equipment; £477 awarded to West Hallam White Rose Cricket Club for junior team cricket equipment; £500 for both the Support Through Sport CIC (Kirk Hallam) youth diversion and intervention programmes, and Trinity Methodist Church, Long Eaton, for its Together on Thursday Project.

The Members’ Community Grant scheme sees councillors award £250 to organisations in their ward. A total of £6,260 was awarded. Groups that have benefitted include Dale Abbey Village Forum, Breaston

Mayor’s year in office

the benefit of others. We are all still coming to terms with the COVID-19 pandemic and its lasting effect on our daily routines. “I am often asked about the civic chain that the Mayor wears, especially whether I own it. My answer is simple, ‘the chain belongs to you and every citizen of Erewash.’

I am also asked ‘what do we call you?’ my reply is ‘John’.

Arts Grants were awarded to three organisations, totalling £1,500: These included £700 to All Being Well for workshops to deliver creative wellness sessions in school; and £800 to Gramophone Theatre Company, for wellbeing focused workshops for parent and baby groups. Information on when applications are open can be found at erewash.gov.uk/grants

Having been the Borough’s First Citizen for over ten months, Councillor John Sewell BEM, looks back on the year so far.

“When being asked to stand as Mayor of this wonderful borough, you do not fully appreciate the task involved with the job. As ward councillor for the Sawley ward, I am aware of the good work being done by several local organisations but I have had my eyes opened to the excellent work being done by residents for

With my military background, I am delighted to have the opportunity to promote the work of the youth services. Not just the Cadets of the Armed Forces but also the Scout Movement, Girlguiding UK and youth groups - all excellent organisations which give our youth the chance to learn new things and gain confidence to pursue their chosen careers.

I would like to thank the organisations’ volunteers who give their time to help our youngsters achieve their full potential. I would also like to thank the Royal British Legion branches for their dedication and compassion in assisting our veterans and their families over many years of service, especially during the pandemic. Anyone can become a member of the Legion and would be very welcome.

It was an honour to be involved and be the representative of the Borough at the events arranged for the passing of our late Queen, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Her dedication and devotion to our country was paramount and was reflected in the number of people signing condolence books and laying tributes. We now look forward to King Charles III Coronation on 6 May.

“My wife, Rose, and I have enjoyed all engagements we have been invited to and look forward to serving the Borough through to May.”