South Gloucestershire | Archive | 2005 | July | 22
From the Gazette, first published Friday 22nd Jul 2005.
ACTON Turville residents have got a step closer to realising their dream to build a tennis court in the village thanks to a grant of £1,000 from Sport Relief.
In a village where there is no communal hall and only a limited bus service to nearby towns, it is hoped that the new tennis court will serve as a focal point of community life and bring residents all ages together.
Acton Turville Community Tennis is the first group in South Gloucestershire to receive a Sport Relief grant through Quartet Community Foundation.
Quartet Community Foundation has allocated ten grants totalling just under £16,000 on behalf of Sport Relief in its first funding round. A total of £70,000 will be allocated over a two-year period to help local groups in Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire to use sport and exercise to strengthen communities and provide opportunities for people who are excluded or disadvantaged.
Residents in Acton Turville feel a tennis court is badly needed, as the nearest tennis facilities are seven miles away in Chipping Sodbury and particularly difficult for young people to reach. Amenities in the village are limited to a playground and football pitch so a tennis court will be a big attraction for a much wider age group. Residents hope the building of the court will start in the autumn and have already raised £15,000 toward the total cost of £20,000.
Alice Meason, assistant director of Quartet Community Foundation, was delighted to be able to fund this project. She said: "The Sport Relief programme is good news for local groups that wish to use sport and exercise to improve people's lives and wellbeing. The application process is straightforward and I'd strongly encourage groups to apply."
Next closing date for grant applications is September 30 2005. Groups can apply online at www.quartetcf.org.uk or phone Lisa McKeever at Quartet Community Foundation on 0117 9897700 for more information.
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