COMMUNITY groups across the Suffolk Coastal area were celebrating today after sharing in a £60,000 grant hand-out to boost their activities.Among those with huge smiles on their faces were members of the Beacon Hill Association in Martlesham who were awarded £10,000 to help put a roof over the Beacon Hill Primary School swimming pool.

COMMUNITY groups across the Suffolk Coastal area were celebrating today after sharing in a £60,000 grant hand-out to boost their activities.

Among those with huge smiles on their faces were members of the Beacon Hill Association in Martlesham who were awarded £10,000 to help put a roof over the Beacon Hill Primary School swimming pool.

Nearly £20,000 has already been raised through fund-raising events, and it is hoped that the pool can be regularly used for swimming lessons, by groups such as brownies and scouts, and also by nurseries and families.

Other successful applicants included 1st Kesgrave Scout Group which received £7,500 towards a new headquarters, and Boyton Parochial Church Council which got £3,000 to help re-roof Boyton Village Hall.

Suffolk Coastal cabinet member for community development Jane Skepper gave the go-ahead for the payments after receiving recommendations of the council's grants task group.

"This is now the 21st year that Suffolk Coastal has given grants to support the work of those helping to provide important services to the community, and this latest set of grants mean that we have put the best part of £2.5 million into local projects since this scheme began," said Miss Skepper.

"These grants are going to a wide range of organisations, mainly run by volunteers, who are playing their own part in improving the quality of life in Suffolk Coastal.

"In some cases just a few hundred pounds can make a vital impact and I am pleased that we are able to support the work of so many groups who are playing such a significant role in our community.

"Like everybody else, we do have a tight budget to work to, but we have paid out over £100,000 of grants over the last year.

"While I would encourage all local groups to seek support from us, I would also ask them to redouble their efforts to tap into national funding to ensure that this area gets its fare share from sources like those financed by the National Lottery."

Other grants included £2,500 to Friston Village Hall to carry out repair works and install disabled toilet and re-site kitchen equipment, £2,500 to Knodishall Village Hall to help replace a wall, £1,450 to Red Triangle Bowls Club, Wickham Market, towards replacing a motor mower and storage shed, £7,500 to help purchase Snape playing field and improve the entrance track, and £2,500 to Nacton Village Hall.

Clopton Parish Council will gain £10,000 for an extension to the Village Hall and Felixstowe Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society £5,000 to refurbish and redevelop FADOS House if both succeed in receiving lottery funding.

WEBLINK: www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk