A PROJECT which provides resources for schools is in with the chance of receiving £5,000.

Learning Together was set up at Whitchurch Silk Mill for schools visiting the attraction, and is one of 153 projects vying for public votes.

It now needs as many votes as possible to win one of seven awards from Engage Mutual Assurance – an organisation owned by, and run for, its customers.

If the mill project, in Winchester Street, wins the vote, it will use the money to create a Victorian school room, replicating the conditions that existed when the mill employed children, as young as 12, for long and dangerous work.

The project would enable the mill to work with local schools to create an engaging hands-on education session to meet the needs of the National Curriculum.

Noel Privett, an Engage Mutual Assurance customer, applied for the funding from the Mutual’s Foundation, which has set aside £1million as an exclusive benefit for its customers to make their lives and communities better.

The Engage Foundation was set up to provide customers with personal grants and awards for community projects.

Whitchurch resident Mr Privett, a supporter and Friend of the Mill, said: “The service that Whitchurch Silk Mill provides for schools is quite traditional, leading tours for groups of children around the mill and offering them craft sessions.

“The mill would like to engage with more schools and increase the number of visitors to the mill.

“This is vital to the work they do as they need to inspire the next generation about the mill’s past and the tradition of silk weaving, and also ensure the mill is busy with visitors during quieter times of the year.”

Voting is open until November 17. For more information visit engagemutual.com/foundation/ projects/222552.