NINE community projects in a neighbourhood in Basingstoke have together received funds worth £25,000 following a ‘Dragon Den-style’ pitching in a public meeting.

Residents from the Norden ward were invited to vote on projects with funds available from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary and Vivid Plus.

A public meeting held at South View Junior School on Saturday, February 25, saw community groups and organisations giving a three-minute ‘Dragons Den-style’ pitch to the residents, followed by questions and answers.

Based on voting by more than 50 residents, it was decided that nine projects would receive the Norden grant money as part of the community engagement process.

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The projects needed to operate in the Chapel Gate, South View and Oakridge areas and meet the priorities identified through a consultation event to be eligible for the event.

Following, in the order of number of votes received, are the projects that have been awarded the grant and the amount they would receive:

1. Oakridge Summer Festival - the first summer festival was held last summer. This will be a rerun of the festival: £5,000

2. (Tied with number 1) New 30mph flashing road sign for Oakridge and South View: £4,000

3. Oakridge 6th Scouts for purchasing new tents and equipment: £5,000

4. From the Ground Up project for purchasing polytunnel: £130

5. South View Residents Association to purchase a speed gun: £260

6. Oakridge Neighbourhood Watch scheme: £500

7. Norden Community Association for taking families to showings of Christmas pantomimes: £3,800

8. Oakridge West Community Association for selection of events: £5,000

9. Spotlight for youth outreach projects in Oakridge schools: £1,600

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Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary has contributed 15,000 and Vivid Plus has offered 10,000 as part of the community engagement process.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough councillor Paul Basham said: “It's really exciting to see so many people turn out and get involved in the bidding. Some of the ideas that came forward are fantastic. And really importantly, it's enabled the community to enhance some existing projects, and to get some projects off the ground, in particular the flashing speed sign.

“This is about our community coming together and filling the holes in the community. It's really exciting from that perspective.”

Sarah Smith, placeshaping manager at Vivid, said: “Being able to collaborate at a local level and work collectively with communities is something Vivid Plus is glad to support”.