£30,000 windfall for rural projects in Hampshire (From Basingstoke Gazette)
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Basingstoke, Hook, Overton among places to receive cash
2:00pm Wednesday 8th August 2012 in News By Gazette reporter
MORE than £30,900 has been channelled into a wide range of rural projects – including some in the Basingstoke area – through Hampshire County Council .
The projects vary from creating computer learning centres to encouraging more people to visit the countryside. Other projects have included improving the services and access to old people’s activities, and documenting the county’s birds.
Councillor Ray Ellis, county council executive member for economic development and rural affairs, said: “These projects are testing new and innovative ways of delivering rural services and helping communities to develop and thrive.
“The feedback from organisations working in rural communities has been very positive and future progress will depend on developing new ideas to support our rural communities. As the majority of Hampshire’s area is rural, it is vital that we look after the interest of our communities.”
In Overton and Whitchurch, £12,500 has been awarded to the Computer Learning Centres devised by Age Concern.
In Hook, £6,440 has been awarded to the ‘Miles without Stiles’ scheme, which specialises in the removal of stiles and replacing them with gates and gaps to help improve public rights of way.
In Basingstoke, Hartley Wintney and Winchester, £12,000 was awarded to the ‘Walk on the Wild Side’ campaign, which specialises in creating workshops, organised walks and site visits for ethnic minority groups who want to visit the countryside.
