Community Groups Benefit from Northern Green Networks Grants

Charities, schools and community projects across the North East of England have triumphed against tough competition to be awarded grants of up to £5,000 from Northern Green Networks.

The scheme, which is run by Northern Gas Networks, the region’s gas pipeline company is now in its second year. This year, more than £60,000 has been donated by the company to 23 grass roots environmental projects across the North of England.

The 2008 winners are:

Tiger 11, Beeston, Leeds – awarded £5,000 to create a green haven for community groups from across South Leeds to enjoy.
Farsley Farfield Primary School, Leeds - £4,000 awarded to create a sensory garden and improve wheelchair access to their conservation area.
Swarcliffe Children’s Centre, Leeds – £2,200 given to create a wildlife trail for children of all ages to enjoy.
The Meanwood Institute, Leeds - £500 to redevelop the institute’s outdoor areas.
The Anchor Project, Bradford - £3,600 to create a model garden and run environmental workshops.
The West Bowling People’s Partnership in Bradford – awarded £4,750 to grow organic produce for a local food co-op on previously unused land.
Friends of the Denso Marston Nature Reserve, Bingley - £3,355 to create a learning platform for pond dipping and bug hunts at their existing nature reserve.
Brunswick Organic Nursery, Bishopthorpe, York - £2,135 to extend an existing wildlife area.
Riccall Lands Charity, Riccall, York - £3,500 to create a native British woodland area on communal village land.
The Colne Valley Tree Society, Huddersfield - £2,000 to continue their on-going tree-planting project.
The Green Welly Club, Birstall Primary School, Batley - £1,160 to create a wildlife garden, vegetable plot and a recycling area at an after-school club.
The ABLE Project, Wakefield - £4,970 awarded to support a project to help young people at risk by offering them a chance to work on an innovative aquaponics (sustainable fish farming) scheme.
Manor Residents Association, Hartlepool – awarded £1,200 to create a classroom on an allotment, they will produce fresh fruit and vegetables for elderly residents.
Berwick Wildlife Group, Berwick upon Tweed - £509 to buy equipment to detect bats in the area, protect trees and take part in wildlife surveys.
West End Residents Association, Berwick upon Tweed - £3,000 will be used to create a riverside garden and heritage trail.
Mirehouse Resident Group, Whitehaven, Cumbria – awarded £4,000 to develop wasteland into community gardens.
Ramshaw Primary School, Bishop Auckland - £300 to reclaim waste ground for growing organic vegetables for use in the school kitchens.
Friends of Blackhill Park, Consett, County Durham – awarded £2000 to create an art and nature trail through an untamed part of the park.
St Robert’s RC First School, Morpeth, Northumberland - £3,700 to create a community garden on an area severely damaged by the recent floods.
Climate Crew, Morpeth, Northumberland - £700 to create a school wildlife garden.
Flexigraze, Stanley, County Durham – awarded £3,500 to buy 20 poll Dorset Sheep to graze on conservation sites.
Holy Cross R C Primary School, Wallsend, Tyne & Wear - £700 to create an outdoor classroom, where the children can learn how to grow vegetables. The produce will be given vulnerable people in the local community.
Mid Durham Projects Club, Durham - £3,340 to create allotments and wildflower meadow. Disabled participants will have tools to create publicity in the local community about recycling and the environment.

Communications Director, John O’ Grady said: “Northern Green Networks was designed to support local community groups who are getting out there and making a difference to their communities and their environment. These grants are a way of recognising the effort and dedication that the charities make, and it will hopefully help them go that extra mile.”