Big Society Fund grants approved

David Barling, county councillor, said he was delighted to receive the confirmation on Friday from West Sussex County Council, which operates the fund.

Ashurst Village Hall receives £17,000 for heating works at the new hall, which means the committee will be able to place contracts straightaway.

A grant of £4,700 goes to Steyning Festival for a project in conjunction with Steyning Grammar School.

The aim is to improve the foyer at the school hall, to tie in with the 400th anniversary.

Small Dole Village Hall, which received money for external repairs last year, will be given a further £2,900 towards necessary refurbishments.

Cllr Barling said: “These are very welcome grants which will take these three projects a long way forward.

“I strongly supported all of these applications and I am delighted that the cabinet member for finance, Michael Brown, has accepted these projects for funding.”