The Communities Caring for Heritage Grants Programme provided funding for community projects which involved learning about, celebrating and improving natural and cultural heritage.
Project aims
This grants programme aimed to enable communities to conserve and enhance the wonderful cultural and natural landscape of their area, and to help more people to learn about and enjoy their fantastic heritage.
The projects that the grant scheme supported also helped to tell the story of the people and landscape from a community perspective.
The grants scheme supported activities at a community level that complemented activities which formed part of the wider Chase & Chalke Landscape Partnership Scheme.
Project achievements
Examples of successful projects:
Fovant Badges Society: the Trustees of Fovant Badges Society used the funding for the design and production of a display board to go in the lay-by off the A30 overlooking the badges. The sign explains how the badges came into being, how the camps functioned and developed, and how they have been rescued from neglect and maintained over their 100+ years of existence.
Society for the Protection of Buildings SPAB): SPAB were able to carry out repairs to the wall of St Mary’s Old Churchyard at East Compton. The work involved repairing some bulges threatening to topple the wall into the road. Several people stopped and talked to the expert repairer, learning about the work and use of lime in historic buildings.
Women’s Community Forum: as part of The Parrett Women’s Poetry Fiesta, the Women’s Community Forum delivered ‘Chasing the Sky’, a poetry festival celebrating the sky’s various manifestations and abundance with a keen focus on dark skies and the mysteries of the beyond.
Chalke Valley Fete and Show: the grant funded qualified and experienced artisans to attend the 2024 show and engage and share their skills with the public, plus a small marquee for this area and a traditional children’s show.
Sixpenny Handley Woodland Garden: the help of Anthony Brown, proprietor of Conygar coppice, was enlisted to complete the garden’s pergola, showing and tutoring the Creative Skills Hub clients in some of his green woodworking crafts. Anthony also built a beautiful L-shaped chunky rustic bench seat, made from local chestnut wood from Conygar coppice.
Broad Chalke Village noticeboard: the project produced a new village tourism noticeboard with a carved wooden frame incorporating the original Saxon meeting cross, a fragment of which remains in All Saints Church, Broad Chalke.
Who could apply?
The grants programme was open to not-for-profit organisations that fall into one or more of the following categories:
- A community or voluntary group/organisation
- A registered charity
- A social enterprise or other non-profit making organisation
- A parish council
- A school
- A church
The following could not apply for a community grant:
- Individuals
- Private businesses
- Any other organisation (formal or informal in structure) with the ability to distribute funds and/or assets among its members
Fund objectives
In order to receive funding, projects had to contribute to at least one of the following objectives:
- Conserving, protecting, and/or enhancing natural, historic or cultural heritage.
- Helping people learn about their natural, historic or cultural heritage.
- Helping communities celebrate the natural, historic or cultural heritage.
- Increasing people’s awareness and enjoyment of the Cranborne Chase and Chalke Valley area for residents and those working in or visiting it.
If you have any questions about previous grants that have been awarded or completed projects please email chaseandchalke@cranbornechase.org.uk.