Communities near East Midlands Airport receive funding for facilities and projects
What do local bowlers, sailors and croquet players have in common? They have all recently benefitted from grants from the East Midlands Airport Community Fund.
Two village hall committees have also completed improvements thanks to the funding that aims to give something back to the communities surrounding the airport.
Established in 2002, the Community Fund has since helped more than 2,000 initiatives benefit from £2.8m, which has gone towards a diverse range of projects, from equipment for village halls to the development of wildlife areas.
Last year it handed out more than £106,000 to 81 local projects, while this financial year from April, it has already awarded just over £39,000 to 33 local charities and community not-for-profit groups.
Among the recent recipients are the 15th Long Eaton Sea Scouts who have been refurbishing their Blue Hut, which was originally famously donated to them from the set of Auf Wiedersehen Pet by Central Studios in Nottingham. The EMA Community Fund grant of £1,000 went towards a new kitchen. Members of the East Midlands Airport Community Fund committee attended a special celebration event to mark the 60th anniversary of the main hall and the 40th anniversary and completion of the refurbishment of the blue hut.
Meanwhile Ashby Croquet Club (pictured above) received a grant of £1,811 towards croquet playing equipment, Staunton Harold Sailability Trust received a grant of £2,000 towards a new hoist (pictured below right), and Long Eaton Town Bowls Club received a grant of £1,570 towards materials for the restoration of their bowling green edges.
This year Newton Solney Village Hall (pictured below left) finally completed the installation of solar panels which were made possible by an East Midlands Airport Community Fund ‘Low Carbon Energy’ Grant of £10,000, made in 2024. And Weston-on-Trent Village Hall Committee recently completed the upgrade of their village hall car park to improve accessibility thanks to a grant of £2,000 from the EMA Community Fund towards materials.
East Midlands Airport’s Community Engagement Manager Colleen Hempson said: “It’s great to see the difference our Community Fund can make in the towns and villages surrounding the airport.
“We’re pleased to be able to offer ongoing support through this funding, as well as our staff volunteering and wider programme of community engagement, to really play a positive part in the lives of local people.”
More information about the fund and how to apply for it is available here: https://www.eastmidlandsairport.com/community/supporting-the-local-community/
