In 2018 Cornwall Glass celebrated 40 years in business with 40 grants of £400 to community groups within Cornwall and Isles of Scilly. Supporting this offer we hosted four drop in sessions for advice on how to apply and were delighted to award a total of £19,000 to 46 community projects.
We caught up with four of our awardees to see how the grants have made a difference to their community group.
Camelford and District Age Concern received £400 from the Fund to support the purchase of a new bus with the capacity to carry electric wheel chairs. The group were just short of their fundraising total of £54, 000 and needed the final amount to facilitate the purchase.
A CADAC representative commented “We provide for people over 50, a means of escaping their ‘four walls’. Public transport is virtually non-existent in the area, so we offer a door to door services enabling folk to visit larger towns and cities, the supermarket and places of interest. The folk who at present use the Bus on a regular basis are keen to keep the bus on the road. So much so that over the last few years they have made personal donations and have taken part in quizzes, raffles and the like just so the Bus can be replaced”.
Cornwall Brass Band Association received £500 from the Cornwall Glass Fund to support their 3red Festival of Cornish Brass. Postponed from February, when adverse weather conditions prevented the event from going ahead, the rescheduled Festival took place on 11th May at St Michael’s Church, Newquay. Thirteen bands from across the county with players young, old and in between filled the church with a variety of tunes both traditional and contemporary.
At one time Brass Bands could be found at the heart of every Cornish Community. Today they still hold a special place in many Cornish communities, encouraging young and old to play music. They form an integral part of the communities which they are part of giving music to all and a sense of belonging to their members. Brass Bands still make great attractions through out the year at carnivals, fetes and concerts.
Drama Express provide young people with disabilities the opportunity to develop confidence and self esteem through participating in performing in arts based activities. The young people are nurtured and supported by a team of enthusiastic volunteers across Cornwall.
Drama Express were recipients of a £400 grant which they invested in a musical keyboard and accessories to enhance their productions and help develop musicianship of the young people within the group. By participating in performing arts based activities, young people with disabilities are given the opportunity to develop their self esteem and confidence while having fun and making friends.
St Ives Bowling Club is an indoor and outdoor bowling club for all ages and levels of experience. Keen to play all year round the players come indoors during Autumn and Winter. New heaters purchased with a grant from the Cornwall Glass Fund keep the club house cosy and warm and allow members a vital meeting place. For many the Bowling Club is an integral part of their lives and a vital part of community life.
The only thing better than being in the privileged position that enables us to grant funds to such deserving groups, is hearing from them how these relatively modest sums have changed their groups for the better.
The Cornwall Glass Fund will open applications to grant £20,000 in 2020 early next year. Our thanks as always to the Cornwall Community Foundation for their excellent management of our charitable fund.