A storage container, a lantern parade and Saltash’s latest grants

A storage container at a youth centre doesn’t sound like much. But for one Saltash club it’s about to become the space it has been short of, and it’s one of two projects sharing £3,500 of town grant money this winter.

Saltash Town Council has announced its latest round of Community Chest and Festival Fund grants, with Saltash Amateur Boxing Club and Saltash Christmas Festival both receiving support.

A new gym for Saltash Amateur Boxing Club

The boxing club has been awarded £1,000 through the Town Council’s Community Chest fund.

The club provides affordable boxing classes to young people in Saltash and the surrounding towns. Attendees range from 10 to 25 years old, including young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and sessions run in an all-inclusive sports hall that the club describes as a safe space.

Training focuses on core skills and a healthy lifestyle, with commitment and respect at the heart of it.

The grant will be used to convert the club’s storage container at The Core Youth and Community Centre into a new gymnasium, built around what the club needs.

Having a gym will let the club offer a wider mix of sessions and add extra ones, so it shouldn’t have to limit how many people can attend.

£2,500 for Saltash Christmas Festival

Saltash Christmas Festival will receive £2,500 from the Festival Fund towards this year’s event.

The free festival is held in the town centre on the first Saturday of December every year, which this year falls on Saturday 5 December. It’s organised by a volunteer committee within Saltash Chamber of Commerce and brings together residents, visitors, schools, community groups, charities and local businesses.

There’s a street market on Fore Street, children’s rides, a Santa Fun Run, a lantern parade and a fireworks display. The aim is to get people into the town centre, support local traders and give charities and community groups a chance to raise funds and promote their work.

The costs behind the lanterns and fireworks

The grant will cover some of the essential costs of running the festival safely, including medical provision, insurance and traffic management. That helps make sure the day is safe for organisers, stallholders and everyone attending, including children, young people and vulnerable people.

Hilary Frank, Lead Organiser of Saltash Christmas Festival, said: “I’m very grateful to Saltash Town Council for helping us bring the Christmas Festival to life.

“Medical cover, insurance and traffic management may be less visible than the lanterns and fireworks, but they are essential to making it all possible. This funding makes a real difference to our volunteer team, helping us keep the festival free to attend and bringing people together to celebrate, support local businesses and enjoy our town.”

How the Town Council’s grants work

The Town Council sets aside a budget for grants to activities and events that benefit people living in the town.

The Community Chest supports small-scale projects that improve the town environment and strengthen the community and local economy. The Festival Fund backs larger, free events that draw big crowds.

The council says it remains committed to supporting local groups and initiatives that support health and wellbeing, promote recreation and leisure, and enhance community life.

Cllr Brian Stoyel, Mayor of Saltash, said: “We are delighted to support both Saltash Amateur Boxing Club and the Saltash Christmas Festival through our grant funding. Organisations and events such as these make a significant contribution to community life, providing opportunities for people to come together, stay active and enjoy all that Saltash has to offer.

“It’s fantastic to hear of the positive impact this funding has on the town’s community, vibrancy and sense of belonging, helping to make Saltash an even better place to live, work and visit.”

Groups thinking about applying for Community Chest or Festival Fund money can find out more on the Saltash Town Council grants page.