COMMUNITY groups in and around Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge are set to benefit from £55,000 in grants from the Hinkley Point C (HPC) Community Fund.

Managed by the Somerset Community Foundation (SCF), the money will help support outdoor events this summer.

How is the money being used?

 

• £45,000 will go to The Avenue Tennis Club, Burnham. The grant will help fund the installation of energy efficient floodlights. This will help the club be more sustainable and allow players to visit at night and all year round. 

• £5,000 will go to The Nornen Project CIC, which will bring to life the story of the shipwreck of the Norwegian SS Nornen at Berrow, alongside local people in interactive outdoor live performances and community and school activities.

• £5,000 will go to BOS Events. The money will help curate a flower festival each summer in Burnham-on-Sea. 

• £2,000 will help fund Sedgemoor Playday, which will deliver a free day of play for all children at Apex Park in Highbridge in August for visitors and local families. 

Amelia Thompson, senior programmes manager at Somerset Community Foundation, said: “These summer events in the Burnham area of Somerset are all local events where social connections and community cohesion can be improved.

"They’re an opportunity to welcome new people to the area by providing accessible events for local families, and they are a good way for children to make new friends –and for their parents or carers to connect socially as well.”

Rosie Pike, chair of the Sedgemoor Playday committee, adds: “Our hope is that many of the activities on offer at the Playday will lead to children joining local clubs that promote health and wellbeing like archery, football and rugby tots, fishing, kickboxing, tennis and willow making crafts.”

Andrew Cockcroft, senior stakeholder relations manager at Hinkley Point C, said: “We’re thrilled that these grants will be used to enhance the seasonal offering in Burnham – benefitting the local economy, and helping to create memories and experiences for both residents and visitors of all ages.”  

The HPC Community Fund is part of the wider £20 million commitment of funding which is available to communities impacted by the development of the nuclear station.

Over £13 million in grants have been awarded to date.