£24,072 distributed to local organisations in Nidderdale and the surrounding area

The Nidderdale Plus Community Fund provides a sustainable source of funding for local charitable activity in Nidderdale and the wider area.

The fund is made possible through income raised at the Nidderdale Plus charity shop in Pateley Bridge, with every penny going straight back into the local community to benefit residents in local town, villages and rural area.

The panel met just before summer and awarded grants to 16 local community groups, supporting a range of projects that were inspired by, and led by, the community itself.

Since 2023, Two Ridings Community Foundation has distributed over £62,000 across 42 grants through the fund, supporting local initiatives that benefit rural areas, including the villages of Blubberhouses, Pateley Bridge and Middlesmoor.

Keeping support local

This year’s grants range from £2,000 for new play equipment for the Darley Playing Field Association, providing a free, family-friendly outdoor activity and a welcoming space for families to meet, to £500 for Focus on Darley, helping fund a gazebo and games for group fitness sessions in Darley. The gazebo will also serve as a shared space for community groups to gather and will be available for other village organisations and family events to borrow.

Here’s how other local groups are making use of their grants:

• Dacre Banks Bowling Club have purchased a gazebo and outdoor cooking equipment to support their rural bowls club with special events, and support members with meals on event days.
• Dancing for Wellbeing runs gentle exercise classes for people over 60, but it’s far more than just a dance class. With a strong emphasis on pastoral care, the team takes time to get to know each attendee and offer signposting when someone needs extra support. The grant enables them to launch new sessions in Hampsthwaite, benefiting the local community.
• Darley Cricket Club has expanded to four cricket teams, two for 5–13-year-olds and two teams for the 13 years and over age group. The club plays a key role in the community, offering its pavilion as a shared space. The grant will help fund a kitchen renovation, including fridges, a dishwasher and an oven to provide food and beverages to children and adults on training and match days.
• Fewston Parochial Hall is a community hub, drawing in the local community of various ages for social, charitable and educational events. The funding is being used to improve the hall with electric points and broadband, to better support activities and shared interests among residents.
• Hampsthwaite Indoor Carpet Bowling Club will use their funding to cover venue hire for the community bowling club, which plays a vital role in the social lives of its retired members aged 75 to 94. Meeting twice a week for two hours, members enjoy a cup of tea between games, creating a warm and friendly atmosphere.
• Hampsthwaite Memorial Hall has created a dedicated children’s library space within the hall. The project incorporates mobile book storage and a comfortable area for children to sit during story times, enhancing their experience in this versatile space.
• Markington Memorial Institute are making its energy usage more efficient, as well as upgrading electrical points, using smart thermostats and LED lighting, to ensure the sustainability of this community space.
• New Beginnings Peer Support are running a pilot project aimed at establishing formal service provisions for post-domestic abuse survivors in the Nidderdale area. This will focus on building relationships with local groups and organisations that can provide client referrals, while also raising awareness of domestic abuse, a significant issue that often remains hidden within the rural community.
• Nidderdale & Pateley Bridge Men’s Shed C.I.O. provides a safe space for men to communicate and take part in activities together. This fund will help cover the rising rates and costs for this organisation in its early stages; financial support is essential for its survival and future growth.
• Nidderdale Brownies have created a fund to help girls from financially struggling families cover the costs of additional activities outside of our regular meetings as well as the subscription fee/running cost of those regular meetings. This fund ensures that no girl is excluded from participating in Guiding due to financial barriers, providing an inclusive and equitable experience for all.
• Nidderdale Community Energy Initiative are using its funding to identify and develop renewable energy opportunities within the local community. Additionally, efforts will be made to raise awareness and promote renewable energy to raise community involvement and education.
• Nidderdale Stitchers is a group of enthusiastic sewers, all different ages, who meet monthly. Their funding will allow them to deliver five workshops and demonstrations, including using felt and embroidery.
• Warsill Gardening Club has over 40 members and meets regularly for social events and local garden trips. Their funding supports two group day trips, one to Cannon Hall Farm, near Barnsley and another to the RHS Flower Show at Wentworth Woodhouse. Travelling in a group encourages members to explore new places, make friends, and create lasting memories.
• Washburn Valley Sports Club purchased an indoor bowls starter kit to offer all-year round bowling, as part of the relaunch of the club, encouraging new members from the local community to take up this sport and benefit from the social aspect of bowls.