Community and voluntary organisations are set to benefit from nearly £17,000 of grant funding.
The final round of Community Grants for 2010/2011 has seen 37 community and voluntary organisations receive awards ranging from £75 to £1,500 from Cheshire East Council.
Alderley Edge Orchestra was one of several local groups to be granted £250 towards their productions, which are considered important to Cheshire East because they enable local residents to see local talent performing at reasonable prices.
"We're delighted to receive such a helpful community grant from Cheshire East Council, especially in such difficult financial times," said secretary Roger Dowling.
"Grants like this help us to provide concerto opportunities for talented musicians from our locality. Last year, Macclesfield-born pianist Simon Conning performed Beethoven's Choral Fantasy and the Litolff Scherzo with such success that we have invited him back in May to perform Brahms' Second Piano Concerto. The orchestra is largely self-funding, but its present funding level makes it increasingly difficult to engage top soloists.
"Next month, we'll be performing Reinecke's Flute Concerto with Russell Gillespie, one of the finest flautists in the country. This grant from the Community Grant Scheme will, we believe, be a good investment for the Council in enabling us reach out better into the local community and promote our concerts more effectively."
Other local groups to receive grants include the Human Education Society who run the Animal Sanctuary. They received £1,500 towards the cost of installing new toilet facilities and Cycle Wilmslow, a community group which promotes cycling in the Wilmslow area, received £500 so they can produce a cycle route guide.
Friends of Handforth Station have been awarded £235 for the cost of the flags, which are to be designed by local school children, and Wilmslow Art Group has been given £75 to hire exhibition space at the annual flower show.
Councillor David Brown, Cabinet member with responsibility for performance and capacity, said: "The Council recognises the valuable input that voluntary and community groups bring to local life.
"We have worked hard to ensure that the chosen projects improve life opportunities and health for people in Cheshire East.
"Applying for a community grant is very easy to do and I hope that other groups will be persuaded to do so in the next year of funding."
Grants are available to support community, environmental, sports, arts, heritage and play projects. In total, more than £65,000 has been awarded during the year.
Applications are judged on a number of criteria and applicants should be able to display that their project enhances the quality of life for Cheshire East residents, increases involvement in the community, demonstrates the potential to be sustained in the future and that it can attract more participants.
If you are involved in a voluntary or community group which is looking for funding then you may be able to obtain financial assistance from Cheshire East Council.
The closing date for the next application is 1st April, click here for further information on Community Grants.
