Lottery windfall for local groups

The programme offers lottery cash to local groups to carry out improvements to their community venues so they make savings on their heating and lighting costs and cut down on their spending.

Ballykeel LOL was awarded £29,255 and Hasley’s Town Cultural Society received £5,294.

Ballykeel LLodge will use their grant to make their venue more energy efficient by carrying out all works identified in an energy audit. The work includes the installation of central heating system, double glazed windows and doors, and insulation to walls, roof and floor.

Hasley’s Town Cultural Society, which is based in the Upper Broomhedge Orange Hall, will use their grant to replace existing timber frame windows and wooden doors with new PVC windows and doors

Frank Hewitt, the Big Lottery Fund’s NI Chair is encouraging local groups to apply to the scheme. “The Energy Efficient Venues programme is open for applications, but it closes at 12 noon on Friday June 1, 2012,” he explained.

“It is possible to apply for a small grant followed by a large grant from the programme, but community organisations must be aware that if they plan to do this they need to get their applications for a small grant in to the Big Lottery Fund as soon as possible. This will give them time to have their small grant assessed and awarded and to complete their project before they apply for a large grant.”

To find about more about the Energy Efficient Venues programme visit www.biglotteryfund.org.uk, or call the Big Lottery Fund’s Information and Events team on 028 9055 1455.

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