Cheshire East Council has awarded more than £17,000 to community and voluntary organisations in the latest round of Community Grants - which has seen 38 organisations receive awards ranging from £250 to the maximum of £1,500.
Grants are available to support community, environmental, sports, arts, heritage and play projects and applications are judged on a number of criteria. They 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.
Amongst this year's successful groups are Wilmslow-based women's harmony group, Cheshire A Cappella, which received £500 for their project to run singing workshops to encourage more women to join the group. The money will also be used to train the existing members and to purchase equipment for when they are performing concerts in various venues. The total cost of the project is £3,462 and the group have secured some of their own funding.
Angela Lewis, Musical Director at Cheshire A Cappella, who was delighted that their funding application had been granted said "It's funding support like this that will make such a difference to the successful development of the Chorus. Thank you Cheshire East!"
In less than 18 months since its inception, Cheshire A Cappella has already earned itself a well-deserved reputation as being an entertaining and vibrant group of characterful performers.
Hilary Pinnock said "We're comprised of all ages and come from many different backgrounds. Our one big bond is we all love to sing and so often, we hear from our audiences and from competition judges, that the energy and the fun we project are both infectious. Praise indeed!
"We meet each Wednesday evening at 7.30pm at The Morley Club on the outskirts of Wilmslow. Correct breathing, physical posture, group dynamics, musical interpretation – these are just some of the techniques practised throughout the evening's rehearsals and quite apart from the pleasure we take in learning and performing new songs, we're all aware of just how fit we're becoming!"
The chorus performs at corporate and charity events, music festivals and annual UK Championships and they sing a growing repertoire of hit numbers, both modern and traditional, some choreographed and in the inimitable style of 4-part a cappella harmony.
Now boasting a membership level of over 50 singers, Cheshire A Cappella is actively seeking new women to join them in September. They are holding a free induction course, offering the opportunity to go along for 3 weeks, not only to find out about the chorus, but also to learn a fabulous new song alongside their existing membership.
Councillor David Brown, Cabinet member with responsibility for performance and capacity said "The Community Grant is a vital lifeline to many voluntary and community groups in Cheshire East and I am delighted that so many organisations have benefited from this latest funding round.
"We have worked hard to make sure that the chosen projects cater for young and old as well as a range of interests, from music to sport.
"Applying for a Community Grant is very easy to do and I hope that other groups will be persuaded to put in an application ahead of the next deadline of October 1."
More information on Community Grants can be found on the Cheshire East website and to register now for Cheshire A Cappella's free September course, email, call 07896 157411 or visit their website for more information on the chorus.
