FIVE community groups in Craven have won funding to help them with projects to benefit local people.

Hellifield Parish Council has been awarded £990 by Craven District Council towards the cost of providing a rota glide for the play area on Station Road.

The rota glide, which is designed for use by children aged between 10 and 16 years, was selected by pupils at Hellifield Primary School.

Brian Hugill, chairman of Hellifield Parish Council, said: “Thanks to the grant money from Craven District Council, the Parish Council will be able to install the new item of play equipment this summer.

"As a result of village fundraising, the project has also been given a boost by a major donation from Hellifield Youth. The district council’s support has helped Hellifield Parish Council’s efforts to maintain and improve its sports and play facilities for all members of the community.”

Skipton Music was awarded £500 to help fund the cost of hosting a free concert for up to 300 children from local primary schools. The aim is to give all children an opportunity to experience live classical music. The concert will take place as part of a programme of six classical concerts to be hosted by Skipton Music between October and March 2015.

Bunty Leder, of Skipton Music, said: “Skipton is recognised as a musical centre in the north of England. We are grateful Craven District Council knows this and helps to contribute to our cultural well-being.”

Gargrave Parish Council was awarded £412 towards the cost of cleaning the village war memorial in time for the centenary commemorations of the First World War. The project has involved the whole community, including Gargrave Primary School and the local heritage group, which has been looking at the life, time and history of the men and their families whose names are on the Memorial. This will form part of the display to be held at St Andrew’s Church for the service and rededication of the memorial.

Settle Stories was awarded £500 towards the costs of holding ten free and low-cost events as part of this year’s Settle Storytelling Festival.

The events will involve activity to encourage people to go into local shops to hear stories, an online digital storytelling experience, an installation about the planets and the Solar System, and a revolving life boat in the centre of the Market Place.

Sita Brand, director of Settle Stories, said: “We are delighted with the support from Craven District Council.”

A contribution of £500 was set aside for this year’s three-day Fallfest event in Glusburn.

Taking place in September, it includes live performances by a semi-pro rock band, Airedale Symphony Orchestra and professional soprano. There will also be exhibitions, poetry and storytelling, community singing to help commemorate the First World War.

The district council has allocated £16,000 to fund projects through its community grant scheme for 2014/15. The scheme is open to any community-based group for projects, such as village halls, play areas, sport facilities, activities and events that support the local area. Projects considered for grant funding can be varied, but must be able to show how they will encourage new users or increase the involvement of local people in recreation, arts and culture.

Councillor Ken Hart, chairman of the council’s community grants sub-committee, said “The scheme is designed to assist projects that have the support of their community. Last year we were able to help 23 local projects get off the ground, including a community garden project, parish hall renovation, film club and play area refurbishment."

There are three planned meetings at which applications for grant funding will be considered and the deadlines for applications are September 19, December 5 and March 6, 2015.

For further information about the grant scheme visit www.cravendc.gov.uk/communitygrants