A LOTTERY funded grants scheme run by the charity, the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust has helped uncover ancient remains at the site of a medieval chapel in Malham.

And now, with another round of grants of up to £1,500 up for grabs, community groups in Craven are being invited to apply before next month’s deadline.

The National Lottery funded Roger Stott grant scheme was set up two years ago in memory of the charity’s founding chairman and has so far helped 60 groups, with grants totalling £72,000.

Funding is available for small, mostly rural voluntary organisations and community groups with an annual income of less than £30,000, and can be used to develop both new and existing initiatives for the benefit of their community.

Those who have recently secured funding include the Clapham Development Association, for a series of visitor panels in the village, and Reverb Youth, to provide film nights for children across Upper Wharfedale.

The St Helens’ Chapel dig volunteer group also received funds to pay for a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey of a medieval chapel in Malham.

David Johnson, from the group, said the grant was very welcome. “I’ve now received seven sets of radiocarbon dating from the lab, and the results are astounding.

“The aim of the GPR surveys was to see if there are burials from an earlier phase, that is, Anglo-Saxon, below the chapel. Three of the results are firmly Anglo-Saxon in date, two straddle the Norman Conquest and two fall within the 13th-14th centuries. We had hoped for these early dates, but never dared expect it.”

Leah Galloway, project officer with the millennium trust, said she hoped lots of groups would come forward and apply for funding, which she said was an easy process.

“We’re looking forward to working with passionate and dedicated individuals to help deliver great ideas that have the potential to bring real benefits to local communities.”

Will Humpington, climate change and environmental programmes advisor at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “By supporting passionate local people, the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust is giving inspirational projects a vital boost, helping to bring rural communities together across the Yorkshire Dales. These grants have the potential to make a big difference to local communities so I am delighted that players of People’s Postcode Lottery are making this possible.”

The closing date for applications is Friday, November 2. Application forms can be downloaded at: ydmt.org/community-grants. Project officer Leah Galloway can be contacted on 015242 51002 or email info@ydmt.org