'SUCCESS IN SEVERNSIDE'

Good news has just reached a local Community in the Severnside Area. A Caldicot resident's group known as the 'Birbeck Park Regeneration Residents Group' has just received confirmation that they have been successful in securing their bid for £40,000.00 from the Welsh Assembly Government. This means that with the £13,000.00 the group has raised themselves, £53,000.00 worth of much needed play and recreational equipment can be provided at Birbeck Park.

*Please click the above photograph to access a photo slide-show of Birbeck Park

Amanda Gillett, the group chairperson said "This is excellent news for the local community and residents group. The there has been no equipment in the park for the community to use for a number of years, and the Local Authority didn't have the budget to provide equipment". Subsequently, the group through Monmouthshire County Council applied for Article 33 grant funding from Wales Assembly Government, to provide the park with equipment. One of the requirements of the grant application criteria is that the group has to match fund the project. Through a lot of hard work by the group members, they organised a number of fund raising event's such as a raffle stall at last years 'Foot Prints in the Sands of Time' held at Caldicot Castle and a disco evening at Severn View Social Club Caldicot, as well has receiving donations from a number of local businesses. "It's been 18 months of hard work for the group members attending evening meetings etc, but knowing that we have now got the grant and are able to provide the equipment, makes it all worth it".

The group has been working closely in partnership with Monmouthshire County Council's One Stop Shop, Economic Development, Housing and Leisure Departments, together with Gwent Heddlu Police to ensure the success of the project. The group has also received financial contributions from Mon CC's Severnside Area Committee. Mike Jones The Area Services Officer for Severnside, who has been representing Monmouthshire County Council on the group, said he was very please what the group has achieved to date through their hard work and commitment to the project. It proves what local residents can achieve for their community when working in partnership with other bodies 'To make things happen'. It's just what Monmouthshire's Community Strategy and Local Area Action Plan is all about.

One local distribution company 3663 First for Foodservice of Severnside Industrial Estate has also been very proactive with the group. In September of 2004, members of 3663 Severnbridge depot created a steering group to help a local project to improve the environment. After consulting with Mr Mike Jones from Monmouthshire County Council's One Stop Shop, the initiative selected was the Birbeck Park Regeneration Resident's Group, whose project was to provide a much needed recreational play area with associated equipment. As a result of various activities, 3663 have generated over £1,000 towards the project. 3663 staff enthusiastically embraced the challenge and have participated in a walk over the Old Severn Bridge, a Bad Hair/Cake Sale, the creation of a monthly lottery draw and various 'dress down days'. There most ambitious project was to cook a 'Big Breakfast' for all 140 of the depot staff using very limited resources. All staff were asked to make a voluntary donation which they willingly did, as everyone within the depot wants the park to be a success.

Mr Robert Evans Telesales Manager of the 3663 Severnbridge Depot congratulates the Residents on getting their grant from the Welsh Assembly and said 3663 are further supporting the project by planning a variety of future activities to continue the momentum.

If you able to, or know of anyone, who can pledge further financial support to this worthy project, then please contact Mrs C Mayo, Group Treasurer, on 01291 425440.

For all other enquires on this project, or if you are a group that also has ideas that MCC can help with, then please contact Mike Jones, Severnside Area Services Officer at Monmouthshire County Council's Severnside One Stop Shop on 01291 426499 or email mikejones@monmouthshire.gov.uk.