The next deadline for the Sleaford REP Community Power Fund is December 14th with decisions made in January 2023.  The Fund supports community projects within a five-mile radius of our power station.

Jo Simpson, General Manager of the Sleaford Renewable Energy Plant said: “Ever since the power station opened, nearly ten years ago, supporting community-based projects and organisations has been important to us, as is the partnership that we have with North Kesteven District Council. We have supported a wide range of initiatives in the area, and I encourage others to apply for funding support.”

For a project to be supported by the Community Power Fund it must meet these objectives:

•  Cover either the environment, sport, wellbeing or education.
•  Encourage community cohesion to build stronger communities.
•  Benefit the community/group by supporting activities and projects that bring wider community benefit.

For more details, including future deadlines, and how to apply for the fund visit n-kesteven.gov.uk/communityfunding 

A grant from the fund has recently supported the restoration and enhancement of a memorial in Sleaford paying tribute to an inspirational local figure.

The Sleaford and District Civic Trust (The Civic Trust) were awarded £980 from the Fund . It’s a charitable organisation formed in 1972 with the purpose of helping advise and guide the development of Sleaford and instill a sense of history and pride within the community.

The Civic Trust applied for the funding to help support a £1,507 restoration of the Harry Gregson memorial in Sleaford, which shines a spotlight on the life and work of Harry Gregson.

A highly regarded art teacher at Carre’s Grammar School, there is a bench sculpture celebrating Harry Gregson’s life and a green named after him near the William Alvey School in Sleaford. The bench sculpture was made by local Michelle de Bruin and was commissioned by The Civic Trust and Sleaford Art Group. 25 years on, the Gregson sculpture needed renovation and efforts to ensure it would continue to be seen and visited.

The Civic Trust applicant Harriott Brand said: “The REP grant gave a large and very helpful amount of money which the Civic Trust was able to build on to bring our total funding up to nearly double.  This meant we could engage the schools and plant cowslips with the children, and to give talks and workshops to the pupils of William Alvey and Church Lane.”

William Alvey School aided by the Church Lane School have been heavily involved and engaged in the restoration project. The schools organised a Gregson Day event in September about who Harry Gregson was and what he had done for Sleaford. The children dressed up as artists, teachers, and conservationists to print lino cuts of cowslips. The schools also plan that each year the children will learn of the history of Gregson Green and celebrate Gregson Day.

The project was also informed by advice from The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust to ensure biodiversity was maintained and managed. 800 cowslip plants were planted by the children of the William Alvey School to bring Gregson Green alive in the spring months.

North Kesteven District Council Executive Board Member Councillor Mervyn Head who chairs the Community Power Fund Panel said:

“We are really pleased to support the Sleaford REP Community Fund as a partner involved in helping distribute the funding. The REP panel was pleased to approve a grant towards the restoration of the Gregson Memorial Bench by The Civic Trust. The Panel especially liked the engagement with two local schools on the project to re-instate the bench on Gregson Green and enhance its surroundings with wildflower planting for the benefit of the residents of Sleaford.

I would encourage any groups locally who meet the criteria to apply for the funding, if they have got a project that could benefit from a grant, much like the Civic Trust has done.”