Darwen projects celebrate £270,000 funding boost

More than £270,000 is set to be awarded to support vital local projects in the first round of the Darwen Community Fund, with the successful applicants now being revealed.

This pilot is part of the Government’s £20m Pride in Place programme, with the Darwen Town Board committing £250,000 of what’s known as capacity funding for this new scheme and important ‘quick wins’ to support the town.

In this first wave, 12 projects are set to directly benefit – including new investment for Derwent Hall, Darwen Heritage Centre, Sunbird Records, the brand-new Youth Zone, Darwen Cricket Club and more.

For one successful applicant, Two Gates Bowling Green and Social Club, the £20,000 it will receive is a lifeline for urgent repairs needed to keep the venue open.

Alongside the beautiful bowling green there and a sports room and bar, it’s a vital community hub run by a team of dedicated volunteers, offering live music every week, bingo and free family events as well as hosting weddings, birthdays and special celebrations.

The Chair of the bowling club, John Bentley said: ‘’For almost 130 years, the bowling club has been at the very heart of the community and proudly so.

‘’It’s run by hardworking volunteers who all pitch in, including helping with the upkeep, but, sadly, we were facing closure due to issues with our floor which needed specialist repairs.

‘’This new funding means we can carry out the work and continue to open our doors, hopefully for many more generations to come – we are all absolutely over the moon and can’t wait to get started.’’

In total, the board received more than 60 bids with a combined ask of more than £1.3m.

The other successful bids, judged against what Darwen’s residents and businesses said is important to them as part of extensive consultation, include:

Derwent Hall – funding to redecorate the building, enabling more clubs and groups to use the space, with income supporting daily low-cost meals and activities for the over-55 community

Darwen Cricket Club – providing year-round opportunities for local schools, young people, and the wider community, including walking cricket for older residents, at the impressive new indoor centre – only the second of its kind in the whole of the UK

Sunbird Records – this funding will help strengthen the programme at this grassroots music venue as it approaches its 10th anniversary, helping grow audiences and bring wider benefits to the town’s music scene and nightlife

Darwen Heritage Centre – to help make the building and exhibitions more accessible, including for wheelchair users and families with prams, helping more of the community enjoy Lancashire’s newest museum

Darwen Youth Zone – alongside the launch of its state-of-the-art new building this spring, this cash will extend the hugely successful StreetZone bus to five days, positively engaging youngsters in the community with activities including sports, gaming, creative arts, cooking, informal education, and wellbeing support

Junction4 Skatepark – transformed through Town Deal funding into one of the best skateparks in the UK, this new investment will support a Darwen Urban Culture Programme, bringing free, inclusive events celebrating sport, music, arts and urban culture to the community

Hoddlesden Millennium Green – new funding to introduce a Forest School and community activities at this much-loved green space, home to woodland walks, a moorland stream and a community orchard, all cared for by passionate and dedicated volunteers

The Parochial Church Council of St James Over Darwen – run entirely by volunteers, the church delivers vital community support including a food club, daily activities, a holiday programme and help for asylum seekers and refugees. This funding will help towards emergency building works as part of exciting plans to create a new community hub

The Making Rooms – based in the new Maker Zone at Darwen Youth Zone, this pilot will give young people hands-on, industry-relevant learning experiences. It aims to equip those not in education, employment or training, or at risk of being so, with the creative, technical and life skills to thrive in a rapidly changing world

Launchpad – a partnership between Blackburn College, Newground Together and Darwen Youth Zone to help young people re-engage with education, raise their aspirations and move into employment. The programme has already proven hugely successful in Blackburn

Newrad Fisheries – funding will improve the angling club’s lodges, making them more accessible for wheelchair users and tackling invasive weeds that affect the water

The Pride in Place Programme – alongside the Darwen Town Deal – is being overseen by a new Darwen Town Board, chaired by Tracey Alcock, Managing Director of Herbert Parkinson – part of the John Lewis Partnership and a major local employer.

Leader of the Council and Vice Chair of the Darwen Town Board, Councillor Phil Riley, added: ‘’What a tremendous response we’ve had to the new Darwen Community Fund and we’re really proud to be able to announce the successful bids today and an extra £20,000 of funding.

‘’It really is heartwarming to read all about the fantastic work that is already being done across the town and the difference this new funding can help make.

‘’While it was a tough job whittling the bids down, we’ve worked hard to make sure there’s a bit of something for everyone – young, old, community groups, sport music and events – all linking back to what residents has told us is important to them.

‘’We’re really looking forward to seeing the difference that this funding can make while we work on the bigger projects for the town, with so much to come.’’

Andy MacNae, MP for Rossendale and Darwen, said: ‘’This is a great start to our Pride in Place programme – congratulations to all the successful projects and thanks to Blackburn with Darwen Council for the extra support.

‘’We lobbied hard to get the £20m Pride in Place fund for Darwen and now we need to make sure we maximize the impact throughout the town.

‘’I am really looking forward to working with the board to make sure we deliver the projects Darwen needs.’’