Community projects in Midhurst and Petworth call for votes to bag Tesco funds

Two community projects are calling for votes to bag a share of Tesco's £12.5m carrier bag charge fund.
ks16000844-1 Mid Natiional Citizen Service phot kate
The team from the National Citizens Service helping to refurbish the Stedham camp site owned by the Midhurst Youth Association.ks16000844-1 SUS-160908-183608008ks16000844-1 Mid Natiional Citizen Service phot kate
The team from the National Citizens Service helping to refurbish the Stedham camp site owned by the Midhurst Youth Association.ks16000844-1 SUS-160908-183608008
ks16000844-1 Mid Natiional Citizen Service phot kate The team from the National Citizens Service helping to refurbish the Stedham camp site owned by the Midhurst Youth Association.ks16000844-1 SUS-160908-183608008

The Midhurst Youth Trust needs help to replace an old low ropes course and provide new play equipment at its young peoples’ camp site in Stedham.

And Petworth Community Garden would like financial support to renovate its dilapidated wheelchair access ramp, paths and raised beds.

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They are both bidding for a share of the Tesco ‘Bags of Help’ initiative which offers grants of £12,000, £10,00 and £8,000 raised from the 5p bag levy and awarded to environmental and greenspace projects.

Members of the public can vote at Tesco’s Midhurst store from next Monday, October 31 until November 13.

Colin Hughes for the Midhurst Youth Trust said: “Last year (our first year) over one thousand young people stayed at our campsite.

“Next year we expect this to grow substantially.

“The camping area at Stedham has been in existence for over 30 years. Many in our community will have experienced camping under the stars in this unique rural space as a child.

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“The West Sussex County Council three years ago decided that it was surplus to their requirements.

“The Midhurst Youth Trust, with generous support from two local Charities, was able to purchase this much loved facility thereby enabling its continued use.

“Last year the site was used by Stedham Primary school, Easebourne primary school, Woolmer Hill, Midhurst Rother College, many Duke of Edinburgh Award groups, Scouts, Beavers, Cubs, Explorers, Cadets, Forest Schools, as well as community organisations from London, Brighton, Worthing and many other local groups.

“With an outstanding view of the South Downs, situated in 16.5 acres of unspoilt rural Sussex, a visit to Stedham camping area provides an opportunity for all who visit to experience the joy of our very special Sussex Countryside .

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“Today there is an increasing awareness of the value of a truly rural experience for our young and community alike. Forest Schools, Camping, expedition training and school visits give a unique experience for all of those who visit the site today as they always have in the past.

“This has only been made possible through the hard work and dedication of volunteers who undertake cleaning, grass cutting and minor repairs.

“Many of the facilities of the site were very run down . With generous donations from various charities the Classroom and the Kitchen have now been replaced.

“The site has a low ropes course in place but this is now rotting through age.

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“Our project for which we ask for your support is to replace this ropes course with a new facility for young people of all ages which will be both challenging fun and accessible.

“It will consist of a number of free standing, interesting and physically testing pieces of equipment

“The equipment will be a part of a site in which all who visit have the space for recreation, discovery and fun in the countryside.”

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