HARTSHOLME HELPING YOUNGSTERS INTO CRICKET

Councillor Ron Hills has chosen three community projects based in his Hartsholme ward, Lincoln, to benefit from The Councillor Big Society Fund.
The fund was set up after councillors voted not to take the recommended increase in their allowances.
Every county councillor in Lincolnshire can make awards of up to £2,000 to local groups or organisations that are bringing benefits to their community.
The three that Cllr Hills has chosen to support are:

• £500 to Hartsholme Cricket Club, to help fund the hire of suitable premises during school holidays for cricket training for school-age children. For details see www.hartsholme.play-cricket.com
• £500 to Hartsholme Community Contact Centre, Hemswell Avenue. A popular contact point run by staff and volunteers, which provides around 8,000 local residents a year with help and support on issues such as housing and benefits advice. People can drop in for a tea or coffee and a friendly chat and there are also adult education classes on a range of subjects. 
• £600 to Friends of Hartsholme Country Park, to fund the park’s Family Fun Day in August 2012. This popular annual event attracts hundreds of visitors each year, and the extra funding will pay for free activities for families and children such as a bouncy castle, assault course and balloon modelling.  

Cllr Ron Hills said: “These local initiatives are all very close to my heart. I’m also a keen supporter of Hartsholme Cricket Club as I believe it offers a great opportunity for children to keep fit and active, especially during the school holidays. The contact centre is a great example of what can happen in the Big Society – a community coming together and sorting out issues for themselves.”
Ian Dovey, senior coach at Hartsholme Cricket Club, said: “We really appreciate the funding from Councillor Hills. Our holiday sessions for primary school-age children are very popular, and great at introducing beginners to cricket. The emphasis is on having fun, and we’ve found that once children have tried out playing cricket they are keen to keep it up. This grant will help us ensure that our sessions are affordable and accessible to all children.”