A grants scheme by Guildford Borough Council that aims to help tackle social inequality has now awarded £88,150 to groups and organisations over the past two years.

The scheme, under the banner of Project Aspire, has just awarded its 60th grant to a local community group, the Cadence Drum and Bugle Corps.

Cadence Drum and Bugle Corps.

The band is a performing arts charity which helps develop musical talent and teamwork.

In a press release, GBC reports that such community-led schemes “help boost health and wellbeing, build community spirit and improve skills and access to employment”.

Its Project Aspire scheme liaises with local communities in Park Barn, Westborough, Ash, Merrow, Stoughton, Bellfields and Stoke.

Groups and initiatives supported by funding include Ash Dementia Alliance, Bushy Hill Community Club, the Matrix Trust Young Leaders’ Course, Ash Tales’ community outreach project with the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Bushy Hill Junior School’s Growing for Good project, Ash Youth Centre’s music project, and the Park Barn-based Rhythm of Life Community Choir.

Following on from the hugely successful Stoughton in the Great War community event in 2014 (that, at the time, received funding from elsewhere), its committee has also successfully applied to Project Aspire for funding for its follow-up event, Stoughton at the end of the Great War, to be held at Cardwells Keep (formerly Stoughton Barracks) on September 15, 2018.

It has recently been granted £2,232 from the Project Aspire grants fund.

One of its organisers, local historian, David Rose, said: “Our event in 2014 attracted hundreds of people and was a fantastic day bringing the local community, schools, churches, groups and organisation together to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War and Stoughton Barracks, the then home of the Queen’s (Royal West Surrey) Regiment.

“At the time, and with interest from many who came and took part, we said we would hold a similar event in 2018, to mark the end of the Great War. To do this we required funding. Marquees have to be hired, a public events license has to be obtained, the hire from Guildford Borough Council of the open space at Cardwells Keep, the hire of portable loos, funds to pay for musical entertainment, running costs, promotions, and so on.

“Therefore, we, the organisers, thank the council for the Project Aspire grant, which we acknowledge as being just the kind of thing it should be funding for the benefit of the local community, and also visitors, therefore strengthening that community an giving it so much pride.”

Hundreds attended the Stoughton in the Great War community event in 2014. Picture by Richard Cleland.

The Stoughton event has some funding left over from the 2014 event, also been given £450 by Cllr Angela Goodwin from her Surrey County Council’s member’s allocation. She represents Guildford North on behalf of Surrey County Council and is a Guildford borough councillor for the Stoughton ward.

GBC’s lead councillor for Project Aspire, health, safeguarding and sport, Iseult Roche, said: “Project Aspire is here because we believe every person matters – this fundamentally underpins all we do.

“It’s about working with our diverse range of residents to strengthen the community spirit that makes Guildford a place where everyone is truly valued. It’s great to see how much we can achieve when we all work together and I’m delighted that we have already supported over 60 community-led schemes, both large and small, which all have a positive impact on our local community.”

Residents who would like to start their own group, or who have an idea to help build community spirit, are invited to get in touch with the Project Aspire team on 01483 444856 or by emailing projectaspiregrants@guildford.gov.uk