Voting is set to open in our last Well Built Community Fund for a year, before we refresh and relaunch the initiative in April 2021.
We recently invited groups, schools and charities to get in contact and tell us how £1,000 to spend on timber and landscaping supplies would help them. As this is a special Community Fund, and due to having received so many fantastic nominations, we've narrowed it down to nine finalists instead of the usual three.
It's now down to the public to decide who receives the donation. Our finalists are:
Beacon Ace Academy in Bodmin developed a vegetable garden to encourage outdoor learning and sustainability, but it was unfortunately damaged during a recent storm. Pupils plant, grow, harvest and cook what is produced and the school will use the money to buy materials to make essential repairs to the growing areas.
Callington Community College would like to cultivate a part of its grounds for use by the Special Education Needs and Disabilities Department. The project may involve creating a sensory garden, a 'hideaway' space, and adding additional outdoor seating areas. A selection of the school's engineering and construction students would undertake some of the work and the school will use the donation to purchase the necessary materials.
Court Fields School in Wellington has recently launched an Eco Council which is made up of students and staff. The group would like to transform an unused bike shed into a natural space. Plans include painting the shelter and adding a grass or moss roof so it blends in, as well as creating a bug hotel and installing bird boxes and raised beds.
DYS Space in Dawlish is a charitable social enterprise organisation that offers services for young people and communities. One department is called Chances, which provides short-term alternative education for young people in Dawlish. The charity would like to transform an outdoor area into a forest school space to give students the chance to learn bush crafts, as well develop an edible garden.
Kingsbridge & District Men's Shed was launched in 2016 and, since then, founding members have worked hard to source a place to build and create a shed, which they have now achieved. The group has been involved with a number of local events by making and selling beehives and planters, as well as creating props for amateur dramatic groups, and much more. As the group is about to open its doors to the local community, Kingsbridge Men's Shed will use the donation to purchase materials so it can be involved with more projects and work with more people in the community.
North Tawton RFC was recently promoted to the Cornwall and Devon League and, as a result, has welcomed an increased number of supporters at both its home and away matches. As the pitch is open to the elements, the club would like to construct some supporter shelters, which as well as providing protection against the weather, would enable the club to compete to host county games.
The Ilfracombe Academy would like to enable students to spend more time engaging in sporting activities. It would therefore like to build new storage facilities for its PE equipment allowing it to expand the selection of sports it is able to offer students.
Turn to Starboard in Falmouth is a military-focused charity that provides unique support to veterans with physical and mental health issues. It's currently restoring a 48-foot classic wooden-hulled motor cruiser and aims to engage veterans in the renovation to generate interest and gain traditional boatbuilding skills. If voted as the winner, the charity will use the donation to purchase materials to construct a covered area for woodworking activities.
Wilcombe Primary School in Tiverton has a wildlife pond on its grounds which is currently fenced off and surrounded by brambles. It would like to construct a decked area allowing pupils to enjoy pond dipping activities and learn more about the diverse array of creatures that live there.
The public can vote for the finalist they would like to receive the £1,000 by one of two ways:
- By visiting RGB's Facebook page and liking the photo that represents the group they would like to see win in the Community Fund album; the album will be pinned to the top of the page.
- By emailing RGB@pmwcom.co.uk and putting the name of the group they would like to see win in the subject box
Votes can be cast between Monday 16th March and 8 am on Monday 30th March. Votes cast outside of these dates will not be counted. Only one vote per person via one method of voting will be counted.
The winner of the £1,000 to spend at an RGB branch will be the group that receives the most votes.
We wish all finalists the very best of luck.
Terms & Conditions
- Voting will take place between Monday 16th March and 8 am on Monday 30th March 2020. Any votes cast outside of these dates will not be counted.
- The recipient of the £1,000 to spend at an RGB branch will be the group that receives the highest number of votes.
- Any votes deemed false will not be counted.
- The winning group will be required to take part in a photocall with an RGB representative. The photo will be distributed to the media and uploaded to RGB's website and social media platforms.
- RGB Building Supplies reserves the right to award the prize to a runner-up if contact is not received from the voted winner after 10 days.
- The winner is required to be involved in a follow-up photo call showing how the building materials were used.
- The prize is as stated and non-transferable, with no cash or other alternatives offered unless the advertised prize becomes unavailable.