Community groups win Parklife funding for local causes

Community groups across Prestwich and nearby have been granted funding from the Parklife concerts to organise activities.

Some 22 groups have won money from the Parklife Community Fund, which sets aside some of the concert proceeds for local causes.

The announcements were made at the award ceremony last night at the Phoenix Centre, St Mary's Park, where each group spoke about their upcoming projects and how the Parklife money will be spent.

Councillor Richard Gold, cabinet member for finance and communities, said: "We have always said that Parklife isn't popular with everyone: some residents like it, others don't. Over the Parklife weekend more than 150,000 concertgoers attend Parklife, which is in an urban setting, and we think it's only fair that Prestwich gets something back from Parklife.

“We asked the concert organisers to set up the Parklife Community Fund in 2016, and since then £165,000 has been given to local community groups.

“All these organisations carry out tremendous work to make our neighbourhoods a better place to live in and we know that some have struggled, especially during this cost-of-living crisis. Parklife funding does make a real difference.”

He added: “This year the fund was slightly undersubscribed, so Prestwich councillors made the decision to give the surplus to the food bank run by the Rev Jez Hackett at the Heaton Park Methodist Church. Nearly 100 Prestwich families use this food bank; that money is desperately needed, and we will not pass by on the other side of the road."

Community Fund – total of £22,000 awarded to:

• Langley Allotments Association (£1,000) – improving access road
• PADOS (£1,000) – restoring dressing room
• St Margaret's Primary PTA (£1,000) – restore playground
• St Mary’s Churchyard (£1,000) – mural
• Jewel (£1,000) – improving outdoor spaces
• Prestwich Arts Festival (£1,000)
• Heaton Park Methodist Church (£2,126) – food pantry
• Prestwich Methodist Youth Association (£1,000) – The Phoenix IT skills
• Philips Park Barn Management CIC (£400) – Philips Park Barn
• Bury Greenwood Group (£815) – woodland management
• Prestwich Clough (£1,000) – Clean Team
• Jigsaw Bury (£999) – summer sport project
• JAMH (£1,000) – mindful motion
• 8^th Prestwich Scouts (£1,000) – camp equipment
• Manchester Maccabi (£700) – community bazaar
• Friends of Philips Park (£1,000) – Philips Park recovery Phase 2
• Prestwich Cricket, Tennis and Bowling Club – youth development coaches
• Prestwich Pride (£1,000)
• The Fed (£990) – Fed forest school
• Prestwich Carnival (£1,000)
• Prestwich Clough Day (£1,000)
• Bailey Street Bowling Green Association (£970) – replacement windows

ENDS

Press release issued: 22 March 2024.

Picture: Some of the award-winning organisations.