SMALL GRANTS through the Mendip Heritage Fund

The aim of the Fund
is to assist communities in the conservation and enhancement of the Mendip Hills landscape and to encourage its enjoyment and celebration

The Mendip Hills stretch from the island of Steep Holme and the mainland of Brean Down in the west to the outskirts of Frome in the east. Some 200 sq kms, from Bleadon to Chewton Mendip is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  The Mendips are a rich and varied natural resource. Now they are under greater pressure than ever before - from quarrying, some types of farming, industrial development and, increasingly, tourism.

The Mendip Society believes the challenge is to achieve a balance of interests while protecting the Mendips for future generations. It plays a significant role as a member of the Joint Advisory Committee for the Mendip Hills. In 1998 it helped to draw up the Management Plan for the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. In the spirit of this plan the Society also decided to launch a Mendip Hills Heritage Fund to provide small grants to encourage local initiatives anywhere on the Mendip Hills.


 

Types of project covered by the Fund
The fund may cover

  • village appraisals, village design statements and "planning for real" exercisesPriddy Hurdles
  • restoration, repair or creation of small, characteristic features in or around villages.  The Priddy Hurdle Stack is a good example, as is Smitham Hill Chimney [above-right], which is leaning, but secure!  It is the last standing Mendip lead-smelter chimney, once on the verge of collapse, but restored with grant aid from the Mendip Society.  We are still working in that area.  Other projects might include works on village greens, ponds, seats, signs, and in special circumstances, trees, walls and hedges - particularly in public areas in villages)
  • restoration, repair or creation of special signs (including "Somerset" cast iron guide posts), village information boards, interpretation boards, viewpoints, toposcopes etc. The Society has recently sponsored boards at Winscombe’s Millenium Green, shown in our Photos pages.
  • items, that promote Mendip tranquillity, remoteness and the dark night sky, such as the telescopes at Charterhouse, or which remedy light pollutionVobster Coke Ovens.  The Society has recently funded the provision of a television link to the Charterhouse telescope, to allow those unable to manage the restricted entrance to the telescope to enjoy its displays.
  • help for publications, which celebrate and increase awareness of the Mendip Hills and encourage appropriate access
  • acquisition of land or cultural items of exceptional Mendip significance

Other items may be added to this list.

Eligible organisations and rates of grant
The Society favours applicants who represent the rural community, such as village organisations, WIs, charities, amenity societies, conservation bodies, parish councils, local authorities, and similar groups.    It may also be prepared to offer grant aid to individuals where the public benefits are clear.

The Society will offer a sufficient rate of grant to get a project going, but this will rarely exceed 50% and normally be around 33% of costs. The maximum total grant will not exceed £1,000.

Application for funds
 If you would like to apply for a grant then please contact the Mendip Society's Grants Officer.  A form will be sent to you. You will be asked to complete the form and add any further details of projects and proposals, such as maps and plans, and to show clearly how the stated objectives will be met.

Your application will be looked at by the Grant Officer with a view to approval by the Management Committee of the Mendip Society.