LATEST NEWS FROM SELECTED PROJECTS JUNE 2008

Active Exmoor
The new Exmoor Outdoor Group was officially launched at the end of April 2008, as was the new Active Exmoor 36 page colour magazine. The launch took place at Wimbleball Lake nr Dulverton. Active Exmoor showcased everything that Exmoor has to offer - activities from Archery to Windsurfing were available for guests to try and everyone got involved…..More details

Frome Education and Training Enterprise
The new Local Learning Centre in Frome was officially launched in mid May, as part of the Frome Education & Training Enterprise Project (FETE), an exciting new project designed to address recognised skills shortages in the town of Frome and its surrounding rural parishes. The Centre, part funded by Rural Renaissance, involved the erection of new temporary buildings on the Saxonvale site, and will offer a range of vocational courses for the post 14 age group. Several courses are already running and are expected to grow even further with Strode College and Skills & Learning transferring courses to the Centre….. More details

Martock Community Office
Thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund and other funders including Rural Renaissance, work is now underway in Martock to renovate and update the historic market house and transform it into a modern and welcoming community office. This is planned to be a comprehensive information and community feedback point, in a central location, with access to a range of services for residents and visitors to the town. The project will enable the creation of a full-time job, the Parish Clerk who will manage the community office and encourage the involvement of volunteers……More details

Balsam Centre, Wincanton
The Turn Project at the Balsam Centre was the second phase of a major capitalproject funded by the Big Lotteryand Rural Renaissance, to raise the profile of the centre making it truly accessible, well used and vibrant with an improved range of health and social services. This project has provided the Centre with improved access and reception, a lift , a café & meeting spaces which include a teaching facility, consultation rooms and studio It completes the transformation of the centre, adding to work done in phase one to provide a training kitchen and Children’s Centre.  The building became fully functional with a launch in May 2008 ….. More details

Watchet Esplanade

Watchet Town Council and West Somerset Council recently celebrated the official opening of a new-look Watchet Esplanade with a programme of events in April. The esplanade enhancement project involved a major refurbishment to boost the overall appearance of the esplanade, and new infrastructure such as market stalls was also provided to enable the town to host local farmers and craft markets…More details

Workspace projects
Almost half of the additional Rural Renaissance funds allocated for 2008-09 are earmarked for the Somerset Workspace Programme which gives grants to turn barns and other redundant or unused buildings into new businesses. During the first phase of funding the grants supported around 9 projects, all of which bring with them new jobs, new businesses and new opportunities for other services in our rural areas. Round up of some of the projects funded including Cutcombe Market, Horton Cross, Suddon Grange Farm….. More details