A variety of organisations across Burnley are set to benefit from Burnley Council’s Rural Assets and Grass Roots Sports grant schemes, funded through the UK Government’s Pride in Place Impact Fund. The council invited eligible parish councils and non-profit sports clubs to apply for funding earlier this year, aiming to support projects that enhance community facilities and local spaces across the borough. The grants will cover a wide range of activities, including upgrades to community spaces, improvements to rural assets, and investment in sports equipment and facilities to help grassroots clubs grow and increase participation.
The Grass Roots Sports Grant Fund targets non-profit sports clubs in Burnley, supporting initiatives such as equipment purchases, pitch maintenance, and facility improvements. The Rural Assets Grant Fund focuses on rural parish councils, helping them enhance local spaces, community facilities, and assets in the borough’s rural areas. Projects selected for funding include improvements to sports facilities, investment in new equipment, and enhancements to community assets and sites that benefit residents of all ages.
Councillor Jack Launer, Burnley Council Executive Member for Housing, Health and Culture, emphasized the positive impact of the funding on local communities, noting that it will improve spaces and equipment, allowing residents to participate in sport and make full use of community facilities. Oliver Ryan, Member of Parliament for Burnley, highlighted the funding as a demonstration of the Government’s commitment to investing in towns like Burnley, supporting grassroots organisations, sports clubs, and parish councils, and strengthening community life.
Organisations receiving support include Worsthorne Parish Council for improvements to local greens and allotments, Habergham Eaves / Burnley Golf Club for a new practice area for junior development, the Canal & River Trust’s Finsley Gate Wharf for an outdoor community hub and the Campfire Conversations project, and several local sports clubs including Burnley Junior Cricket Club, Vanguard Table Tennis Club, Burnley RUFC, Warriors Discipline Academy, Burnley Judo Club, and Hussania Cricket Club for facility improvements and new equipment.
Jane Hargreaves, Enterprise Manager at the Canal & River Trust, highlighted the benefits of the funding for the Campfire Conversations project, noting that it will enable the charity to deliver year-round outdoor activities that connect people, improve wellbeing, and reduce isolation in Burnley. This funding forms part of the broader Pride in Place Impact Fund initiative, aimed at supporting local communities and improving the quality of shared spaces and activities.
